Thursday, 27 Jun 2024

Written Answers Nos. 124-145

• Díospóireachtaí
• Aimsigh díospóireacht
  • Díospóireachtaí na Dála
  • Díospóireachtaí an tSeanaid
  • Díospóireachtaí Coiste
• Aimsigh vótáil
  • Vótálacha na Dála
  • Vótálacha an tSeanaid
  • Vótálacha Coiste
• Ceisteanna Parlaiminte
  • Ceisteanna scríofa
  • Ceisteanna ó bhéal
• Leideanna cuardaigh
• Nuair a bhíonn tionchar tromchúiseach ag aithrisí

Broadband Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (125)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the full extent of the progress to date in making high speed modern broadband available throughout the country, in urban and rural areas; the progress to date in the linking-up of those areas currently in need of but without service; the progress in bringing the entire operation to a speedy and efficient conclusion with a specific deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27804/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is currently rolling out a high speed and future-proofed broadband network. The intervention area covers over 1.1 million people living and working in over 560,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with some 672 schools.

NBI are connecting circa 4,000 homes each month and NBI expect to have passed in excess of 300,000 premises by the end of 2024.

I am advised by NBI that over 261,500 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 85,00 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan’s high-speed broadband network. 

The network roll-out for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is divided into 227 (DAs) across the country.  These typically measure approximately 25km in radius and cover 96% of Ireland’s landmass.

While delivery of the Programme is the responsibility of NBI under the Contract, my Department continues to monitor delivery very closely. This is in accordance with the Department’s role under the contract. In parallel with the ongoing oversight of the contract with NBI, my Department has also been working with Directors of Service and Broadband Officers from each of the 31 Local Authorities, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), the County and City Management Agency (CCMA), the Road Management Office (RMO) and other Government Departments, where appropriate, to ensure that any possible barriers that might delay the roll-out are addressed as soon as possible.

Engagement with other bodies such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Irish Rail and ComReg have also been undertaken.

The timeline for the completion of the roll-out of the high-speed broadband network by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is 2027. NBI are confident that they will deliver the full programme within the originally scheduled seven-year timeline, while my Department continues to explore opportunities with NBI to further expediate the programme. 

Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (126)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which efforts continue to be made to reduce the use of plastic, with particular reference to banning certain products and activities to protect our seas and marine life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27805/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Single Use Plastics Directive (Directive EU 2019/904), adopted in 2019, aims to reduce the volume and impact of single-use plastics on the environment, including the marine environment. It targets the ten most commonly-found single-use plastic items found on European beaches which, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU.

The Directive was transposed into Irish law in July 2021 and measures are being implemented in accordance with the timelines set out in the Directive.  This includes outright bans to eliminate specific single-use plastic items for which more sustainable alternatives are readily available and consumption reduction measures to limit the use of other single use items.

 -        From July 2021, single-use plastic cotton bud sticks, straws, cutlery, plates, beverage stirrers, balloon sticks, food and beverage cups/containers made of expanded polystyrene and all products made from oxo-degradable plastic were banned.

 -        From July 2021, mandatory labelling was introduced for certain single-use plastic products informing consumers of the presence of plastic and the impact that littering and inappropriate disposal of those products has on the environment. This applies to beverage cups, sanitary products, wet wipes and tobacco filter products.  

 -        From July 2024, caps/lids for beverage containers must remain tethered to the container during use to improve recycling and reduce littering of those items.

 -        National targets have been set to improve recycling rates and quality of recyclate for plastic beverage bottles. This includes minimum recycled content targets of 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030 and separate collection targets of 77% by 2025 and 90% by 2029. These targets will be delivered through the Deposit Return Scheme which was introduced in February 2024.

 -        Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are required for producers of single-use plastics, who have a responsibility to finance the collection and environmentally-sound waste management of their products at end of life. Since January 2023, EPRs are in place for packaging items and for tobacco filter products. New EPRs are required for wet wipes, balloons, and fishing gear by the end 2024.

