Written Answers Nos. 161-180
161. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans in place to introduce registration, insurance and other regulatory requirements for the use of e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2725/26]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that regulations providing for and governing the legal use of e-scooters on Irish roads were introduced in 2024.
These regulations cover a wide range of requirements, both usage and technical, including for speed, weight, capacity and power, as well as prohibitions on, among other things, carrying more than one person, the carriage of goods and use on footpaths. Any e-scooter that falls outside of these requirements is illegal to use in public places. An Garda Síochána have the power to seize and detain non-compliant e-scooters. The full list of regulations can be found on the gov.ie website (E-Scooters).
The Department has no plans at present to subject e-scooters to tax, insurance, registration or operator licencing requirements. However, I am considering other options to improve the safety of e-scooter usage for all road users and I intend to bring forward proposals in this regards.
162. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine options, including the potential expansion of Local Link and/or Dublin Bus services, to improve connectivity between Kilcock and the wider Kildare commuter network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2779/26]
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. As Minister for Transport I continue to engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to maintaining high operational standards on all forms of public transport.
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.
163. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport whether the delivery date for Dart+ SouthWest can be brought forward, given its role as crucial infrastructure to unlock housing supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2726/26]
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 network from circa 50km to 150km and double city centre 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.
DART+ South West will extend DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston. A Railway Order was approved for DART+ South West by An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024. In addition, procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) notices for Design and Build works advertised in May 2025.
The Government is committed to the delivery of major public transport projects. That commitment is evidenced by last year’s review of the National Development Plan which allocated a total of €24.3 billion in Exchequer funding to transport projects from 2026 to 2030.
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 is an unprecedented level of investment in transport and represents an almost 87% increase as compared to the last five-year period under the previous NDP. However, it also a simple fact that within any funding envelope, no matter how big, there are decisions required in relation to sequencing and prioritisation and those are the decisions that come with the responsibilities of being in Government.
Funding secured under this NDP will see construction start before 2030 on the DART+ programme, beginning with DART+ West, which is the crucial enabler of the rest of the programme and particularly DART+ South-West.
DART+ West must be advanced as it will provide the depot capacity for the new fleet to be used on South-West and also will provide the capacity in the city centre to allow for South-West services to proceed. The CPO processes for South-West will commence this year and aspects of the procurement frameworks put in place for DART+ West will be available for use on South-West when its main construction works commence, which I hope to accelerate through the additional NDP funding made available in 2028 onwards.
Related, my Department will also explore any EU funding which may become available to accelerate public transport projects.
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.
164. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the new public transport services which were provided for as part of Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2733/26]
View answerI wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. While my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide, it is the NTA that have the statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.
In this context, I secured an unprecedented allocation of €940 million for PSO services in Budget 2026, a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from 2025. This allocation will ensure that existing public transport services can operate reliably and sustainably throughout the year in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs. The allocation will also allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and the Young Adult Card for those aged 19–25, as part of the NTA’s National Fares Strategy.
The 2026 allocation prioritises the advancement of ongoing programmes and commitments in line with operational readiness and resource availability. This includes the recently announced changes to route alignments under Phase 7 of BusConnects and the upcoming rollout of new town services in Mullingar in Q1 2026. Also included is €31 million for rural transport in 2026 – a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland, to meet demand in communities that depend on these services most.
My Department continues to engage with the NTA as they finalise their 2026 service plan, ensuring that planning and strategic decisions are informed by both operational and resource considerations.
165. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if he can urgently commit funding for improvement and safety works to be carried out on the N22, east of Macroom to Ballincollig, given the high number of road incidents on this stretch of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2869/26]
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 the N22 between Macroom and Ballincollig.
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.
166. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans for increasing capacity on the Midleton-Cork rail line; for an update on the transfer of carriages from Dublin to Cork to facilitate the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/26]
View answerAs Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, the queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
167. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the inclusion within the NTA Capital Plan of the Galway Bus Connects project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2878/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities, including Galway. BusConnects is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA published its final new bus network for Galway in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the key elements of BusConnects Galway, which aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.
