Written Answers Nos. 381-400
381. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if direct consultations were conducted with residents of impacted communities in Carlow-Kilkenny regarding the PSO route designed to replace the Bus Éireann Route 4; if his Department will consider providing funding to the NTA to reinstate the full route 4 service to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39325/26]
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.
382. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if he will take steps to fund train trolley services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39335/26]
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.
383. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding rail expansion (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39336/26]
View answerFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of '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, including on the Dublin to Galway line a second platforms at Clara and Woodlawn stations. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published be my Department in November 2025.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan includes funding to commence construction of this reinstatement project.
This reinstatement will provide the opportunity for both passenger and freight services on the line.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
384. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport for the level of funding provided to an airport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39338/26]
View answerIn relation to the detail being sought by the Deputy, I wish to advise that records are maintained by my Department for the period 2000-2025. Over this period, Exchequer supports totalling over €78 million were provided to Ireland West Airport, with additional funding to be drawn down throughout 2026.
Due to the large volume of data in tabular form, my private office will provide this directly to the Deputy.
The majority of funding provided to Ireland West Airport was under Regional Airports Programmes, the last of which expired in 2025. These programmes have supported Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that handle fewer than one million passengers per annum and provide scheduled passenger services. Services must facilitate international connectivity either directly or via an international hub airport such as Dublin.
This funding has supported essential safety and security related projects and activities at Ireland West Airport. Since 2021 projects with a sustainability focus have also been supported, encouraging the airport to meet its carbon emission reduction targets.
The Programme for Government commits to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. In delivering on this commitment, a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030 was published by my Department on 25 February.
For the first time, the scope of the new Programme has been broadened to include airports with up to three million annual passengers. Broadening the scope to three million passengers will allow for Ireland West Airport to continue to be supported with operational and capital funding if it grows beyond one million passengers, which it is expected to do during the lifetime of the new Programme.
The Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport under the recent National Development Plan Review will provide almost €45 million in capital investment for regional airports during the lifetime of this new Programme. In addition, current funding will be provided on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process. In total, over €19 million is available for allocation under the Programme this year.
Ireland West Airport, along with Shannon, Kerry and Donegal airports are eligible for funding under this Programme in 2026. Last month I was delighted to approve €2.8million capital funding for 2026 to Ireland West Airport. Additional operational funding will be allocated later this year
385. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the research or policy development that has been carried out by his Department in the area of autonomous vehicle use in Ireland into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39354/26]
View answerMy Department is currently developing a National Strategy for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAV) in close collaboration with multiple key stakeholders including representatives of local authorities, the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the NSAI, An Garda Síochána and other authorities.
In March of this year Section 5(a) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was commenced. This formally legalises the use of Level 2 Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) on Irish public roads. The commencement was underpinned by two key reports; one carried out by consultants Roughan and O’Donovan on connected and autonomous vehicle legislation and another carried out by the Road Safety Authority on modernisation of in-use regulations for automated vehicles for level 2 and level 2+.
My Department is also currently transposing the EU ITS Directive (2023/2661) to help create an infrastructural and data sharing framework which will further facilitate the safe rollout of connected and automated vehicles. The Department has also overseen a C-ITS (Connected Intelligent Transport Systems) pilot, carried out by TII and funded by CINEA, which focused on vehicular connectivity and builds on the infrastructure required for the safe deployment of automated vehicles.
My Department is actively liaising with Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI), an organisation with technical expertise which is of assistance in the formulation of CAV policy. FMCI provide a closed-loop testbed in the Shannon Free Zone and enables Ireland to attract global automotive companies to test and validate their products in Ireland, ensuring that Ireland is competitive in this sector with other European countries.
My Department is also active in various Irish and European fora which will allow for infrastructural and data-harmonized systems to facilitate the rollout of CAV. These forums include NAPCORE, a major initiative tasked with coordinating and harmonizing mobility data platforms across the European Union, as well as the CCAM (Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility) member states group as well as multiple EU Commission initiatives such as the Forum for Large Scale Testbeds for Automated Vehicles.
386. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the amount the NTA has spent on EV subsidies for the taxi industry in each of the years 2023-2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39357/26]
View answerThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant Scheme (eSPSV) supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines).
This sector plays an important role in decarbonising the broader transport system and is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
|
ESPSV Grant Scheme |
Funding |
|
2023 |
12,662,560.06 |
|
2024 |
12,082,384.51 |
|
2025 |
16,300,065.10 |
387. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure a direct bus service from Waterford to Dublin following the withdrawal of route 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39358/26]
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.
388. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure public transport connectivity between Waterford and Wexford following the curtailment of route 40; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/26]
View answer882. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of visa applications processed and approved on an annual basis; the number refused, broken down per visa type in each of the years 2019 to 2025, and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40201/26]
389. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended that EV charging points will be installed at locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39372/26]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is a vital need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, and for enroute charging.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy is currently being revised, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April (see www.zevi.ie/draft-national-ev-charging-infrastructure-strategy-2026-2028).
Based on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), there are currently 17 charging pools with 62 charge points delivering over 3,500 kw capacity in Co. Laois.
|
Address |
Area |
Current No. of Charging Points |
|
The Square R433 |
Rathdowney |
2 |
|
Circle K Service Station, M8 At Junction 3 (R |
Ballacolla |
3 |
|
Junction 3, M8 |
Ballacolla |
8 |
|
Temperance Street |
Abbeyleix |
2 |
|
Shannon Street Slieve Bloom House |
Mountrath |
1 |
|
Portlaoise Plaza, Exit 17, M7 |
Portlaoise |
8 |
|
Midway Complex, M7 Junction 17 |
Meelick |
4 |
|
Car Park beside ESB Offices, Abbeyleix Road |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
James Fintan Lalor Avenue IE0275 |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
Lyster Square |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
Railway Street 1 |
Portlaoise |
12 |
|
Irish Rail, Station Road |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
O'Moore Street |
Mountmellick |
2 |
|
The Heritage Hotel |
Killenard |
6 |
|
Irish Rail Train Station Car Park, Station Ro |
Portarlington |
2 |
|
Link Road 1 |
Cooltederry |
2 |
|
Public Car Park, Off Link Road |
Portarlington |
2 |
|
|
Total |
62 |
It should be noted that these data are provided directly by charge point operators (CPOs) and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. The Department of Transport is currently finalising a ZEVI Data Strategy and associated data platforms with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. Once in place, these will enhance TII’s and the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by CPOs in relation to charge-points in near real time and provide these comprehensive data on an Open Data basis.
Future planned projects to be delivered in Laois by the private sector and CPOs, supported by Exchequer-funded National Road Network Grant Schemes include 5 charging pools with 24 charging points with an additional 3,550 kw capacity with locations shown on the table below.
|
Address |
Area |
Planned No. of Charging Points |
|
Portlaoise Plaza |
Portlaoise |
8 |
|
Ballacolla |
Ballacolla |
8 |
|
Drive Mountrath Road Portlaoise |
Portlaoise |
4 |
|
Breslins Supervalu Abbeyleix |
Abbeyleix |
2 |
|
Corrib Oil Mountmellick |
Mountmellick |
2 |
|
|
Total |
24 |
There is also a Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan which focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging. The plan will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors. Laois has been identified under Region 2 with counties Longford, Roscommon, Westmeath, and the Regional Lead, Offaly.
It is expected planned projects under the National and Regional schemes will be completed by end of 2026.
A third initiative, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, provides funding to install a network of publicly accessible chargers in communities nationwide through their local sports clubs. Included in the scope of the Scheme are 227 clubs of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland. There are 5 eligible clubs in Laois: Annanough GAA 1, Clonaslee St Manmans GAA 1, Park Ratheniska GAA Club 1, The Heath Golf Club 1, and The Heritage Golf Resort.
390. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the number of females at administrative officer and above grades within his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39380/26]
View answerDeputy,
My Department aims to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. Our employee experience initiatives are designed to promote equitable opportunities for all employees, regardless of gender.
There are 189 females at administrative officer and above grades in my Department. The table below outlines the number of females at administrative officer and above grades within my Department. This also includes Professional & Technical grades.
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
|
Administrative Officer |
30 |
|
Assistant Principal |
62 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
53 |
|
Principal Officer |
21 |
|
Private Secretary |
2 |
|
Professional & Technical Grades |
18 |
|
Total |
189 |
391. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport when the car-park at Malahide DART station was last re-marked. [39389/26]
View answer392. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Transport the average carriage capacity on services operating on the Donabate train line per day in each of the years 2024 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [39390/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The 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.
393. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of licensed vehicles on the roads in Ireland, broken down per year from 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39392/26]
View answer394. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of licenced private passenger cars on the roads in Ireland, broken down per year from 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39393/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 393 and 394 together.
