Eoghan Kenny
Question:202. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport to prioritise the incoming railway Order for the next phase of the Cork commuter rail project. [46871/24]
View answerRail Network
Questions (202)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is noted as a key project in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040. The programme comprises a number of separate but interrelated projects.
Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, ‘Enable future electrification of Cork Commuter Rail’, was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 are expected to be completed by Quarter 3 2026 as required by the European Commission.
This will see a significant investment in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. Work is underway on all three Phase 1 projects for delivery by Quarter 3 2026.
Recently, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to TYPSA and Roughan O’Donovan appointing them as multi-disciplinary consultants for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme. This Phase provides for eight new stations, a new fleet maintenance depot electrification of the network and upgrades to existing commuter stations.
The Department currently expects the National Transport Authority (NTA) to submit the Preliminary Business Case for Cork Area Commuter Rail for review by 2026. Subject to approval by Cabinet, this will allow CIÉ to submit a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. Subject to the granting of the Railway Order, securing funding and achieving the relevant approvals, Phase 2 of the Programme will progress after Phase 1 works have been completed.
Active Travel
Questions (203)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:203. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the funding available for the retrofitting of footpaths in areas of high walking commuter activity. [46872/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (204)
Paul Murphy
Question:204. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport whether there are any plans to introduce a ‘buy-back scheme’ for taxi plates. [46883/24]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Section 14 of the Taxi Regulation Act prohibits the transfer of SPSV licences. This stemmed from the Taxi Regulation Review 2011 where it was concluded that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should not have a monetary value or be traded on the open market. As such, the current SPSV licensing regime ensures that the holder of a licence is subject to lawful conditions and restrictions.
As quantitative restrictions, which led to an undersupply of SPSVs in the past, have been removed from the taxi market and there are no barriers to entry to this industry - other than the obligation to use a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) - it is not clear how a 'buy-back scheme' would deliver benefits to the industry, or members of the public that use these services, especially those who require access to WAVs. Accordingly, no consideration is being given to the introduction of a "buy back" scheme as suggested by the Deputy.
Driver Licences
Questions (205)
James O'Connor
Question:205. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the reason it is not possible to exchange a driving licence issued by the Canadian province of Nova Scotia for an Irish driving licence; if there are any plans to allow such exchanges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46890/24]
View answerWritten answers
Irish driver licensing law operates in 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. This allows Member States to recognise all EU-issued licences.
To establish a driving licence exchange agreement outside the EU/EEA, Ireland's licensing authority, the Road Safety Authority, must be satisfied that the licensing, testing and training systems and standards are equivalent. The Government's priority in these matters is to identify countries that may be a source of professional drivers (HGV or bus drivers), given the well documented shortages faced in Ireland and across the EU in these sectors.
Ireland currently has driving licence exchange agreements with 7 of the 10 provinces of Canada. I am informed by the Road Safety Authority that its technical team is currently reviewing Nova Scotia's licensing system.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (206)
Alan Kelly
Question:206. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if a list will be provided of all persons appointed to State or semi-State boards under his remit since 1 November 2024. [46938/24]
View answerWritten answers
In making appointments to State boards under my remit as Minister for Transport, my Department operates in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform 2014 guidelines on appointments to State Boards www.publicjobs.ie/restapi/documents/2014_1125_Guidelines_Appointments_to_State_Boards.pdf. This applies to all State Boards both commercial and non-commercial. There are 12 commercial bodies and 5 non-commercial bodies with boards that fall within these guidelines under the aegis of the Department of Transport.
Information relating to board appointments for agencies under my Department's remit and the basis of that appointment is available here membership.stateboards.ie/department/Department%20of%20Transport/ on publicjobs.ie, operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), and here www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/303b1-state-board-membership/on my Department’s website.
A total of 3 Board Member appointments were made to Department of Transport agencies from 1 November 2024 to date. Information as requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:
|
State Board |
Name |
Date of appointment |
Position Type |
Basis of appointment |
|
Port of Cork Company |
Ann Doherty |
12/11/2024 |
Board Member |
New CEO appointed to the board in an Ex-Officio capacity, under Harbours Act 1996 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
Brian McCormick |
14/11/2024 |
Board Member |
Ministerial appointment from an existing panel following a PAS process |
|
National Transport Authority |
Hugh Creegan |
16/12/2024 |
Board Member |
Interim CEO appointed to the board in an Ex-Officio capacity, under Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 |
Bus Services
Questions (207)
Michael Lowry
Question:207. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that Newport does not have a bus service between 2:30 PM and 5:10 PM from Limerick (details supplied); if he will seek to review the Cashel to Limerick bus service via Newport operated by Bus Éireann route 332 for an additional bus service to Newport around 4:30 PM to address this gap in the schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1000/25]
View answerWritten 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.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
Questions (208)
Paula Butterly
Question:208. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an updated brief on any proposed future park and ride facilities for County Louth and east Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/25]
View answerWritten 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 park and ride facilities.
