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Tuesday, 22 Oct 2024

Written Answers Nos. 198-213

Dublin Bus

Questions (198)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if every effort can be made to increase the capacity to the C Spine route from Dublin city centre at peak times, with particular reference to the C52 route from Ringsend to Intel, with particular reference to the ongoing public feedback that the buses are often full to capacity by the time they reach Aston Quay and unable to take any additional passengers, resulting in many being stranded indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42823/24]

View answer

Written answers

As 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 query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Forestry Sector

Questions (199)

Niall Collins

Question:

199. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the number of landowners across the country who have trees which are non-commercial plantations impacted by ash dieback adjacent to public roads; if the associated potential risk to road safety has been assessed; if a scheme to help landowners with the cost of removal of the impacted trees will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42892/24]

View answer

Written answers

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.

Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road. This responsibility includes 'the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation' in question.

As such, the implementation of the legislation and the management of hedge cutting operations is a matter for local authorities and landowners. My Department has no plans to grant-aid the cutting or removal of trees infected with ash dieback.

Bus Éireann

Questions (200)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

200. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of new bus drivers recruited by Bus Éireann in 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number of bus drivers who left Bus Éireann during same period, in tabular form. [42908/24]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Bus Services

Questions (201)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

201. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding required to fully implement the remaining parts of the BusConnects Dublin Programme. [42909/24]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects Dublin is a transformative programme of investment in the existing bus system, providing better bus services to more people. It is the biggest ever investment in our bus system in the history of the State.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin.

The total cost for the BusConnects Dublin Programme as a whole was estimated as part of the Preliminary Business Case which was approved by Government at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code in 2022. This approval allowed the 12 Core Bus Corridor (CBC) schemes which to enter the planning process.

An Bord Pleanála recently granted planning permission for eight of the CBC’s namely, the Clongriffin, Liffey Valley, Ballymun/Finglas, Belfield /Blackrock, Blanchardstown, Swords, Ringsend and Lucan to City Centre CBCs. Legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to the Clongriffin, Belfield/Blackrock, Swords and Blanchardstown schemes.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) have commenced procurement for the Liffey Valley and Ballymun/Finglas CBC schemes and the first of the CBCs is expected to enter construction in 2025.An updated cost estimate for each of the CBCs will be available as they advance through the procurement process and are submitted for final approval under the Infrastructure Guidelines prior to entering construction.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Departmental Funding

Questions (202)

Richard Bruton

Question:

202. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport to provide for several areas and categories (details supplied) a list of all the individual projects to which his Department has provided funding since 2020, in tabular form. [42920/24]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and Public Transport. Regarding 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. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally in conjunction with public transport operators such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland and Luas, as well as through contracts with individual operators.

Noting the role of the NTA in these matters, I have referred the aspects of the Deputy’s question relating to Active Travel and Public Transport to that agency for a more detailed answer.

The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the role of TII in relation to Greenways, I have also referred your question to them for a direct reply.

If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

Information regarding national, regional and local road projects and electric vehicle charging projects referred to in the Deputy’s question are provided below.

Galway West

Year

Name of Project

Details of Project

Funding Provided

National Roads Projects

2020

N59 Clifden to Oughterard

The N59 Clifden to Maam Cross to Oughterard is identified in the NDP as a key piece of infrastructure to be developed to Planning/ Design and Construction within the first Phase of the Plan 2018 to 2027. It is the principal access to Connemara and the west coast and functions both as an important access route for the region and a significant tourist route. The overall project is 45km in length and was taken through the statutory process as two separate schemes, the N59 Clifden to Maam Cross Scheme and the N59 Maam Cross to Oughterard Scheme.

€1,000,000*

2020

N59 Moycullen Bypass

The project is located on the N59 National Secondary Route, which extends from Sligo to Galway City. It consists of the construction of a 4.3km standard single carriageway road bypass of Moycullen Village. This is located between the townland of Drimcong, approximately 1.5km north-west of Moycullen Village, to the townland of Clydagh, approximately 2km south-east of Moycullen Village. This project is now complete.

€1,000,000*

2020

Galway City Bypass

The N6 road is a national primary road from junction 11 on the M4 motorway at Kinnegad in Westmeath to Galway city. The N6 and N4/M4 form a continuous motorway or dual carriageway from Dublin city centre to Galway City, passing through the midlands. The proposed project comprises 12.5km of motorway between the existing N6 at Coolagh (northeast of the city) to the existing Ballymoneen Road (northwest of the city) and continues as a single carriageway road for a further 5km of protected road, west of Bearna. The new orbital route travels around the city, and will include a new bridge crossing of the River Corrib.

