Written Answers Nos. 222-241
222. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason that Bus Eireann does not accept the official United Kingdom government criminal record check when vetting applications for new drivers, instead requiring that a criminal record check be provided by a private company based in the Isle of Man; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1102/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
225. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport regarding his Department's safe routes to school funding, if he will outline the grounds on which a school (details supplied) was turned down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1146/25]
View answerThe Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions including, in some cases, School Zones.
These projects should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.
Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 167 schools form Round 1 of the SRTS Programme while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2 in December 2022. Round 3 of the SRTS Programme was launched in November 2024. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in the Rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.
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.
226. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken, or are under consideration, for making use of public sector car parking areas for electric vehicle charging. [1149/25]
View answerProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Department. Within the Climate Action Plan (CAP), fleet electrification is one of the two single biggest mitigation actions for domestic sectors and will provide the greatest share of transport emissions abatement to 2030.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Underpinning this commitment are a number of policies, beginning at a high level with the National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy, and then supplemented by the National Road EV Charging Network Plan and the draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), an office within the Department of Transport, coordinates measures to support the uptake of zero emission vehicles and the roll-out of charge point infrastructure to accelerate progress towards Ireland’s ambitious electric vehicle targets.
The installation of electric vehicle charging in public sector car parking is specifically a matter for the Office of Public Works (OPW). ZEVI is working with Local Authorities to develop local and regional EV network strategies. In many cases, these strategies will consider the installation of EV charging at municipal offices that will provide charging facilities for the general public.
227. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the steps that will be taken to ensure that all transport authorities prioritise active travel modes in developing, providing and managing transport infrastructure. [1152/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
The Government is committed to achieving modal shift in transport and increasing the number of Active Travel journeys over the coming years. This is evidenced in both the commitments made under various policy documents including the Programme for Government, the Climate Action Plan and my Department's National Sustainable Mobility Plan, as well as the significant increase in funding for walking and cycling measures over the past four years.
It is important we move quickly to reduce our carbon emissions and in doing so we must promote a modal shift away from private car use. This will not be achieved without the provision of alternative transport modes such as active travel and public transport.
The Government has committed to significant levels of funding for walking and cycling infrastructure during this decade - around €360 million per annum - which reflects the fact that Active Travel is a priority in the area of transport infrastructure provision.
Investment in Active Travel infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA for such projects last year alone.
I consider this investment to be hugely beneficial to our society, our health and our environment, and in particular will contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions as per the Government's Climate Action Plan. It will support projects across the country, in both urban and rural Ireland, as this Government seeks to change the nature of transport in Ireland.
In addition to the above, a National Guidelines and Standards Group has been established to oversee and coordinate all guidelines and standards (including cycling and other Active Travel projects) which have been developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the NTA and Department of Transport. This group comprises of members from each of these bodies as well as the City and County Management Association (CCMA). It also covers the areas of quality control, training and implementation monitoring. Progress to date includes:
- Circulars setting out a framework for guidelines and standards, as well as improved quality control measures;
- Updates to DMURS Guidelines and supporting training on these guidelines, including online workshops and graduate programmes.
The 2009 National Cycling Policy Network also set out the requirement for Local Authorities to assign an officer at an appropriate senior level to act as an Active Travel Officer (ATO), also known as Walking and Cycling Officers with many Local Authorities employing an ATO prior to the commencement of the current National Transport Authority (NTA) Active Travel resourcing programme in 2021. This commitment was also reaffirmed in the Programme for Government in 2020.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of filled positions across Local Authorities for technical roles in the delivery of Active Travel infrastructure, reflecting the substantial increase in funding and project delivery since 2020 which will ensure a continuous high level of project delivery in the coming years.
228. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the provisions in place to seek compensation from an airline where a person had to travel for serious family reasons at short notice, where the return flights were booked through a third-party operator and where the person in question had to bring the return date forward, as per aforementioned serious family reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1182/25]
View answerAir passenger rights are enshrined in EU law. Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 sets out the rights and entitlements of airline passengers in instances of flight cancellations, delays and denied boarding. The regulation provides that passengers may be entitled to compensation for flight cancellations or specific lengths of long delay, unless the air carrier can prove the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer cancels or simply does not use their ticket, unless the conditions of sale of the flight ticket provide otherwise, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law.
Generally, the contract between the airline and customers is bound by the terms and conditions set out at the time of booking with the airline or intermediary. Any intending passengers should make themselves aware of the terms and conditions of any bookings made, including terms and fees relating to flight changes and any other fees that may apply.
If the passenger holds personal travel insurance, they should review the terms of their policy as they may be able to claim for any losses.
Full information about air passenger rights and entitlements is available at the Commission’s dedicated passenger rights website www.iaa.ie/consumer-protection.
As the matter you describe is of a general consumer affairs nature, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission at www.ccpc.ie may also be in a position to offer further advice.
230. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on a railway crossing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1205/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and level crossings on the network including the level crossing referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
231. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a roundabout will be installed at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1241/25]
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.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding this junction. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the pre-determined number of applications for the January 2025 round of the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant 2025; the time the portal closed at on 6 January 2025 when the pre-determined number of applications were received; the amount of funding that was available in this round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/25]
View answerThe 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 has informed me that the 2025 WAV Grant Scheme (WAV25) opened for applications at 10am on 6 January 2025 and was closed shortly afterwards by the NTA, following a large number of early applications. Almost 2,000 WAV grant applications were received within that timeframe and that demand was the reason for its early closure.
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.
The NTA intends that the level of grant funding for WAV25 will exceed all previous years, with a previous high of over €6 million being issued for WAV Grants in 2024.
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.
233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport to outline all grant and financial support options available to taxi drivers for wheelchair accessible vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1246/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of grant and financial supports to SPSV drivers, 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 wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) Grant, which is administered by the NTA, provides financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet. Applicants to this grant scheme can avail of up to €17,500 in funding.
Separately, the eSPSV Grant Scheme is available to persons (individuals or companies) applying for new SPSV licences or existing SPSV licence holders who wish to upgrade their current vehicle with a replacement electric vehicle. Applicants can avail of up to €25,000 in grant funding under this Scheme. The Scheme provides grants towards new and second hand EVs, with a higher level of funding on offer where you scrap your older, existing vehicle. It is possible to combine both the WAV and eSPSV Grants.
Microfinance Ireland provides unsecured business loans up to €50,000 to both Start-ups and established businesses which are having difficulty in getting access to funding through the usual credit institutions. Further details on loans that are available can be seen at this link: Small Business Loans - Microfinance Ireland at microfinanceireland.ie/
234. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the reason an application by a person (details supplied) for the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant 2025 was rejected; and if this will be reviewed. [1247/25]
View answerThe 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 do not receive a response within 10 working days.
235. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport whether private ambulances are permitted to enter the tarmac at Dublin Airport to collect patients from air ambulances; if not, why this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1262/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports. I have therefore forwarded your question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
236. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he has received a report in relation to progress on camera enforcement of road traffic laws; if not, if such a report has been commissioned by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1280/25]
View answerIn line with Actions 67 and 122 of Phase 1 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, the National Transport Authority (NTA) chaired a cross-agency working group to examine various approaches to expediting the timely and efficient introduction of camera enforcement. The Working Group presented its final report to the Road Safety Partnership Board on 5 November 2023.
Building on the recommendations of this Group, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) was nominated to lead the development of a comprehensive national strategy for the future roll-out and expanded use of safety cameras. A draft of this strategy is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The Strategy will cover the use of safety cameras across all aspects of the road network, 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. However, 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. It is expected that legislative amendment will be required to allow for camera enforcement in these areas.
