Written Answers Nos. 118-138
118. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport to provide NTA surveys of passengers at Dublin Airport 2016 and 2022 (details supplied), including a legend for the codes used in these spreadsheets; and to provide data on landside origins/destinations of passenger trips to and/or from Dublin Airport based on data NTA has collected in respect of 2016 and 2022. [20336/24]
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 and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
119. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport has not paid into EU programmes or funds which are outside of Multi-annual Financial Framework over the period 2014 to date. The Department has no record of receipts for the same period from any programmes or funds which the Irish Government has paid into, outside of the Multiannual Financial Framework.
120. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to confirm he will implement the ruling of the High Court in respect to the CIÉ 1951 scheme and take steps to ensure that the benefits of the scheme’s active members will be protected and maintained; and that 1951 scheme pensioners will be awarded their long-awaited pension increase without delay. [20379/24]
View answer126. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a recent High Court judgement in relation to CIÉ pensions; if he will take steps to ensure that the benefits of the 1951 scheme active members will be protected and maintained and that pension increases will now be paid to these former workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20447/24]
View answer137. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to confirm if he will respect the recent High Court judgement (details supplied) in relation to the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme, and if the pensioners will be awarded their long awaiting pension increase without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20746/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 126 and 137 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021.
The Department is still in the process of considering the draft SI in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to meet to consider and agree what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 3 May 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes. Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
121. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to engage with CIÉ to ensure it complies with its legal obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme. [20380/24]
View answer127. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will communicate with CIÉ regarding the recent High Court judgement in relation to CIÉ pensions about the obligation to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20448/24]
View answer138. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he can confirm that CIÉ will immediately comply with its legal obligations to appoint CIÉ board-nominated members to the statutory CIÉ 1951 scheme pensions committee, pursuant to rule 12 of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20747/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 127 and 138 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. This included matters relating to board-nominated members.
Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
122. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the funding going to local authorities to help with road reinstatement and safety schemes for regional and local roads. [20408/24]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
As outlined in the 2024 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 15th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.
Irelands regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.
In 2024, €10,587,330 has been allocated under the Safety Improvement Works Grant Programme to regional and local roads for 261 schemes across the State. At present, all funding under the Regional and Local Road Programme has been allocated.
123. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if, given the horrendous weather over the past nine months, he will increase the total amount of funding in 2024 given to Tipperary County Council to help improve road surfaces throughout that local authority area. [20413/24]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
On 15th February an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State was announced which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations. Each local authority received an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement grant. This Exchequer funding is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.
Tipperary County Council received a total allocation of €35,772,945 this year which represents an increase of €2,240,546 in comparison to the 2023 allocation.
All exchequer funding for the Regional and Local Road programme for 2024 has been allocated at this time; however, each Council can liaise directly their assigned Departmental Engineer Inspector to discuss any unforeseen road deterioration in their region. The Department is fully committed to working with local authorities and helping them reprioritise work programmes as needed in order to retain a safe road network for all.
In line with established practice, the Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage severe weather events, including flooding and cold weather.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to works that are planned in Tipperary in 2024. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
124. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if he will urgently enforce an increase in the CIÉ 1951 superannuation pension scheme, with consideration to the recent report published by the independent actuarial company based on data supplied by CIÉ (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20423/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. The Department is still in the process of considering the draft SI in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days. While original indications were that a judgement would be expected in the Autumn of 2022, the matter was deferred on multiple occasions, with the judgment being delivered on 19 April 2024.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey found that both CIÉ and the 1951 Scheme members were obliged to provide funding to the pension scheme to resolve any solvency issues. Justice Sanfey instructed both sides to meet to consider and agree what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 3 May 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes. CIÉ would be best placed to advise on this issue, and any queries in relation to the contents of the Willis Towers Watson report.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the aspect of Deputy's question related to an increase in pension payments for members to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
125. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the measures in place to promote shared vehicles or bikes; whether he has assessed international practice in this arena such as a tax credit, or other incentives to expand shared use of a fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20426/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to the promotion and expansion of shared mobility, including shared cars and bikes, in Ireland. This commitment is reflected in specific actions within this Government's Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan 2022-2025 and the Climate Action Plans 2023 and 2024.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel, and this funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area, including the provision and expansion of public bike schemes in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
My Department is also working with the NTA to progress pilots that will test the network effect of shared mobility hubs in line with above commitments in both the SMP and CAP23. A mobility hub can be defined as a prominent location that brings together different shared mobility modes such as bikes, cargo bikes, and electric vehicles and enhances them with additional amenities, services, and information.