€2,000,000*

2021

N59 Clifden to Oughterard

€600,000*

2021

N59 Moycullen Bypass

€8,000,000*

2021

Galway City Bypass

€1,000,000*

2022

N59 Clifden to Oughterard

€700,000*

2022

N59 Moycullen Bypass

€23,000,000*

2022

Galway City Bypass

€2,000,000*

2023

N59 Clifden to Oughterard

€400,000*

2023

N59 Moycullen Bypass

€400,000*

2023

Galway City Bypass

€3,000,000*

2024

N59 Clifden to Oughterard

€0

2024

N59 Moycullen Bypass

€1,200,000*

2024

Galway City Bypass

€3,000,000*

Regional and Local Roads Projects

2020-2024

N/A**

N/A**

See below**

*Amounts listed for National Roads are for major schemes only based on allocations announced by TII at the start of the year. For full details see TII’s website here: [www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/]

** The payments to all local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. [Oireachtas Library Search]

Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority. In this regard I suggest you contact the relevant Local Authorities directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in Galway West.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel, Public Transport and Greenways. Regarding 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. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally in conjunction with public transport operators such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland and Luas, as well as through contracts with individual operators. Noting the role of the NTA in these matters, I have referred the aspects of the Deputy’s question relating to Active Travel and Public Transport to that agency for a more detailed answer.

The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the role of TII in relation to Greenways, I have also referred your question to them for a direct reply.

If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

Information regarding national, regional and local road projects and electric vehicle charging projects referred to in the Deputy’s question are provided below.

Cork South - Central

Year

Name of Project

Details & Address of Project

Funding Provided

National* Roads Projects

2020

N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

The N28 is a primary national road which connects Ringaskiddy to the Port of Cork and is a high volume route for both passenger and freight traffic. The proposed motorway project consists of an upgrade of 13km (of dual carriageway to motorway), and the development of a new section of motorway. The route commences at Bloomfield Interchange, and runs south through Rochestown on the line of the existing N28, diverging at Carr’s Hill.

€4,000,000*

2020

N40 TEN-T Route Improvements

This project is to upgrade the 15.5km N40 urban ring road, which is a strategic route through the city.

€200,000*

2021

N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

€2,500,000*

2021

N40 TEN-T Route Improvements

€250,000*

2022

N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

€13,000,000*

2022

N40 TEN-T Route Improvements

€600,000*

2023

N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

€19,000,000*

2023

N40 TEN-T Route Improvements

€2,000,000*

2024

N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy

€17,600,000*

2024

N40 TEN-T Route Improvements

€ 780,000*

Regional and Local Roads Projects

2020-2024

N/A**

N/A**

See below**

*Amounts listed for National Roads are for major schemes only based on allocations announced by TII at the start of the year. For full details see TII’s website here: [www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/]

** The payments to all local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. [Oireachtas Library Search]

Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority. In this regard I suggest you contact the relevant Local Authorities directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in Cork South-Central.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel, Public Transport and Greenways. Regarding 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. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally in conjunction with public transport operators such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland and Luas, as well as through contracts with individual operators. Noting the role of the NTA in these matters, I have referred the aspects of the Deputy’s question relating to Active Travel and Public Transport to that agency for a more detailed answer.

The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the role of TII in relation to Greenways, I have also referred your question to them for a direct reply.

If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

Information regarding national, regional and local road projects and electric vehicle charging projects referred to in the Deputy’s question are provided below.

Wicklow

Year

Name of Project

Details & Address of Project

Funding Provided

National Roads Projects

2020

N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme

The N11 is a national primary road, running for 129 km along the east side of Ireland from Dublin to Wexford. The proposed project extends from Junction 4 (M50) to Junction 14 (Coyne’s Cross) and is 22km in length. It is intended to assess a Preferred Option for the long-term strategic functionality of the N11 from J4 to J14. However, the delivery (construction) of the Preferred Option will be limited from J4 to J8 in line with the NDP. The N11/M11 Corridor is the primary connector between Dublin and Rosslare Ports.

€1,500,000*

2021

N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme

€4,000,000*

2022

N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme

€4,000,000*

2023

N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme

0*

2024

N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 Improvement Scheme

0*

Regional and Local Roads Projects

2023-2024

SRLR: Blessington Bypass

Blessington Bypass (Inner Relief) North and South sections (mid-section complete), to facilitate urban relief and active travel, and housing development.

See below**

EV charging points

2023

EV Charging at Irish Rail Bray Train Station

150KW DC Taxi Charger funded

€133,453 (excl. VAT)

*Amounts listed for National Roads are for major schemes only based on allocations announced by TII at the start of the year. For full details see TII’s website here: [www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/]

** The payments to all local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. [Oireachtas Library Search]

Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority. In this regard I suggest you contact the relevant Local Authorities directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in Wicklow.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel, Public Transport and Greenways. Regarding 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. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally in conjunction with public transport operators such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Go-Ahead Ireland and Luas, as well as through contracts with individual operators. Noting the role of the NTA in these matters, I have referred the aspects of the Deputy’s question relating to Active Travel and Public Transport to that agency for a more detailed answer.

The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the role of TII in relation to Greenways, I have also referred your question to them for a direct reply.

If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

Information regarding national, regional and local road projects and electric vehicle charging projects referred to in the Deputy’s question are provided below.

Dublin Bay North

No funding has been provided to national road or electric vehicle projects in Dublin Bay North by my Department in the time period specified.