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.
Road Projects
Questions (209)
Paula Butterly
Question:209. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full detailed update on the current status of the Ardee bypass project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1020/25]
View answerWritten 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 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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Driver Test
Questions (210)
Paula Butterly
Question:210. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a full update on the current status on the search for a driver test centre in Drogheda, considering the unacceptable waiting times currently experienced by people in the northeast; if information will be provided on the communication between his Department and the RSA over the past 12 months in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the Driver Testing Service including the provision of test centres and their locations. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question 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 full response, I am informed that the RSA are continuing to work with the Office of Public Works on finding a suitable test centre site for Drogheda but have been unsuccessful to date.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Rail Network
Questions (211)
Paula Butterly
Question:211. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport to provide the details on the expected commencement date for the DART expansion to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/25]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, as 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
The Preliminary Business Case for the whole DART+ programme was approved by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code in December 2021. The Decision also permitted the purchase of DART Fleet. This first order of DART+ Fleet comprised an initial purchase of 95 DART carriages - 65 battery-electric and 30 electric. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see 90 new battery-electric carriages arrive around 2026/27.
The first of the new carriages have started arriving, for testing and commissioning before deployment. The first batch of 65 battery-electric train carriages are expected to enter service on the Dublin to Drogheda line, in early 2026. To enable the roll-out of these DART trains to Drogheda, new battery-electric charging infrastructure is being developed at Drogheda station. This will allow the DART trains to operate on battery power between Malahide and Drogheda, in advance of the extension of overhead electric wires in future, under DART+ Coastal North.
A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged in July 2024. The project will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda, with the section between Malahide and Drogheda (as part of the service between Dublin city and Drogheda) increasing in capacity from circa 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak hour/direction upon project completion.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
Transport Policy
Questions (212, 213, 214)
Matt Carthy
Question:212. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the proposed East-West Dundalk-to-Sligo route corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1029/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:213. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the capital allocated provided and expended on sections of the East-West Dundalk-to-Sligo route corridor since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:214. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the capital allocation that has been earmarked for the East-West Dundalk-to-Sligo route corridor for 2025 and upcoming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1031/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, together.
My department has been working with Cavan and Louth County Councils in relation to funding projects associated with the proposed upgraded East West Link Road. As the Deputy is aware the proposed scheme would run on regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and national routes from Cavan to Sligo.
Going back some time there was a proposal for a substantial upgrade of the regional road part of the route; my department provided over €2 million to Cavan County Council, acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils, to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design stage.
However, more recent appraisal work has indicated a very substantial cost if the road scheme was fully implemented. As such, my department engaged Cavan County Council to carry out a risk-based analysis for the route between Dundalk and Cavan. This analysis explored the possibility of a series of interventions which could be implemented over time, and which could improve safety, journey times, and bring consistency to the travel speed along the route. From this risk analysis individual local authorities examined if, and how, projects identified could be brought forward, while taking into account their own priorities and available resources.
My department allocated funding to both Cavan and Louth County Councils to carry out initial assessments of two possible schemes along the R178 Cavan to Dundalk Strategic Regional Route. Subsequently, both Louth and Cavan County Councils submitted Strategic Assessment Reports for these two schemes. These submissions have been reviewed and approval has been provided to advance both schemes. My department provided further funding in 2024 to both Cavan County Council and Louth County Council to advance these schemes through to the end of Phase 2 “Route Selection” (see TII Project Management Guidelines, 3.3 Overview of Project Phases). This process is underway by the local authorities and following completion, a further review of both schemes will be examined by my department before approval to the next phase.
Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
Please see below tables with the requested records of funds.
|
Cavan County Council |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Allocation |
€100,000 |
€130,000 |
€50,000 |
€250,000 |
€100,000 |
|
Expenditure |
€ - |
€110,823 |
€ - |
€9,779 |
€ - |
|
Louth County Council |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Allocation |
€ - |
€ - |
€100,000 |
€100,000 |
€150,000 |
|
Expenditure |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
€15,350 |
€ - |
Question No. 213 answered with Question No. 212.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 212.
