Thursday, 4 Jul 2024

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (161)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

161. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of building a Luas network in Cork city and Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28877/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork and Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies aim to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network that enables the sustainable growth of both the Metropolitan Areas.

Delivery of a proposed light rail system for Cork as in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy will provide a high-capacity, high-frequency public transport link to support growth of population and provide access to employment, health and educational amenities. It is currently expected that a public consultation on the proposed Cork Light Rail project will launch in the coming months.

As for Galway, the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy to cover a 20-year period. Part of the preparation for the publication of this strategy involves a mode specific analysis being undertaken which includes a light rail feasibility study. This study, which includes background technical reports, is now substantially complete and will be published as supporting documents along with the draft strategy.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure.

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.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (162)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

162. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of extending the Luas to Finglas. [28878/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.

Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030 to align with the National Development Plan, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. The development of a Luas line serving Finglas is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals, for development and delivery within the 2031-2036 timeframe, as part of a number of proposed Luas network extensions for the period up to 2042.

The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA and will soon be brought to Government for its consent in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. This will enable the project to enter the statutory planning process through the submission of a Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála.

The final budget for the project will not be set until after the planning process and completion of tendering and procurement, with the Government having the final decision about whether to proceed to construction. Officials in my Department engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to the budget and progress of all major projects, including the Luas Finglas project.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (163)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

163. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of extending the Luas to Lucan. [28879/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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 (GDA), including light rail.

The Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.

Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030 to align with the National Development Plan, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. The development of a Luas line from Lucan to the City Centre is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals for development and delivery within 2031-2036.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed 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.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (164)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

164. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of building metro south west. [28880/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Deputy may be aware that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 is the statutory transport strategy for the region and sets out a range of ambitious proposals for delivery over the period to 2042. In relation to metro, and as outlined in the Strategy, the analysis conducted concluded that a metro line from Swords to Dublin City Centre via Dublin Airport would be the key area of focus for metro delivery out to 2042.

There were a number of studies and reports that informed the development of Dublin's integrated transport system, as set out in the Strategy, including feasibility studies for a metro to Knocklyon and a metro to Sandyford. While the Strategy states that the south west Dublin area is best served by bus rapid transit (such as BusConnects) and light rail (such as Luas) for the foreseeable future, it notes that the MetroLink terminus at Charlemont can facilitate any potential future metro extensions to serve the south west, south or south east of the Dublin area should sufficient demand develop.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) reviews and updates the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area every 6 years and so the issue of a southwestern extension of MetroLink may be reconsidered in future. Noting the NTA’s responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question in relation to the area 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.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (165)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

165. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of implementing the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28881/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken by my Department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions.

Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft Report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July of last year.

The draft Report makes 30 strategic recommendations to enhance the rail system across the island up to 2050. Implementation of these recommendations would result in substantial improvements in the capacity, speed, frequency and reach of the rail system. Journey times by rail would be much reduced, and frequency would increase to at least hourly between cities and every two hours on rural and regional routes. The network would be decarbonised, with the intercity routes electrified.

In 2023 prices, the total all-island capital cost of all the recommendations included in the draft Review Report is estimated to be in the order of €35bn to €37bn. Of this, the capital cost that would apply to Ireland, rather than across the island, totals at approximately €28 billion. It should be noted that these cost estimates are indicative only and that individual projects in the draft Review will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.

The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September 2023 and submissions have been reviewed by officials from both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It is expected that a final Review report, taking account of the comments raised in the consultation, will be submitted for Government shortly and that the final Review will be published by the end of the Summer.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (166)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

166. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of implementing all remaining elements of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan that are not scheduled to take place in 2025; if his Department supports speeding up the plan in light of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28882/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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 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.

From a policy and funding perspective I am very conscious of the critical role that public transport plays in reducing our carbon emissions. The provision of public transport services, for example under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, helps to ensure that no one and place is left behind in our efforts to achieve our 2030 and 2050 emissions targets. This is one of the reasons why I have increased overall funding for new and enhanced public transport services and infrastructure, including in rural and regional areas. As with all such plans, any further increases in funding to accelerate Connecting Ireland are subject to the annual Budgetary and estimates process.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for planning and detailed costings of new and enhanced public transport services nationally, and specifically under Connecting Ireland, 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.

Departmental Programmes

Ceisteanna (167, 168)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

167. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of expediting all remaining phases of the safe routes to school programme to roll it out in full in 2025. [28883/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

168. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to provide an annual breakdown of the total amount of funding provided to the safe routes to schools programme. [28884/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.

In March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.

The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities which will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.