In the case of the four Dublin Councils, prior to the introduction of the Local Property Tax (LPT) grant funding was made available under the Department's Regional and Local Road Grant Programme to supplement the Councils' expenditure on maintenance. The arrangements agreed by Government when the LPT was introduced included a requirement that the Dublin Councils would use a specified amount of their LPT receipts to fund certain housing and regional and local roads maintenance services, replacing Exchequer funding. This remains the position.

The local authorities are advised annually by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the amounts to be self-funded in each category. Aside from the requirement to apply these specified amounts for road maintenance, as the statutory road authorities, decisions on the allocation of funding to regional and local roads is a matter each council.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Road Projects

Questions (203, 206)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

203. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of community involvement scheme roads repaired in each Cork county municipal district in each of the years 2021 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42976/24]

View answer

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

206. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the amount that was spent on community involvement scheme roads in each Cork county municipal district in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42987/24]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 206, 871 and 870 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, 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 State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

In 2018, the Department introduced ring-fenced funding for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS). The purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. Under the scheme a local community can contribute in money or in kind, for example by making labour or machinery available.

While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021, depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has now been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution. This is more in line with Local Improvement Scheme contribution rates.

In order to allow for sufficient planning and applications for this scheme, local authorities are invited to apply for funding for CIS projects for a two-year programme with the latest round of applications received in 2023 for the 2024/2025 period.

Grant allocations for 2024 were issued in February this year with €13m being made available to local authorities under the CIS grant. Of this, Cork County Council received an allocation of €1,695,600 for the 2024 CIS programme.

It is important to reiterate that the annual programme of works is decided by the local authorities, and the Department has no role in this process.

The payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority.

In this regard I suggest you contact Cork County Council directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in each Municipal District.

Public Transport

Questions (204)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

204. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport whether there have been any feasibility studies on the use of bilevel rail cars on Irish Rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42978/24]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including examining the potential use of bilevel rail cars on the rail network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter I am referring your letter for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Transport Policy

Questions (205)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

205. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Cork city northern transport project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42982/24]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware, the proposal for the Northern Distributor Road was established in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. It is intended that the Northern Distributor Road will include both traffic and bus lanes as well as cycling and pedestrian facilities.

In December of 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) approved a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the project. The approval of the SAR authorised Cork City Council to proceed with the next stage of the project, namely the route selection stage.

Cork City Council are currently working on undertaking a comprehensive route assessment process and identifying an Emerging Preferred Route which would be brought to public consultation. I understand that this route options report is progressing well and that a public consultation on the emerging preferred option could take place later this year.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in our cities, the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 203.

Road Signage

Questions (207)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

207. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the reason stop signs which are positioned at the side of roads and printed onto the road itself, in Gaeltacht areas in County Donegal are written in English and not in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42997/24]

View answer

Written answers

All traffic signs on public roads must be provided in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual, which constitutes a Ministerial Direction to road authorities under section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. This direction is given to road authorities for the provision and use of traffic signs.

Road signs such as STOP are internationally recognised and it is important for road safety that all traffic, including international traffic, understands regulatory signage and road markings as displayed, so as to adequately inform drivers of potential hazards ahead. The use of the Irish language on regulatory road signs in Gaeltacht areas is prescribed in Chapter 1 of the Manual. Section 1.1.52 denotes that STOP is an internationally recognised word that does not need translation.

Bus Services

Questions (208)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

208. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the new bus shelter recently constructed in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43008/24]

View answer

Written answers

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 the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Departmental Funding

Questions (209, 210, 211, 212)

Alan Farrell

Question:

209. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated to capital projects in Bishopstown, Wilton, Glasheen and Model Farm Road area of Cork, from his Department for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the list of projects allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43030/24]

View answer

Alan Farrell

Question:

210. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated to capital projects in the Ballinora area of Cork, from his Department for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the list of projects allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43031/24]

View answer

Alan Farrell

Question:

211. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated to capital projects in the Ballinhassig area of Cork, from his Department for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the list of projects allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43032/24]

View answer

Alan Farrell

Question:

212. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated to capital projects in Togher/Lehenaghmore area of Cork, from his Department for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; the list of projects allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43033/24]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 212, inclusive, together.

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, the national roads programme, the regional and local roads programme, and active travel.

Investments are delivered by the relevant local authorities, working in partnership with the National Transport Authority, which is responsible for Active Travel and Public Transport Investment; Transport and Infrastructure Ireland, which is responsible for National Roads Investment.

Payments to all local authorities concerning regional and local roads investments are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority. In this regard I suggest you contact the relevant Local Authority directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in these constituencies.

I have requested that each of the above organisations respond to you directly relating to investments in the specific districts referenced. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 210 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 209.
Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 209.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (213)

Seán Fleming

Question:

213. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport to outline the position regarding potential changes to the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme; when it can be implemented through a new statutory instrument; when can this be finalised in his Department and sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for full approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43094/24]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Transport Act 1950, CIÉ have initiated the statutory process by submitting an amending scheme to the Minister for Transport for review to give effect to Labour Court Recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by a ballot of trade union members in May 2021.

Work is ongoing in the Department of Transport, in consultation with the Department for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the proposed amendments to the 1951 Scheme.

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