 -        Specifically in relation to fishing gear containing plastic, Ireland has new obligations to monitor and report on fishing gear placed on the market and waste fishing gear collected and to publish an annual national, non-binding, minimum collection rate for waste fishing gear containing plastic. The collection rate published for 2024 is 100 tonnes.

Broadband Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (127)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he can take to speed up the provision of broadband services through the medium of fibre-optics throughout County Kildare, with particular reference to known blackspots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27806/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,000 homes each month. NBI expect to have passed in excess of 300,000 premises by the end of 2024.

I am advised by NBI that, over 261,500 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 85,000 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network. In the Deputy’s own county of Kildare over 8,800 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection with 2,466 premises now connected.

Further details are available on specific areas within County Kildare and can be monitored via: nbi.ie/reps. 

Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.

My Department is aware through engagement with various stakeholders, including commercial operators and ComReg, of the possibility that it may not be viable for commercial operators to reach all premises in urban areas to deliver on EU and National Targets. These are areas currently not within the scope of the National Broadband Plan.

The Department is addressing these issues through the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force (the Taskforce).

The Taskforce comprises State actors and industry representatives and is tasked with identifying and overcoming barriers to improved connectivity. The Taskforce was originally established in 2016 to identify immediate solutions to mobile phone and broadband coverage deficits, and to investigate how better services could be provided to consumers prior to full build and roll-out of the network planned under the National Broadband Plan State intervention (NBP).

Waste Management

Ceisteanna (128)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national waste management plan continues to address the relevant issues, with particular reference to reduction, reuse and recycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27807/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Local Authorities are statutorily responsible for the preparation of waste management plans. The Regional Waste Management Planning Offices published the new National Waste Management Plan on March 1st informed by, inter alia, the National Planning Framework. The Plan sets out the required actions at local and regional levels to deliver on the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy and includes specific targets, policies, and actions to enable the waste and resource sector to meet the circularity challenge and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The Plan acknowledges our success to date in achieving the various EU waste related targets but also accepts that we will face significant challenges in meeting forthcoming targets. The stated ambition of 0% total waste growth per person over the lifetime of the Plan, will, if achieved, mean that we have all taken significant steps towards achieving these targets. It will also represent an important decoupling of waste generation from economic growth.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (129)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he continues to consult with the relevant Minister and the agri-food producing sector, with a view to ensuring that carbon reduction targets can be met, while at the same time meeting economic targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27809/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved sectoral emissions ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030). For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emissions reduction target for 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target for 2030.

Agriculture saw a 1.2% decrease in emissions in 2022, predominantly driven by reductions in fertiliser use. This decrease must be sustained and accelerated to meet the sectoral emissions ceiling for the first carbon budget period. Responsibility for meeting targets sits with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the implementation of current plans, and the development of future Climate Action Plans. Regular engagement between our Departments is essential to achievement of our sharing emissions goals.

Climate Action Plan 2024 was approved by Government in December, and has been subject to a strategic environmental assessment. The plan set out - in line with Food Vision 2030, the vision for the sector developed with stakeholders - how emissions reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also heavily promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will both improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing and also encourage farmers to diversify into sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane production.

Livestock grazing out of doors dominates Irish agriculture and our agriculture sector has an international reputation for high quality and sustainably produced food. Maintaining that reputation is an imperative for our agri-food industries, as 90% of our production is exported. Ireland is already well placed through the success of the Origin Green programme and can maintain and build on this competitive advantage. Conversely, failure to mitigate greenhouse emissions is a risk to the sector’s reputation for sustainable production.

Electricity Generation

Ceisteanna (130, 131)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which his Department continues to explore electricity generation from non-fossil fuels by way of wind, wave or solar; the full extent of the investment in each element of the sector to date; the degree to which he expects such investment to materialise on an annual basis over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27810/24]

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he expects to rely on onshore and offshore wind-generated electricity over the next ten years; the extent to which he expects to meet overall targets in respect of alternative energy production throughout the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27811/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

The Climate Action Plan 2024 seeks to transform Ireland into an international leader in the development and generation of high-quality renewable energy. The Plan includes a series of measures to support our renewables programme, including the accelerated delivery of onshore wind, solar, and offshore wind generation, to reach 80% of electricity demand being met by renewable sources by 2030 and beyond. The 2030 energy targets for renewable electricity include:

•     9 GW of onshore wind,

•     8 GW of solar, and

•     At least 5 GW of offshore wind.

