Tuesday, 9 Dec 2025

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (234)

Colm Burke

Question:

234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69797/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I 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 not received a reply within ten days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.

Bus Services

Questions (235)

Grace Boland

Question:

235. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of buses purchased under the National Transport Authority framework agreement since June 2022, broken down by double-deck and single-deck buses; the number of these buses delivered and operational as of 31 December 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69807/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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, including the provision and upgrade of public bus fleets.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.

Bus Services

Questions (236, 237, 239)

Grace Boland

Question:

236. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of the Dublin Bus fleet which is charged electronically; the number and location of charging depots established to support the zero-emission bus fleet; the capacity of each depot in terms of the number of buses it can accommodate; the timeline for completion of remaining depot infrastructure including Harristown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69808/25]

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Grace Boland

Question:

237. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current total number of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet; the proportion of these that are battery-electric; the projected increase in electric buses under the current procurement framework through to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69809/25]

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Grace Boland

Question:

239. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure to date under the National Transport Authority zero-emission bus procurement framework; the projected cost for remaining deliveries under this framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69811/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 236, 237 and 239 together.

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, including the provision and upgrade of the public bus fleet, and the provision of bus depots.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.

Electric buses produce no emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers. Electric buses are currently rolling out across Ireland in areas such as Dublin, Limerick and Athlone.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.

Question No. 237 answered with Question No. 236.

Bus Services

Questions (238)

Grace Boland

Question:

238. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total number of electric buses in service as of Q4 2025; the total distance travelled by these buses in 2024 and 2025; the estimated greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69810/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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, including the provision and upgrade of public bus fleets.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.

Electric buses produce no emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers. Electric buses are currently rolling out across Ireland in areas such as Dublin, Limerick and Athlone to name a few.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.

Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 236.

Bus Services

Questions (240)

Grace Boland

Question:

240. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the formula and methodology used by the National Transport Authority’s demand analysis tool to identify bus routes operating above normal capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69812/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

National Transport Authority

Questions (241)

Grace Boland

Question:

241. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the data inputs, weighting factors and thresholds applied by the National Transport Authority’s demand analysis tool when prioritising routes for capacity interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69813/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

Bus Services

Questions (242)

Grace Boland

Question:

242. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the criteria used by the National Transport Authority’s demand analysis tool to rank bus routes for additional capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69814/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

Bus Services

Questions (243)

Grace Boland

Question:

243. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether the National Transport Authority’s demand analysis tool incorporates the number of passengers left at bus stops, real-time passenger load data, seasonal variations and peak-hour adjustments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69815/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

National Transport Authority

Questions (244)

Grace Boland

Question:

244. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of any independent validation or auditing undertaken on the National Transport Authority’s demand analysis tool to ensure accuracy and fairness in route prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69816/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (245)

Robert Troy

Question:

245. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 2 December 2025, if he will provide further details on the alternative scheme to the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) EV Charging Scheme; and to outline when sites identified in this scheme will be advanced. [69818/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

The EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) aims to assist the territories most affected by the transition to a climate neutral economy. In Ireland this focuses on the wider Midlands region where there have been direct impacts from the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat.

Funding for EV Charging Scheme was one action of a wide range of actions managed by the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) under the JTF. My Department was not involved in the reallocation of the unspent funding to other schemes.

In terms of advancing the sites identified in the preparation for the EV scheme, I would expect that the majority of these can be taken forward through the Local Authority EV charging networks, under the remit of each individual Local Authority. Local authorities will be funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the capacity and number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking.

Some authorities have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised by end of 2025. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding 26 pilot infrastructure projects across 15 Local Authorities and dedicated EV charging infrastructure officers.

Bus Services

Questions (246)

Rory Hearne

Question:

246. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport the number of complaints via email or written he or his office has received in relation to BusConnects, bus network issues, or bus service changes since 19 October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69822/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

The information requested is not readily available and would require a detailed review of correspondence received since the date specified. My office will supply the information to the Deputy within 10 working days. Please contact my office if the information is not received within that timeframe.

National Transport Authority

Questions (247)

Rory Hearne

Question:

247. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the reporting relationship between the NTA and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69823/25]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is a non-commercial State body operating under the aegis of the Department of Transport. While the Authority exercises its functions independently, it is fully accountable to my Department for its performance, governance and use of public funds. This is established through both legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which is implemented through a number of formal oversight mechanisms.

Firstly, under the Code of Practice, an Oversight Agreement (OA) and a Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) are in place between my Department and the NTA. These agreements clearly define:

• the statutory and policy framework within which the NTA must operate;

• the respective roles and responsibilities of the Authority and the Department;

• key outputs, performance indicators and reporting requirements; and

• the governance, compliance and assurance obligations placed on the NTA.

Secondly, the Department exercises ongoing oversight through a structured programme of engagement, including:

• monthly meetings between NTA senior management and senior Department officials to review operational issues and emerging risks;

• quarterly corporate governance meetings which examine compliance, performance against the PDA, financial management, and risk management;

• regular day-to-day engagement at working level on policy, project delivery, legislation, and programme implementation; and

• direct engagement with me as Minister, as required, on strategic or topical matters.

Additionally, the NTA is also required to submit annual reports, strategy statements, financial accounts, and other documentation that enable the Department to assess its performance.

In summary, while the NTA operates with operational independence, it is fully accountable to my Department for its performance, governance, and use of public funds through a robust set of statutory, governance and reporting mechanisms.

National Transport Authority

Questions (248)

Rory Hearne

Question:

248. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the NTA is accountable to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69824/25]