Written Answers Nos. 212-222
212. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, will provide an additional bus service on the 182 bus route from Monaghan to Drogheda at the weekends, in both directions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5300/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the possible provision of an additional bus service on the 182 bus route from Monaghan to Drogheda at the weekends, in both directions, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the average waiting time for an invitation to a driving test will be returned to the service level agreement time of ten weeks; the current waiting time by test centre; the reason for the current long waiting times; the reason for the wide disparity in waiting times in test centres in County Galway, which range from 13 to 33 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5330/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested on waiting times by centres is held by them. I have, therefore, referred that part of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to address this issue. The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130.
I am informed that the RSA has deployed the majority of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by the end of Q1 2023.
The RSA has assured me that they are keeping the situation under constant review and the Authority will report back to my department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. The RSA has indicated that a further sanction request for increases in driver testers will be submitted imminently, my department will evaluate this promptly on receipt.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
214. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driving test, by county and test centre; the number of persons waiting in the same period in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5331/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
215. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the timeframe of the publication of the all-island strategic rail review report (details supplied). [5346/23]
View answerThe Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. A draft report is currently being finalised by the consultants carrying out the Review, for submission to the Departments. The finalised draft report will be submitted for approval to both Ministers and the Irish Government as appropriate. After the necessary approvals have been secured, I will publish the report.
217. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving test centres and testers in each county, in tabular form. [5424/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5444/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the TEN-T Regulation, ports that meet certain criteria in respect of cargo volumes, passenger traffic, and location are included on the Core or Comprehensive network. As the Port of Shannon Foynes meets the criteria for inclusion on the Core network, it must comply with the requirements for Core ports, including the requirement for a rail connection by 2030. This legal requirement is set out in Article 41 of the 2013 TEN-T Regulation (1315/2013), which provides exemptions only in the case of physical constraints.
Recital 26, which the Deputy provided, is taken from the EU Commission's proposal to revise the TEN-T Regulation. This process is not yet concluded and the quoted text is not part of operative EU legislation. As such, the legal requirements of the 2013 Regulation continue to apply to Shannon Foynes as a port on the Core Network.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he intends providing dedicated funding to deal with the issue of recurring tidal flooding on county roads in coastal areas near the sea where rising seas have increased the incidence of flooding, particularly in view of the number of communities affected by this issue; the relatively low cost of sorting this issue out once and for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5451/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils’ own resources supplemented by State road grants.
As regards the funding that is available for regional and local roads where tidal flooding occurs, local authorities may carry out repairs from the regional and local road general maintenance and renewal grant programmes available to them and from their own resources. In this context, it is a matter for each Council to determine and prioritise its work programme.
In addition, Councils can apply for grant assistance under the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works grant (for schemes with a cost estimate of up to €200,000) or under the Specific Improvement Grant (for schemes with a cost estimate greater than €200,000 and less than €5m).
220. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5515/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation, management and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
221. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus users on each individual bus route in Galway City and county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [5516/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. In addition, I would like to advise that the NTA also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the number of bus users on each individual bus route in Galway city and county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
222. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport when the legislation granting additional certificates for certain renewable transport fuels will be published, which was as committed to in the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5518/23]
View answerThe Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuel Functions Bill 2023, sponsored by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Section 10 amends section 44G of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 through the insertion of a new subsection (1B) which will, following the transfer of renewable transport fuel functions, empower the Minister for Transport to make regulations authorising the National Oil Reserves Agency to issue additional renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) certificates in respect of particular renewable transport fuels and where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport.
The draft regulations will be subject to statutory consultation consisting of consultation with specified parties followed by a 28-day call for submissions (notice of this will be placed on the Department of Transport website).
The purpose of these regulations is to incentivise the use of specified renewable transport fuels in particular sectors which will support the ongoing decarbonisation of Transport. For example, incentivising the supply of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to support the achievement of the Climate Action Plan 2021 target for a B20 biofuel blend in diesel by 2030, to support development fuels supply such as green hydrogen and biomethane and to incentivise renewable transport fuel supply for aviation and maritime.
Through engagement with my officials and I, stakeholders have indicated that commencement of these regulations is required by April 2023 in order to support them to comply with their requirements under the 2023 renewable transport fuel obligation. It is a priority for me, as Minister for Transport, to deliver on renewable fuel policy commitments within the 2023 obligation period. My officials are continuing to liaise with industry on the ongoing implementation of the policy.
The Bill has completed its passage through Dáil Éireann and it is anticipated that it will be debated by the Seanad shortly with the aim that it will proceed as quickly as possible this month to allow for its enactment and to provide sufficient time to consult on the draft regulations. However, until the Bill is enacted, and renewable transport fuel functions are transferred to my remit, it is not possible for me to provide a date for the commencement of the regulations.
