Written Answers Nos. 184-201
184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport how often and who provides disability awareness and access training to staff of the Irish Aviation Authority, the Dublin Airport Authority and the other major Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22477/24]
View answer185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport how Irish airports are referring in European or international benchmarks when it comes to supporting people with disabilities or reduced mobility travelling through Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22478/24]
View answer187. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport what efforts have been made in each of the Irish airports to improve wayfinding and mobility for people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22480/24]
View answer190. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Transport the role of the Irish Aviation Authority in supporting people with disabilities and people with reduced mobility travelling through Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22590/24]
View answer191. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown, by year and by Irish airport, for the past five years, of the total number of people with disabilities or reduced mobility travelling through Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22591/24]
View answer192. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the total number of complaints and the nature of those complaints received by Irish airports over the past five years from people with disabilities and reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/24]
View answer193. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Transport who funds and has oversight for the One Complete Solution service which provides passenger assistance to people with disabilities and reduced mobility at Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22593/24]
View answer199. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the total funds raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge in the past five years, broken down by year and, by Irish airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22656/24]
View answer200. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of how the monies raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge have been spent over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22657/24]
View answer201. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if all the monies raised through the persons with reduced mobility charge are spent on the provision of services and supports for people with reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184, 185, 187, 190 to 193, inclusive, and 199 to 201, inclusive, together.
Irish Airports must comply with European Union Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air (“Regulation 1107”). The objective of this Regulation is to ensure “high and equivalent levels of protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market.” The Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA") is the National Enforcement Body for Regulation 1107.
In relation to the issues raised by the Deputies I am informed by the IAA that the position is as follows.
As part of the IAA’s enforcement framework, its Consumer Affairs team conducts inspections of Irish airports to determine compliance with Regulation 1107. Reports on inspections conducted are published by the IAA on its website, www.iaa.ie.
Article 9 of Regulation 1107 requires all Irish airports with annual traffic exceeding 150,000 commercial passenger movements to set quality standards for the assistance they provide. All airports must publish these quality standards. The IAA, as part of its inspection framework, has reviewed the quality standards published by the airports and can confirm that these documents are all published on the website of the airport concerned.
The IAA also investigates complaints from the public regarding the assistance provided by Irish airports. If the complaint falls within the IAA’s statutory remit, the IAA will investigate the issues presented by the passenger. The IAA will then engage on the passenger’s behalf with the airport or the airline involved to understand the circumstances of the complaint. Depending on the issues presented by the complaint, the IAA will determine the best remedies for the complaint within its statutory remit. The IAA cannot recommend compensation be paid to passengers for issues related to assistance. Refunds may only be requested for damaged or lost mobility equipment. The IAA investigated 21 complaints in 2023. Complaints, inspections, public queries and the Passenger Advisory Group all help inform policy initiatives for the IAA to assist persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities.
In respect of the provision of training, the Consumer Affairs team in the IAA has ongoing training in disability awareness and disability equality. The IAA also benefits from membership of European facilitation groups, European Commission Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) subgroups and training provided by European Civil Aviation Conference. The IAA, as part of its inspection process, assesses Irish airports’ compliance with Article 11 of Regulation 1107, which requires air carriers and airports to ensure their personnel are trained in providing assistance to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility.
In respect of the financing of assistance services, Regulation 1107 provides these can be financed by way of a levy “in such a way as to spread the burden equitably among all passengers using an airport and to avoid disincentives to the carriage of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility. A charge levied on each air carrier using an airport, proportionate to the number of passengers it carries to or from the airport, appears to be the most effective way of funding”.
In Dublin Airport, a levy of €0.74 per passenger applies, which is collected, by daa, through the airlines. The IAA ensures this levy is set in a transparent way, and that it reflects the costs of providing the service. In addition, as part its price cap regulation of Dublin Airport, the IAA sets various quality of service targets which have associated penalties and bonuses. Included in that suite of measures are measures and targets in relation to the provision of service to passengers with reduced mobility and the general satisfaction of those departing using assistance services. There are objective measures set based on the length of time passengers are waiting for assistance and subjective survey-based measures which relate to satisfaction with the additional assistance. These measures also observe the satisfaction with airport facilities (e.g. toilet facilities) provided for passengers who require additional assistance.
In respect of the outsourcing of assistance services, Article 8 of Regulation 1107 provides that the airport management body may provide assistance for passengers with reduced mobility itself. Alternatively, the Regulation also stipulates that the airport management body can contract “one or more other parties for the supply of the assistance.” Airport operators must ensure that the provision of services to passengers with reduced mobility meet the standards required under Regulation 1107. This responsibility lies with the airport management body irrespective of whether it provides the services itself or outsources it to a third party. The IAA has oversight of airport management bodies in this regard, as set out above.
