Written Answers Nos. 620-639
620. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the changes, if any, he intends to make to shareholder oversight, escalation protocols or performance evaluation of boards within commercial State bodies under his remit to prevent a recurrence of prolonged and costly executive governance disputes of this nature. [75152/25]
View answerThere are 12 commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, governed by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (The Code), and designated under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister and the State body is the Shareholder Letter of Expectation (SLOE).
The specific objectives outlined in this SLOE, are based on a template provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and should be considered in the context of the Government’s overall policy objectives for the agency, with a view to assisting the Board in its operations and in complying with its obligations under the prevailing governance framework.
In accordance with the Code, the delivery of good governance standards across all aspects of the commercial State bodies is primarily a matter for the board, with my Department providing oversight to ensure good governance is achieved across a broad range of activities.
As required under the Code, the Board of each agency carries out internal self-assessment reviews of its own performance and that of its Board committees on an annual basis. The Chairperson should act on the results of the performance evaluation by addressing any weaknesses identified through the Board self-assessment evaluation. An external evaluation should be carried out at least every 3 years. There is no obligation on the board to present these reviews to my Department.
621. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide additional funding in 2026 to the National Transport Authority for additional Local Link routes in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75153/25]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including budgeting across the Transport Coordination Units. In light of the NTA responsibilities 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.
622. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite works on the N70 Ring of Kerry road and footpaths in Cahersiveen town that are in an extremely shocking and dangerous condition for many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75172/25]
View answer623. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite works on the N70 Ring of Kerry road which is currently in an extremely poor and dangerous condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75173/25]
View answer626. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite traffic calming measures in Glenbeigh village, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75176/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 622, 623 and 626 together.
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.
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. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
624. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite works on the N86 Tralee to Dingle road in County Kerry, which is currently in an extremely poor and dangerous condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75174/25]
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 regarding works on the N86.
I can confirm that €1,250,000 had been allocated for the N86 Tralee to Dingle scheme in 2025. Funding allocations for 2026 will be announced in the coming weeks.
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. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
625. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite works on the Killarney to Farranfore Bypass as Killarney town is congested with traffic on a daily basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75175/25]
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 on the status of the N22 Farranfore to Killarney project.
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.
627. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport the number of road traffic accidents recorded on the N25 between Waterford and Cork for each of the years 2020 to 2025; the accompanying data on traffic volumes for each of the years in question; the approximate locations of accidents; and the number and approximate locations of fatal accidents. [75177/25]
View answer628. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport for data on traffic flow on the approach to the Jack Lynch Tunnel /Dunkettle Interchange from east Cork (the N25) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. [75184/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 628 together.
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 N25 between Waterford and Cork.
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. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
629. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in his Department and to the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or whether there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75205/25]
View answerThe Secretary General in my Department has been on the Secretary General Level II pay scale for the last year. There are no proposals to change to another pay scale in the coming period.
As with other pay scales in the Civil Service, the Secretary General Level II pay scale has been subject to scheduled increases under the Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026.
My Department has 18 agencies, 12 commercial and 6 non-commercial agencies. In relation to the head of each commercial agency under the aegis of my Department, the Government commissioned an independent review of CEO salaries. The Senior Post Remuneration Committee review was published in June 2025 and within that there was a recommended salary band for each of the 12 Department of Transport commercial agencies. This was the first review of CEO salaries for commercial agencies since 2011, and the salary bands included in the review are set for the next three years.
The non-commercial State agencies under my remit have head of agencies salaries linked to senior posts across the Civil and Public Service. As such these salaries can increase during the fixed term of the contract in line with increases across the Public and Civil Service.
630. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75223/25]
View answerThe Department of Transport uses advertising to engage with the public on a range of matters, including highlighting public consultations, encouraging sustainable travel choices, and promoting recruitment opportunities.
In 2023, my Department launched its flagship Your Journey Counts emissions-reduction campaign to encourage people to walk, cycle, and take public transport where they can, in line with our Climate Action Plan goals to reduce transport-related carbon emissions. This TV-led, integrated campaign was the first of its kind undertaken by my Department and relates to the increase on advertising expenditure by my Department in recent years.