Ireland has made considerable progress in decarbonising our electricity sector and currently has over 6 GW of renewable generation. This is split between over 4.8 GW of onshore wind, over 1 GW of solar (over 400 MW of rooftop domestic and circa 645 MW of grid-scale), and the remainder coming from hydro, biomass, and other small sources of renewable generation. It is expected that there will be further strong progress in 2024 and 2025 in the deployment of wind and solar generation. 

An Accelerating Renewable Electricity Taskforce has been established to accelerate the deployment of onshore renewable generation by focusing on the three key pillars of renewables development – Route to Market, Grid Development and Planning.

To facilitate the accelerated roll-out and implementation of renewable electricity infrastructure for onshore wind and solar generation and to achieve the national targets set out in the CAP, regional renewable electricity targets will be included in the upcoming revision of the National Planning Framework.

Question No. 131 answered with Question No. 130.

Climate Change Policy

Ceisteanna (132)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

132. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the various programmes for carbon sequestration have advanced; the methods most commonly used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27812/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Climate Action Plan 2024 makes reference to the potential role of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies in further reducing Ireland’s net greenhouse gas emissions. These technologies will play a significant role in future decarbonisation of the energy and industry sectors, in areas such as cement production. Many innovative carbon removal, transport and storage facilities and projects are already being proposed and developed in other EU Member States. 

The Climate Action Plan also sets targets for reducing net emissions from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry by increasing carbon sequestration into soils and biomass. Key policy measures include a targeted afforestation level of 8,000ha/year under the Forest Strategy 2023-30 and rehabilitation of State-owned peatlands under Bord na Móna’s Enhanced Decommissioning, Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme.

At EU level, it is also recognised that carbon removals will play an increasingly important role in delivering net zero emissions. Provisional agreement was reached earlier this year on a Carbon Removals Certification Framework. This framework would create structures to certify and ensure the reliability of carbon removal credits for sale on the voluntary ‘offset’ market. It includes within its scope technological approaches such as direct air capture and geological storage, as well as removals into forestry, soils and harvested wood products, and more novel approaches such as biochar and enhanced rock weathering. Such a system will allow for a wide variety of business models to reward carbon removals by farmers, land managers, foresters and developers of industrial carbon capture facilities. The scheme is voluntary, and it is anticipated that it will be operational in stages from 2025.   

A domestic carbon farming framework is also being developed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, working in close collaboration with my Department. This framework will outline the direction of travel for carbon farming in Ireland. 

Energy Prices

Ceisteanna (133)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which the cost of producing electricity here compares with other countries throughout Europe, with particular reference to maintaining competitiveness throughout industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27813/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Electricity prices in Ireland are influenced by a range of factors, including wholesale prices, geographic and demographic factors such as Ireland’s isolated island location, low levels of interconnection, widely dispersed low density population, and reliance on fossil fuels for its generation mix.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) produces biannual reports on the cost of energy in Ireland – Electricity and Gas Prices in Ireland, most recently in December 2023 for the previous six months. The first of these for 2024 is forthcoming. In this most recent report, the SEAI finds that when accounting for Government supports during the energy price and cost of living crises throughout 2023, inclusive of three €150 electricity credits, totalling €450 (inc. VAT) delivered to each domestic electricity account, Ireland placed at 9th most expensive country in the EU for domestic electricity prices.

In a recent report analysing household electricity prices across Europe, the CRU found that the Electricity Credit reduced unit prices in Ireland to such a degree that for 92% of customers, prices paid for domestic electricity were at their lowest since 2007.

Similar trends can be seen in business electricity prices in the same SEAI report which shows that Irish prices are falling at a quicker pace than the EU average over 2023. There has been an 18% reduction in the case of Ireland versus 9% in the EU.

