Written Answers Nos. 172-183
172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if Casement Aerodrome has the necessary capability to secure-park a Hercules C-17 military aircraft; and, if not, the funding required in order to be able to secure-park a military aircraft of that size. [22364/24]
View answerI understand the Deputy's Question relates to Boeing C-17 Globemasters. I am advised that this aircraft has landed and been parked in the Aerodrome, as the aircraft operators have opted to park overnight on the runway at Casement Aerodrome.
I am satisfied that the existing infrastructure provision at Baldonnel is sufficient to enable the Air Corps carry out its current training and operational requirements. The Deputy may wish to note that my Department is actively engaged with the military authorities in respect of the general modernisation of hangars in Baldonnel and such projects have been identified in the Infrastructure Plan.
173. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence If Haulbowline Naval Base has the capability to dock a military naval ship of 609 m in length; and, if not, the funding required in order to be able to securely dock a military naval ship of that size. [22365/24]
View answerThe Naval Service does not have the capacity to dock a vessel of 609 m in length. The largest vessels in the current fleet of Naval Service ships are the P60 class of vessels, which measure 90 metres in length. My officials are not aware of a Vessel of the length referenced by the Deputy, to illustrate the largest Naval ship in the world at the moment is understood to the USS Gerald Ford which is 333 metres in length.
174. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the breakdown of personnel, by rank, for the Naval Service and Air Corps in the years 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [22895/24]
View answerThe table below contains the requested breakdown of personnel by rank for the Naval Service and Air Corps, as of the 31 December 2023 and the 30 April 2024 (the latest date for which such figures are available).
|
- |
Strength as at 31 December 2023 |
Strength as at 31 December 2023 |
Strength as at 30 April 2024 |
Strength as at 30 April 2024 |
|
Naval Service |
Air Corp |
Naval Service |
Air Corp |
|
|
Officers |
||||
|
Lieutenant General |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Major General |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Brigadier General (Commodore NS) |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Colonel (Captain NS) |
3 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel (Commander NS) |
12 |
13 |
15 |
14 |
|
Commandant (Lt Commander NS) |
53 |
39 |
54 |
38 |
|
Captain (Lieutenant NS) |
54 |
43 |
50 |
47 |
|
Lieutenant (Ensign NS) |
29 |
52 |
28 |
54 |
|
Total Officers |
152 |
150 |
151 |
158 |
|
Enlisted Personnel |
||||
|
Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer NS) |
6 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
|
Brigade Quartermaster (Senior Chief Petty Officer NS) |
7 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
|
Company Sergeant (Chief Petty Officer NS) |
72 |
46 |
76 |
47 |
|
Company Quartermaster (Senior Petty Officer NS) |
12 |
14 |
11 |
12 |
|
Sergeant (Petty Officer NS) |
118 |
84 |
114 |
84 |
|
Corporal (leading Seaman NS) |
81 |
121 |
80 |
124 |
|
Private (Seamen NS) |
269 |
248 |
265 |
251 |
|
Cadet (Classified as enlisted personnel in training) |
8 |
17 |
8 |
10 |
|
Total Enlisted Personnel |
573 |
539 |
567 |
537 |
|
Total |
725 |
689 |
718 |
695 |
175. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress to require each local authority to appoint a cycling officer. [22850/24]
View answerThe 2009 National Cycling Policy Network set out the requirement for Local Authorities to assign an officer at an appropriate senior level to act as an Active Travel Officer (ATO), also known as Walking and Cycling Officers with many Local Authorities employing an ATO prior to the commencement of the current National Transport Authority (NTA) Active Travel resourcing programme in 2021. This commitment was also reaffirmed in the Programme for Government in 2020.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of filled positions across Local Authorities for technical roles in the delivery of Active Travel infrastructure, reflecting the substantial increase in funding and project delivery since 2020. Currently around 240 staff are in place across the 31 local authorities who are dedicated to the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure projects around the country.
In 2022 and 2023, full allocation spend was achieved under the NTA's Active Travel Programme and it is therefore considered that the current level of recruitment within the Active Travel teams is sufficient; however my Department and the NTA continue to monitor the staffing levels with a view to maintaining this optimum level going forward, ensuring a continuous high level of project delivery in the coming years.
176. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the frequency with which Iarnród Éireann carries out a mass evacuation training plan among its staff from trains and stations in the event of a major accident happening either within stations and-or onboard trains; and the number of these mass evacuation training plans carried out in 2023 and to date in 2024 in tabular form. [22370/24]
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 issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of the amount of his Department's pre-committed capital expenditure under the national development plan that will be dedicated to purchase buses for the PSO fleet in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [22371/24]
View answerThe NTA has placed orders for bus and coach fleet for delivery in 2024. The committed value of those orders is c. €165 million, which is expected to be expended in 2024. The NTA are not yet in a position to advise on 2025 and 2026 orders and this will be finalised as part of the annual budget process.
178. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by the National Transport Authority on rolling out a promised nationwide automatic vehicle location system for all bus operators in Ireland; the stage the awarding of a contract for the project is at; when a company in Galway (details supplied), serving thousands of people living in the west of the city, will have the technology installed and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22390/24]
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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
179. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Local Link service between Tuam and Athenry in Galway; the date for its launch; the details of the planned route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22399/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Galway, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
180. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the plans being made to provide a Local Link service in the Lisheenkyle-Derrydonnell area of Galway; the work being done to enable this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Galway, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
181. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his efforts to resolve the access problems at Clongriffin DART station whereby the access stairs and lift remain a source of huge frustration for local residents. [22408/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area.
In November 2023, in response to the on-going issues with anti-social behaviour and vandalism of the existing temporary lift and stairwell on lands to the east of Clongriffin DART station, the NTA, Fingal County Council, Iarnród Éireann and Richmond Homes, commissioned AECOM to undertake a feasibility and options selection study.
The study considers options that will provide safe, reliable and robust access to Clongriffin DART station and across the rail line, serving as a connection between the communities to the east and west of the railway line and providing access to bus services and other amenities.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
182. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the latest design thinking on mobility hubs; if a series of pilots could be quickly deployed ahead of the wider roll-out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22409/24]
View answerWork is already under way to develop pilots for the development of shared mobility hub networks, to complement hubs already in operation such as bike-sharing schemes.
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. My Department is currently working with the NTA to progress pilots that will test the network effect of shared mobility hubs in line with commitments in both the Sustainable Mobility Policy and CAP23.
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.
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.
As well as the aforementioned 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.
183. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport to provide automatic vehicle location information signage at all bus stops in Galway city, including those served by Bus Éireann and private operators. [22412/24]
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.
