Written Answers Nos. 27-47
27. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering additional supports for businesses in sectors that are struggling to recover in line with the economy following the impact of Covid-19 such as an industry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been a wide range of measures taken by government to provide support for business during the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These supports include access to appropriate and affordable finance for business, whereby the Government along with enterprise agencies, the banking sector and alternative finance providers offers additional targeted supports where there are market failures. Further information can be found on my Department’s website at: enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/access-to-finance/.
I would encourage businesses to contact their Local Enterprise Office as they provide a ‘first stop shop’ for all available Government business supports. Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities.
In particular, the LEOs offer Feasibility Grants, which help start-up companies or individual entrepreneurs with the cost of researching their proposed business or new business idea to see if it could be viable and sustainable; and Priming Grants, which aim to help with the associated costs of start-ups.
However, it should be noted that the LEOs do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, or local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
The LEOs provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet certain specific business requirements. I would also suggest seeking the advice of a LEO Business Mentor; the Mentor programme is open to both new and existing businesses located within the LEO region and is designed to match up the knowledge, skills, insights and entrepreneurial capability of experienced business practitioners with small business owner/managers who need practical and strategic one to one advice and guidance. The mentor contributes independent, informed observation and advice to aid decision making.
Mentors can also advise on finance options available to entrepreneurs and can assist with applications and referrals to Micro-Finance Ireland (MFI), which provides vital support to eligible microenterprises by lending to businesses that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders and who do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders. MFI offers loan funding, including Start-up Loans, from €5,000 to €25,000.
A full suite of Government supports for business, including those outlined above, can be found on the supportingsmes.gov.ie website. This is a cross-governmental guide to increase awareness of the range of Government supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland.
Here, businesses can:
- find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available.
- get information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit.
- find contact details for their nearest Local Enterprise Office.
- download filtered results into a document for their further use.
Finally, I wish to assure the Deputy that Government continues to consider any additional measures required to addresses key priorities for business recovery such as continued business continuity and employee supports.
28. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and Border Enterprise Development Fund (BEDF) are supporting major new initiatives that can significantly assist regional enterprise development. This is being achieved by co-financing the development and implementation of projects that can sustain and add to employment at a national, regional and county level. Applicants must be not-for-profit entities that are registered as a Designated Activity Company, (DAC) or a Company Limited by Guarantee, (CLG). €23.7 million has been paid out to projects since 1 January 2020 that are classified as being CLG or DAC companies under the REDF and BEDF.
The Department makes an annual voluntary contribution to the International Training Centre (ITC), Turin. The ITC was set up in 1964 as the training arm of the International Labour Organisation. Ireland's contribution is currently set at €20,000 per annum.
The Workplace Relations Commission supports the annual Countess Markievicz lecture hosted by the Irish Association for Industrial Relations. Payments of €2,000 were made for this purpose in 2020 and 2021.
In 2020, my Department paid a grant of €117,556 to the FORSA trade union towards expenses incurred in the amalgamation of three Unions (CPSU, PSEU and IMPACT) into FORSA. My Department pays an annual grant to assist the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in meeting the cost of providing its Education, Training and Advisory Service. A total of €1,764,582 has been provided for this purpose since 1st January 2020.
The State’s employment permits system provides financial assistance to organisations who hold charitable status by waiving the fee for an employment permit where the employer to the application holds charitable status confirmed by the Revenue Commissioners.
The European Consumer Centre Ireland is an independent not-for-profit organisation which helps Irish and EU consumers with cross border complaints against traders where a problem has been detected with goods after they are received by the consumer. It is co-funded by the EU Commission and my Department on an equal basis. My Department provided €214,840 in each of the years 2020 and 2021 to the European Consumer Centre Ireland.
Government has put in place a number of loan guarantee schemes since January 2020 in order to provide access to finance for SMEs. These schemes were open to application from all eligible enterprises with loans approved in accordance with the policies and procedures of the financial providers participating in the schemes.
29. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the new law to give workers the right to paid sick leave will be introduced. [13524/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to introducing a statutory sick pay scheme and as such the Sick Leave Bill is being prioritised.
Ireland is an outlier among wealthy OECD countries in not providing for any statutory paid sick leave. It is simply not right that people who are sick are often afraid to take time off for fear of a major reduction in their income and it's not good when it comes to public health. There's a risk of them infecting co-workers and customers as well.
The Bill is intended to provide a level of protection to low paid employees, who may have no company sick pay schemes and cannot afford to miss work. As a starting point, this scheme will cover the three waiting days before eligibility for Illness Benefit from the State. This is a progressive Bill and will ensure that all employees are better off and will have financial protection from day one of a medically certified absence.
Statutory sick pay is being introduced on a phased basis to give employers time to adjust to the associated costs. All employees will eventually be entitled to ten days, or two weeks, of sick pay per year.