National Car Test
Questions (215, 229)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:215. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the options available to a person (details supplied) who purchased a second hand vehicle with a fresh NCT obtained in September 2024, where subsequently that NCT was revoked as the vehicle was not roadworthy and should not have passed inspections; if there is any route of reimbursement available to the purchaser due to the NCT issued in error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1052/25]
View answer
Mark Ward
Question:229. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on a case (details supplied); what recourse is open to the individual; how common NCT certification withdrawals are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1201/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 229 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 and associated vehicle roadworthiness regulations, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Car Testing (NCT) Service.
I note from the details supplied that the purchaser is already engaging with the NCT Service on this matter. It would not be appropriate for me as Minister to intervene on an individual case.
The NCT is designed for a particular purpose, which is to ascertain does a vehicle meet certain roadworthiness tests at a point in time. It does not have formal legal standing in a private transaction between the buyer and seller of a vehicle.
However, the points the Deputy raises merit further investigation. I will ask the RSA to provide information on the number of NCT revocations or withdrawals in recent years, as well as their views on this matter, and I will share these with the Deputy once received.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Driver Test
Questions (216, 223, 258)
Michael Collins
Question:216. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1076/25]
View answerMichael Collins
Question:223. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1107/25]
View answerMichael Collins
Question:258. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if a driving retest for a person (details supplied) who has been waiting 14 weeks for a driving test, will be expedited, as the person is a trainee teacher and needs their car to commence placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1538/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 223 and 258 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including application and scheduling matters. 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 questions 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 www.rsa.ie/online-services/myroadsafety.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Driver Test
Questions (217, 224)
Colm Burke
Question:217. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to reduce the waiting time for driving re-test appointments at a test centre (details supplied), in view that re-test appointments are extending beyond the ten-week wait period to 15 to 19 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/25]
View answerEoghan Kenny
Question:224. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport what actions his Department or the RSA are taking in order to reduce the backlog in waiting times for drivers who are booking a re-test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1125/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 224 together.
Under 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.
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, to address the issue of driving test waiting times, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for driver testers to 200, which represents a doubling of the comparable sanction of 100 posts in June 2022 in just over two years.
As a condition of sanction for these additional resources, my officials have requested that a plan is put in place to restore waiting times to 10 weeks as soon as possible. I understand that recruitment is well underway and additional capacity will enter the service in the coming months, helping to progressively reduce waiting times.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Bus Éireann
Questions (218)
Pearse Doherty
Question:218. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the number of delayed departure and arrival times for the Bus Éireann Expressway routes (details supplied) for each month in 2024; the reason for each delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1092/25]
View answerWritten 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.
Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route X30, is a commercial bus service and responsibility for the operation of the service is a matter for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Grant Payments
Questions (219)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the wheelchair-accessible taxi grant scheme portal’s technical failure which left many applicants unable to apply for the grant; if he will ensure that drivers who were unable to access the scheme this time are prioritised in the next round of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1093/25]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme, 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 have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Grant Payments
Questions (220)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the measures that are in place to prevent potential exploitation of the wheelchair-accessible taxi grant scheme by rental firms, which would prevent other drivers from owning their own taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1094/25]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) grant scheme, 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 have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
The NTA introduced a number of updates to the 2025 Grant Scheme to support applicants. These included setting two application periods, with the second round for applications due to open in July 2025; limiting the applications that a single party can make from 10 to 5, and extending the time limit for grant offers to successful applicants from 3 months to 5 months, to allow more time for completion of the grant process.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Road Safety
Questions (221)
Duncan Smith
Question:221. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to outline the regulations in relation to headlight glare; if his Department has undertaken studies on LED headlight glare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1101/25]
View answerWritten answers
The use of HID and LED headlights in the European Union is regulated by the European type-approval system under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/858/oj/eng, transposed by SI 556/2020 www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2020/si/556/made/en/print - European Union (Road Vehicles: Type-Approval and Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020. This system establishes technical and safety standards for vehicles and vehicle components for sale or use in EU Member States. To gain type-approval, headlight components and technology must meet specific safety standards. Accordingly, if a headlight has been type-approved and entered into service, it is considered safe to use within the EU.
Factors which can contribute headlamp glare include misalignment, dirty or damaged headlamps or the use of incorrect bulbs. During roadworthiness testing (NCT and CVRT), a vehicle's lighting system is tested to ensure it is in full working order and correctly aligned for the safe performance of the vehicle.
As the standards for these lights are regulated for at EU level, my Department currently has no plans to carry out any study on their use in the State. However, I understand that the UNECE Working Party on Lighting and Light-Signalling, unece.org/transportvehicle-regulations/working-party-lighting-and-light-signalling-introduction, is planning on establishing a task force to investigate this issue.