Written Answers Nos. 115-129
115. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; if he will re-examine this route in line with points raised by the Local Link general manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in County Waterford, 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.
116. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the number of flights that have been delayed and rescheduled on the Donegal to Dublin and Dublin to Donegal route since January 2024; the reasons for delays and rescheduling of flights on these routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26943/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the current Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service contract in place on the Donegal/Dublin route provides twice daily two-way air services. This Exchequer funded service, facilitating same day return trips from Donegal and further international connectivity from Dublin Airport, marks Government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to this region.
In response to the Deputy's question, in accordance with the performance reports submitted to my Department, the Table below sets out the number of delayed flights under this contract since January 2024.
Delayed Flights by Month on the PSO Air Service Route (Jan – May 2024)
|
Reason for Delayed Flights/Month |
Technical |
Weather |
Other(Attributable to Airline) |
Other (Non-attributable to Airline) |
|
January |
5 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
February |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
March |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
April |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
May |
5 |
6 |
7 |
2 |
|
Total |
21 |
7 |
13 |
6 |
I would like to advise the Deputy that incidents of flight delays due to air traffic control hold-ups and issues with third party handling agents etc. would be considered non-attributable to airlines. So too are delays due to adverse weather conditions, such as ice and wind, which can bring additional safety restrictions to operations.
However, flight delays considered attributable to airlines would be those relating to aircraft technical matters and crewing issues. It was unfortunate that technical difficulties with aircraft on this route resulted in the majority of delayed flights over this five month period. I’ve been advised that this performance issue has largely been due to supply chain issues (availability of spare parts) which is having a significant impact on operators of ATR aircraft worldwide.
That said, I can advise the Deputy that the airline's performance in relation to attributable delayed flights remains well within the 90% on time performance standard set out under contract.
I can assure the Deputy that regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government and that my Department continues to monitor the airline's performance in accordance with the PSO contract for the provision of these air services.
117. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for a driving test at specific locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26951/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested relating to Driver Testing centres in Mayo is held by that organisation. I have therefore referred those specific questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The Road Safety Authority has recently started to publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre.
118. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the reason the IAA’s passenger advisory group has not met since November 2022; when the group will be re-established; what actions will be taken to expand its representation of disability organisations within the membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 21 May 2024, if the IAA can publish its airport inspection reports online as they are not currently accessible; to publish the PRM wait time scores received by Dublin Airport in 2023; to publish the performance by Dublin Airport in the surveying of satisfaction with PRM assistance and facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26954/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport how much of Dublin Airport’s PRM levy goes towards enhancing accessibility for disabled persons who choose to navigate the airport without assistance; what actions are being taken to improve its accessible infrastructure and what funding is attached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26955/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport how many Irish airports have plans to provide a changing places facility and a dog spending room; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 121, inclusive, together.
Irish Airports must comply with European Union Regulation (EC) 1107/2006 concerning the rights of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility ("PRM") when travelling by air (“Regulation 1107”). The objective of this Regulation is to ensure “high and equivalent levels of protection and assistance throughout the Member States and to ensure that economic agents operate under harmonised conditions in a single market.” The Irish Aviation Authority ("IAA”) is the National Enforcement Body for Regulation 1107.
In relation to the issues raised by the Deputies, I am informed by the IAA that the position is as follows:
The IAA's Passenger Advisory Group ("PAG") is a group that represents the range and diversity of passengers to assist the IAA in its regulatory decision making process and to improve its understanding of what is important to passengers at Dublin Airport. The PAG is consulted during the regulatory decision making process that falls within the scope set out in Decision CP12/2018 on Passenger Advisory Group and Passenger Engagement Guidelines in Regulatory Decision Making for Dublin Airport, which can be found on the IAA website at the following address: www.iaa.ie/commercial-aviation/economic-regulation/airport-charges/policy-papers. The PAG is, therefore, convened by the IAA only when there is a regulatory decision making process within the scope and terms of reference of this Decision. The next Determination on Airport Charges will occur in 2026 as the current charges will cease at the end of December 2026. This regulatory function will necessitate a Passenger Advisory Group consultation.
The PAG comprises a range of organisations that represent the diversity of passengers at Dublin Airport. It includes representatives from the following groups of passengers: leisure, elderly, youth/family, business, people with reduced mobility and people with disabilities. All groups of passengers are represented on the PAG and the IAA will continue to monitor the current organisations to ensure that everyone’s views are heard. The IAA endeavours to appoint passenger representatives to ensure the group reflects the views of the majority of passengers at Dublin Airport.
In relation to the publication of inspection and performance reports, the IAA has completed all inspections of Irish airports for 2023. These reports are in the process of being finalised and will be published on the IAA's website when they are ready. The IAA's 2023 Final Price Cap Statement has been published on their website, www.iaa.ie. This Statement outlines the Quality of Service penalties and bonuses for Dublin Airport for PRM assistance and other airport facilities for 2022.
