Written Answers Nos. 207-228
207. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA has considered piloting audio technology in taxis to assist the visually impaired; the steps being taken to improve accessibility in taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68612/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the creation of regulations governing the requirement to fit and operate specified equipment in vehicles, is a matter 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.
Both my Department and the NTA remain committed to increasing the accessibility of SPSV services and have introduced a number of initiatives to increase accessibility in the SPSV sector. For example, new entrants to the SPSV sector are required to operate a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) by Regulations introduced by the NTA in June 2010. This was introduced in order to increase the number of WAVs in the SPSV fleet nationwide (taxis, hackneys, and limousines). This measure has increased the WAV penetration in the SPSV fleet from 4% in 2014 to over 22% at the end of October 2025.
This regulation has been accompanied by the WAV Grant, which provides financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet, and has been funded by my Department annually since 2014. Under the WAV Grant, applicants can avail of up to €17,500 in grant funding. The 2025 iteration of this grant scheme is closed to new applications but may reopen in early 2026, subject to the provision of funding.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
208. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his view on supporting the use of private residential on-street EV charging in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68649/25]
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.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
In July 2025, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment adopted a Strategy Statement on Private Wires. This is a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. It will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage and will potentially enable the use of EV chargers to support on-street parking in specific circumstances.
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 and fully supports the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment strategy on private wires. There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
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 and 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 the coming months.
209. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his view on fixed-rate fare taxi charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68650/25]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is the independent transport regulator of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, and I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of that sector.
Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 & 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a “Maximum Fares Order” fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024, and a maximum fare review is carried out approximately every 2 years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. Hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.
The Taxi Regulation (Maximum Fares) Order 2024 increased taxi fares by an average of 9% and ensures that taxi fares continue to reflect the rising costs associated with operating a taxi in Ireland. This increase includes a special rate for the weekend peak, year-round, to incentivise more drivers to service the night-time economy. The 2024 Order built on the 2022 Maximum Fares Order in which a 12% increase on fares was introduced.
As set out in the legislation, charging more than this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution, however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted. I understand that the Uber Fixed Price offer does not breach the maximum fare regulatory provisions for taxis or constitute an offence associated with the misuse of taximeters.
I issued a letter to the NTA on 19 November asking that they clarify the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. I also met with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs on 27th November, whose role it is to provide advice to the Minister and the NTA in relation to issues relevant to SPSVs and their drivers, where the Uber fixed price fare was discussed. I intend to further engage with SPSV sectoral representatives on this issue, once I receive the regulatory clarification from the NTA.
210. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his view on whether Bus Connects will be complete by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68651/25]
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 BusConnects.
BusConnects is providing a transformative programme of investments in the bus services across five cities in Ireland. In each city the programme will involve a mix of network redesign, new electric bus fleet, and the provision of segregated bus and cycling facilities to support more efficient journey times for sustainable transport modes.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently published its NDP Sectoral Plan, setting out indicative timelines for major transport projects, including the five BusConnects programmes. Indicative timelines indicate some BusConnects construction components will extend beyond 2030.
Steady progress has been made in developing and implementing BusConnects in recent years.
In relation to BusConnects Dublin, which is the most advanced of the programmes, there have been some positive developments recently, with An Coimisiún Pleanála having approved all 12 of the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridor Schemes. The first of these Schemes, the Liffey Valley to City Centre Core Bus Corridor, is due to enter construction this month, while the contract for the second, the Ballymun-Finglas Core Bus Corridor, was signed this week and will enter construction in 2026.
The first seven phases of new bus service routes as part of the bus network in Dublin have been implemented. The NTA rolled out Phase 7, the F-Spine (Finglas to Tallaght) in October 2025.
There are currently circa 120 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin and 60 in Limerick. Further electric buses will roll-out over the coming years.
BusConnects Cork received Government approval at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines in October 2025. This will enable the major infrastructure element, the Sustainable Transport Corridors, to enter the planning system in 2026.
BusConnects Waterford, Galway and Limerick are in their earlier stages compared to BusConnects Cork and Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
211. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his view on bringing the vacant property at Ranelagh Luas station back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68653/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to light rail. The National Transport Authority has assigned the day-to-day management of the Luas operating contract to TII, in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev Ireland.
