Written Answers Nos. 68-82
68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on planned changes to the Bus Éireann route 103 service and schedule; if he will ensure there is comprehensive consultation and engagement in advance of any changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39504/24]
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 this case Bus Éireann.
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.
69. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person awaiting a driving test (details supplied) can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39505/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters and neither I nor my department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
The RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process. Those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first.Urgent tests are available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work). Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at: www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs
To further assist with reducing waiting times, in October last year a change was made to the booking system to allow any unused test slots to be made available for candidates to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety (www.rsa.ie/online-services/myroadsafety) portal.
70. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the status of active travel plans being considered for Craughwell, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39536/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
71. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the status of a speed limit review on the R446 at a school (details supplied) in County Galway where the speed limit is currently 80 km/h; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39537/24]
View answer72. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport the status of a speed limit review on the R446 between Cappataggle and Aughrim, County Galway, where the speed limit is currently 80 km/h; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39538/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together.
Local Authorities around the country are currently in the process of conducting speed limit reviews on the roads within their jurisdictions. This is in response to the Road Traffic Act 2024 and the planned reduction in default speed limits to establish a safer speed baseline and combat the rising trend of road fatalities and serious injuries.
While default speed limits are set in primary legislation, variations from these defaults through the setting of bye-laws is an important devolved function for Local Authorities. When setting bye-laws, Local Authorities are statutorily required to carry out a speed limit review. Neither I, nor my Department have a role in the reviews. Queries on specific reviews should be directed to the relevant Local Authority.
73. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport for an update on an active travel project (details supplied); the stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
74. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/24]
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. Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In this regard, Cork County Council submitted an initial project appraisal to the Department in 2019 regarding the upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road. The project, as submitted, includes upgrading the existing N25-R624 interchange, the provision of a dual carriageway from the interchange to Marino Point, widening of Slatty Bridge, the provision of a new bridge crossing to Great Island at Belvelly and upgrading the existing R624 from Marino Point to Cobh. The estimated cost of this scheme was more than €100 million, with possible staged implementation. In line with Government requirements Cork County Council also produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme and a draft was forwarded to the Department in November 2022. Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance have been updated - the Department liaised with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure Guidelines and the TAF including the preparation of a Project Outline Document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the SAR stage. The POD was submitted to the Department in March 2024 and the Council has commenced work on developing a brief for the appointment of consultants to deliver the scheme through options assessment, design and planning, starting with the commencement of a Preliminary Business Case.
Funding of €150,000 has been allocated to the Council for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme in 2024.
75. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to increase the capacity of the southbound 101 Bus Éireann service, as buses are often full in the mornings when they reach Balrothery (details supplied). [39553/24]
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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. 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 reply within ten working days.
76. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 327 of 9 September 2024, if the reports of a company (details supplied) are published or available. [39501/24]
View answerThe National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) have informed me that the reports are not publicly available.
Each report produced by Insight Statistical Consulting confirms satisfaction with the validity of the draw process and that results are consistent with what would be expected from a truly random number generation system. The reports are submitted to, and reviewed by, the NTMA on a regular basis.
77. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Finance if he would consider reviewing the rental tax credits scheme, which currently disallows in cases where the rental agreement is between a parent and an adult child; if he agrees that this condition is considered by many as unfair, discriminatory and invidious, and possibly contravenes Article 41 of Bunreacht na hÉireann (details supplied); and if his Department will review this measure in the upcoming Finance Bill. [39571/24]
View answerThe Rent Tax Credit (RTC), as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
The credit may be claimed, subject to a number of conditions, broadly in the following three circumstances:
1. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which they use as their principal private residence;
2. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which they use to facilitate their attendance at or participation in their employment, office holding, trade, profession or an approved course; and
3. where the claimant makes a qualifying payment in respect of a residential property which their child uses to facilitate their attendance at or participation in an approved course.
One of the conditions attached to the credit relates to the relationship between the claimant, tenant and landlord.
Where the relationship between the claimant and the landlord is that of parent and child, or vice versa, the Rent Tax Credit will not be available in any instance. This will be the case irrespective of the nature of the tenancy concerned and its Residential Tenancy Board registration status.
The rationale behind the prohibition on tenancies of this nature is that if such arrangements were allowed to qualify for the relief, it would leave the tax credit open to possible manipulation where parents and their children could collude to create a tax advantage for either party, which was not warranted.
In designing tax measures, there is a balance to be struck between providing support to as many people as possible consistent with the overall policy intention behind the measure and ensuring that there is an appropriate degree of control in the management of limited Exchequer resources. The current rules for the Rent Tax Credit seek to achieve such a balance.