It is important that the Deputy note that electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive.    

Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999.  

Given that prices are no longer regulated, they are set by all suppliers as entirely commercial and operational matters by them. The CRU is held accountable by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action and not the Minister. The Deputy may also wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, at [e-mail] for timely direct reply.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (134)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to clarify an issue (details supplied). [27637/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

As of 29 March 2024, all Permanent Defence Forces personnel who previously had a mandatory retirement age of less than 60, may remain in service until 60 subject to fulfilling certain existing criteria, for example physical and medical fitness. As announced on 5 March 2024, in tandem with the changes made to the mandatory retirement age, a new fast accrual pensions' policy framework was approved and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform commenced the preparation of the necessary legislation. This legislation, when enacted, will allow for a further increase in the mandatory retirement age for all Permanent Defence Force ranks to 62.

The Government decision last week marks significant progress in its commitment for a new framework, which will take effect as soon as is practicable after the enactment of the legislation. Until the point at which the legislation is enacted, and the necessary regulations to give effect to the changes in mandatory retirement age are signed, the mandatory retirement age remains at 60. This revised mandatory retirement age of 62 will apply to personnel who previously had a mandatory retirement age of less than 62.

The procedure in relation to extension of service applications for operational and business reasons remains unchanged.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (135)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

135. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the procedures in regard to senior members of the Defence Forces attending the criminal trials of Defence Force members; to provide the guidance given to members of the Defence Forces around providing character references at such trials; and if he would consider a review of these procedures. [27681/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

I am advised that in line with Defence Force Regulations, specifically DFR A7, a military representative is required to be present during the trial in a civil court (criminal court) of an accused member of the Defence Forces The role of that representative, which is also provided for in these regulations, is to assist the court if called upon to do so, with any queries the Court may have in respect of the service record of the accused member.

This Regulation outlines the procedures and guidance for the attendance of officers at a civil trial of a soldier. Only if required by the court, will the officer ‘will furnish any information in their possession as to the soldier's character and service’. The information furnished by the officer to the court is sourced solely from the soldier’s past performance appraisal(s) and conduct rating. The officer in attendance does not provide a personal character reference such as would be provided by character witnesses called by the defendant.

The current provisions are kept under review.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (136)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of times senior members of the Defence Forces have attended the trials of Defence Force members in an official capacity; the number of times senior members of the Defence Forces have provided character references at the trials of Defence Force members in an official capacity; from 2018 to date, in tabular form. [27682/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

As the Deputy may be aware, the process for a military representative in civilian court cases, is captured in Defence Forces Regulations, namely DFR A7.

Paragraphs 55 to 58 of this Regulation specify that a military representative is required to be present during the trial in a civil court (criminal court) of an accused member of the Defence Forces. One of the roles of that representative, which is also provided for in this Regulation, is to assist the court, if called upon to do so, with any queries the Court may have in respect of the service record of the accused member. In addition, the Regulation provides for the representative to prepare a short but comprehensive report of the trial and findings immediately on conclusion of the proceedings, for transmission to the accused member's Commanding Officer.

I have asked the military authorities to provide the details requested by the Deputy and understand that work has commenced on collating that information. I will revert to the Deputy with a reply as soon as possible.

Defence Forces

Ceisteanna (137)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

137. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will consider taking in Ukrainian recruits into the Defence Forces, if not doing so already; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27762/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The military authorities advise me that recruitment competitions are open to all applicants who comply with the relevant competition terms and conditions. Such competitions are not restricted to citizens of Ireland but are open to all applicants who have a legal entitlement to reside and work in the State.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (138)

John Brady

Ceist:

138. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter regarding motor tax renewal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27713/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

It should not be possible for the owner of a vehicle to be charged motor tax twice for any period, even if they renew the motor tax for that vehicle prior to the expiry of their existing motor tax.