In 2023, the NTA carried out an extensive review of the bus network in Galway, in collaboration with Galway City Council, Galway County Council, local bus operators, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers Jarrett Walker and Associates. In April 2023, a draft new network was published, and the feedback and submissions received informed the final new bus network published in December 2023.
The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport, resulting in increased access to a greater number of schools and workplaces across Galway City, Bearna, and Oranmore. Once this network is implemented, circa 67% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route (running every 15 minutes or better).
The NTA plans to commence the implementation of the new Galway bus network in the coming years, subject to funding and operational readiness. As part of BusConnects, the NTA is also advancing work on the Sustainable Transport Corridor, the Cross-City Link, which will improve travel times on the bus network and improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists. Other parts of the BusConnects programme, such as simpler fares, will be delivered with the new bus network.
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 with 10 days.
168. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport the amount raised via road tolls in the years 2015 to date; where such income was allocated to, and for what purpose, by year and by road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2874/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Moreover, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question regarding tolls to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
169. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated cost to TII of purchasing ten homes in a location (details supplied) in order to enable the construction of the Metrolink to proceed without objection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2899/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), which includes MetroLink.
As the Deputy will be aware, An Coimisiún Pleanála published its decision to grant the MetroLink Railway Order in October 2025. This decision was subsequently subject to legal challenge, which, following successful mediation, has been withdrawn. I warmly welcome the decision to withdraw the legal challenge, as we now have full planning permission and funding in place to move MetroLink towards procurement and construction.
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.
170. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport the work which is being done to improve the reliability of DART services for commuters; the targets currently set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2782/26]
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. I met with Irish Rail in December and operational performance was one of the topics discussed.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. 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.
171. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase funding to Local Link to allow existing routes to be expanded and additional services added in County Roscommon and County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2672/26]
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 and monitoring the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. 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.
172. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an updated timeline of construction for the MetroLink project following the judicial review and subsequent mediation between parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2877/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), which includes MetroLink.
As the Deputy will be aware, MetroLink will be a fully segregated and mostly underground new railway line between Swords and Dublin City Centre, the first of its kind in Ireland. It is a key project under the National Development Plan. MetroLink will be able to carry a peak capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour per direction in the future.
An Coimisiún Pleanála published its decision to grant the MetroLink Railway Order in October 2025. This decision was subsequently subject to legal challenge, which, following successful mediation, has been withdrawn. I warmly welcome the decision to withdraw the legal challenge, as we now have full planning permission and funding in place to move MetroLink towards procurement and construction.
A Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy will be prepared for consideration at Approval Gate 2, in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation around the mid-2030s.
On Wednesday 12th October, Government approved my proposal to establish a dedicated MetroLink delivery body and the preparation of legislation to give effect to this proposal. Officials in my Department will now establish a working group consisting of relevant stakeholders, which will review practical and legislative issues to be addressed in established the dedicated MetroLink delivery body.
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.
173. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department provides support for the private coach sector to make their fleet more accessible for passengers with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Dublin Bus, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
The bus fleets operated by private sector companies which receive state funding under Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme, for example Go-Ahead, are accessible, as are approximately 95% of TFI Local Link funded services operated by private sector companies in rural and regional areas.
In line with our aim for 100% accessibility of public transport services nationwide, I am committed to establishing a pathway to support commercial bus operators to transition to a 100% wheelchair accessible and low / zero emission fleet. Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, my Department and the NTA aim to produce recommendations and decide on such a support scheme by the end of 2026.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 122.
175. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to address the persistent lack of reliable public transport services in County Mayo; whether he accepts that existing Local Link and regional bus services do not meet the needs of workers, students, older persons and people with disabilities; the funding allocated specifically to public transport services in County Mayo in 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2354/26]
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.
This Government recognises the importance of accessible and efficient transport links in rural Ireland for fostering social inclusion, economic development, and overall quality of life. This is evidenced by the hugely successful Connecting Ireland public transport initiative that has implemented 185 new and enhanced services since 2022. Under this programme, in 2025, Ireland’s first ever Smart Demand Responsive Transport pilot was launched in Achill, using the ‘TFI Anseo’ app. Passengers are now able to book on-demand rides with ease, bringing the convenience of modern rideshare together with the reliability and affordability of public transport.