Draft Heads of Bill have been published on my Department’s website, pre-legislative scrutiny has been completed and we have reviewed the Joint Oireachtas Committee's report and recommendations. Officials in my Department are currently engaged with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to make any necessary technical amendments to the Bill.
I intend to bring a memo to cabinet in the coming weeks requesting permission to present the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas and have the Bill enacted as soon as possible thereafter.
30. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13238/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are in the process of collating and validating the data requested. I will ensure that this information is forwarded to you directly as soon as it is available.
31. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to address the large increase in fuel costs (details supplied); if assistance will be provided in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13259/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that oil markets are responding to developments arising from the conflict in Ukraine and the Government is extremely conscious of the impact that the global spike in oil prices is having on people and businesses across the country.
The Government is working with the European Commission and Member States as part of a co-ordinated response to these developments.
I should point out, however, that the Government has recently introduced a package of measures providing timely and targeted support to households. These include
- an increase in the energy credit to €200 including VAT, estimated to impact just over 2 million households
- a lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance
- a temporary reduction in public transport fares
- a reduction of the Drug Payment Scheme from €144 to €80
- the working family payment budget increase will be brought forward from 1 June to 1 April
- reduced caps for multiple children on school transport fees
Additionally, the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) allows qualifying road haulage and passenger transport operators to claim a partial repayment of excise paid on auto diesel when the pump price of diesel goes above €1.23 per litre. The DRS was amended in 2019 to increase the rate of rebate and it continues to be an important support to the road transport sector as well as businesses in the wider economy who are reliant on haulage services in the course of business.
32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will review correspondence (details supplied) from Monaghan County Council regarding the roll out of the National Broadband Plan; if he will address the concerns outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13291/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRepresentations from Monaghan County Council dated 14 February 2022 have been received in my Department regarding the matters referred to in the Question. A reply will issue directly to Monaghan County Council shortly.
33. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if plans are in place to use the National Oil Reserve Agency reserve if prices continue to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that global oil prices are a function of a number of factors and are being influenced presently by ongoing developments arising from the Ukraine conflict.
The purpose of the strategic reserves held by the National Oil Reserves Agency is to respond to a scenario where oil supplies into Ireland may be constrained as opposed to a mechanism to reduce price.
It is the Department’s understanding that the oil sector's representative group, Fuels for Ireland, and its member companies, are fully confident in their ability to meet normal fuel demands at this time.
The Government is extremely conscious of the impact that the global spike in oil prices is having on people. In that regard I can say that Government is working with the European Commission and Member States as part of a coordinated response to this.
34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of a cross-Government taskforce on offshore wind and hydrogen; the persons or bodies that will be included on this taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13395/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the establishment of a cross-Government taskforce on offshore wind and hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13396/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. I propose to take Question Nos 34 and 35 together.
Government, including officials from my Department, are engaged in a number of critical workstreams that will be required to facilitate realisation of the 5 GW of installed offshore wind by 2030 objective set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan 2021. These workstreams include but are not limited to:
- An assessment of the many responses received following completion of a public consultation on the draft terms and conditions for the first offshore wind auction that will launch by the end of this year. Government approval will be sought on the final terms and conditions later this year.
- A public consultation on the process for Phase Two projects to participate in subsequent offshore wind auctions which will be necessary to meet Government’s 5GW target by the end of this decade concludes this week. Following consideration of responses received, a decision will issue on the Phase Two process later this year.
- The recent conclusion of a public consultation on the Maritime Area Consent (MAC) assessment regime for projects seeking to participate in the first offshore wind auction. Taking on board feedback received at this Consultation, the final MAC processes and Guidance will be published in coming weeks.
In addition to the above, a cross-Departmental Offshore Renewable Energy Team has been established to capture wider and longer term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables in Ireland. This will include the identification of supporting infrastructure development and supply chain opportunities as Ireland’s offshore wind industry is developed. This team is comprised of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Transport, and the Department of Enterprise.
The role of hydrogen and the actions needed for its development were considered as part of the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021, which identifies green hydrogen produced from renewables as having the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors. The plan includes a suite of actions relating to green hydrogen across the electricity, enterprise and transport chapters. The Climate Action Plan will be updated on an annual basis and I expect that a strategy focussing on the development of green hydrogen will be included in the Climate Action Plan 2022.
36. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of component shortages that may impact the delivery of the National Broadband Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13428/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of good reliable broadband to ensure that citizens in rural Ireland can have the high speed connectivity required to facilitate remote working and schooling.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network leading to delays to the build programme. The full extent of this impact continues to be assessed and NBI has committed to put in place measures to mitigate the impact in as far as possible.
