Written Answers Nos. 15-43
15. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide a detailed breakdown of all funding allocated for the year ahead or spent in the past fiscal year by his Department on artificial intelligence systems or artificial intelligence research; what programmes or Department operations are conducted using artificial intelligence tools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3703/25]
View answerIn line with the National AI strategy and the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies, my Department continues to keep the use of artificial intelligence for business purposes under review.
My Department's core IT infrastructure is provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the 'Build to Share Managed Desktop' shared service. I have been advised by OGCIO that they have deployed AI powered security tools as part of the overall security posture.
I can confirm that no funding was spent in the past fiscal year by my Department on artificial intelligence systems or artificial intelligence research. The use of artificial intelligence, as with all enabling technologies, will be considered on a solution by solution basis. Any such considerations will be discussed and a risk assessment conducted as appropriate.
16. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2023 and 2024; the purpose, value, and duration of each contract in relation to public bodies under the aegis of his Department, including where consulting contracts are classified under ‘business-as-usual outsourcing’ for annual reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3778/25]
View answerUnfortunately, the information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the timeframe provided. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
17. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide details of all meetings between Ministers and officials of his Department with the Irish Defence and Security Association from January 2020 to present, to include dates, venues, minutes and attendees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3817/25]
View answerThe Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”.
National Defence Industry Associations’ (NDIA's) are the norm in many EU Member States, providing support to industry operating in defence markets in a number of ways, by creating networks, disseminating information and assisting contractors to find suitable sub-contractors. They are important for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and in that context the IDSA plays a role in enhancing awareness between Irish industry and my Department through periodic engagement.
Engagement between the IDSA and the Department of Defence provides a structure for the sharing of information regarding the European Defence Fund and other opportunities that could prove beneficial to Irish industry, SMEs and research institutes.
Dates of meetings since January 2020, where officials from my Department have met with the IDSA to progress these objectives, and the relevant venues and attendees are listed below.
|
Date |
Attendees |
Location |
|
2021 |
||
|
25th November 2021 |
Head of International Security and Defence Policy Division. |
Phone Call |
|
2022 |
||
|
6th January 2022 |
Head of International Security and Defence Policy Division. |
Video Call |
|
18th January 2022 |
Head of RTI Unit. |
Department Offices, Dublin |
|
17th May 2022 |
Head of RTI Unit. |
McKee Barracks |
|
20th May 2022 |
Head of International Security and Defence Policy Division. |
McKee Barracks |
|
12th July 2022 |
Head of RTI Unit. |
McKee Barracks |
|
23rd November 2022 |
Head and Deputy Head of RTI Unit. |
Video Call |
|
2023 |
||
|
15th June 2023 |
Head and Deputy Head of RTI Unit. |
McKee Barracks |
|
21st September 2023 |
Head of RTI Unit. |
Video Call |
|
4th October 2023 |
Minister and Head of International Security and Defence Policy Division. |
Department Offices, Dublin |
|
29th November 2023 |
Head of Strategic Change and Capability Development Division. |
Department Offices, Dublin |
|
2024 |
||
|
2nd October 2024 |
Head of Strategic Change and Capability Development Division. |
Department Offices, Dublin |
|
12th December 2024 |
Head of Strategic Change and Capability Development Division and Head of EU/Industry Engagement Branch |
Department Offices, Dublin |
In addition to the meetings listed above, officials from my Department participated in two events organised by the IDSA on 12th June and 13th November 2024. The Department Official that attended the 12th June event in the Aishling Hotel, was the Head of the Capability Development Branch. The November 13th event, in the Royal Marine Hotel, was attended by the Head of the Strategic Change and Capability Development Division and the Head of EU/Industry Engagement Branch.
The IDSA have also participated in the two Defence networking and information events organised by my Department, on the 6th October 2022 in the Aviva Stadium Dublin and the 1st November 2023 in the Aishling Hotel Dublin. On the margins of the 6th October event, then Defence Minister Coveney and Secretary General McCrum had a very brief informal introduction to the IDSA.
18. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the actions that are being taken to ensure that a private bus operator (details supplied) meets its obligations of providing a reliable service on the N6 route in north Dublin; what action or penalties will be taken if the operator continues to fail to meet its obligations on this and other routes; if he plans to review or reverse the privatisation of bus routes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3629/25]
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 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 by it of 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 am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
19. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport his plans for increasing EV charging points nationwide; if he will encourage petrol stations to install EV charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3631/25]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the 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.
A significant challenge to EV uptake by consumers is perceptions around availability and suitability of charging infrastructure. While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home and will address most users charging needs, there is a need for a seamless public charging network to provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
To date this has been led by private sector investment, and the number of publicly available charge points in Ireland has increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally by 2025, depending on the level of power supplied at each.
