Michael Cahill
Question:110. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if there are Government plans to extend the South Kerry Greenway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54452/25]
View answerGreenways Provision
Questions (110)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In relation to new greenway proposals, it would be for the relevant local authority to conduct an initial assessment on the proposal and, if appropriate, submit a request to TII for funding consideration. This would then be assessed for feasibility and prioritisation against all other applications.
Noting their responsibilities in this matter, 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.
Bus Services
Questions (111, 112, 113)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:111. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the number of public bus shelters under the remit of his Department or its agencies that have been subject to vandalism in each of the past five years; the total cost of repairs and replacements arising from vandalism in each of those years; if he will provide a breakdown of these figures by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54259/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:112. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus shelters that have been subject to repeat vandalism within a twelve-month period in each of the past five years; the total cost of repairs associated with these repeat incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54260/25]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:113. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department or its agencies are taking to reduce the incidence of vandalism of bus shelters, including the use of more durable materials, CCTV, lighting, or coordination with An Garda Síochána; the number of shelters that have been upgraded to date under such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54261/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111, 112 and 113 together.
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 provisions of bus shelters.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 111.
Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 111.
Driver Test
Questions (114)
Keira Keogh
Question:114. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to introduce cash as a payment method in NDLS centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54265/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, driver licensing is handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation.
The NDLS facilitates cash payments through Payzone vouchers, which can be purchased with cash from over 3,500 outlets in towns and villages nationwide, including post offices.
Any customer requiring personal assistance to use the NDLS service is welcome to be accompanied by a person who can make a payment on their behalf.
For people aged over 70, there is no charge for a driving licence.
Public Transport
Questions (115)
Ciarán Ahern
Question:115. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that international English language students over the age of 25 are being told that they no longer qualify for a student LEAP card; if he is aware that the denial of access to a student LEAP Card has meant that the cost for monthly public transport use has doubled for those affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54349/25]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Public Transport
Questions (116)
Brian Brennan
Question:116. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the publication of the pre-feasibility report following a study on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54364/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including together with Iarnród Éireann, a pre-feasibility report into the potential reopening of Avoca train station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issue raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Dublin Bus
Questions (117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124)
Emer Currie
Question:117. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 37 Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54365/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:118. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 38 Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54366/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:119. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 39 Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54367/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:120. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 39a Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54368/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:121. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 70 Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54369/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:122. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 40D Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54370/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:123. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 40E Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54371/25]
View answerEmer Currie
Question:124. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number of cancelled trips on the 122 Dublin Bus route from January 2025 to date, by month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54372/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 and 124 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. 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.
Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 119 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 124 answered with Question No. 117.
Driver Licences
Questions (125)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:125. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to review the anomaly in relation to driver licence renewals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54410/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that a driving licence can be renewed up to 3 months before the date of expiry of the licence. Licences are issued for 10, 3 or 1 year periods. The option to renew before the expiry of a licence is to facilitate drivers, particularly professional drivers, who may be travelling abroad when their licence is due to expire. The option to renew early is not mandatory. There is no cost for renewal of driving licence for applicants over 70.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Driver Test
Questions (126)
John Paul O'Shea
Question:126. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing issues with the Road Safety Authority’s driving test estimated waiting times; if he will explain why the estimated waiting times on the RSA portal are repeatedly extended rather than reflecting realistic timelines; his views on the impact this inaccuracy has on young people whose career or apprenticeship opportunities require a full driving licence; the measures being taken to ensure greater accuracy and fairness in providing applicants with test dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54412/25]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the Deputy will be aware that reducing driving test wait times has been one of my key priorities since taking office. The current national average wait time for a driver test is currently 10 weeks. This represents a significant reduction on the 27 week average wait time in April this year.
Road Network
Questions (127)
Michael Cahill
Question:127. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide a significant increase in funding for the Ring of Kerry N70 road, given its importance to Ireland’s and Kerry’s tourism industry as 70% of this national secondary road is substandard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54454/25]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 in relation to the N70.
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.
Driver Test
Questions (128, 134)
John McGuinness
Question:128. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants waiting on a driving test and the number of driving testers in Carlow and Kilkenny. [54473/25]
View answerJohn McGuinness
Question:134. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants waiting on tests for a HGV licence in Carlow and Kilkenny currently, and in each of the past 12-months; the number of persons undertaking the course to qualify for the test currently and in each of the past 12-months; the number of HGV driver testers in Carlow and Kilkenny currently and in each of the past 12-months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54546/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 134 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, this includes all testing and scheduling matters.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Aviation Industry
Questions (129)
James Geoghegan
Question:129. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54505/25]
View answerWritten answers
Regulation (EC) 261/2004 ("EU261") sets out common rules across the EU for compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of cancellation or long delay of flights or in the event of denied boarding.
Passengers must apply to their airline in the first instance to claim their entitlements under EU261. Anyone who has already corresponded with the airline but is dissatisfied with their response or has not received a reply after 6 weeks is advised to contact the relevant National Enforcement Body.
The Irish Aviation Authority has been designated as the National Enforcement Body for Regulation EU261 in the State. The IAA is the competent body to enforce the provisions of the Regulation arising from disruptions to flights scheduled to depart from airports based in the State and for flights arriving into the State from airports located in the countries outside the EU. I note that the Deputy's constituent has been in contact with the IAA in this regard and their complaint is under investigation.