My Department asked NBI about mitigating potential impacts and NBI have said that they are implementing a number of measures to help lessen the consequences of these delays on the rollout. Such measures include:
- Increasing the rate of pole replacement and duct remediation per month;
- Bringing in additional NBI resources;
- Earlier procurement of materials used in the build stages;
- Bringing in additional subcontractors.
As a result of the earlier procurement of materials necessary to rollout the fibre network, NBI have not highlighted any immediate issues or shortages to date through their regular engagement with the Department in terms of the key components necessary for the rollout.
As a result of actions taken by NBI the project has been building momentum and an increasing number of premises passed are being recorded. This is expected to continue throughout 2022 and beyond although it is likely that the impact of Omicron will be felt in Quarter 1 of 2022 outturns.
37. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Guidelines for Managing Openings in Public Roads, that is, the purple book; his plans to revise the guidelines in respect of the roll-out of broadband networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13429/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Guidelines for Managing Openings in Public Roads document, which was published in 2017 after extensive consultation, sets out a summary of the legal framework relating to powers of road authorities, various statutory bodies and private individuals in forming openings in public roads in Ireland. The document also prescribes standards in respect of the work of forming openings, backfilling and the reinstatement of road surfaces and the associated materials to be used on all roads other than national roads.
In addition, the document prescribes procedures and requirements in relation to the use of the MapRoad Roadworks Licensing (MRL) system and its use for all road openings in public roads other than those carried out by a road authority. In this context local authorities have created a shared service, the Road Management Office, to manage asset management aspects of roads infrastructure. One of the functions assigned to the RMO is the management of the MRL road licensing system on behalf of the sector.
I have no plans to revise the Guidelines.
38. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a funding proposal from Clare County Council and or a company (details supplied) in relation to the potential transfer of Shannon Heritage sites in County Clare to the local authority; the details of all engagement between his Department and Clare County Council and the company on the proposal to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13141/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the parent Department for local authorities, and therefore any funding proposals from local authorities would be submitted to that Department in the first instance.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is continuing to engage with Shannon Group to support a smooth transfer of the sites. My Department is also engaging with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, and Housing, Local Government and Heritage as their agreement is required for the heritage sites to transfer as planned by Shannon Group.
39. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeframe for the establishment of an office of low emission vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13204/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe for the review of the public charge point scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13205/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the status of the development of a new scheme by his Department which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels, visitor centres and parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 40 and 41 together.
The Deputy will be aware that Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030 that reflects the scale of the transformation needed to achieve its climate targets in the coming years. Under the National Development Plan €1bn has been allocated to specific carbon reduction measures, including vehicle electrification.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation at the end of this month.
EV sales continue to grow strongly and it is imperative that a seamless network of recharging infrastructure is available to support that growth. In the development of the strategy officials from my Department have engaged with local authorities, other public sector bodies, and the private sector in identifying how to best support the prompt rollout of infrastructure both to address challenges in domestic and neighbourhood charging as well as the need for fast charging. My officials have also reviewed international best practice in the provision of EV charging infrastructure to understand what mix of infrastructure provision will best address the needs of Irish EV owners.
A package of supports aiming to facilitate a swift delivery of infrastructure across the country is being prepared to be launched alongside the strategy, including a destination charge point scheme and an update of the public charge point scheme. I look forward to providing more information on those aspects towards the end of this month.
I am also pleased to say that preparations are progressing well to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure. OLEV is expected to be established in Summer 2022.
42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if all the recommendations addressed to him in the Air Accident Investigation Unit Accident Report EI-ICR S-92A, 14 March 2017 published in November 2021 have been fully completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final Report by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) into the Rescue 116 Accident at Blackrock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017 was published on 5 November 2021. The Report contains 42 Safety Recommendations of which 14 are addressed to the Minister for Transport.
A formal (and separate) response was required to each of the fourteen transmittal letters containing the Safety Recommendations addressed to the Minister of Transport from the report. This requirement is set out in EU Regulation No 996/2010 which states the addressee of a Safety Recommendation shall acknowledge receipt of the transmittal letter and inform the safety investigation authority (in this case the AAIU) of the actions taken or under consideration, and where appropriate, of the time necessary for their completion and where no action is taken, the reasons therefor.
The responses were required by 3rd Feb 2022 and were provided in advance of that date. The responses will in due course be made public on the AAIU website via the associated published Investigation Report, and in the European Safety Recommendation Information System.
In addition to prescribing the response to the Safety Recommendations, Article 18 of EU Reg 996 of 2010 also requires the AAIU to inform the addressees of Safety Recommendations within 60 days whether or not it considers their reply or replies adequate. The AAIU can also seek more information or clarification in relation to any aspect of a response. Furthermore, if responses include details of actions to be taken, the AAIU will note that but the Safety Recommendation will remain open until such time as the AAIU is satisfied that the actions have been concluded.