The Your Journey Counts campaign will continue in 2026 along with other campaigns promoting and encouraging a modal shift to active travel, public transport and electric vehicle adoption. Details relating to budgetary spend across such campaigns is to be finalised. These campaigns will feature across a range of platforms as required, including TV, out-of-home/outdoor, national and local print, national and local radio, digital, social media, search engine optimisation (SEO), video on demand, digital audio and streaming and paid partnerships.
The figures for my Department’s total advertising spend for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 are given in the table below and the information requested by the Deputy in relation to agencies has been referred to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2026 |
|
Total Advertising Spend |
€121,006.40 |
€1,990,373.15 |
€648,587.00 |
|
|
Budgeted |
|
|
|
TBC |
631. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75241/25]
View answerThere are 17 staff currently employed in my Department’s Press and Communications Unit. The staff costs for the Unit in 2025 were €1,090,220.
There is one vacancy in the Press and Communications Unit due to be filled this year. Estimated costs for all staff in the Press and Communications Unit in 2026 are €1,158,580.
I have asked the Agencies under my aegis to provide the information directly to the Deputy. If you do not hear back from the Agencies within 10 working days please contact my office.
632. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75259/25]
View answerIreland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 will be an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union. The Programme for Government commits to resourcing and delivering a successful EU Presidency in this regard.
Across Government, the funding being allocated for the Presidency is supporting substantial additional temporary staffing needs in Brussels and in Ireland to deliver on the Council’s legislative and policy agenda. It is also supporting delivery of the Presidency’s extensive meeting programme in Ireland and opportunities to showcase the best of Ireland to our partners from all across Europe.
Under the estimates process for Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €1 million in respect of Presidency-related costs. Of this, approximately €0.5 million is being allocated to cover staffing costs related to increasing the Department’s number of secondees to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU for 2026. The remainder of this budget (approximately €0.5 million) will cover the cost of hosting the Department of Transport’s modest selection of Presidency specific events – strategically selected to advance the EU’s transport agenda - and cover additional travel and related costs for officials travelling to Brussels and other locations to attend and chair meetings.
Major planning has taken place to date to ensure that costs are managed across all expenditure headings, and my Department is playing its part in the ongoing cross-Governmental effort to ensure prudent financial planning continues throughout to ensure value for money.
Noting that your question is relevant to agencies under the remit of my Department, I have referred your question to them for a direct reply. Please contact my Private Office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
633. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the priorities of his Department and each agency for which they are responsible for, in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75277/25]
View answerMy Department is engaged in the whole-of-government preparations for the delivery of a successful Irish Presidency on the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Our priorities for Transport are continuing to be developed, and will align with the thematic priorities for the Irish Presidency as a whole. Transport is critical to Europe's competitiveness. The sector can also make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation agenda internationally. Safety, security and resilience are also areas where the EU's transport agenda can deliver for all of its citizens. Ireland’s priorities and overall policy programme for the Presidency will be finalised and published in June 2026.
634. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Transport the specific auditing measures that are in place to verify the integrity of South African licence exchanges beyond digital database checks. [1007/26]
View answer635. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering a suspension of the South African licence exchange agreement until the integrity of the "pass" records can be guaranteed, similar to the requirements for US or Indian licence holders. [1008/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 634 and 635 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that Ireland has a Licence Exchange Agreement with South Africa and thus, holders of South African licences may exchange their licence for an Irish licence.
The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), which includes licence exchange matters. Accordingly, I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The Deputy may wish to note that Ireland does not currently have a Licence Exchange Agreement with India or with any US state.
636. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to expedite the Tralee to Listowel Greenway in County Kerry; when work will commence on this project; when it will be completed; the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1020/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. I note that there has been significant investment in Greenway schemes in County Kerry, with €8,250,000 allocated in 2025, with €400,000 allocated to the Tralee to Listowel Greenway project.