I understand that the building at the Ranelagh Luas Station is incorporated into the Luas Operations Contract for use by Transdev, the Luas Operator. However, noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a detailed reply as regards the status of the building in question. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
212. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport when the new DART carriages will be rolled out; the expected additional capacity they will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68671/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme, which comprises five different projects in and around the GDA will triple the length of the electrified rail network from circa 50km to 150km and double city centre rail capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours. This will significantly enhance access to high-capacity public transport across the GDA.
Two fleet orders have been placed (185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units). The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromise of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, have started arriving and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
213. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA have examined the reliability and punctuality of the 15 Dublin Bus route; the process in place for when a bus is cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68672/25]
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 query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
214. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that Aer Lingus provides a high standard of customer service; and if he will address concerns that the airline is reluctant to compensate passengers for damaged luggage (details supplied). [68678/25]
View answerWhile the Department of Transport has overall responsibility for transport policy, including aviation, it is not within its remit to intervene in the operational matters of private commercial airlines or indeed to intervene in individual cases between passenger and airlines.
I understand that the issue the Deputy wishes to raise on behalf of his constituent concerns damaged luggage. There are consumer protections in law related to delayed or lost baggage. Under the Montreal Convention, in the case of checked baggage, the air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. However, there is a limit to the liability for baggage delay, destruction, loss or damage under the Montreal Convention. A passenger can only benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee.
Additionally, as the matter may be of a general consumer affairs nature, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission or the European Consumer Centre can assist with consumer matters. Details can be found at www.ccpc.ie and www.eccireland.ie.
215. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the staffing levels assigned to the processing of foreign driving licence exchange applications in each of the past three years, broken down by grade; whether any additional staffing or resources have been approved in 2024 or 2025 to address current backlogs; the ICT or administrative changes planned for the National Driver Licence Service in 2026 to improve the processing of foreign driving licence exchanges; the expected impact of these changes on processing times; and the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68722/25]
View answer216. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the current performance targets for the processing of foreign driving licence exchange applications; the percentage of applications that met these targets in each quarter of the past two years; the number of complaints received in the past twelve months in relation to delays or lack of communication regarding foreign driving licence exchanges; the main issues raised in these complaints; and the remedial actions underway to improve performance and communication with applicants, in particular where delay affects a person’s ability to take up or continue in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68723/25]
View answer218. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the procedures his Department has in place to ensure that urgent foreign driving licence exchange applications are prioritised where delay prevents a person from taking up or continuing in employment; the criteria used to classify an application as urgent; the number of urgent cases identified in 2024 and 2025; the average processing time for such cases; the oversight exercised by his Department to ensure the Road Safety Authority meets these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68725/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 216 and 218 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that I have delegated matters relating to the exchange of drivers licences to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
As part of the standard governance processes for State agencies under my Department, officials from the Department meet with senior management from the Authority on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues. This includes operational performance and potential areas of concern.
The final quarterly governance meeting for the RSA will take place in the coming weeks and I will request that my officials seek an analysis from the RSA regarding licence exchange processing times.
217. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport in light of his Department’s statutory oversight of the Road Safety Authority under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the regular reports his Department receives on National Driver Licence Service performance in relation to foreign driving licence exchange applications; the key risks, backlogs or performance deficits identified in 2024 and 2025; any directions, instructions or performance improvement measures his Department has issued to the Road Safety Authority regarding these backlogs and delays in communication with applicants; and the timelines and monitoring arrangements in place to ensure that service levels improve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68724/25]
View answerI wish to advise that as part of the standard governance processes for State agencies under my Department, officials from the Department meet with senior management from the agencies on a quarterly basis to discuss a range of issues. This includes operational performance and potential areas of concern.
The final quarterly governance meeting for the RSA will take place in the coming weeks and I will request that my officials seek an analysis from the RSA regarding licence exchange processing times.
219. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the average incident-clearance times recorded on the N40 South Ring Road in the past twelve months; the protocols in place for rapid clearance of minor collisions or obstructions; and whether his Department has evaluated the operational requirement for a dedicated peak-hour traffic-management presence to minimise network-wide delays. [68759/25]
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 in relation to incident management on the N40 South Ring Road.
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.
220. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to provide the average time required to complete environmental assessment processes, including Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, for major transport infrastructure projects commenced in each of the past five years; and to detail any reforms underway to reduce delays in these assessment stages. [68802/25]
View answer222. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to provide the average duration of Appropriate Assessment processes for all National Transport Authority projects with an expected total cost above 200 million euro commenced since 2020, and to outline any steps taken by his Department to improve the efficiency of these assessments. [68804/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 222 together.