Around the time of the publication of the AAIU Final Report I stated that I fully accepted the recommendations addressed to me contained within the report. However, my Department did not wait for the publication of the Final Report in order to implement changes on foot of lessons learned following the accident. Since March 2017, and specifically following receipt of the draft Final Report in September 2019, the Department, and particularly the Irish Coast Guard, has undertaken a significant programme of change across key areas to take account of issues raised and recommendations addressed to the Minister of Transport.
On foot of the interim report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport commissioned an independent review of oversight arrangements for search and rescue aviation operations in Ireland. Following publication of this independent review, known as the AQE Report, in September 2018, the then Minister committed to implementing its twelve recommendations.
The measures that have been taken fall under six broad categories:
1. Development of a new national search and rescue framework (the National SAR Plan)
2. Enhancing safety and oversight across the Search & Rescue system
3. Addressing oversight of Search & Rescue aviation elements– nationally and internationally
4. Review and revision of all relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training for Coast Guard personnel, particularly Rescue Coordination Centre staff training with a focus on aviation tasking. This includes the introduction of a formal course on tasking of aviation assets delivered by an IAA Authorised Training Organisation (ATO).
5. Development of an externally accredited safety management system in the Coast Guard
6. Review of governance arrangements in relation to the aviation contractor, enhancing aviation expertise in critical areas and legislative reform of the IAA.
It is appropriate to refrain from detailed comment until such time as the AAIU have had an opportunity to provide their formal replies to our responses to their recommendations.
43. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if a recommendation (details supplied) has been implemented in full; the person or body that is providing the technical expertise to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13214/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department formally responded to the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents in respect of each safety recommendation addressed to me, in advance of the 90 day timeframe required under the relevant EU legislation. The EU legislation requires the Air Accident Investigation Unit to inform the Department within 60 days of receipt of those responses, whether or not it considers the replies adequate. That period has not yet expired.
My Department has contracted aviation expertise available to it and draws on advice when required. In addition, periodic review of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) by the Department is built into the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. Section 32 of the 1993 Act requires me to appoint an independent person or body to carry out an examination of the performance by the IAA of its functions in so far as they relate to the application and enforcement of technical and safety standards in relation to aircraft and air navigation. The examination is a safeguard to ensure that safety standards are upheld. The most recent section 32 examination was carried out in 2019.
44. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if a recommendation (details supplied) has been completed in full; and if so, when the detailed review will be published. [13215/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA focused review of the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) role as national civil aviation regulator was completed in 2021. The independent review, carried out by Bureau Veritas, focused on areas of regulation that are outside the EU regulatory framework. The scope of the review covered the full range of activities in respect of aircraft operations, airworthiness, licensing, aerodromes and air navigation services. The review did not cover search and rescue, as this was the subject of a separate review carried out as part of the 2019 Section 32 Examination of the IAA.
The report of the review was published on 28 January 2022 on the Department of Transport’s website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/2598f-publication-of-report-of-review-of-the-iaa/.
45. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13250/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, In 2021 the Department of Rural and Community Development in conjunction with the Department of Transport launched a pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or most marginalised and disadvantaged, via the Community Services Programme. Funding of up to €1m per annum (€3m in total) will be provided by my department over a three-year period and will be made available through the Community Services Programme, which is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
In addition last year I was delighted to launch the Safe Routes to School Programme which aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing new or improved walking and cycling facilities. The programme is funded through local authorities as part of the Department of Transport’s allocation to the National Transport Authority, is supported by the Department of Education and coordinated by An Taisce’s Green Schools. €15m has been allocated to the 170 schools who were selected for participation in Round 1 of the programme.
My Department also provides funding for the Greenschools Programme. Funding of €1.65m was provided in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The Travel theme is funded by the Department of Transport and supported by the National Transport Authority. The ultimate aim of the theme is to increase the number of students walking, cycling, scooting, using public transport or carpooling on the way to school. The programme is operated and coordinated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce.
My Department does not provide funding to organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs and societies.
46. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the northern distributor road in Cork city. [13268/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 was published late last year by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council and Cork County Council. It sets out an ambitious programme of proposed investment in transport services and infrastructure for the city in the coming years. It provides the necessary evidence-based, and plan-led framework that can guide investment in Cork over the short, medium and longer term.
The Cork Northern Distributor Road is referenced in section 13 of the CMATS. The Strategy states that it is a short-term objective and considered to be a ‘critical enabler’ for CMATS. It will provide for orbital movement for bus, pedestrian, cycle and some strategic and general traffic and reduce reliance on radial routes through the city centre.
Noting the NTA's role in developing the CMATS, I have referred your question to the NTA for a detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
47. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of local authorities that have carried out an assessment to see the locations that road space can be reallocated for pedestrians and cyclists as per the Programme for Government commitment; the local authorities that have not done this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