In relation to the questions concerning training, wayfinding, passenger numbers, complaints and the outsourcing of assistance services, insofar as they relate to the State airports, these are operational matters for these airports. I have therefore forwarded your question to the Shannon Airport Group and to daa (who has statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin and Cork Airports) for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.
186. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport what the terms of reference are for the Irish Aviation Authority's passenger advisory group; to give the membership and a listing of how often this group has met over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22479/24]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA") Passenger Advisory Group examines how passenger priorities are addressed by the quality of service and relevant capital investment projects proposed by Dublin Airport. The Group assists the IAA improve its understanding of what is important to passengers using the airport.
I am informed by the IAA that the terms of reference for the group can be found in Section 2 of Decision CP12/2018 on Passenger Advisory Group and Passenger Engagement Guidelines in Regulatory Decision Making for Dublin Airport, which can be found on the IAA website at the following address: www.iaa.ie/commercial-aviation/economic-regulation/airport-charges/policy-papers
The Passenger Advisory Group is composed of organisations that represent the diversity of passengers at Dublin Airport:
• Leisure passengers are represented by the Consumer’s Association of Ireland, the European Consumer Centre and Fáilte Ireland.
• Older passengers are represented by Age Action and younger passengers by the National Youth Council of Ireland.
• People with reduced mobility or disabilities are represented by the Disability Stakeholders Group, the Irish Society for Autism, the National Council for the Blind Ireland and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
• Business passengers are represented by the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), Chambers Ireland and Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, the IDA.
In the past 3 years the IAA have met with the Passenger Advisory Group 3 times. These meetings all took place in 2022. Further information on these, and earlier meetings, can be found on the IAA website at the following address: www.iaa.ie/commercial-aviation/economic-regulation/airport-charges/passenger-advisory-group
188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the Government’s response to a judgment in respect of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22510/24]
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 consider what orders should be made on foot of the judgment ahead of a hearing date on 14th June 2024. The Department continues to engage with CIÉ, and advisors in NewERA in relation to this matter.
189. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if improvements can be made to make a bus stop more user-friendly (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22524/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, 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.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the funding provided by his Department on a local authority basis in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 in respect of national secondary roads and local primary and secondary roads, by amount and road type, in tabular form. [22607/24]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each 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 regional and local road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.
Within the budget available to my Department for regional and local road grants, grant funding for maintenance purposes is allocated on the basis of grant programmes and not on the basis of the category of road. The allocation of funding across specific roads or across categories is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
The main regional and local road grant programmes are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage, road strengthening based on pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant Scheme which allows for a specified range of activities including winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated taking into account the length of the road network and traffic factors in a particular local authority area. Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is a matter for decision by each local authority.
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 management 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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on funding allocated for the years 2021 -2024.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
195. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if e-scooters and other powered personal transporters are covered by public liability insurance in the same way bicycles are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22610/24]
View answer196. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport whether regulations surrounding insurance for e-scooters and powered personal transporters of a certain power are forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22611/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and Road Traffic Act 2024 created a new vehicle class, powered personal transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters. PPTs are not classified as mechanically propelled vehicles MPVs and, as PPTs, e-scooters will not need registration, tax or motor insurance and users will not need a driving licence.
Regulations setting technical requirements for e-scooters, conditions for their safe use and enforcement provisions came into effect on Monday 20 May. E-scooters which comply with the regulations may now be used in public places and the general rules of the road for bicycles apply.
The use of e-scooters which do not comply with the legislation and other types of PPT, such as hoverboards and electric skateboards, on public roads remains prohibited.
As with bicycles and e-bikes, there is no legal requirement for private citizens to take out public liability or any other type of insurance for e-scooters. However, there may be a range of commercial insurance requirements for operators of rental or shared-schemes.
197. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport for an update on driving test cancellation lists and whether they have been discontinued or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22628/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. As such, I have referred the questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
198. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to provide a timeline for release of the Killucan-Rathwire and Kinnegad area transport environs study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22645/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the former station at Killucan, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In 2023, my Department made funding available to Iarnród Éireann to allow it undertake a ‘Killucan-Rathwire and Kinnegad Area Transport Environs Study’. The wide geographic scope of the environs study will help ensure that the optimal location for any future potential train station in the area is identified with respect to population, transport demand and proximity to the existing network.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Iarnród Éireann for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
