Written Answers Nos. 341-360
342. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government intends to publish a revised national military aviation strategy or rotary-wing capability doctrine arising from the implementation of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39250/26]
View answerThe Commission on the Defence Forces undertook a significant body of work, encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference in its report published in 2022. It recommended significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. It covered high level Defence Forces structures, defence capabilities, organisation, culture and human resources, the Reserve Defence Force and funding.
The Commission made a recommendation that "A whole-of-government National Maritime Security Strategy and a National Aviation Security Strategy should be developed."
The Defence Policy Review 2024 highlighted Maritime Security as a priority area for Government given the growing threats faced in the maritime domain. On foot of this, my Department established a Maritime Security Unit to prepare the Maritime Security Strategy which I published on the 25th February this year.
The National Security and Defence Policy Branch have undertaken initial scoping work on a National Aviation Security Strategy with external consultant support which recommended that this work should be carried out following the publication of a National Security Strategy. It is also identified that the Department of Defence would not necessarily be the lead Department undertaking this work as the responsibility for aviation security runs across a number of Departments including the Department of Transport.
At present there is no published doctrine for military rotary-wing operations within the Air Corps. The current doctrine is based on the contents of the respective Air Regulation Manual and Air Operations Manual. However, doctrine is being developed by the Defence Forces as new capabilities are being acquired as identified under the Commission on the Defence Forces.
343. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel, by rank that would be required to train a 30 persons Air Corps cadetship class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39379/26]
View answerThe military authorities have advised that the number of Defence Forces personnel to train a 30 person Air Corps cadetship class is not information that is routinely retained. Cadet class sizes vary depending on the cadet competition type and therefore training is planned on a bespoke basis for each intake. Additionally, details of the operation of the service and training capacity are not provided for security reasons, but each cadet is provided with the highest standard of training in line with EASA standards.
344. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Defence the rationale behind the Defence Forces policy whereby serving personnel are required to discharge and re-enlist in order to undertake apprenticeships or Defence Forces funded education and training schemes; the reason this process necessitates the issuing of a new service number and results in the loss of accrued seniority; whether consideration has been given to an alternative approach whereby the required return of service period could instead be added to an individual's existing contract in order to avoid the need for discharge and re-enlistment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39538/26]
View answerUnfortunately, it has not been possible to provide a response within the time frame available. I will respond to the Deputy when the information requested is to hand.
345. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has engaged with the Department of Transport, CIÉ and relevant pension stakeholders regarding delays or difficulties affecting the implementation of agreed pension related payment increases for CIÉ pensioners; the steps being taken to resolve any outstanding administrative or interdepartmental issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38712/26]
View answer346. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 on April 14 2026, if his attention has been drawn to concerns among CIÉ pensioners regarding delays in the implementation of pension related payment increases; the engagement he and his Department have had with CIÉ and other relevant Departments on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38713/26]
View answer354. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the increases that are due to the CIÉ pension scheme; if he can confirm that this issue will be "resolved very quickly" as stated by the Taoiseach during Taoiseach's Questions on 12 May 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/26]
View answer355. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if he will implement an increase to Córas Iompair Éireann pensions to take into account the increase in cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38935/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345, 346, 354 and 355 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department are currently engaging with CIÉ as well as financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members, including review of the relevant statutory instruments.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate processes, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals.
347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a sign will be erected in Ballydavid, County Kerry to show where the Local Link stop is for visitors returning to Dingle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38726/26]
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 the provision of public passenger transport services nationally including the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link 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.
348. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the number of NCT failures from 2015 to date, broken down by test centre; the breakdown of the top five most common failures from 2015 to date overall, by test centre, in tabular form. [38729/26]
View answer350. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if a bonus is offered to NCT staff based on the number of tests they complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38731/26]
View answer351. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if commercial vehicles are subject to the same number of item checks as private cars as part of the NCT; if not, the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38732/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 348, 350 and 351 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of both the National Car Testing (NCT) service and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) service.
I have therefore referred the Deputy’s questions to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
349. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered a review of the pricing for the NCT test; the reasons a test for over 200 items is €60 but a retest of one item is €40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38730/26]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Car Testing (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
In 2024, my Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to carry out an independent, external review of the RSA. This review was presented to Government and the report was published in November 2024.
In total, the review made 34 recommendations, including that fees for RSA services should be set to ensure customer-focused activities are self-sustainable and cost-reflective. The review noted that this was likely to require an increase in fees in 2025 and modest increases in subsequent years.
The RSA has been largely self-funded since 2014 and the vast majority of the Authority’s funding comes directly from income for customer services such as driver testing, driver licencing and the NCT service.
Arising from the recommendation of the Indecon review, the fees for certain RSA services increased on 1 January 2025 to raise additional revenue and to stabilise the RSA’s financial position. This included the fees for an NCT full test and re-test and were the first fee increases since 2012.
352. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport to review a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38757/26]
View answerI wish to advise that all enquiries relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which is delegated under national legislation to the Road Safety Authority. Neither I nor the Department have any role in individual driving licence matters.
I have referred this matter to the Authority for direct reply. Please contact my office if a reply has not been received from the RSA in the next ten days.
353. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the mechanisms in place in his Department to ensure delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government; the civil servant specifically responsible for overseeing such delivery; the measures that are used to assess progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38822/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I hold the oversight and responsibility for delivery on the commitments in the Programme for Government, supported by the colleagues in my department and the agencies which sit under the Department’s remit. The Secretary General and the Management Board of the Department are responsible for many of the operational matters concerning the commitments laid down in the programme and work closely with me to progress towards their delivery.
The commitments in the Programme for Government are reflected in the Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025 – 2028. The Department has in place a Strategic Plan which is aligned to the Statement of Strategy and reports on progress on the Strategic Plan is provided to the Management Board.
Assessment of progress is also undertaken through scrutiny by both my colleagues in the Cabinet and by members of the Oireachtas through both Parliamentary Committees and through regular Dáil and Seanad business, such as Parliamentary Questions.
More broadly, general updates on delivery against the commitments are published through reports such as the Public Service Performance Report and the Department’s Annual Report, and communicated on an individual basis through press and communications channels such as gov.ie.
356. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of public money that has been spent to date on the Boyne Greenway, including consultancy, planning, legal and administrative costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38936/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. 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.
357. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of all capital projects including road, public transport, and active travel infrastructure projects delivered under the remit of his Department, bodies under his aegis (details supplied) which have been completed on time and within budget in Meath in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38937/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I hold overall policy responsibility for transport projects across the sector, however the actual delivery of those projects is generally managed by the relevant agency directly. Additionally, capital projects can vary in scale, consisting of multiple small deliverables across several regions, in addition to the major single-deliverable projects such as Metrolink or a major bypass for example.
As a result, to provide the information requested by the Deputy I refer the Deputy to the Government's coordinated Project 2040 tracker for major regional projects for the Deputy's information, as well as refer the Deputy's question to the agencies responsible for delivery in the Meath region.
The Project 2040 tracker is publicly available via gov.ie/2040 and provides both a searchable map and annual reports on progress across the entire NDP and Project 2040 programmes.
For deliverables which are not specifically captured within the reporting on Project 2040, I will refer the Deputy's question to TII, the NTA, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann for consideration and answer. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
358. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport to roll out a major programme of 'new bus stops' across County Meath at locations that have been highlighted by county councillors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38938/26]
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 and shelters nationally.
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 ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I note the commitments in the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers, and to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
359. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport when integrated contactless payment will be implemented across the public transport system; the total expenditure to date on upgrades to the Leap card and ticketing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38939/26]
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 ticketing and technology projects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I note that the NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Following a competitive procurement process, in April 2024 the NTA awarded an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. The successful tenderer has designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
The Programme for Government commits to rolling out contactless fare payments on all public transport and to keeping fares low and affordable. The new solution will replace the Leap Card system, which has served over 9 million users since its 2011 launch but is now nearing end-of-life.
A multi-phase plan has been prepared. In Phase 1, is targeted for completion by summer 2027, the new ticketing system will be developed, which will include integration with existing Leap cards so that Leap cards can be used on the new equipment.
Phase 2 will see the rollout of devices on bus and Luas services in the Greater Dublin Area, while Phase 3 will similarly see the rollout of devices and turnstiles at all Irish Rail stations in the Greater Dublin Area. To ensure the operability of the 90-minute multi-modal fare within the Greater Dublin Area, Phase 2 and Phase 3 will go live simultaneously, with a current target date of summer 2028. From this point, public transport users in the Greater Dublin Area will be able to use contactless payment across all modes.
Following this, Phase 4 will roll out ticket machines and devices on commuter buses and regional services beyond the Greater Dublin Area.
Separately, the NTA is actively rolling out contactless payments across TFI Local Link services, allowing passengers to pay for single journeys via debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The system is being deployed across all 15 TFI Local Link offices, with full completion expected by the end of 2026. Already this year, contactless payment fares have been rolled out in Laois, Offaly, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
360. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if Meath County Council has drawn down any of the €20 million made available for the procurement and installation of road safety signage; the amount they have drawn down to date over the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38940/26]
View answerFor 2026, as yet, there has been no allocation of funding to local authorities for the procurement and installation of speed limit signage for the implementation of the built-up and urban area speed limit changes.
In October 2025, my Department issued a circular directing local authorities to:
• confirm their initial estimate (pre-statutory public consultation) of the number of poles, signs, and periodic speed limit signs, they would require to implement the necessary changes, no later than 25th February 2026.
• conclude the adoption of special speed limit bye-law process no later than 30th October 2026.
• install all new poles and signs in advance of the new speed limits effective date, to ensure implementation of all urban speed limit changes by 31st March 2027.
Local authorities have been advised that the Department of Transport will confirm the grant that is to be made available to them, once they have confirmed the numbers of poles, signs, retention sockets, road markings, and periodic speed limit signs, that they will require following the conclusion of the bye-law process.
As regards the total funding allocated to and drawn down by Meath County Council by grant type for the past five years, details of the regional and local road allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library. The 2026 allocations booklet will be lodged shortly.
Full details of the 2026 regional and local grant allocations are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-for-transport-announce-over-15-billion-for-national-regional-and-local-roads/.