Under the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
637. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by the end of 2025 in achieving the following three 2030 sustainable mobility targets, outlined in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, a 50% increase in daily active travel journeys, a 130% increase in daily public transport journeys and a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1047/26]
View answer638. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport when the next Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1048/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 637 and 638 together.
Progress towards sustainable mobility targets is monitored through a range of data sources, including the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), the CSO National Travel Survey, National Transport Authority (NTA) bus and rail statistics, Public Service Obligation (PSO) journey figures, and traffic counts on the national road network.
In relation to active travel, the most effective measure of progress is mode share. It has been calculated that a mode share of 28% will be required by 2030 to achieve the 50% increase in daily active travel journeys. The NHTS showed that the relevant mode share in 2024 was 20%, and figures for 2025 are awaited.
PSO journeys have continued to grow steadily since last reported, with figures to the end of 2024 showing an increase of 23.69% compared to 2018 (excluding commercial operators). A significant milestone was reached in October 2024 when PSO services recorded one million journeys in a single day. It is too early in 2026 to provide a full report on 2025 usage; however, interim data indicates significant additional growth. For example, Dublin Bus recorded 164 million journeys in 2025, an increase of 5 million on 2024 and the highest annual total on record.
Connecting Ireland is another strong example of progress, delivering exponential growth in rural transport since its launch in 2022. Over 180 new and enhanced services have been introduced, resulting in almost 8 million passenger journeys in 2024. Where Connecting Ireland services have been implemented, patronage rose by 38% from 2023 to 2024 and is up by 165% compared to early 2019.
Once full results are available for 2025, I would be happy to provide a comprehensive update to the Deputy at that time.
With regard to vehicle kilometres, the target seeks to achieve a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled relative to a Business-As-Usual projected scenario for 2030. Latest figures available form the CSO - to the end of 2023 - show that vehicle kilometres were 11.63% below the projected Business-As-Usual reference scenario for 2030, compared to 10.81% below in 2022. This downward trend, despite population growth, is a positive indication that efforts to reduce vehicle kilometres are beginning to take effect. The CSO advise that updated data for 2024 will be available shortly.
A detailed breakdown of progress across all actions in the SMP Action Plan 2022-2025, which have collectively contributed to recent progress, is included in the published National Sustainable Mobility Policy Year Three Progress Report: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/publications/national-sustainable-mobility-policy-year-three-progress-report/
My Department has been working on a successor to this existing SMP Plan to cover the period 2026–2030. To inform its development, extensive stakeholder engagement took place in 2025, most prominently through a series of National Sustainable Mobility Forum events which were held in May. The insights gathered from these events are captured in a published report - [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/publications/national-sustainable-mobility-forum-may-2025/].
Taking account of the recently published Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, outlining the key projects to be delivered between 2026 and 2030, the SMP Action Plan is now being finalised and will be published in the coming months, thus fulfilling another commitment in the 2025 Programme for Government.
639. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport the actions taken with respect to the target set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023-25 to increase the use of alternative fuels in public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1049/26]
View answerAs 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.
With regard the urban public PSO fleet, electric buses first entered passenger service in 2024. To date, there are approximately 200 electric buses in passenger service in Dublin, Limerick and Athlone, with more due to enter service in the future.
One of the key priorities under Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Programme is to provide former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition which is targeted at the wider Midlands Region. The Department is currently focussing on exploring two Public Transport actions:
• Decarbonisation of a public local rural bus route including scoping, installation of electric charging points, and the purchase of electric buses; and
• Support to private bus operators in the territory to move to electric vehicles including consultancy support and support for specific aspect of the electrification upgrade.
These actions are progressing with eligible private bus operators being provided with support, works are due to commence on the installation of an electric charging point at the Longford Bus Éireann depot during Q2 of 2026, a TFI Local Link route has been selected for electrification, and work is ongoing in the NTA on the procurement of electric buses to be deployed on the route.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2025–2027, published in June 2025, sets out a pathway for increasing renewable transport fuel use to support achievement of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and EU Renewable Energy Directive 2030 targets for an increased share of renewable energy in transport and transport decarbonisation. This includes annual increases in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) rate and Advanced Biofuel Obligation Rate to 2030.
