Written Answers Nos. 443-462
443. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications for driving licence restoration that were granted, by county, in each calendar year from 2010 to date in 2025, as recorded by the National Driving Licence Service, in tabular form. [19862/25]
View answer445. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport for each year from 2010 to date in 2025, of the successful applications for driving licence restorations recorded by the National Driving Licence Service, the number of cases in which the applicant had received a second or additional disqualification order of two years or more within the ten years prior to their application for driving licence restoration. [19864/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 445 together.
The Courts Service may generate statistics related to applications for driving licence restorations but my Department does not. The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) role in driving licence restorations is simply to amend the expiry date of the disqualification on the National Driver and Vehicle File when instructed to do so.
444. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of the number of driving licence disqualifications, by county, that were granted in each calendar year from 2010 to date in 2025, as recorded by the National Driving Licence Service, in tabular form. [19863/25]
View answer446. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools, broken down by local authority, that have been supported to introduce the safe routes to school programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19866/25]
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 with a further 141 schools entering the programme. 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.
447. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Transport if the safe routes to school programme was suspended at any stage; and if it has, when it will be reopened for applications. [19867/25]
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.
Given the pipeline of projects due for completion, there are no plans for an additional call for schools to join the SRTS programme currently.
448. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the list of countries with which the Department facilitate the transfer/exchange of international driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19888/25]
View answerThe Government's priority in reaching licence exchange agreements with non-EU/EEA jurisdictions has been to identify countries that may be a source of professional HGV or bus drivers, given the well-documented shortages faced in Ireland and across the EU in these sectors. Ireland completed an exchange agreement with Georgia in 2024 and the RSA has recently recommended licence exchange agreements with Moldova and North Macedonia, with technical discussions ongoing.
One of the commitments of the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, with a technical assessment for an agreement under way with Nova Scotia. The Department of Transport will be exploring how to further meet this Programme for Government commitment.
449. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the scale of the backlog for driving tests in Cavan and Monaghan; the number of testers in place, from January 2023 to date in 2025, by quarter, in tabular form; their proposals to bring wait times in line with targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19889/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service . As such, the information requested in relation to the waiting times in Cavan and Monaghan is held by the RSA.
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 more detailed response, I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputy that measures have been taken to address the issue.
To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, 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, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. I understand that the recruitment process is well underway, with the first tranche of new testers being deployed into service later this month. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.
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: https://data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS.
450. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason 24-hour search and rescue services are not operational from Shannon Airport; the steps that can be taken to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/25]
View answerMy overarching priority is the safe and effective transition of the aviation contract without interruption to service. The two contracted operators, CHCI and BIL are contractually obliged to provide sufficient capacity, expertise and resources to maintain safe search and rescue operations on a 24/7 basis across all areas of the country throughout this process. As has been proven with the CHCI contract the operation of four bases provides a resilience for service delivery so that when individual bases become temporarily unavailable, the workload is shared amongst the other bases and the specific requirements for each mission being assessed as they arise. In the case of both contracts, availability of any base can range from full availability, to partial availability, to temporary unavailability.
Shannon was the first base to transition from CHCI to Bristow and I can confirm that 24/7 services are being provided from Shannon.
I also welcome a recent agreement reached by CHC Ireland and Bristow Ireland Limited on an updated timeline for the transition for the other three Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter bases at Dublin, Sligo, and Waterford. This ensures the delivery of my overarching requirement for a safe and effective transition without interruption to services.
451. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport when a driving test date for a person (details supplied) will be set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19973/25]
View answerUnder 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 are involved in the service at an operational level, not hold information on 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 office if a response has not been received within 10 working days.
452. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport when an office (details supplied) the will revert to pre-covid customer service arrangements, whereby staff are office-based and available to the public during normal office hours, without the requirement to make an advanced booking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19991/25]
View answerThe management and operation of motor tax offices falls under the remit of the local authorities that run such offices. On this basis, concerns in relation to opening hours and public offices should be directed to the local authority concerned.
453. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to outline the reasons for the requirement for commercial vehicles to be taxed in person, as opposed to online, when taxed for the first time by a new owner; whether these requirements will be amended to ease the administrative burden on small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19993/25]
View answer454. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport to outline the reasons for the requirement for a "Goods Only" declaration form (RF111A) to be signed at a Garda station, particularly in light of the fact that many Garda stations are now part-time; whether this requirement will be amended to ease the administrative burden on small businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together.
In order to be taxed as a goods vehicle, a vehicle must be constructed or adapted for use and must be solely used for the conveyance of goods or burden of any other description in the course of trade or business, as provided for in Part 1 of the Schedule of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act of 1952.
In order to ensure that such vehicles are correctly taxed for the first time by a new owner, that first tax can only be paid at the owner's local motor tax office. Once taxed for the first time by the new owner any subsequent renewal of motor tax for the vehicle can be paid online.
Regulation 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 provides that a Licensing Authority must be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed. As the goods vehicle rate is a concessionary rate of motor tax that is not available to all vehicles, documentary evidence is required on first taxing of a goods vehicle to ensure that vehicle owner and the vehicle qualifies for the goods rate. Such documentation includes the 'goods only' declaration form (RF111A) and other supporting documentation that the licensing authority may request.
There are no proposals to amend these procedures for the present.
455. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns regarding the false certification of palm oil as waste vegetable oil which is contained in biofuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil sold on the Irish market; if he will consider ceasing recognition of biofuels which come from outside the EU where there is no supervision of the certification process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18065/25]
View answerIt is essential that biofuel imports are required to meet the sustainability criteria under the EU Renewable Energy Directive for the purpose of environmental protection and emissions reduction, while ensuring that EU biofuel producers are not disadvantaged and promoting further development of advanced biofuel production within the EU.
I am aware of concerns with regard to the sustainability of biofuel produced from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), which are EU-wide and not specific to Ireland. My Department engages with the European Commission and Member States on an ongoing basis through the Committee on biofuel sustainability established under the Renewable Energy Directive. This Committee focuses on issues related to overall global supply of biofuels, including implementation of the Union Database for Biofuels, the sustainable certification and promotion of biofuels, and prevention of fraud cases. The regulatory framework of the RED includes certification of all biofuel supply under EU approved voluntary schemes and oversight by national competent authorities.
The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) is responsible for ensuring compliance by fuel suppliers with the EU sustainability criteria and requirements for renewable transport fuel placed on the market under the statutory Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). This compliance is assured through an EU sustainability certification framework, involving certification of economic operations globally (for feedstock collection, biofuel production, storage and supply) by certification bodies against standards established under EU approved Voluntary Schemes. The NORA provides ongoing assurance on the sustainability of the current supply of biofuel to Ireland under the RTFO.
Based upon its analysis, indicating concerns of possible biofuel fraud risk in global supply of POME, the NORA has recommended the removal of national incentives under the RTFO for POME-derived biofuel products. I have therefore approved the commencement of a statutory consultation process for draft regulations to exclude POME from the award of additional RTFO certificates, with the publication of draft regulations for consultation in the coming weeks.
The NORA has also recommended further steps that could be taken to limit the amount of POME derived biofuel supply into Ireland considering the concerns raised through its analysis. These options are being assessed by my Department within the current legal framework.
456. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown, by Department or office, of the percentage of employees who have disclosed a disability for the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/25]
View answerPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the obligations placed on all public bodies to support the employment of persons with disabilities. This act sets out the minimum statutory employment target for persons with disabilities to be employed in the public sector. In 2024 this target from 3% to a minimum of 4.5%. This will increase to 6% in 2025.
The number of employees who have disclosed a disability currently exceeds the statutory minimum requirement.
|
Year |
% of employees who have disclosed a disability |
|
2015 |
4.4 |
|
2016 |
4.3 |
|
2017 |
3.9 |
|
2018 |
3.2 |
|
2019 |
3.9 |
|
2020 |
3.95 |
|
2021 |
2.87 |
|
2022 |
3 |
|
2023 |
3.19 |
|
2024 |
5 |
457. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on his efforts and that of his Department to establish reciprocal driving licence agreements with the US, and in particular in the state of New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20024/25]
View answerIrish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law - the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level. and all EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another.
Ireland may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange with non-EU jurisdictions. This is not a straightforward matter. Reaching them is not a matter of political will and the core principle is to ensure the continued safety of Irish road users. Agreements may be made only when the authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes, so that each side is satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.
In considering licence exchange agreements, Ireland is currently giving priority to countries that may be a source of professional drivers, in light of the shortages across the EU in that sector. However, the principle of ensuring the safety of Irish road users is still paramount in reaching such agreements.
People with a non-exchangeable licence who are resident in Ireland must, in order to drive here, obtain an Irish licence. A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence must go through the normal driver learning process, but can avail of shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons, instead of the usual 12, and does not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
One of the commitments of the Programme for Government 2025 is to “Work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada”. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with Australia and with seven of the ten Canadian provinces, with the technical assessment for an agreement under way with Nova Scotia, but currently does not have an agreement with the USA. The Department of Transport will be exploring how to further meet this Programme for Government commitment.
458. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport if, in the interests of accessibility, he will ensure the prompt installation of lifts at Castleknock railway station, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who has responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As the installation of lifts in Castleknock station is an operational matter for Irish Rail, I have forwarded your question to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
459. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation made by his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in respect of the N72 this year; if he will provide details of each individual allocation, in tabular form, including scope, amount and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20051/25]
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. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
460. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation made by his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in respect of the N25 this year; if he will provide details of each individual allocation, in tabular form, including scope, amount and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20052/25]
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 regarding allocations for works on the N25.
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.
461. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation made by his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in respect of the N24 this year; if he will provide details of each individual allocation, in tabular form, including scope, amount and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20053/25]
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.
In relation to new roads projects on the N24, €2.5 million has been allocated for the Cahir to Limerick Junction scheme in 2025, with €80,000 being allocated to the Waterford to Cahir scheme.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply detailing all allocations for the N24, including for protection and renewal works. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
462. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the total allocation made by his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in respect of the R671 and R672 this year; if he will provide details of each individual allocation. in tabular form. including scope, amount and location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20054/25]
View answerIn 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.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Waterford City and County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal application in early 2025 for the R671 Ballymacarbry School Traffic Calming Scheme with an approximate cost estimate of €450,000. The deadline for receipt of specific grant projects is September for approval of funding in the following year, as per the memorandum of roads grants. Waterford City and County Council did not receive an allocation in 2025 for this scheme on this occasion. The Department will continue to liaise with the relevant personnel in Waterford City and County Council regarding the progression of this and other projects in their roads programme.
My Department has not received an application from Waterford City and County Council for funding this year for road improvement works on the R672.
