Written Answers Nos. 46-65
46. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if the Road Safety Authority will consider an awareness campaign to promote the importance of walking on the right side of the road for pedestrian safety, especially in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30743/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and of measures, including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads.
I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
47. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his views following the recent disclosure in the Sunday papers that dozens of flights of an airline (details supplied) were grounded due to widespread GPS failure; if he or his Department are concerned about this; and the repercussions that will occur if this were to happen mid-flight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30760/25]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the airline and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) have confirmed that there was no related safety event.
The IAA has advised me that they are aware of a recent scheduled maintenance activity involving a specific satellite within the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation. This maintenance resulted in a minor atomic clock timing discrepancy, which temporarily affected aircraft systems on the ground during the alignment of longitude and latitude prior to flight.
It is also important to note that airborne aircraft were not impacted by this GPS update. Furthermore, all commercial air transport aircraft are equipped with redundant onboard navigation systems, ensuring continued navigational accuracy in the event of any system failure or disruption during flight.
Interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has increased in recent years and as a result, aviation stakeholders are maintaining a heightened level of awareness regarding potential GNSS/GPS disruptions. Contingency procedures are in place to ensure the continuity of safe operations, including the use of ground-based navigation aids and/or radar vectoring by Air Traffic Control when necessary. Guidance has also been produced by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on the issue.
48. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to provide an updated list of all email and phone lines for use of Oireachtas members within his Department, including all subsidiary bodies, in tabular form. [30784/25]
View answerThe list of contact email addresses and phone lines in my Department is set out in the table below. These contact points are available for use by people seeking to contact the Department, including Oireachtas members. The dedicated contact point marked 'private number' in the below table is solely for the use of Oireachtas members and is not publicly available.
|
Email Address |
Phone Line |
|
rtol@transport.gov.ie Road Transport Operator Licensing Division (Loughrea) |
091 872950 |
|
Press.office@transport.gov.ie Department of Transport Press Office |
01 670 7444 |
|
Minister’s Office Department of Transport Minister@Transport.gov.ie |
01 670 7444 |
|
Maritime Safety Policy Division Maritimesafetypolicydivision@transport.gov.ie |
Private Number |
|
Info@transport.gov.ie Department of Transport, Switch Board, Customer Service |
01 670 7444 |
|
Freedominformation@transport.gov.ie Freedom of Information |
- |
|
Dataprotection@transport.gov.ie Data Protection Unit |
- |
|
Motortax@transport.gov.ie Driver and Vehicle Computer Services |
0818 411 412 |
I have requested that agencies under my aegis respond to you directly with details under their remit. If you do not receive a response within ten days, please contact my private office.
49. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the list of capital projects for IT services, by his Department or bodies under its aegis, which had contracts valued in excess of €1million that failed to reach completion; the value that was written off, for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/25]
View answerMy Department has no capital projects for IT services in the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 with a value in excess of €1 million that failed to be completed and written off.
Noting the relevance of the Deputy's question to the Agencies of my Department, I have referred this question to them for a direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
50. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide, the list of capital projects, by his Department or bodies under its aegis, which had contracts valued in excess of €5million, which ran over cost in 2023, along with a description of the contract, the initial price and final price provided, in tabular form. [30832/25]
View answerIn the main, Capital projects & investments are delivered by the relevant agencies under the remit of my Department.
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.
51. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to ensure that there is a full committee overseeing the operation of the CIÉ superannuation scheme 1951; the actions he is taking to ensure that there is appropriate governance of the scheme especially through the role of the Interim Pensions Administration Body (IPAB); the correspondences he has had with the CIÉ board on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30850/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation to the 1951 scheme are operational matters for CIÉ. 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.
52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he was aware of the issues facing many wheelchair users of the Bus Éireann many of whom have to book their place on a bus prior to travel; when this will no longer be the case for wheelchair users; the steps his Department is taking to address the matter; and if there will be a more equal access to public transport for wheelchair users in the future. [30852/25]
View answer53. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport what the major issues are in relation to wheelchair users having to book online prior to travel; if he is aware that many users in the Meath area must attend either the Mater, Beaumont or St. James’s hospitals (details supplied). [30853/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, 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 Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible. This means that neither myself nor my officials are involved in the scheduling, management or operation of services.