One of the key transport commitments in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 is take a “whole-of-journey” approach applying Universal Design principles in the development of infrastructure and services to improve the accessibility of our transport system across the country.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing and monitoring the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and regional bus services. 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.
176. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Transport when the increase in the 132 Bus Éireann Regional/Commuter Service, which was scheduled for April 2025, will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2796/26]
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 and monitoring the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. 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.
177. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of increasing instances of SPSV drivers refusing to take customers on short journeys; the way in which his Department, in line with the NTA, can curb this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2227/26]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry 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.
Section 23(2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 outlines the reasons that an SPSV driver may refuse to carry a passenger. These include but are not limited to:
• If the person’s proposed journey is more than 30 kilometres in distance;
• If the person’s acts in an aggressive, intoxicated, drunk or disorderly manner;
• If the person is dishevelled to such a degree that in the driver’s opinion carriage of such person would affect the sanitation or cleanliness of the taxi.
The NTA has informed me that if the intending passenger feels that none of these were applicable to their circumstances, they can submit a complaint to the NTA via a form which is available on the NTA's website, so that it can be investigated.
Authorised Persons (NTA Compliance Officers or any member of An Garda Síochána) may issue FPNs, commonly known as on the spot fines or penalties, for a range of offences which have been declared at law to be fixed payment offences. These notices may be issued as a result of a roadside check by a Compliance Officer or a member of An Garda Síochána, or they may be issued following a complaint from a customer. The fine for unreasonable refusal by a driver to carry a passenger is €150. Between January and August 2025, the NTA issued 48 fixed payment notices (FPNs) to SPSV operators for unreasonable refusal to carry a passenger where the journey is not more than 30 kilometres. Non-payment of the fixed payment notice can result in the NTA initiating a prosecution for the offence, which can then result in a criminal conviction. A court fine and legal costs may also accrue.
178. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport his plans to bring forward legislative changes to the remit of the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2587/26]
View answerIn 2024, my Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to carry out an independent, external review of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This review was presented to Government and published in November 2024. The review recommended a restructuring of the RSA into two independent agencies, one focused on the delivery of services and operations and the other responsible for wider road safety initiatives including media campaigns, education and research.
Over the last year, the Department has worked to develop more detailed proposals to implement the recommendations in the Indecon review. These proposals were presented to myself and Minister O’Brien at the end of last year. Having reviewed the proposals, Minister O’Brien and I have decided not to restructure the RSA and create two new entities. However, we are strongly of the view that change is still needed and that reform of the RSA within its current overall structure remains necessary.
The Department is now developing alternative proposals in this regard, which will be informed by the findings of the Indecon review and take into account experience over the last year. I expect that these proposals will be brought to Government in the coming months. Any legislative amendments to the remit of the RSA arising from these proposals will be brought forward in due course.
179. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport the steps that will be taken to improve the passenger rail service in the south-east following the publication of the rail project prioritisation strategy which outlines no significant improvements to the Rosslare to Dublin rail line and excludes the Wexford to Waterford Rail project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2778/26]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy specifies short-term rail infrastructure investments, referred to as Early Interventions, to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity, which are funded to be fully delivered by 2030. This includes a new platform at Limerick Junction, and a new passing loop east of Clonmel, which will support quicker journeys between Waterford and Limerick.
The Rail Strategy also identifies Major Projects, including capacity/frequency enhancements and electrification of the Waterford rail line, to be progressed.
Projects not included in the Rail Strategy, such as reinstating the rail link between Wexford and Waterford, are intended to be developed in the longer-term.
Additionally, funding has been secured through the Government’s NDP Sectoral Plan from 2026 to 2030, published in November, to extend the DART from Greystones to Wicklow, for delivery around 2029. This project will be progressed using new battery-electric DART trains arriving into Ireland over the next year or so, and new battery-electric charging infrastructure, and it will boost rail capacity and frequency on the Wexford/Rosslare line. Wicklow commuters in particular will see a big increase in train frequency through the new DART services that the project will deliver.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
180. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department will take to progress the Mallow Relief Road, the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2158/26]
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 N72 Mallow Relief Road 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.