Subject to funding approval, it is intended that the pilots will inform the development of an operating model for mobility hubs, which will support the potential roll-out of hubs nationally, and will complement the aforementioned public bikes schemes.
To link implementation with policy, the Department recently launched a public consultation on the development of shared mobility hubs, alongside an extensive Issues Paper which reflected several examples of international practice in this area. The closing date for submissions was Friday 3 May, and the submissions received will help to inform and shape a new National Policy Statement on Shared Mobility Hubs for completion later in 2024. The issue of incentives and promotion will also be considered in this context.
As well as the foregoing public consultation, targeted stakeholder engagement will be undertaken over the coming months to further explore a range of measures that could be deployed to expand the development and use of shared fleets. However, with regard to any proposals on tax credits specifically, approval for such measures would ultimately rest with my colleague the Minister for Finance.
128. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport in relation to reports received highlighting issues with the 56a bus route (details supplied); if he is aware that this bus is frequently late or fails to turn up at all; if the NTA foresees these issues and if they will put a plan in place to prevent delays or no shows; and what actions are the NTA taking to resolve these issues. [20479/24]
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 and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, Dublin Bus in this instance.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply, pertaining to the Deputy's NTA specific queries.
Additionally, have forwarded the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply on the operational matters of the 56a. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
129. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a dedicated funding scheme aimed at incentivising commercial bus operators to purchase alternatively fuelled vehicles; or alternatively, if he will enhance the funding under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme to support commercial bus operators to make the transition to EVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20616/24]
View answerIreland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. The decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective within the sector.
Since the establishment of the previous Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicles (AFHDV) purchase grant schemes (2021-2023) and the 2024 Zero Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) purchase grant scheme, we have offered purchase grant funding to support commercial bus operators to make the transition to EVs.
There was a total of €11m made available in funding for the purchase of HDVs under the AFHDV Purchase Grant Schemes from 2021-2023, including buses. The maximum spend for each year did not exceed availability.
Funding up to €3.5m has been made available to ZEHDV in 2024. To date 10 grant applications have been received for a total of 15 vehicles. There is still funding available in the ZEHDV scheme for 2024.
130. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline how much funding was made available for buses under the alternatively fuelled heavy duty vehicles grant purchase scheme in 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20619/24]
View answerIreland has committed to transitioning to a low carbon economy by 2050 and the transport sector has a significant role to play. The decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective within the sector.
To promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), the Department of Transport launched the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme in March 2021. The Scheme was intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional HDVs and those powered by alternatively fuelled power-trains.
Changes to the General Block Exemption (Reg. 651/2014) in July 2023 impacted the AFHDV Grant Scheme and made it no longer viable under the new regulations. In response, the Department established the Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Scheme (ZEHDV), with a focus on incentivising the purchase of zero emission heavy duty vehicles.
Under the AFHDV Purchase Grant Schemes from 2021-2023 there was a total of €11m made available in funding for the purchase of HDVs, including buses.
• 2021 - €3m
• 2022 - €3m
• 2023 - €5m
The maximum spend for each year did not exceed availability. The budget for ZEHDV in 2024 is €3.5m, to date 10 grant applications have been received for a total of 15 vehicles.
131. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the current update position regarding Dublin Bus having the necessary infrastructure installed in all buses to be able to accept credit or debit card payments. [20649/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) Project is an upgraded ticketing system project to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an ‘Account Based Ticketing’ scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
132. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport when each of the public car parks within Dublin Airport were last remarked or resurfaced, in tabular form. [20650/24]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the maintenance of public car parks at the airport.
Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct detailed response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
133. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport when remaining phases of the BusConnects programme will come into operation. [20651/24]
View answerBusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered with the first five phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years.
The first of these Spines—the H-Spine—launched in June 2021 and serves Howth and Malahide. The second Spine—the C-Spine serving the Lucan/Leixlip/Celbridge corridor —launched in November 2021.