In light of the Deputy's queries about wheelchair users and booking online to use Bus Éireann services, I have forwarded your questions to Bus Éireann for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive response within ten working days.
54. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport for an update on plans to facilitate kerbside home electric charging points for residents who do not have a driveway (details supplied). [30138/25]
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.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) is a dedicated Office within the Department of Transport, charged with supporting consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles. The Office leads on the delivery of the Ireland’s ambitious targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.
The use of a home charger across a public footpath is currently not legally permissible due to "private wires" legislation, which is the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communications, and ZEVI is working with the Department on this issue.
The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of public destination and neighbourhood charging and will be led by Local Authorities.
Local authorities will be funded by ZEVI to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, so as not to delay any initial rollout.
Some authorities have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025.
To address a particular challenge of home-charging access a Shared Charging Pilot Scheme was also launched in February this year. This innovative, peer-to-peer programme enables homeowners to rent their EV chargers to others through a booking platform, offering cost-effective charging options for EV owners who don’t have private off-street parking. The pilot will be supported by ZEVI and will be rolled out in urban, suburban and rural areas.
55. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a unmanned aircraft systems policy framework; if this policy framework will address individuals’ concerns regarding noise pollution, disturbances to wildlife, and other environmental implications caused by the use of drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30324/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to finalising and implementing a policy framework to guide high-level strategic planning and development of the drone sector in Ireland through supporting growth and innovation while ensuring safe and secure operations and addressing environmental and other concerns.
Many of the issues to be addressed by the Policy Framework will fall directly within the remit of the Department of Transport, while other issues will cross-over into areas of responsibility of other Government Departments and agencies.
A collaborative approach has been taken in developing the Policy Framework through public consultation and extensive stakeholder and cross-government engagement. Work on the framework is well advanced and I expect to publish it in the near future.
In developing the draft framework, my Department established an interdepartmental steering group and three working groups to facilitate the development of a holistic and integrated policy. The steering group and working groups comprised primary stakeholders from relevant government departments and agencies, including representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Local Government Management Agency.
The Policy Framework will recognise the important role local authorities have in the development and roll out of drone operations in their communities. My Department is engaging with Dublin City Council (DCC) and the work it is undertaking to future proof the city in how new and emerging technologies can be applied for the benefit of its citizens. The work of DCC and its partners in the area of integration of drone operations in the city has, and will continue to inform the ongoing development and implementation of the framework.
The Policy Framework proposes a number of structures and actions that address concerns in relation to increase drone usage and operations. It will facilitate the addressing of the matters such as planning and environmental issues by the appropriate authorities.
The policy framework will also recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.
56. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to engage with the communication issued to them by an organisation (details supplied). [30888/25]
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.
With regard to communication received from Unite the Union, the matter raised is ultimately for TII. However, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the current status of this issue. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
57. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the operators of all bus routes contracted with the NTA; when the operator was awarded the contract; the duration of the contract; the value of the tender associated with that contract, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30891/25]
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 have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
58. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport to allocate funding for the upgrade of a road (details supplied). [30908/25]
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 concerning the N72. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
59. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress on the reduction of the speed limit in urban cores to 30km/h; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30910/25]
View answerThe Irish Government’s road safety strategy 2021 to 2030 ‘Our Journey Towards Vision Zero’, as published by the Road Safety Authority, includes the primary aim of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads in half by 2030 and to achieve ‘Vision Zero’, zero deaths or serious injuries, by 2050. To help achieve this aim, the strategy included an action for a working group to be established to review the framework for the setting of speed limits and to give specific consideration to the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas.
Accordingly, this working group was established, and it comprised representatives from the City & County Managers Association, the Road Safety Authority, an Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the Department of Transport. Their work led to the publication of the ‘Speed Limit Review’ in 2023, which included a number of principal recommendations concerning speed limit reductions in the interest of improving road safety:
1. A reduction in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h.
2. The introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in built-up and urban areas.
3. A reduction in the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h.
The first phase, the change in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h, took effect nationally on the 7th February 2025. Speed surveys were carried out at approximately 100 locations before the speed limit change took effect and the intention is to resurvey traffic speeds at these locations in the coming months to determine if there has been any discernible change in traffic speeds. Before and after collision data will also be assessed for the purpose of determining if the speed limit change has had any impacts in this regard. This work is ongoing.