Government therefore needs to act to deliver a wider range of public charging infrastructure, as well as to provide clear information to non-EV users about the practicality of EV use and the importance of home charging for everyday needs.
The EV Charging infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025 sets out the Government’s ambition regarding the delivery of this network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
Arising from this strategy, the National Road EV Charging Network Plan, published in May 2024, will see chargers installed every 60km on major roads. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for En-Route charging on our national roads network. We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.
In addition, the draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations and will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including:
• A motorway infrastructure scheme, administered by TII - in July 2024, it was announced 131 new high-powered recharging points for electric vehicles to be built across 17 recharging pools along major roads.
• A second high powered scheme, to be administered by TII, to provide banks of high powered chargers along the primary and secondary national road network.
• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers in sports clubs on the island of Ireland.
• An EU Just Transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers in the midlands.
• Local Authority pilot schemes, funding the roll out of EV charging in Local Authorities who have already developed local EV network plans, while supporting the development of local EV Network plans in other areas.
20. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting times for driving test appointments in County Louth for each of the licence categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3648/25]
View answer21. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the current longest waiting times for driving test appointments in County Louth for each of the licence categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3649/25]
View answer22. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting times in County Louth between being offered an appointment to book a driving test, getting an appointment for the test and sitting a test [3650/25]
View answer23. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to address waiting times for driving tests in County Louth. [3651/25]
View answer38. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport what provision is being made for those who had their driving tests cancelled during the red weather alert during Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3894/25]
View answer39. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to address the backlog in people waiting to take driving tests. [3897/25]
View answer40. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport the actions that have been taken in the past 12 months to improve waiting times for driving tests. [3898/25]
View answer41. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details on the current waiting times for each driving test centre, including the number of people waiting for tests and waiting to be invited to apply for a test, and monthly break down, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3899/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 to 23, inclusive, and 38 to 41, inclusive, together.
Under 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, This includes measures to address the impact of the recent storm. 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, to address the issue of driver testing waiting times, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.
As a condition of sanction, 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.
The Deputies may also 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: https://data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS
24. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport to provide an urgent update on the provision of a permanent driving test centre in Drogheda, County Louth; the communication that has taken place between his Department and the RSA over the past 12 months regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3652/25]
View answerUnder 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.
25. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will provide further funding for PSO services in Cork east to ensure bus routes can be expanded and more can be explored by the National Transport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3661/25]
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 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 am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
26. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will reconsider how national funding on roads is distributed on a yearly basis; if his Department will review the method on how this is done, considering that Cork county has the longest road network across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3662/25]
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.
The 2025 allocations for national roads will be announced in the coming weeks.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply regarding the allocation of funding for national roads. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
The three most significant grants for Councils in terms of monies and in terms of maintaining the road network in a serviceable condition are Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Discretionary Grant. The amount that each local authority receives under these three grant programmes is based on the regional and local road length in each county or city area (taken as a proportion of the total road length and multiplied by the amount available for that programme) with some account taken of traffic. Cork County Council’s allocation for regional and local roads is, therefore, consistent with other local authorities’ allocations. It is envisaged that grants will continue to be made available on that basis.
There are some factors that affect each local authority’s Discretionary Grant allocation. The cost of salt for the previous winter, which is purchased centrally, is subtracted from the gross Discretionary Grant allocation to each authority to recoup the cost of salt used by each authority in the previous winter. In addition, Cork County Council is required to self-fund a portion of its roads programme due to the Council’s Local Property Tax receipts. This is also subtracted from the Council’s gross Discretionary Grant allocation.
Where projects are being implemented under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes, this can result in significant variances between the total amount of funding provided to local authorities with similar networks and this affects total grant per kilometre comparisons between different local authorities. In 2024, Cork County Council were allocated €83,199,560 under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme. In 2023, Cork County Council were allocated €71.3m for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; the 2024 allocation represents a 16.62% increase on this figure.
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 areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
27. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to consider re-establishing the e-bike roll out in regional towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3682/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
Matters related to the day-to-day operations, management and expansion of these public bike schemes are primarily a matter for the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
Outside of the regional cities, many local authorities have arrangements in place with shared mobility companies to provide bike-sharing schemes under contract or licence agreement. These schemes are not funded through the NTA. Accordingly, any plans to provide or expand such schemes in regional towns would be a matter for the relevant local authority.
28. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to provide a detailed breakdown of all funding allocated for the year ahead or spent in the past fiscal year by his Department on artificial intelligence systems or artificial intelligence research; what programmes or Department operations are conducted using artificial intelligence tools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/25]
View answerThere has been no spend in the past fiscal year on Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems or AI research in my Department.
A project is commencing this year with an AI proof of concept for the Coast Guard. Further use cases and additional proof of concepts may be explored in the year ahead but no specific projects have been approved nor budget allocated at this time.
My Department has not used AI tools for programmes or Department operations.
29. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the number of vacant properties owned by bodies under his Department's aegis; the number of derelict properties owned by bodies under his Department's aegis; and if he will make a statement on the need to return them to use or dispose of them. [3733/25]
View answerAll office and other accommodation occupied by the Department of Transport is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) which is responsible for the procurement of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments.
My Department currently owns one vacant property, the Dun Laoghaire rocket house, which is registered as being owned by the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). It is a small stone built structure in Dun Laoghaire Harbour area that can only be accessed via an adjacent property. The building was condemned in 2012 and is not fit for habitation. IRCG is currently seeking advice regarding disposal of this site.
30. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the delays and cancellations affecting bus services (details supplied); the way he will address this issue this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3739/25]
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 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 by it of 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 am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
31. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when the new Shannon Crossing will be opened. [3751/25]
View answerThe Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade scheme is one of a number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan.
The 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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. As such, the implementation of the Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade scheme is the responsibility of Clare County Council.
Following the conclusion of the tender process for the main construction contract for the scheme, the contract was awarded in 2022 and the construction programme is underway. My understanding is that the scheme is scheduled to be completed in Q3 2025.
32. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to increase the number of WTE taxi enforcement officers employed by the NTA to 25. [3770/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy, overall funding in relation to public transport, and corporate governance of transport agencies including the NTA.
The Deputy's request for the estimated full year cost to increase the number of WTE NTA employed taxi enforcement officers by 25, is an operational matter for the NTA.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
33. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2023 and 2024; the purpose, value, and duration of each contract in relation to public bodies under the aegis of his Department, including where consulting contracts are classified under ‘business-as-usual outsourcing’ for annual reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3793/25]
View answerMy officials are collating the information requested and will issue it to the Deputy in the coming 10 days.
With regard the Agencies, this is a matter for the Agencies themselves. I have referred this question to the agencies under my remit for further reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.
34. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress of four major infrastructure projects: the Northern Distributor Road, Cork to Limerick Road, Mallow Relief Road, and the Northern Ring Road; the current phases of planning and implementation for each project, including projected timelines for completion, any preliminary and ongoing works, and the expected start dates; and if he will address matters (details supplied). [3795/25]
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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
The N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project, Mallow Relief Road, and the Cork City Northern Transport Project are among those national roads projects included in the current NDP, and are at various stages in the project development pipeline. The NDP earmarked approximately €5.1 billion for new national roads projects, the majority of which is in the second half of the decade.
The N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project was allocated €4,040,000 in 2024. It is anticipated that the Design and Evaluation phase will be completed in later this year, and a Preliminary Business Case will then be submitted to the Department of Transport. Subject to Government approval, the submission of statutory documents for the project to An Bord Pleanála will follow thereafter.
The Mallow Relief Road was allocated €300,000 in 2024, and is currently in the Design and Evaluation Phase. It was not possible to provide the Cork City Northern Transport Project with an allocation in 2024, but it remains part of the NDP and will be considered for funding in future years. Allocations for 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks.
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
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.
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 the Cork Northern Distributor project.
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.
35. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport to expedite a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3800/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the process of qualifying as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). 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
Approved Driving Instructors (ADI's) are not employees of the Authority, but entirely independent operators. To register as an ADI and qualify for a permit, each potential instructor must undertake the 3 stage process to qualify as an instructor or demonstrate that existing qualifications/experience are adequate to meet the ADI standard. Following this process, an ADI must be listed on the Road Safety Authority’s 'Register of Approved Driving Instructors' and must display an Approved Driving Instructor permit.
36. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider putting bus shelters on the 323 bus route that runs through north Tipperary. [3812/25]
View answerAs 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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus shelters.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
37. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if a report can be furnished from Go-Ahead Ireland bus service in relation to the S4 bus route, where the provider has acknowledged that this route has experienced service frequency issues, and if the report can detail the extent of those issues over the last number of months to today’s date; if he can request that this report includes precise data on the number of buses which were taken off the fleet on relevant affected days; if he agrees that the success of high frequency bus routes and growing passenger numbers is dependent upon buses actually showing up when they are supposed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3891/25]
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 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 by it of 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 am meeting the NTA next week and will be discussing this issue with them. We are seeing more people using public transport and we are improving our fleet across the country but commuters need certainty around these services.
42. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress of a road project in Cork (details supplied); and the measures being taken to ensure that the project remains on track moving forward. [3903/25]
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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
43. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if urgent action can be taken to improve the ferry service between locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3905/25]
View answerMy Department does not fund or operate domestic ferry services. The ferry service referred to by the Deputy is operated by an independent commercial company, and there is no contract in place between the operator and the Department.
The matter should be raised directly with the company. Details on how to provide feedback on this service can be found at:
https://crossriverferries.ie/getting-cross-river-ferries/