It should be noted that over 900 schools enrolled in the Programme in 2021, and just under a third are currently actively involved in Rounds 1 and 2. All remaining schools will enter the Programme on a rolling basis over the next few years. Regardless of cost, it is not intended that all schools will be completed by the end of 2025 as neither the NTA, An Taisce nor the various local authorities would have the capacity to expedite the Programme to that extent.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to them for answer. If you do not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.

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

Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 167.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Ceisteanna (169)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

169. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual cost of abolishing the M50 and East link tolls for drivers to encourage bypassing of Dublin city centre and to lower air pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28885/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Moreover, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.

It is important to point out that the East-Link Toll Bridge is the responsibility of Dublin City Council, and queries relating to the operation of this bridge should be directed to the Council.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply regarding the M50. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

Coast Guard Service

Ceisteanna (170)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date in providing a permanent base for the Coast Guard unit based in the west Connemara area (Clifden-Cleggan-Renvyle area); the date a decision was originally made to explore the possibility of such a permanent base; the date the present temporary base was established at the airstrip in Cluain Leacht an Abba, An Cloigeann, Conamara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28903/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy James Lawless)

The Department of Transport is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) building programme, which aims to ensure that Coast Guard stations along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through the Office of Public Works (OPW), from planning and design to build and on-going maintenance.

The Cleggan Unit are on the priority list for the IRCG Building Programme.

In 2015, draft drawings were submitted to the Department for review from the Office of Public Works (OPW) to explore the possibility for both temporary and permanent facilities for the Cleggan Coast Guard Unit.

Since 2017, the Cleggan Coast Guard Unit has operated out of the temporary base at the Department of Rural & Community Development airstrip site. The Unit also has possession of their original Coast Guard rocket house at Cleggan pier which is used as a storage facility.

Coast Guard rocket houses, including Cleggan’s, are suitable to meet the storage needs of an IRCG unit but not the welfare needs of Coast Guard volunteers and are, for the most part, in use as secondary unit buildings. Cleggan Coast Guard Unit vehicles and equipment remain at the Cleggan air strip which is primarily another storage facility.

An interim arrangement has been provided in recent years for the Cleggan Unit with the local community centre for use of meeting and welfare facilities. More recently this has been enhanced by a further arrangement with the Station House Hotel in Clifden for use of facilities, for training purposes.

OPW has been tasked with locating a suitable site for the Cleggan Unit. To give the most recent developments, In March 2024, OPW were requested to provide a high-level estimate for development of this site. This includes evaluating the airstrip site and any other possible sites available in the area that meet the functional requirements of the IRCG. Under the Public Spending Code OPW must evaluate all potential sites in the units tasking area.

Coast Guard Service

Ceisteanna (171)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he intends visiting the temporary base of the Coast Guard in Cluain Leacht an Abba, An Cloigeann, Conamara in the coming two months to familiarise himself with the present facilities there and the need for a permanent base in the area for the Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28904/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy James Lawless)

The Minister will be meeting with all relevant stakeholders in his new areas of responsibility in the coming months and looks forward to familiarising himself on the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Division and the IRCG Building programme. The Minister's Diary Secretary will be in touch with department officials in relation to this shortly.

Road Traffic Offences

Ceisteanna (172)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

172. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if An Garda Síochána can issue fixed penalty notices to drivers of vehicles that are registered outside the State. [28946/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy James Lawless)

The aim of penalties for road traffic offences is to improve driver behaviour in Ireland and reduce deaths and serious injury on our roads. Penalties are applied to a driving licence, not a vehicle. All drivers may be issued with fixed charge notices, regardless of where their vehicle is registered.

Tax Collection

Ceisteanna (173)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of motor tax collected in each month of 2024; and if he will provide same figures for the same period in 2023, in tabular form. [28952/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy James Lawless)

The table below shows the amount of motor tax collected by my Department in 2024 to the end of May and for the same period on 2023.

Month	2023	2024
January	89,745,303	91,362,208
February	78,095,647	80,942,931
March	83,654,174	75,346,265
April	73,347,446	90,887,022
May	82,603,426	85,831,456

National Car Test

Ceisteanna (174)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

174. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport to provide an itemised breakdown of the cost of operating a national car test. [28953/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy James Lawless)

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Car Testing Service. This includes operational matters, and the detailed information requested is held by the agency. 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.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (175)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

180. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent to date on a project (details supplied), including all payments to contractors and consultants, from the year 2020 to 1 July 2024, in tabular form. [28988/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 planning, design and construction 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.

I can confirm that the M20 Limerick to Cork Scheme received an allocation of €4,040,000 for 2024. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2025 and in future years and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

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.

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