Written Answers Nos. 198-218
198. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update from the RSA on the efforts it has made in 2023 and to date in 2024 to develop a permanent driving test centre in Drogheda, County Louth; if a site has been identified; if the RSA is looking at sites to re-establish a temporary centre in the area while the search for a permanent facility continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44389/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for Driver Testing Service and the provision of test centres. As such, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Pending this more detailed response, I am informed that investigations are ongoing between the Road Safety Authority and the Office of Public Works on finding a suitable test centre site for Drogheda.
199. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport which body will be responsible for evaluating the success of the average speed cameras as more are rolled out; if baseline data will be collected in order to monitor and evaluate progress; whether the data collected will include instances of speeding, collisions, injuries and fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44448/24]
View answerThe Government has a dedicated Road Safety Strategy, which is aligned with the EU Vision Zero aspiration for 2050. It is being delivered in partnership by key road safety agencies, including my Department, the Department of Justice, the Road Safety Authority, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and An Garda Síochána.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland is leading the development of a comprehensive national strategy for the future rollout and expanded use of safety cameras, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Strategy will cover the use of safety cameras across national, regional and local roads, with the objective of saving lives by reducing unsafe driver behaviours that can be detected using existing and proven camera-based technologies. The Strategy will focus on speed, red light and bus lane cameras in the initial phase. It is being designed to allow for the enforcement of other violations in the future, such as mobile phone use and not wearing seat belts.
An Garda Síochána has approved funding for the introduction of three additional average speed camera zones on single carriageway national roads and nine static cameras on national and regional roads this year. Building on this rollout, An Garda Síochána intend to deliver a further 100 static cameras in 2025.
In this regard, the processing and evaluation of data supplied by cameras is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. However, the sharing of this data amongst road safety partners will assist in informing effective road safety interventions in the future.
200. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44472/24]
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 local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
The 2024 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities in February this year and Monaghan County Council received an allocation of over €17 million for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of over €800,000 compared to their 2023 allocation. On 31st May 2024, I announced additional funding of €30 million to local authorities through Restoration Improvement (RI) Grants following persistent rainfall over winter and spring. Monaghan County Council has been allocated €773,500 under this supplementary allocation.
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 pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant 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, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their area, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
201. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport who within the public, private and voluntary sectors is given access by the National Transport Authority to its transport modelling instruments, including the public transport accessibility level tool and the access to opportunities and service tool, and subject to what conditions or costs. [44485/24]
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.
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.
202. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence regarding Bus Éireann service 109x; to request Bus Éireann to increase provision on this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44501/24]
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.
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.
203. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service, its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44548/24]
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.
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.
204. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests completed in each test centre in County Cork, including Cork city, for each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44554/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service.
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 a response, the Deputy may wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS
205. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport to set out the Irish and EU legislation regulating the use of heavy goods vehicles, HGVs, on Irish roads; whether all relevant EU legislation on this matter has been transposed; and to set out in summary form the principal provisions of this legislation and the sections of the legislation dealing with enforcement of HGV restrictions. [44594/24]
View answerI have set out, in the table included, the EU and national legislation governing the use of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on our roads.
On local road restrictions, two main statutory instruments allow authorities to implement local restrictions on HGVs for certain roads.
The Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (SI 182/1997), www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/si/182/made/en/print, restrict vehicles of certain types entering specified areas.
The Road Traffic (Control of Traffic) Regulations 2006 (SI 638/2006) www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/si/638/made/en/print allow road authorities to restrict or prohibit certain non-passenger vehicles, including HGVs, from entering specified roads during specified periods, such as the 5-axle HGV ban in operation in Dublin City and in a number of other locations.
Following engagement with An Garda Síochána and the local authority sector, my Department introduced regulations this year which make it a fixed charge notice offence for an HGV to enter a restricted area without a permit. This financial penalty will allow for more efficient enforcement of such restrictions and deter HGV drivers from entering restricted areas without permission.
Individual road authorities are best placed to assess local vehicle requirements, based on road safety or traffic management. My Department has no role in deciding where or in what circumstances HGV restrictions should apply.