Officials from my Department have engaged constructively with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on the Report on Accelerating Infrastructure and I look forward to its publication shortly. My Department will engage with any recommendations from this Report when it is published.
The Deputy’s specific query in relation to the time taken to conduct an Appropriate Assessment, which is a requirement under the Environmental Impact Assessment, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA).
In light of the NTA responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
221. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport to provide the average duration of Environmental Impact Assessment processes for all Transport Infrastructure Ireland projects with an expected total cost above 200 million euro commenced since 2020; and the measures taken by his Department to address delays at this stage of project development. [68803/25]
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.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding the duration of Environmental Impact Assessment processes. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
223. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if the Ring of Kerry road between Sneem and Castlecove can be upgraded before a serious accident takes place there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68861/25]
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.
The Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding the N70 between Sneem and Castlecove. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
224. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the reason crucial Luas Finglas and DART South-West projects have been delayed in favour of funding roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68883/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
DART+ South West, which is part of the DART+ programme, involves the extension of DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge, increasing train capacity from 12 to 23 trains per hour per direction and increasing passenger capacity from the current peak capacity of circa 5,000 to 20,000 passengers per hour per direction. An Coimisiún Pleanála granted planning permission for DART+ South West in November 2024. Procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaires notices for Design and Build works advertised in May 2025.
In October 2024, the Government gave its consent to the Luas Finglas project at Approval Gate 1 in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. This has allowed the project to enter the statutory planning process. TII submitted a Railway Order Application to An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024. Public submissions closed on 20 January 2025. An Coimisiún Pleanála published its decision to grant the Luas Finglas Railway Order in October 2025. The project will now move toward procurement, assuming there are no successful legal challenges to An Coimisiún Pleanála’s decision.
As noted in the recent National Development Plan Transport Sectoral Plan for 2026 to 2030, construction is currently scheduled to commence in 2029. However, officials in my Department will keep this under constant review and accelerate project timelines where operating readiness and funding allows.
The Sectoral Plan sees the allocation of €22.3 billion in Exchequer resources to Transport, along with an additional allocation of €2 billion from the country's Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to support the development of MetroLink.
Of this total allocation, funding of circa €10 billion for public transport infrastructure is earmarked from 2026 to 2030, in addition to the €2 billion for MetroLink, primarily in line with the Department’s NIFTI intervention hierarchy of Maintain, Optimise, Improve, and New. This approach involves prioritising investment in the protection and renewal of existing assets before investing in new ones, on economic and environmental grounds.
This funding will see significant advancements made in a number of public transport projects, including commencing construction on DART+ Programme and Luas Finglas.
The Department of Transport will continue to explore opportunities for additional funding, including through funding streams such as the European Union Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), to compliment national Exchequer funding which may allow some projects to proceed to construction earlier than currently anticipated.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
225. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68884/25]
View answerI wish to advise that all enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated under national legislation to the Road Safety Authority. Neither I nor my Department may become involved in any individual application.
I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. Please contact my office if you have not received a reply within 10 days.
227. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the reason his Department does not require the National Transport Authority to collect and report local breakdowns, repeat incidents, and repair costs relating to vandalism of public bus shelters; the reason this information is not monitored at Department level despite annual public funding; and the steps he will now take to ensure full transparency and proper oversight of this infrastructure. [68996/25]
View answer228. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the measures he will introduce to address the rising levels of vandalism of public bus shelters nationwide; the actions he will take in response to the five-year national figures provided to his Department; and the directions he will now give to the National Transport Authority to protect public infrastructure used by commuters, including schoolchildren, older people, and workers. [68997/25]
View answer229. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the controls his Department has in place to ensure transparency and accountability in how vandalism repair and maintenance costs for public bus shelters are managed; the reason his Department does not track the financial impact of vandalism under current contractual arrangements; and the steps he will now take to require clear reporting and performance obligations in future contracts. [68998/25]
View answer230. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the reason he has permitted a national public transport infrastructure programme to operate without basic monitoring of vandalism trends, without cost reporting, without local data, and without any security plan for thousands of bus shelters; and the actions he will take to bring this system in line with normal governance standards expected of publicly funded infrastructure. [68999/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 227, 228, 229 and 230 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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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.
All governance arrangements for public transport initiatives, including the provision of bus stops/shelters, funded through my Department are in line with the requirements set out in the Infrastructure Guidelines. Governance arrangements are under constant consideration to ensure they reflect the scale of relevant initiatives, provide effective oversight of projects and achieve value for money.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for this information, 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.
