Written Answers Nos. 246-265
247. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the fines charged to each bus operator for not meeting their service level agreements; the reasons for the value of each fine in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form. [62781/25]
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.
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 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.
248. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of vacancies, by job title within the railway accident investigation unit of his Department; and the estimated timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form. [62814/25]
View answerThere are no current vacancies in the Railway Accident Investigation Unit of my department.
249. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if the Port of Cork continues to own a building (details supplied); if so, if the Port of Cork accepts responsibility for the derelict condition of the property; and if his Department is satisfied with the continued disrepair of the property by the Port of Cork in the context of the housing emergency. [62839/25]
View answer250. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the level of contamination at the Port of Cork lands at Tivoli in Cork; how this will negatively affect the future use of the lands for residential purposes; the estimated length of the time it will take to decontaminate the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62840/25]
View answer251. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the Port of Cork's plans to relocate from its current site at Tivoli; if these plans have changed since the publication of the Port of Cork masterplan for 2050; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62841/25]
View answer252. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the Port of Cork's plans with regard to entrance-egress for port activities at Tivoli during the period of transition to use of the site for residential purposes; the means by which the port intends to manage this dual purpose for the site; and if these purposes will be kept separate or mixed, including at points of entrance-egress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62842/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 252, inclusive, together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I have responsibility for national ports' policy in Ireland. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the State-owned commercial port companies. I have, therefore, referred the question to the port company in question for direct, detailed reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
253. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the timeline on when Iarnród Éireann’s deployment of a traffic management system within the new national train control centre will be completed and commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62852/25]
View answerAs 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the National Train Control Centre or NTCC.
As the Deputy may be aware, the NTCC project is designed to deliver a modern, safe and efficient national train control system that can effectively meet the needs of a growing railway over the coming decades.
The NTCC building was completed in November 2022, but bringing it into operation has been delayed due to complexities associated with the roll-out of the Traffic Management System or TMS, which is the software system that integrates a range of railway systems such as signalling and communications.
As a result, I recently met with the NTA and the contractor, Indra Sistemas, who are responsible for the TMS project. At the meeting, I noted my dissatisfaction at the rate of progress with the TMS and emphasised the importance of project delivery.
More broadly, I will continue have the NTA keep the NTCC project under close review, with a view to it bringing its benefits to railways users as soon as feasible.
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.
254. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the completion of Iarnród Éireann’s plans to implement upgrades and enhancements to station customer services systems (including passenger information display boards) across the entire Iarnród Éireann station network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62853/25]
View answer255. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the funding available to Iarnród Éireann in order to carry out its plans to implement upgrades and enhancements to station customer services systems including passenger information display boards across the entire Iarnród Éireann station network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62854/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 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 Irish Rail. 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.
256. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to request the National Transport Authority to expedite the processing of requests for additional/increase bus stops (collect/drop off customers) on selected routes (currently taking six to nine months); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62857/25]
View answerAs 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 stops/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.
257. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if the decision on the RSA compensation claim could be expedited; if consideration will be given to reimbursing the cost of two additional driving lessons booked, one the day before and one on the morning of the cancelled test, which proven unnecessary due to the last-minute cancellation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62859/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of the Minister and it would not be appropriate for the Minister to intervene in individual cases.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
258. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport the direction which has been issued to the NTA and public transport operators regarding mandatory accessibility reporting under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62872/25]
View answer260. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport what direction has been issued to the NTA and public transport operators regarding mandatory accessibility reporting under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. [62920/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 260 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, the Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (NHRSDP) 2025-2030 on 3rd September 2025. Pillar 5 of the strategy, 'Transport and Mobility' contains a number of transport priority actions.
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 Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.
In line with its statutory remit, the NTA has been assigned both lead responsibility and partner responsibility for a number of the actions under Pillar 5 of the NHRSDP. I can assure the Deputy that the NTA and the other public transport agencies are very conscious of their accessibility obligations to all passengers, including disabled people.
For the information of the Deputy, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is currently co-ordinating the finalisation of the first Programme Plan of Action under the NHRSDP, including those assigned to the NTA, and I understand that it is expected to be published shortly.
259. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is currently on schedule to meet its obligations under the first Programme Plan of Action of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People; and to outline any risks to delivery that have already been identified. [62895/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, I met with members of the disability sector on 29 September 2025 for a constructive dialogue around our shared ambition to ensure 100% transport accessibility in Ireland. The Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People (NHRSDP) 2025-2030 on 3rd September 2025. In line with the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the strategy puts great importance on engagement with disabled people. Pillar 5 of the strategy, 'Transport and Mobility' contains a number of transport priority actions. I really welcomed the opportunity to hear views on transport accessibility and the new strategy’s actions. It was a valuable and rewarding exchange with Disabled Person Organisations, service providers, Disability User Groups, and board representatives from transport operators.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is currently co-ordinating the finalisation of the first Programme Plan of Action under the NHRSDP. My Department is the Pillar lead for Pillar 5, Transport and Mobility, which contains actions relating to both 'open' public transport and 'closed' personal mobility transport. As with any whole-of-government action plan, it will be critical that all departments and agencies fully collaborate to deliver on the actions under the NHRSDP.
261. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the amount Irish Rail spent on taxi services for transfers of staff and train users in each of the years 2021 to 2024, inclusive, and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62937/25]
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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. 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.
262. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the average age of those taking the driving test for each of the past five years; the average age of those failing the driving test for each of the past five years; the gender of those taking the driving test for each of the past five years; the gender of those failing the driving test for each of the past years; the nationality of those taking the driving test for each of the past five years; and the nationality of all those failing the driving test for each of the past five years. [62942/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application matters. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department. 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 response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
263. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an account of the time it took to issue the Leap Card for five to eight-year-olds from inception to delivery; the breakdown of the associated cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62979/25]
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.
264. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the full and first year cost to issue the leap card for five to eight-year-olds, broken down by capital and current costs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62980/25]
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.
265. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the full and first year cost to print the Leap card for five to eight-year-olds (details supplied), broken down by capital and current costs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62981/25]
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.