The statistics requested by the Deputy are publicly available at the below links.
https://data.cso.ie/table/TTA02 - Fleet breakdown by taxation class annual table.
https://data.cso.ie/table/TTM02 - Fleet breakdown by taxation class monthly tables.
For convenience they are also summarised below. The data reflect the total number of vehicles with current motor tax, and the number of private vehicles with current motor tax. Data for 2026 is year to date April 2026.
|
Year |
Taxation Class |
Number of Vehicles |
|
2016 |
Total Vehicles |
2,624,958 |
|
2017 |
Total Vehicles |
2,675,879 |
|
2018 |
Total Vehicles |
2,717,722 |
|
2019 |
Total Vehicles |
2,805,839 |
|
2020 |
Total Vehicles |
2,860,984 |
|
2021 |
Total Vehicles |
2,890,975 |
|
2022 |
Total Vehicles |
2,919,005 |
|
2023 |
Total Vehicles |
3,002,092 |
|
2024 |
Total Vehicles |
3,143,356 |
|
2025 |
Total Vehicles |
3,246,651 |
|
2026 April |
Total Vehicles |
3,311,631 |
|
2016 |
Private |
2,026,977 |
|
2017 |
Private |
2,066,112 |
|
2018 |
Private |
2,106,369 |
|
2019 |
Private |
2,174,779 |
|
2020 |
Private |
2,215,127 |
|
2021 |
Private |
2,232,174 |
|
2022 |
Private |
2,255,971 |
|
2023 |
Private |
2,322,875 |
|
2024 |
Private |
2,432,648 |
|
2025 |
Private |
2,511,627 |
|
2026 April |
Private |
2,565,688 |
395. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of road fatalities in each of the years 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39394/26]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions. The RSA receives both coronial data and collision data from An Garda Síochána for this purpose and produces official statistics to help develop evidence-based road safety interventions.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I would also direct the Deputy to the RSA's website, specifically the Road traffic collision data section which can be accessed at - www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/road-traffic-collision-data This section of the RSA website contains a number of relevant reports published by the RSA in relation to fatalities. In addition, the RSA website also contains research on the various killer behaviours and contributing factors of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. This information can be accessed here: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/research/reports/safe-road-use
396. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the CPO's to be carried out for the delivery of DART+ West; the timeline for the CPOs to be undertaken, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39433/26]
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, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the DART+ programme, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that conditional planning approval was granted for DART+ West was secured in July 2024. This granted approval to Iarnród Éireann for progressing all of the work – electrification, resignalling, track work, station work – needed to enable electrified DART services to operate the railway line from Dublin City Centre to Maynooth.
While the proposed depot location in Maynooth was rejected in that planning decision, public consultation took place between 16 March and 27 April on the proposed new depot location west of Kilcock. Subject to Railway Order approval by An Coimisiún Pleanála, separate from the existing planning decision in respect of the other elements or DART+ West, construction of the depot in the newly proposed location will also see an extension of DART+ West beyond Maynooth to Kilcock.
397. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the number of motorcycle related fatalities recorded in 2025 and to date 2026; if incidents involving pedestrians where motorcycles were a contributing factor are recorded separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39497/26]
View answer398. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of motorcycle related fatalities relative to other categories of road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions. The RSA receives both coronial data and collision data from An Garda Síochána for this purpose and produces official statistics to help develop evidence-based road safety interventions.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I would also direct the Deputy to the RSA's website, specifically the Road traffic collision data section which can be accessed at www.rsa.ie/road-safety/statistics/road-traffic-collision-data This section of the RSA website contains a number of relevant reports published by the RSA in relation to fatalities. In addition, the RSA website also contains research on the various killer behaviours and contributing factors of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. This information can be accessed here: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/research/reports/safe-road-use
399. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if the RSA has contracted a university (details supplied) to undertake a survey into truck driving in Ireland; the reason a British university has been contracted to do the survey; if it is the case that 50% of those surveyed must have had to have a driving offence in the last five years; and if so if this will skew or bias the results of this survey. [39542/26]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of road safety, including surveys, awareness campaigns and education. The RSA gather attitudes and opinions through public consultations, online surveys and other calls to participate in research studies to contribute to understanding of important road safety issues.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response in this respect. Please contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
400. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport if there are any agreements for cross-Border travel between transport services in this State and the North of Ireland regarding the use of public travel cards; if Leap cards, iLink cards, or other public transport smart cards are recognised in all 32 counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39712/26]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
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.
