Written Answers Nos. 71-90
71. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to supply additional carriages from Midleton to Cork, Monday to Friday, between peak times of 7:15 am and 7:45 am, as overcrowding has become a major factor for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39819/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, and corporate governance of transport operators including Irish Rail.The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
72. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to supply additional carriages from Cobh to Cork, Monday to Friday, at peak times between 7:30 am and 8:00 am, as overcrowding has become a major factor for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39820/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, and corporate governance of transport operators including Irish Rail.The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
73. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport when a retest for a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39855/24]
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. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.Pending this detailed response, the Deputy may wish to note that a change was made to the test online booking system in October 2023 to allow any unused slots to be made available for anyone 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 (rsa.ie) portal.
74. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of expanding the Leitrim integrated transport pilot project nationally. [39874/24]
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 Local Link services and delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Leitrim, 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.
75. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of extending the wheelchair-accessible vehicle taxi grant scheme to vehicles up to 8-, 10- and 12-years-old. [39875/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme and the keeping of relevant SPSV statistics, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
76. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of rolling out the travel assistance scheme nationally. [39876/24]
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, for example Bus Éireann, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, including the Travel Assist Scheme, 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.
77. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he acknowledges and accepts that Ireland’s airport capacity problem is fundamentally a policy issue rather than a capacity issue; the steps being taken to develop a cohesive national airports policy that leverages the existing capacities at Shannon and Cork airports to relieve pressure on Dublin Airport and ensure balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39882/24]
View answer78. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the immediate implementation of measures to optimise air traffic management and introduce new coordination parameters prioritising new long-haul destinations from Dublin Airport; if he will outline plans to lift the threshold on the regional airports programme to include Shannon and Cork airports, thereby enhancing national connectivity and supporting sustainable aviation development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39883/24]
View answer79. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the strategic importance of diversifying airport usage to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on Dublin Airport; if he will provide details on how decentralising flights to regional airports, such as Shannon, can reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to Ireland’s environmental goals, particularly in light of the potential 4.6kg decrease in road-based CO2 emissions per visitor when flying from Shannon instead of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39884/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78 and 79 together.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the passenger cap at Dublin Airport is a planning related issue, rather than a policy-based issue. Increasing capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with the National Aviation Policy, which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport to meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes the objective to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport. It is a long-standing policy to develop Dublin Airport as a secondary hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.
I am currently undertaking a series of engagements with key stakeholders (airlines, airports, regulators, business groups) to discuss ways in which the impact of the constraint of the passenger cap at Dublin Airport may be limited while planning permission is awaited.
In relation to the suggestion of the introduction of new coordination parameters, I can advise the Deputy that it is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) who is responsible for declaring the parameters for slot coordination under the EU Airport Slot Regulation. The IAA’s role includes identifying and determining the capacity at Dublin Airport and setting the parameters for slot allocation. The EU Regulation aims to ensure that, where airport capacity is scarce, the maximum available capacity is identified and distributed in a fair and transparent manner. This is done through the allocation of take-off and landing slots by an independent coordinator, according to rules set out in the EU Slot Regulation, and based on the capacity identified for the airport concerned.
In order to be consistent with the principles of transparency and non-discrimination under the EU Regulation, the IAA outlines that the capacity parameters should be imposed on a pro-rata basis, across all carriers. As this is an independent statutory process, it is not possible for the Minister to intervene in the process or to seek to prioritise certain long haul routes.
Government recognises that significant economic and social benefits are derived from facilitating access to and from our regions. Our national aviation policy seeks to optimise the operation of the Irish Airport network to ensure maximum connectivity to the rest of the world. Growth of air services at our regional airports is also in line with government policy on balanced regional development. That said, the operation of air services is a commercial matter between airlines, airports and other commercial partners and it is not possible for Government to direct traffic away from Dublin to our regional airports.
There is no impediment to any airline or charter service introducing new routes or ad hoc services at other Irish airports such as Shannon Airport , which has US Preclearance facilities and Cork Airport.. There are no capacity constraints at these regional State airports or indeed at our smaller regional airports, Ireland West (Knock), Kerry and Donegal, which can be utilised to maintain and enhance connectivity to our regions.
Government provides substantial annual funding under a Regional Airports Programme which supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports are all currently eligible for funding under this Programme. I was delighted to announce as part of Budget 2025 the continuation of these supports with €17million being made available under the Programme next year to continue to support safety, security and sustainability activities and operations. This Programme also supports the PSO Air service between Dublin and Donegal.
In relation to broadening the eligibility criteria for funding to support airports with greater than one million passengers, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I published a new Regional State Airports Sustainability Programme recently. This new programme, with a capital budget of €4.225m, will support Cork and Shannon airports' sustainability plans.
I am also pleased to advise the Deputy that detailed analysis in relation to the broadening of the scope of the Regional Airports Programme’s eligibility to allow for the inclusion of airports with greater than one million passengers (i.e. Cork and Shannon) is also being undertaken and will inform the next Regional Airports Programme.
Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and America. The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported this connectivity, with overall passenger traffic across our regional airports in 2023 9% above 2019 levels (the last comparable period prior to COVID-19). I am pleased to witness this strong growth continuing this year, with passenger traffic to end August 7% higher when compared to the same period last year. This connectivity is expected to be further enhanced this Winter, with Ryanair having recently announced new routes and increased frequencies from Cork and Shannon airports.
With a view to supporting future growth, my Department will be undertaking a consultation process with key stakeholders to consider the potential for the development of an Exchequer funded Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines to support strategic route development to and from the regions.
I trust that these actions and initiatives, which have been designed to support National Aviation Policy to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development, will be welcomed by the Deputy.
80. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the proposal to extend the DART to Wicklow town; the work that has been done to date to support this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39888/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including in relation to the rail network. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including through the Wicklow Capacity Enhancement Study.
Initial planning/design work is ongoing to establish the feasibility of operating an hourly DART service to/from Wicklow town and Dublin using battery-electric trains that could operate along the un-electrified section between Greystones and Wicklow.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues 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.
81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the plans to increase capacity on the X27, X28 and 120 bus routes from Monday to Friday, with these routes being full before they exit the town of Celbridge, and given the ongoing expansion of population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39912/24]
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 Dublin Bus and GoAhead. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
82. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the reopening of the Waterford to Rosslare rail line, given its inclusion in the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, and the positive potential economic impact on the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39916/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The Review Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes, including the reinstatement of the Waterford to Wexford line.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the final Review Report will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.
Assisted by the EIB Advisory Services, my Department and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are currently working to progress the Report’s recommendations for the years ahead. Progress in following-up on the implementation of the Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
83. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated in Budget 2025 for the maintenance of existing active travel infrastructure, as opposed to the construction of new active travel infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39960/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.
The Active Travel grant allocations are finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year.
Funding in 2025 will therefore be dependant on the REV and will be announced early in the new year.
84. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct a company (details supplied) to take steps to address the numerous complaints made about the current state of the bus services in Knocklyon; if he will ensure that they are addressing the root causes of the service disruptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39975/24]
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 Go Ahead.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication of their annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
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.
85. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if phase two of the western rail corridor can be delivered in the same manner as the Limerick to Foynes Port line without the need for a rail order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40003/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The final Report of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was published in July 2024.
The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes, including the reinstatement of the currently disused Western Rail Corridor between Athenry and Claremorris.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the final Review Report will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, including planning approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.
Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB), my Department and Department for Infrastructure and agencies north and south are already working to progress the Review's recommendations, maintaining momentum. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. Progress on the implementation of the Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
86. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport when he expects delivery of the JASPERS European Investment Bank report on the potential priorities for projects under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40004/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.
The Rail Review Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes.
Assisted by the EIB Advisory Services (JASPERS is a separate EIB advisory programme), my Department and the Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations for the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. Decisions on publication timing of this work have not yet been made. Progress in following-up on the Rail Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.
87. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide details on expenditure on the MetroLink railway and metro-related projects to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40021/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, via Dublin Airport. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when I secured approval for the project from the Cabinet under Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This decision enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and in September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála commenced an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink on February 19th, which concluded on March 28th. Following the Oral Hearing an additional round of public consultation is taking place from 19th August to 8th October.
Another key milestone was reached in June this year when Seán Sweeney was announced as the Project Director for MetroLink. Mr Sweeney has held leadership roles on major infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
As 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, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), MetroLink.
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.
88. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of any funding related to the MetroLink railway or metro-related projects which has been written off to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40022/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, via Dublin Airport. It is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30.
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when I secured approval for the project from the Cabinet under Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This decision enabled the project to move to the planning application stage, and in September 2022 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
An Bord Pleanála commenced an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink on February 19th, which concluded on March 28th. Following the Oral Hearing an additional round of public consultation is taking place from 19th August to 8th October.
Another key milestone was reached in June this year when Seán Sweeney was announced as the Project Director for MetroLink. Mr Sweeney has held leadership roles on major infrastructure projects in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
As 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, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), MetroLink.
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.
89. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the N4 Mullingar to Rooskey project; and when the first phase of this project will commence. [40060/24]
View answerAs 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 planning, design and construction 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 the status of this project.
I can confirm that the N4 Mullingar to Longford project received an allocation of €1,440,000 in 2024. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2025 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available for the national roads programme.
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.
90. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider an amnesty for motorists who have expired paper-based licences (details supplied) and allow them to have a learner permit without the theory test requirement. [40090/24]
View answerDriver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level.
Supports are provided for individuals who require special assistance to take their driver theory test, including supports for dyslexia and illiteracy challenges. Special assistance needs can be requested when booking the theory test by calling the Theory Test Carers team on 0818 606 106.
My department has no plans to grant an amnesty for drivers who have expired paper-based licences.