The second phase of the proposed speed limit changes concerns the introduction of a 30km/h speed limit in urban areas. It is intended that this speed limit change will be introduced by way of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’, rather than a change in the ‘default speed limit’. Accordingly, in respect of those roads in urban areas where local authorities propose to change existing speed limits to 30km/h, it will be necessary for each local authority to undertake a statutory public consultation process and consider representations, in accordance with the requirements of the ‘Road Traffic Act 2004’, as amended. As the making of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’ is a reserved function, the speed limits on roads in urban areas will only be changed where a majority of the elected members vote to do so.
To assist local authorities with the process of setting ‘special speed limits’ in urban areas and the attendant bye-laws procedures, a working group is presently revising the ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’. Five regional workshops were held with local authorities during April 2025, for the purpose of highlighting the proposed revisions to the ‘Guidelines’, together with the procedures to be followed, and the criteria to be considered by local authorities, in respect of setting speed limits in urban areas. The workshops also provided an opportunity to gather feedback from local authorities on the proposed ‘Guidelines’ for the purpose of improving the ‘Guidelines’.
It is expected that the ‘Guidelines’ will be finalised in Quarter 3, this year. Subject to ministerial approval, it is envisaged that the updated ‘Guidelines’ will issue to local authorities with a direction to commence the process of reviewing existing speed limits in urban areas in their respective administrative areas, and to set appropriate speed limits in accordance with the Guidelines.
60. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will outline plans for an early morning bus route from Cork to Waterford for those travelling to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30959/25]
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 have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
61. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of journeys taken by Leap card in teach of the years since its introduction, in tabular form. [31014/25]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
62. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to the State of making all public transport free for persons aged under 18, under 25 and under 30 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31016/25]
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 the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In 2022, the NTA commissioned a report with Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services which examined the impacts of free fares on public transport. That report concluded that to fund a fully free public transport system at the time, without accounting for the likely increased passenger demand, would have required an additional €540m in Exchequer funding per annum at a minimum, on top of the existing annual PSO subvention. Given the increase in costs in the intervening period, this figure increased to closer to c. €786m for 2024.
The report also found that any increase in public transport demand due to free fares would largely be achieved by reductions in walking (7%) and cycling (13%), resulting in just a 1% reduction in car travel.
My Department’s funding for public transport services is therefore focussed on existing fare initiatives and service improvements such as BusConnects in the five cities, expanding town services in the larger towns, and rolling out Connecting Ireland in rural Ireland. These improvements are delivering real benefits for citizens across the country.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
63. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if framework-based procurement is included in his Department’s reporting of tendered procurement in its annual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31017/25]
View answerProcurement within the Department of Transport, is conducted in accordance with applicable EU and national regulations and Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidance.
Government accounting procedures do not require reporting on framework-based procurement in annual Appropriation Accounts. However, procurement in my Department is subject to scrutiny by the Department's Internal Audit Unit and separately, all procurement by my Department is audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General each year.
64. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department can provide contracts awarded via framework mini-competition, contracts awarded via direct drawdown from a framework without competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31018/25]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement (OGP) publishes details of contracts awarded from OGP standalone and for mini-competitions on the gov.ie website at this location: www.gov.ie/en/office-of-government-procurement/collections/contract-awards-for-standalone-and-mini-competitions/.
My Department cannot provide contracts awarded for the provision of goods/services, as they are commercially sensitive.
65. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to provide a list of frameworks run independently by his Department versus those centrally established by the Office of Government Procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31019/25]
View answer66. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the value of procurement for independent frameworks and those established by the Office of Government Procurement for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31020/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
I propose to respond to PQ 31019/25 and PQ 31020/25 together. My Department does not hold any independent Frameworks for the procurement of goods or services. My Department does not hold information on the overall value of Frameworks established by the OGP for the past 3 years.
