Written Answers Nos. 321-340
321. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the N/M20 Cork to Limerick road improvement scheme remains designated as a strategic inter-urban priority under the current National Development Plan; and whether the project’s funding profile for 2027 and 2028 has been provisionally approved at Ministerial level. [16833/26]
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.
I can confirm that the the N/M20 project remains part of the NDP, and is among those projects listed for development in the Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, which was published late last year. €3.5 million has been allocated for this project in 2026.
As the allocations process takes place on an annual basis, allocations for 2027 will be announced at the end of this year. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2027 and beyond, and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
322. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department holds the most recent estimated capital cost range for the N/M20 project; whether this estimate has been adjusted for construction inflation since 2022; and what total Exchequer commitment is anticipated over the lifetime of the scheme. [16834/26]
View answer323. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether he will confirm the current phase of the N/M20 project within the Transport Infrastructure Ireland Project Management Guidelines lifecycle; the anticipated date for completion of route selection and statutory approval; and whether a projected construction commencement date has been approved at departmental level. [16835/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 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 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 this project.
I can confirm that €3,500,000 has been allocated for the N/M20 Cork to Limerick scheme in 2026. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2027 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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. 322. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department holds the most recent estimated capital cost range for the N/M20 project; whether this estimate has been adjusted for construction inflation since 2022; and what total Exchequer commitment is anticipated over the lifetime of the scheme.. [16834/26]
324. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether legal advice has been received confirming that section 35A of the Road Traffic Act 1994, as amended, provides sufficient statutory authority to prohibit the use of scramblers in all public places including parks, greenways and housing estates; whether primary legislation was considered; and whether he will publish the statutory interpretation underpinning the proposed regulations. [16886/26]
View answerSection 35A of the Road Traffic Act 1994 provides that the Minister for Transport may make regulations prohibiting or restricting the use of specified vehicles or classes of vehicles. I intend to introduce regulations under this section to further prohibit the use of scramblers in any public place.
Across existing provisions and powers set out in the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Road Traffic Act 1994 and the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, it is illegal to use an unregistered scrambler in a public place, it is illegal to use a scrambler dangerously in any location, and An Garda Síochána has powers of seizure for vehicles being driven dangerously or which lack registration, insurance or motor tax, or where the driver does not hold the relevant driving licence. In addition, section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 prohibits the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles, such as scramblers, to persons under the age of 16. Under this section, ‘supply’ includes sale, gifting or otherwise making the vehicle available to a person.
My Department is working with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to making regulations under section 35A of the Road Traffic Act 1994 within a matter of weeks. These regulations will help bring additional legal clarity to the existing position that scramblers are banned for use on the road in almost all cases. It is my intention that the regulations will close out any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings by implementing a total ban on all scrambler use in any public place.
325. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the average cost of installing a bus shelter. [16917/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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.
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.
326. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the average cost of updating a bus shelter and stop with new seats/roof and pull ins; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16918/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation 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.
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.
327. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus stops with shelters that have been built in Meath for the years 2020 to 2025 and to-date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16919/26]
View answer328. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus shelters and stops respectively in County Meath, broken down by town and village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16920/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 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.
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.
329. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport if a representative from his Department participates in the traffic forum chaired by the NTA. [17059/26]
View answer330. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport the frequency with which the traffic forum meets; and the details available regarding the forum’s current programme of work. [17060/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
My Department maintains a close working relationship with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and regularly engages on issues such as traffic and congestion. I understand that there are multiple forums within the NTA which consider the issue of traffic, with one in relation to the traffic impact of major public transport projects and one specifically related to the impact of BusConnects.
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.
331. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to the EV grant scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the number of grants that were awarded; the number of grants that were drawn down; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles over €40,000; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles over €45,000; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles over €50,000; and the number of grants that were provided to vehicles over €55,000, in each of the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form. [17063/26]
View answerFleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector. Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles through funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (now Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) held responsibility for electric vehicle and charging grants in 2020. Therefore, the requested details of EV grants drawn down are set out below for the years 2021 to 2025:
|
Year |
Budget |
Number of Grants Offered |
Number Grants Drawn Down |
Grants paid to vehicles €40-45K |
Grants paid to vehicles €45-50K |
Grants paid to vehicles €50-55K |
Grants paid to vehicles over €55k |
|
2021 |
€63,000,000 |
16,184 |
13,409 |
1,980 |
2,006 |
1,161 |
2,834 |
|
2022 |
€60,000,000 |
11,560 |
10,891 |
1,931 |
1,534 |
1,344 |
3,783 |
|
2023 |
€68,000,000 |
18,219 |
15,843 |
1,598 |
2,863 |
3,217 |
5,589 |
|
2024 |
€59,950,000 |
13,777 |
12,304 |
1,027 |
2,757 |
2,172 |
2,363 |
|
2025 |
€67,500,000 |
21,244 |
18,651 |
2,308 |
4,913 |
3,712 |
2,569 |
332. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the specific number of qualified controllers that will be working at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon this summer; if this is sufficient for both current traffic and any expected increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17067/26]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to operational matters for AirNav Ireland. I have therefore forwarded it to the Company for direct reply.
If you do not receive a reply from the Company within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
333. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport given that Ireland does not have sufficient air traffic control resources to manage an increase in flights safely his views on whether lifting the passenger CAP would cause chaos; the steps he has taken to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17068/26]
View answerThe safe operation of Irish airspace is a priority for AirNav Ireland. The Company also recognises the importance of ensuring the continued smooth operation of our airports and that any potential disruption to services and passengers is avoided.
AirNav Ireland is regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in respect of safety and the European Commission's performance and charging framework for the Single European Sky.
The performance and charging framework is designed to ensure the efficiency of European air navigation services across key performance areas such as safety, environment, capacity, and cost-efficiency. It includes EU-wide targets, performance plans and cost bases for charging by air navigation service providers. Ireland’s Performance Plan covering the period 2025-2029 (RP4), submitted to the European Commission by the IAA in August 2025 for review, addresses the provision by AirNav of en route air navigation services and terminal air traffic control services at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports.
Under the RP4 Plan it is proposed that the number of air traffic controllers employed by AirNav would increase in increments to 364 by end 2029 to meet the expected increase in demand for AirNav's services. AirNav currently employs 324 air traffic controllers, up from 300 at end 2023 (including direct entry air traffic controllers in training and student air traffic controllers on On-the-Job Training).
AirNav is actively recruiting and training student air traffic controllers to ensure it has the capacity to meet increased demand. AirNav expects to train 76 student controllers in 2026.
334. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport to clarify, of the €1.5 billion for national, regional, and local roads announced this week; the amount allocated to Dublin City Council; the rationale for this allocation; if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17110/26]
View answer335. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport the funding streams a being provided by his Department to Dublin City Council for road safety improvements works, climate change adaptation and resilience road works, and road drainage works respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories and are required to self-fund their normal road works programmes. Accordingly, these Councils do not feature in most of the grant programmes but are eligible for certain grants such as the training, speed limit signage and road condition survey grants and may apply for monies under the Strategic Grant programme (improvement schemes costing over €6m).
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding under the Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework.
It should be noted that there is a limited budget available for projects under the Regional and Local Road Strategic Grant Programme.
In 2026, Dublin City Council received an allocation of €41,000 under the training and road condition survey grants.
In 2025, following the Speed Limit Review, local authorities were able to apply to receive monies for the implementation of rural speed limit signage. In this context, Fingal County Council received an allocation of €152,500 under the speed limit review signage grant.
336. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the construction timeline and funding of a train station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17124/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including, together with Iarnród Éireann, the works at Moyross train station.
Planning permission for Moyross was granted by Limerick City and County Council in October 2025 and construction is expected to commence this year.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
337. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport the cost of reopening a spur of railway line in Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17125/26]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal or reinstatement of the rail network, including any proposed works at the Kerry Curve in Limerick, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Noting IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
338. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to extend the 238 Hollystown Swing Roundabout (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17211/26]
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, in this case Go-Ahead.
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.
339. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to extend a service 40d to Hollystown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17212/26]
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 planning and 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 this case, Dublin Bus.
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.
340. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the carpark serving Thurles Railway Station given the high demand, particularly in the mornings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17224/26]
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 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.
