Written Answers Nos. 72-92
72. Deputy David Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the situation with respect to entitlement to a service medal for a person who served five years in the Permanent Defence Force and continued a further seven years in the first-line reserve; if such a person is entitled to a service medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20612/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe military authorities have advised that Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded Defence Forces Medals. The award of Service Medals for both Officers and Non Commissioned Officers and Privates is as follows:
1. DFR A9 Paragraph 4a provides that the qualifying service for the award of the Service Medal to an officer shall be satisfactory and continuous service in the Permanent Force for a period of 5,475 days or the aggregate of satisfactory and continuous service in the Permanent Force and the Reserve of Officers (First Line) for a period of 5,475 days (15yrs).
2. DFR A9 Paragraph 5a provides that the qualifying service for the award of the Service Medal to a non-commissioned officer or Private shall be satisfactory and continuous service in the Permanent Force for a period of 3,650 days, or the aggregate of satisfactory and continuous service in the Permanent Force and the Reserve of Men (First Line) for a period of 3,650 days (10 yrs).
73. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will ensure the property management section of the Defence Forces approves a request for land leasing (details supplied). [20811/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I say all that because it gets dismissed in the House. It is mistakenly believed that all of this did not happen or there was no intervention by the Government. There is. The windfall is there. Fundamentally, quite a range of factors are responsible for the inflationary cycle. Food prices went up by approximately 13% in March. We acknowledge that, but-----
74. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce measures to facilitate residents of terraced houses with no driveways to charge their electric vehicles at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20632/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are way over time.
75. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of EV charging points projected for the remainder of 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. In January this year, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Building on the strategy, ZEVI is currently working with the TII, the local Authorities, Regional Assembly's and ESB Networks in developing a National EV Charing Infrastructure Plan. The first part of this plan – the National EV Charging Network Plan [En-Route] will be published in summer.
The Government’s EV target is a critical solution to reducing our transport emissions and is a key part of the strategy which also includes measures to reduce car journeys, through improved public and active transport networks.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
In July 2022 I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023.
In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including:
• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which is expected to install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will also be launched by ZEVI to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.
76. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the compensation he will provide to owners of vehicles incompatible with the newly mandated €10 petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20258/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra-----but they have yet to fall for residential customers. We are only seeing a windfall tax in the autumn and now there are similar issues with the cost of food. The European Central Bank, ECB, is clear that corporate profits are now the main driver of that inflation and not the other factors. The pain that is being inflicted by the ECB to control inflation interest rate hikes is not being felt by corporations, it is being felt by ordinary workers and families whose mortgages are going up.
We are due another interest rate hike today. That will be the seventh interest rate hike in less than a year. All the pain of the crisis is being visited on ordinary workers and families. On one side, supermarkets and energy companies are among those who are price gouging with wild abandon. On the other hand, the ECB is tightening the screw even further with incessant increases in interest rates. None of what the Tánaiste said addresses that. It is just giving out different payments to try to make it less painful for people, but it is not addressing the cause of the problem. The pressure on people is too much to bear. Those payments are not addressing it anymore. A tiny decrease in the price of butter and milk is not the answer to this.
The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill will be on Report and Final Stages in the Dáil next week and-----
77. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) should have to take another NCT on the same vehicle three months after passing the previous test as a result of lengthy waiting times for a test, and where the certificate will have expired three months later in the same year; and the rationale as to why a car would be required to be tested twice within the same 12 months. [20279/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra-----I am asking the Tánaiste please to revisit this. Now is the chance to address the issues in relation to food prices. There can be some management of this going forward, because it is not the primary producers, such as farmers, who benefit, and it is not the consumers.
78. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to extend the low-emission vehicle toll incentive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20288/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department.
The Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme was introduced in July 2018 and offers toll discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles. BEV and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and a maximum annual threshold of €1,000 for commercial vehicles (greater off-peak rates also apply to the M50 toll). The Scheme was expanded in 2020 to include toll reductions for electric motorbikes, hydrogen fuelled passenger cars and SPSVs, and heavy duty vehicles (trucks, buses and coaches) fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen or electricity.
79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20318/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are set at EU level. Therefore, all EU-issued licences are mutually recognised in Member States.
Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdiction have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible.
Following Brexit, an exchange agreement was made between Ireland and the UK and a UK licence can be exchanged for an Irish licence. However, as per that agreement, a UK licence issued in exchange for a licence from a third country that Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence.
This also applies to the mutual recognition of EU licences. When a third country licence is exchanged for a Member State licence, such a licence is not recognised here for exchange if Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with the third country.
Ireland does not have a driving licence exchange agreement with Zimbabwe and the licensing regime has not been examined to ensure that it reaches the required standards. Accordingly, a UK licence issued in exchange for a Zimbabwean licence cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence.
Ireland does have a driving licence exchange agreement with South Africa.
80. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the residents in Dublin South-West who have received or will receive a letter of compulsory purchase order for the construction of the BusConnects programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when the next phase of BusConnects in Dublin will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20786/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 104 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.
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.
81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the alleged backlisting of air traffic controllers by the Irish Aviation Authority; if he is aware this is happening at a time when Dublin airspace is regularly forced to close because of air traffic controller staffing issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20353/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra82. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the alleged backlisting of air traffic controllers by the Irish Aviation Authority. [20354/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe have to make sure - there are agencies in place - that we deal with the behaviour of companies etc.
83. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the number of people currently waiting to sit their driving test in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20357/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if any of the recently announced additional driving instructor posts will be allocated to Dublin to alleviate the wait times for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20358/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not individual. There is a whole raft of planning applications. It is not about those. It is about the blanket bog.
85. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to alleviate the backlog of NCT appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20359/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high demand for tests and the delays which vehicle owners are encountering. My officials continue to meet weekly with the Authority, to monitor ongoing progress in reducing test delays and to ensure all possible actions are being taken to bring the waitlist to an acceptable level in 2023, as well as supporting all appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance. I have also met with the RSA Chief Executive and Chair to discuss this and other matters.
There has been considerable progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues which have caused this backlog and in increasing capacity at test centres, including the temporary transfer of testers from the NCTS contractor’s Spanish operation last year, increased staff overtime and extensive recruitment of new vehicle inspectors. There are currently 589 testers in place, with 18 more testers commencing training this week and a further 17 expected in the coming weeks. New testers are being assigned to the test centres with the most significant delays.
Just over 48,000 tests were completed last week, comprising 32,316 full tests and 15,832 re-tests. An average of 31,000 full tests were conducted each week last month, a significant increase on figures for December 2022, when tests averaged 25,000 per week. The average waiting period nationally is now just over 26 days and the RSA is confident that a return to the service level agreement waiting period of 12 days will be achieved by July 2023.
In the interim, I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992 or by availing of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. In the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
86. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the delivery of MetroLink; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20360/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when the Government granted Decision Gate 1 approval under the Public Spending Code to the project. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage and on 30 September Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16 January 2023 and TII is preparing responses to submissions received.
TII is also in the process of appointing a Client Partner to support the efficient and effective delivery of the project. It is currently anticipated that the Client Partner will be appointed in the coming months to provide the adequate number of resources and support across all phases of the project to ensure the successful delivery of MetroLink. This appointment will be a significant development in the process of progressing MetroLink through the Decision Gate process and toward delivery, subject to approval and funding.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to NTA for a more detailed response on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
87. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that waiting times for driving tests in Dublin currently range from approximately four to eight months; what action is being taken by his Department to ensure waiting times are reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra88. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered opening further driving test centres to address the demand and delays currently experienced; if an additional testing centre for the Dublin area has been considered; if so, the outcome of the consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20376/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAgain, I said I would check with the relevant Ministers about where the investigation is. However, very often, the opposite of that story can also happen.
89. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if there have been any developments on reducing the unacceptable delays for driving test applicants and how the plans for the recruitment of additional testers are progressing, given that currently the delays are negatively impacting on some applicants' employment appointments and are inhibiting them from being offered positions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20395/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the specific part of Deputy's Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which is up 28% on 2021 figures. This increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.
The Authority has reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service to meet demand and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department has given approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. This is in addition to the 30 testers who were previously sanctioned in July 2022 and which have been fully deployed since the end of March 2023. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
It is expected that once these additional 75 driver testers are recruited, trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will be actively managed such that it will start to reduce from October 2023 and agreed service levels should resume by early to mid 2024. The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests. The recruitment campaign for the posts has already been commenced by the Authority.
90. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the current status of Road Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill 2021; the timeframe for when theBill will move to the next Stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20450/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is due to return to the Seanad for the Report and Final Stage on 24 May 2023. Given that there are Seanad amendments, a report back to the Dáil after passing the Seanad will be required. It is anticipated that the Bill will be signed into law in June. Work on commencement orders has already begun. This Bill contains a number of provisions relevant to the work of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Completion of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill is the focus at the present time. My Department, in conjunction with the RSA, is giving consideration to the Road Safety Authority (Amendment) Bill and proposals will be brought forward in this regard later in the year.
91. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan that are enrolled in the Safe Routes to School programme in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Ní aontaím leis. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an ceart ag an Teachta nó go bhfuil fírinne an scéil ráite aige. Tá an-chuid infheistíochta ag dul isteach in áiteanna tuaithe na tíre seo. Tá an-chuid infheistíochta á dhéanamh i ngach aon áit sa Stáit.
I do not agree with the Deputy's central premise. The preliminary census results for 2022 show population growth in all counties, in rural and urban Ireland. It is the first time ever that this has happened. The number of people in employment has increased across all parts of the country. We as a Government are investing more money than ever before to support rural projects in rural communities, and I think the Deputy knows this as well. The rural regeneration and development fund, which is quite unprecedented in its scale, the town and village renewal scheme, CLÁR, the communities centre investment fund, LEADER, the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme and the sports capital programme have all reached deep into rural Ireland and will suffice to underpin Limerick's supremacy for many years to come, or maybe not supremacy but strength.
We also have full employment now, with remote and blended working. As the Deputy knows, for years people in local communities found it very difficult to get work and many had to commute, but there is now blended working and hubs and so on are being developed. More people are living in rural Ireland than ever before and more people are working in rural Ireland than ever before. These are the facts, and more money is being invested in rural Ireland than ever before. Approximately €600 million has been invested since 2020 by the Department of Rural and Community Development in projects in rural communities under the rural development investment programme and, in 2023, €390 million has been provided for the Department. The Deputy mentioned the €1 billion himself.
The majority of jobs are now created outside Dublin. Approximately 430,000 jobs have been created since the Government took office, with 70% of them created outside Dublin. On towns and villages, one of the most imaginative schemes has been Croí Cónaithe and that is being expanded again by the Government through the grants of €50,000 and €70,000. This will deal with dereliction in towns and villages across Ireland and help couples create homes with substantial State support, and that will support the wider rural infrastructure as well. Last November, more than €115 million was announced for 23 landmark rural regeneration projects nationwide, the largest ever allocation under the fund. I could go on. In regard to housing as well, a substantial number of houses have been built in rural Ireland in the past year.
92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the top ten highest yield Dublin Bus routes in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [20505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
In addition, I would like to advise that the NTA also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the top ten highest yield of Dublin Bus routes in 2022 and to-date in 2023, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