All motor tax is paid in advance for 3, 6 or 12 months from the first day of a month until the last day of the month in which the tax expires. The motorist in this case may be confused by the date that appears on the bottom right hand side of all motor tax discs. This is the date the disc was printed and issued, it is not the date on which the motor tax is paid from (which is always the first day of the month).

The motorist concerned can contact my Department or their local motor tax office, if they paid their motor tax there. Full contact details are available on www.motortax.ie.

Cycling Facilities

Ceisteanna (139)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

139. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport in light of Dublin City Council’s new ‘Delivering for Dublin Agreement’, which contains a commitment to expand the Dublin Bikes network, if his Department will liaise with higher education institutions in the city to identify suitable locations to install stations. [27767/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA) who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.

Operational matters regarding the management or expansion of the Dublin Bikes scheme, however, rests with Dublin City Council. Consideration of suitable locations, such as at higher education institutes in the city, would ultimately be determined by the Council.

Given the NTA's role in active travel and public bikes schemes generally, I have referred your question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Ceisteanna (140)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

140. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will support a ban on private jets as a measure to reduce global carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27536/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The term "private jet" is not defined in national, European, or international law and the nature of ownership does not arise as a specific categorisation.  Operations of smaller jet aircraft are predominantly captured by the terms business aviation or general aviation however these categories include various types of operations.

It is generally acknowledged that the business and general aviation sector will likely play an important role as a testbed for new aircraft technologies including electric and hydrogen before development/deployment for larger aircraft and at scale.

The introduction of a complete ban is not considered appropriate given the broad nature of operations of these types of aircraft. For example, smaller jet aircraft are often used in the aeromedical field, additionally operations of these aircraft into Ireland may be for the purposes of availing of aircraft maintenance and overhaul. 

However, it is recognised that a more concrete and definitive contribution to the decarbonisation effort could be made by this segment of the aviation sector. Preferably, any such measure would be introduced on a European wide basis. However, absent a forthcoming proposal, I have asked my officials to examine this matter to better understand the quantity and categories of operations of business/general aviation into Ireland.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (141)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

141. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 22 March 2023, the progress made to bring back into use habitable properties, or properties that were previously inhabited, in the ownership of CIÉ since the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27643/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.

The property affairs of CIÉ are matters for the CIÉ Board in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Acts 1950 and 1964. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (142)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

142. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that all InterCity services operated by Irish Rail have at least one designated quiet carriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27693/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to designated quiet carriages on InterCity services is a matter for Irish Rail.  Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy. 

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (143)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

143. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the amount that has been spent on the development plans of the Dublin metro; the number of staff employed to work on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27717/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, MetroLink is a key project under the National Development Plan 2021-30. MetroLink will be a fully electrified, segregated and mostly underground new rail line from the Swords area to Charlemont in the south of Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport. To the end of May 2024, approximately €169 million has been invested in MetroLink, to advance the design and planning works for the project. 

Circa €165m was spent on the previous Metro North project, of which €67m has ongoing value in the context of MetroLink. This €67m includes land and property surveys that are required for MetroLink and other works and acquisitions that can be used to assist MetroLink in the future.

There is typically a cost associated with bringing large scale capital investment projects through the planning and approvals process. This is due to the specialist work required to prepare economic, engineering and environmental assessments and to conduct necessary statutory and non-statutory public consultations to inform the development of the project.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including MetroLink, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions in relation to the areas raised to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Ceisteanna (144)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

144. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the number of legal claims taken against TII in relation to injuries after incidents involving cyclists and the Luas tracks, for the years 2017 to 2024, in tabular form. [27736/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the 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 operation of public transport.

The issue raised regarding the number of legal claims taken against TII in relation to injuries after incidents involving cyclists and the Luas tracks is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the TII for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (145)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

145. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport whether he intends introducing legislation to ensure that all buses providing scheduled services, both in rural and urban areas, are wheelchair compatible, to ensure accessibility for wheelchair users to scheduled bus services as an equality measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27746/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.

The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, in conjunction with the transport operators as appropriate, 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

• Written Answers Nos. 103-123
• Written Answers Nos. 146-165