Further details in respect of the credit, including comprehensive guidance on the full range of conditions which must be met and how to make a claim, can be found in Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-11A at:
www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-15/15-01-11A.pdf
78. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance whether the amount of VAT raised from sports streaming services in any of the years 2021, 2022 or 2023 has been calculated; the totals calculated in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39580/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods or services on their periodic VAT returns. As such, Revenue does not have any data from which to provide an estimate of VAT receipts in relation to the provision of sports streaming services.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners might examine the tax-free allowances for which they are eligible in the case of two person (details supplied); if urgent action could be taken in respect of an alleged overpayment of the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, given the couple had to work as PUP was not sufficient to meet their obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39598/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that, based on the information currently held on their records, the couple concerned are in receipt of their appropriate tax credit and rate band entitlements for the 2024 tax period.
I am further advised that while a change in circumstances was notified to Revenue, the record cannot be updated until requested supporting documentation has been submitted. The person concerned should arrange to submit the requested information as soon as possible, following which Revenue will review and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the couple continue to receive their appropriate tax credit and rate band allocations.
As the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is administered by the Department of Social Protection (DSP), any queries in relation to PUP are a matter for that Department.
80. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform about matters relating to a meeting with a person (details supplied) [39495/24]
View answerAny meeting with Michael Stone was in the context of the North East Inner City Initiate. No minutes were recorded.
I would kindly ask the Deputy to engage with my colleague the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works for any information regarding when the OPW potentially entered a tender process with the named companies and the details of any contracts that might have been awarded.
Appointments to the LDA were made under section 9.3 of the Guidelines on the Appointments to State Boards, which allowed for the appointment of ordinary board members to the initial board of the LDA outside of the State Boards process following commencement of the LDA Act. This appointment was made at the request of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD with the consent of the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath TD and approved at a meeting of the Government in December 2021.
81. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of pension appeals currently being considered by his Department under the terms of Circular 16/2020; the number of those appeals that have been with his Department in excess of the three-month indicative timeline for dealing with appeals; the number of those appeals that have been with his Department in excess of 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/24]
View answerCircular 16/2020 sets out the procedure to be followed in pension disputes referred to my department for consideration and determination. This includes the steps to be completed by each party to the appeal process, the documentation required to be submitted, and indicative timelines for each stage of the appeal process. It does not in itself afford a right of appeal to my Department where this is not provided in the relevant legislation or pension scheme rules.
Pensions appeals are, by their nature, complex and can require a review of large volumes of documentation on scheme rules and legislation, as well as the provision of legal or other expert advice, as required. Further engagement may also be needed with the employing department/body, the pension administrator, and with individuals themselves, to ensure that all the relevant facts have been obtained, before a determination can be made.
As of 30 Sept 2024, 25 pension appeal cases are under consideration by my department, with a further 7 appeals having received a determination in 2024 to date. These determinations had an average time to process of approximately 9 months (range 5 to 13 months). The length of time taken on individual appeals is heavily dependent on the complexity of the appeal and the requirement to obtain supplementary information or legal advice. Of the 25 appeals on hand, 7 have been under consideration for a period greater than 12 months.
A contributing factor to the current backlog has been a steep increase in the volume of appeals submitted to my Department. The number of pension appeals received in 2023 represented a 100% increase in the number of appeals received in 2022 and earlier years, with a further upward trend recorded in the volume of appeal cases received in to date 2024. A programme of work was commenced in May 2024 to streamline and accelerate the processing of pension appeals to address the backlog and maintain progress towards meeting the indicative timelines in Circular 16/2020.
82. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of full and partial periodic reviews of the memorandum of understanding, MOU, between An Garda Síochána and the Corporate Enforcement Authority that have take place since it was signed; the number of issues that have emerged, and the nature of same; if he has engaged with the leadership teams of both State bodies in respect of the MOU since it was signed; and if either party has requested and-or suggested amendments to the MOU. [39476/24]
View answerThe Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) and the Garda Commissioner are statutorily independent in their functions and matters relating to Garda resourcing are an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the CEA and An Garda Síochána was signed on the 3rd June 2022. This MoU formalised and detailed the arrangements to provide for ongoing co-operation between the two bodies and to ensure both organisations work effectively to fulfil their respective independent statutory obligations. Amendments to the MoU is a matter for the bodies themselves. I have not therefore, engaged with the leadership teams of either body in this respect.