In relation to the airport levy, Article 8(3) of Regulation 1107 states that an airport may, on a non-discriminatory basis, levy a specific charge on airport users for the purpose of funding assistance to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility when travelling by air. The levy is specifically for the purposes of recovering the costs of providing the PRM service and cannot be used to fund other developments or services. This is monitored by the IAA. Any initiatives taken outside of this Regulation are an operational matter for Dublin Airport. I have, therefore, forwarded your question to daa for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.
In relation to the provision of changing places facilities and dog spending rooms, this is also an operational matter for each individual airport. I have, therefore, forwarded this question to the Shannon Airport Group and to daa (who have statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin and Cork and Shannon Airports) for direct reply. If a response is not received within ten days, please contact my private office.
122. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve bus services (details supplied) in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26959/24]
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, and for decisions in relation to these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
As the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann, therefore, 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.
123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27007/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my department have information on individual cases. As such, I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
At the end of May, the estimated national average wait time to be invited to sit a driving test was 15.6 weeks. While this is still above the service level agreement target of 10 weeks, significant progress has been made since last August, when the estimated wait time was 30.4 weeks nationally.
Progress in reducing wait times has been achieved primarily through the sanctioning of 75 additional driver tester posts by my Department last March, with the first additional testers entering active service last September. The RSA currently has sanction to employ up to 205 driver testers in total, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned posts in June 2022.
To further assist with reducing waiting times, in October last year a change was made to the booking system to allow any unused test slots to be made available for candidates to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety portal.
I recognise the challenges that excessive waiting times are imposing on people throughout the country and I welcome the Road Safety Authority's commitment to restoring average wait times to the target SLA level of 10 weeks. My officials are working closely with the Authority to monitor progress towards this goal.
124. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will install cameras on the bridges over the M7 overpass in order to deter dangerous behaviour from persons on the bridges (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27037/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
125. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport his views on the TFI proposed changes to train services. [27069/24]
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, and for decisions in relation to these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the proposed changes to train services is a matter for Irish Rail, in conjunction with the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the NTA for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
126. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles that have traversed a road in County Mayo (details supplied); if any accidents were recorded on this stretch of road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27146/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
127. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27189/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 56 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, vehicles used in a public place require a minimum of a third party liability insurance. There is no legal barrier to vehicle owners who do not have a driving licence insuring their vehicles. However, insurance companies are private entities and provision of insurance cover s a commercial matter between the parties. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment on individual cases.
Individual insurers have the right to refuse cover, but they must provide with a reason if requested. Insurance Ireland operates a free insurance information service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. All queries regarding refusals to quote, quotes that are so excessive as to be in effect a refusal or situations similar to the matter raised may be directed to Insurance Ireland at declined@insuranceireland.eu.
128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by his Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by his Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of administrative staff specifically dedicated to processing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, in the FOI Unit of my department over the last three years are outlined by grade, below. The Deputy may wish to note however that the below members of staff carry out a number of duties, in addition to working on the processing of FOI requests. Such functions include the role of FOI Officer, acting as Decision Maker on certain FOI requests, as well as other functions relating to Access to Environmental Information (AIE), Data Protection and other related matters.
|
Year |
Grades of relevant staff working within FOI Unit, Department of Transport |
Number |
|
2021 |
1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer, 1 Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
2022 |
1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer, 1 Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
2023 |
1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer |
2 |
|
2024 |
1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer, 1 Clerical Officer |
3 |
The total number of FOI requests received by my Department over the last three years are outlined below.
|
Year |
FOI requests received |
|
2021 |
236 |
|
2022 |
231 |
|
2023 |
208 |
|
2024 to date |
114 |
I have asked the Agencies under my aegis to provide the information directly to the Deputy. If you do not hear back from the Agencies within 10 working days please contact my office.
129. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of debt currently being carried by those Tier 3 AHBs classified as on balance sheet; the implications of this debt for the general Government debt; and the impact on general Government expenditure in 2022, 2023 and projected for 2024, current and capital expenditure, by on balance sheet Tier 3 AHBs. [26938/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTier 3 Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are classified in the local government subsector. Gross general government debt borrowings between subsectors of government are consolidated. As the CSO collects data directly from the AHBs, it cannot disseminate identifiable information in accordance with the Statistics Act, 1993.
In the annual publication www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-gfsa/governmentfinancestatistics2023april2024/keyfindings/ Table 1.4 gross general government debt is reconciled to national debt. The section of relevance to the Deputy’s query is the local government items towards the end. When borrowing by local authorities and AHBs is consolidated, €2,171 million in 2023 contributed to the aggregate position of €220,672 million.