Pending the finalisation of the strategy and overarching camera framework, as announced in 2024, An Garda Síochána is in the process of deploying three new average speed zones and nine static cameras across the country, with two additional average speed zones already coming into operation in Mayo and Cavan in late 2024. Building on this, as part of Budget 2025, the Minister for Justice announced funding for a further 100 camera installations.
Alongside this and pending the development of a more scalable and automated camera enforcement system, using powers under Section 81(7) of the Road Traffic Act 2010, the National Transport Authority intend to collaborate with An Garda Síochána and Dublin City Council on the deployment of traffic management cameras within Dublin. Procurement exercises will be required for both cameras and a system operator, with the intention that one or two locations will be operational this year as part of an interim arrangement.
237. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the options available to residents with shared parking facilities to obtain an electric vehicle charging point; the grants available from the SEAI to assist in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1290/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
The Apartment Charger Grant, funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and operated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), assists residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments install a home charger for their EV.
The grant is designed for bulk installation of chargers at a single location, and supports cabling, infrastructure, labour, and construction costs. Owners' management companies, housing bodies, local authorities, commercial and private landlords can apply.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
The draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of regional and local networks of public EV charging infrastructure at destination and neighbourhood areas, and will be led by local authorities.
Local authorities are ideally suited to accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure at the local level. Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland are engaging with Local Authorities and will provide funding and guidance to them for developing their strategies – these will identify areas without off street charging capabilities and identify solutions which may include off street community chargers, Shared Charging facilities, and/or use of local Rapid Destination Chargers or Hubs.
Some authorities have already completed these plans, while others are in progress. We anticipate that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025.
238. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport to outline the options available to apartment residents to obtain an electric vehicle charging point; the grants available from the SEAI to assist in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1300/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
The Apartment Charger Grant, funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and operated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), assists residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments install a home charger for their EV.
The grant is designed for bulk installation of chargers at a single location, and supports cabling, infrastructure, labour, and construction costs. Owners' management companies, housing bodies, local authorities, commercial and private landlords can apply.
Further information can be found at www.seai.ie/grants/electric-vehicle-grants/electric-vehicle-charging/apartment-charging-grant.
239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to curb the problem of illegal taxis operating throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including compliance and enforcement in the SPSV sector, 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 enforces legislation in relation to SPSVs and all members of An Garda Síochána (AGS) are empowered to investigate offences under the legislation. The NTA has six directly employed enforcement officers, which are supplemented by AGS officers and contractors. There has been a 50% increase in external compliance officers (through a service contract) since August 2024, to increase compliance activities. Enforcement checks are undertaken regularly and the NTA and AGS conduct joint enforcement operations nationwide. AGS also have access to the iCabs database on their smart phones which allows them to scan a roof sign to check if the taxi is licensed.
The NTA regularly engages in compliance activities against unlicensed service provision. In 2023, 179,582 vehicle and driver licence checks were carried out, i.e., 93% of SPSVs were checked whilst operating. There were 222 criminal prosecutions in 2023 with 61% of these related to the operation of an unlicensed service and the NTA was successful in 86% of these prosecutions.
I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
240. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has had any engagement with a company (details supplied) regarding the recent announcement of new routes to Dakhla in occupied Western Sahara and the inaccurate description of that city being in Moroccan territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1362/25]
View answerMy Department has not engaged with the company referred to regarding their announcement of a new route as set out by the Deputy.
Scheduled air services are underpinned by bilateral and multilateral agreements and the approval of the operation of traffic rights on such routes is a matter for the states between which the operations will take place.
The decision to operate any scheduled air service is a commercial matter for the airline in question, in consultation with airports and other market actors and not a matter in which my Department has a role.
241. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the number of landowners nationwide who have trees which are non-commercial plantations impacted by ash dieback adjacent to public roads; if he has assessed the associated potential risk to road safety; if he will consider a scheme to help landowners with the cost of removal of these impacted trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1394/25]
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.
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 '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.