|
Act/EU Directive/Regulation |
Subject Matter |
Enabling Irish Legislation (including amendments) |
|
EU Regulation 561/2006 EC |
Driver’s Hours |
SI 229/2017 as amended by SI 567/2023 |
|
EU Regulation 165/2014 |
Tachographs |
SI 229/2017 as amended by SI 567/2023 |
|
Trade & Cooperation Agreement |
Driver’s Hours & Tachographs |
SI 567/2023 |
|
Trade & Cooperation Agreement |
Cabotage |
SI 698/2011 as amended by SI 209/2023 and SI 318/2024 |
|
|
Operator Licensing |
Road Transport Act 2011 (31/2011) |
|
Regulations EC 1071, 1072 and 1073 of 2009 |
1071 – Establishing common rules for the pursuit of the road transport operator occupation 1072 – Access to the international road haulage market including cabotage 1073 - Access to the international market for coach and bus services |
SI 265/2018 as amended by SI 208/2023
SI 698/2011 as amended by SI 209/2023, SI 318/2024 and SI 506/2013 |
|
Directive 2003/59/EC repealed by Directive (EU) 2022/2561 |
Driver CPC |
SI 359/2008 as amended by SI 348/2009, SI 569/2009, SI 423/2010. SI 86/2012, SI 345/2013, SI 487/2014, SI 178/2020 and SI 380/2021 |
|
Directive 1057/2020/EU |
Posting of Drivers |
SI 438/2022 |
|
Directive 2006/1/EC |
Hired Vehicles |
SI 566/2023 |
|
Directive 2002/15/EC |
Working Time (Mobile Transport Workers) |
SI 36/2012 as amended by SI 49/2015 |
|
Directive 2006/22/EC |
Enforcement Directive |
SI 545/2007 as amended by SI 116/2010 and SI 398/2022 |
|
Directive 92/106/EEC |
Combined transport |
SI 60/1994 |
|
Interbus Agreement |
Give effect to the Agreement on the international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus. Designation of competent authorities and authorised inspecting officers for the purposes of the Regulations. |
SI 694/2020 |
|
Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 |
CVR Testing, Roadside and Premises Inspections |
|
|
Directive 2014/47/EU |
Technical Roadside Inspections |
SI 161/2018 as amended by SI 132/2023 |
|
Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 |
Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Regulations |
SI 348/2013 |
|
Regulation EU 2018/858 |
Type Approval Framework |
SI 556/2020 as amended by SI 201/2024 |
|
Directive 96/53/EC |
Weights and Dimensions Directive |
SI 5/2003 (as amended), SI 223/2000 |
|
Directive 2014/45/EU |
Roadworthiness Directive |
SI 347/2013 |
|
Directive 92/6/EEC |
Speed limitation devices |
SI 831/2005 |
206. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to ensure that next-generation ticketing on public transport services is implemented in the most cost-effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44601/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA’s Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) project is for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an ‘Account Based Ticketing’ scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
In April of this year, following a competitive tender process conducted in line with all relevant EU and Irish procurement regulations, the NTA entered into a multi-year framework agreement with Indra Sistemas to deliver the NGT project. The advantage of the framework agreement is the flexibility it affords in terms of drawing down various services if required over the lifetime of the agreement.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to this project. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
207. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the planned introduction of next-generation ticketing, NGT, on public transport services; to detail the expenditure to date and planned expenditure as it relates to NGT projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44602/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA’s Next Generation Ticketing (NGT) project is for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an ‘Account Based Ticketing’ scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
In April of this year, following a competitive tender process conducted in line with all relevant EU and Irish procurement regulations, the NTA entered into a multi-year framework agreement with Indra Sistemas to deliver the NGT project. The advantage of the framework agreement is the flexibility it affords in terms of drawing down various services if required over the lifetime of the agreement.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to this project. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
208. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will take immediate action to address the ongoing concerns of the Durrow community and all parties who are affected by the dangers presented by the N52 between the N4 intersection at Kilbeggan and the Tullamore bypass; to clarify the precise level of funding that is being allocated for this project; when work on the project will actually commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44607/24]
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 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.
I can confirm that the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan project did not receive funding in 2024. However, as with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2025 and in future years, and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
I understand that TII and Offaly County Council are aware of visibility and safety issues on the N52 at Durrow.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the progress of this work. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review an application by a person (details supplied) for a driving test; and when a test date will issue for same. [44631/24]
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 the response, the Deputy may wish to note that 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 portal on RSA.ie.
210. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if contact has been made with ASL Airlines Ireland about reports that it has transported munitions of war to Israel and, if so, when was that contact made and what was the response from the airline. [44632/24]
View answerI can confirm that my Department formally wrote to ASL Airlines Ireland soon after it was identified in the media reports referred to. While I do not think it appropriate to comment in detail on the content of the correspondence with one particular air operator, their response indicated that they are fully aware of their obligations under Irish law in relation to the carriage of munitions of war.
211. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport for a list of flights granted permission to carry munitions of war from 8 October 2023 to 24 October 2024 showing the date, airline, flight number, departure airport, destination airport, description of the munitions on board and their final country of destination, in tabular form. [44633/24]
View answerOwing to the volume and complexity of the data requested by the Deputy, it will take time to draw together the information sought.
If a further response is not received within ten working days, please contact my private office.
214. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide the total number of electrical buses servicing Galway; the total number not currently in use; and whether he is aware of any adverse issues they have encountered due to poor weather conditions. [44642/24]
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of the national PSO bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
215. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will address issues with a bus service (details supplied); and if he will reconsider the contract given the volume of negative feedback received in relation to its services. [44646/24]
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.
216. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if the Irish Rail commuter fares can be extended to a particular train station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44648/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
217. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if wheelchair access can be provided at a train station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44650/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to wheelchair access at Portlaoise train station 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.
218. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the 103 Bus Éireann bus service; its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44653/24]
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.
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.
