Written Answers Nos. 217-236
217. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to provide funding along the planned Tallaght to Hollywood Cross upgrade of the N81 in Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32208/25]
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.
The current NDP was published in 2021, and the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood was not included among those projects identified in the Plan. As such, the advancement of the proposed scheme cannot be accommodated in the National Roads Programme at this point in time.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to other improvement measures on the N81. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
218. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide a timeframe for the commencement of the new bus route from Glendalough to Bray; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32209/25]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Wicklow, which I am reinforcing through my introductory interactions with Local Link offices nationwide, including in Co. Wicklow. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.
Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €658.442 million for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.
As with all plans, any additional funding for Local Link services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Wicklow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
219. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to provide additional carriages on the Dublin to Wexford rail line, and if he will provide a timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32210/25]
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 issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
220. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he intends on progressing the N11/M11 upgrade, as provided for in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32211/25]
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 on the N11/M11 upgrade.
The project is at the options selection phase. While no funding was provided to the N11/M11 Junction 4 to Junction 14 project for 2025, the Bus Priority Interim Scheme between Loughlinstown Roundabout and Junction 9 received an allocation of €1.45 million from TII for 2025.
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.
221. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if TII will give consideration to provide streetlighting at the junction of the N59 and L1321 at Moycullen, Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32220/25]
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 on this matter.
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.
222. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to facilitate the progression of the N59 between Bunnakill and Claremont in County Galway to the construction phase of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32221/25]
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 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.
With regard to the N59 between Bunnakill and Claremount, I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated by TII for the progression of this scheme in 2025.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
228. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait 15 weeks for a driving retest appointment, given they have been waiting eight months already for the original driving test appointment and urgently require it for their daily commute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32253/25]
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 National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department.
I have therefore 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.
229. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the number of taxis in the Dublin area that are wheelchair accessible; what is being done to increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis in the fleet; if he is aware of any issues preventing more taxi drivers from operating wheelchair accessible vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32287/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the compilation of statistics and related matters concerning wheelchair accessible vehicles, are matters 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.
Given the NTA's responsibilities in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
230. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will fund the installation of a next bus Indicator screen at bus stop pole number (details supplied). [32334/25]
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stop infrastructure.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
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.
231. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will fund the installation of a next bus Indicator screen at bus stop pole number (details supplied). [32335/25]
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
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 working days.
232. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to remove the tolls from the M4 when the franchise period finishes in 2033. [32359/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
The matter of the treatment of toll roads on the expiry of the relevant PPP contracts is currently a matter under consideration by the Department and TII. It is important to point out that no decision has been taken in this regard.
233. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 10 June 2025, to provide a breakdown of the funding provided to the Galway public bike sharing scheme in each of the years since its inception; and the number of bikes part of that scheme in each of the years since its inception, in tabular form. [32447/25]
View answer234. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 10 June 2025, to provide a breakdown of the funding provided to the Limerick public bike sharing scheme in each of the years since its inception; and the number of bikes part of that scheme in each of the years since its inception, in tabular form. [32448/25]
View answer235. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 10 June 2025, to provide a breakdown for the funding provided to the Cork public bike sharing scheme in each of the years since its inception; and the number of bikes part of that scheme in each of the years since its inception, in tabular form. [32449/25]
View answer236. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 10 June 2025, to provide a breakdown for the funding provided to the Waterford public bike sharing scheme in each of the years since its inception; and the number of bikes part of that scheme in each of the years since its inception, in tabular form. [32450/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233, 234, 235 and 236 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable mobility, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
Details related to the breakdown of annual funding for these schemes is a matter for the NTA. As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