Phase 3—the Northern Orbital routes—was rolled out in May 2022, connecting Blanchardstown with the Point and Finglas with Howth Junction. Phase 4, comprising the G-Spine and Route 60 connecting Ballyfermot with the Docklands via the City Centre, was launched in October 2022.
Phase 5a, the Western Orbitals, launched in June 2023 connecting the West of Dublin to Kildare. Phase 5b, the Southern Orbitals, was launched in November 2023 connecting the Southern and Western areas of Dublin.
The E Spine (Ballymun to Bray) and Inner City Orbitals are expected to roll out later this year subject to funding and driver availability. The Network Redesign for the entire network will continue in the coming years.
Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
134. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to solve the parking shortage at Athlone train station; if he will explore options for expanding parking facilities or implementing alternative parking arrangements to better serve commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The maintenance and upgrading of parking facilities at train stations, including the one referred to by the Deputy, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
135. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 23 April 2024, in terms of the better Government requirements for a regulatory impact assessment to be conducted when transposing an EU Directive, the reason this was not done before S.I. No. 703 of 2022 implementing Article 7.3 of Directive 2014/94/EU was signed into law. [20661/24]
View answerIn 2022, the Department of Transport put in place Regulations via Statutory Instrument 703 of 2022 to implement Article 7.3 of the European Union Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (Directive 2014/94/EU) which required that all Member States make provision for the display of comparative fuel price information at fuel stations.
Many SIs are relatively minor in their scope and impact. In order to ensure proportionality, only significant Statutory Instruments are subject to RIA. It is primarily a matter for Departments themselves to decide which SIs are significant, and the chapter on proportionality and significance in the Revised RIA Guidelines published by the Department of the Taoiseach gives guidance as to what should be considered significant in this context.
The Regulations in question here implemented only one article of the Directive, article 7.3, which required that Member States put in place requirements that fuel stations display fuel price comparison information in the broader public interest. On the basis that there was little or no discretion possible from the Directive itself in terms of the implementation of this specific article, an internal assessment was conducted rather than a full Regulatory Impact Assessment which would accompany a Bill or a more complex statutory instrument. Effectively, it was considered at the time that there was no distinct regulatory impact beyond the bounds of the direct provisions of the EU Directive.
136. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport if he will allow the use of Ireland's flag for the freedom flotilla carrying aid to Gaza; an urgent and practical measure which would have an immediate humanitarian impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20675/24]
View answerThe United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) requires that every state shall effectively exercise its jurisdiction and control in administrative, technical and social matters over ships flying its state flag.
In particular, each state shall maintain a register of its ships and assume jurisdiction over its internal law on-board ships flying its flag. In this regard, every state shall ensure the safety of the ship with regard to construction, equipment and seaworthiness, the manning of the ship, labour conditions and the training of its crews. Each state shall therefore survey every ship operating under its flag and at appropriate intervals thereafter to safeguard the ship’s safety and to ensure that it is complying with accepted international safety regulations, procedures and practices.
In Ireland, the registration of vessels is regulated under the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955 and the Merchant Shipping and Sea Pollution Acts 1894 to 2022. Nationality requirements apply to prospective registered owners, and this currently includes Irish, EU and UK citizens and bodies corporate. Applicants, being the owner of a vessel or their legal representative, must contact a Registrar of Shipping at their chosen port of registry in relation to satisfying the registration requirements and the application process also requires a tonnage measurement survey, which is carried out by the Department of Transport.
For an existing ship to operate under the Irish flag it must also be surveyed by the Department of Transport to ensure the safety of the vessel and the crew. These technical surveys include a full review of the ship including its previous operation under other flags and the outcomes of inspections under port state control regimes to determine the safety status of the ship. The ship will be surveyed for compliance with the relevant international maritime conventions, EU legislation and domestic Irish legislation.
The operation of a ship is regulated regarding its use, intended trading areas as well as matters related to compliance with the procedures of the conventions including requirements regarding maritime security. This includes setting the security levels on Irish flagged ships and directing ships in relation to their operations. Ships operating under the Irish flag are subject to compliance with a wider set of Irish legislation than maritime safety alone, including compliance with any other applicable Irish civil and criminal law.
Ireland maintains a comprehensive oversight of ships on the Irish flag to ensure that the highest safety standards are maintained, and Ireland is currently amongst the top performing flag states in the world in terms of vessel safety, as determined by the Paris Memorandum of Understanding Organization.
