Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek changes to be made to the route licensing of coaches that operate in the day-tour sector, as managed by the National Transport Authority, in order that a more strategic approach to tourism is taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28275/24]
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. Further, the NTA is responsible for the licensing of public and commercial operators and I have no role in these matters.
As the NTA is also the licensing authority for the commercial bus sector, 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.
62. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 187 of 23 January 2024 and 181 of 20 February 2024, for an update on establishment of an additional NCT testing centre in the Clare-Limerick area to reduce the waits in the area; his views on the RSA’s position that there are no plans to develop a centre in the Kilrush area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28516/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCT), including the provision of new test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply and any further update since their last response to the Deputy in February 2024. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he is in a position to resource Local Link to meet demand in local communities when it comes to adding stops in rural villages; if such requests for additional stops are considered by his Department and funded, where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28151/24]
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 Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for planning of TFI Local Link routes and services, 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.
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 and 109 Bus Éireann bus service, its performance standard and plans to improve it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28614/24]
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 questions raised by the deputy in relation to Bus Éireann routes 103 and 109 is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
65. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will ask his Department to liaise with Irish Rail and Local Link in order that they can co-ordinate with each other to connect train times and bus times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28556/24]
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 the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
66. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the supports being provided by his Department to relevant ports to progress offshore wind development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra147. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the work his Department is carrying out to ensure that Ireland’s port infrastructure is sufficient to meet our 2030 ORE targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 147 together.
My Department is committed to facilitating commercial Irish State ports under its remit as positive contributors to the offshore renewable energy (ORE) industry to support Ireland in meeting its 2030 ORE targets. Supporting the development of port infrastructure is a core objective of the National Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce and the Department is working very closely with the Taskforce in this regard.
In 2021, the Department of Transport published a policy statement on the facilitation of offshore renewable energy by commercial ports in Ireland. This policy statement emphasises the importance of port facilities in Ireland for ORE developments and encourages all ports to actively engage with potential development opportunities. The policy statement also confirmed that eligible ports under the EU's Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) can apply for funding for ORE related port infrastructure under the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding. A dedicated ORE Ports Facilitation Division has been established in the department to facilitate ports as they progress plans to service the offshore wind industry.
Government policy on commercial state ports is that they operate on a self-funding basis. Under current policy, ports receive no exchequer funding and must finance their infrastructure developments, including that necessary for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), through their own revenues, borrowings, EU grant funding, or private sector involvement.
Notwithstanding this, officials in the Department of Transport continue to engage with all industry stakeholders with a view to maximising all financing opportunities available to Irish Commercial State ports. This includes potential financing partners such as the European Union (EU), through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), which is a Sovereign Investment Fund with a mandate to invest on a commercial basis to support economic activity and employment in Ireland.
This engagement is evidenced through the assistance given to commercial ports who applied for funding under the 2023 call for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) fund to develop infrastructure to facilitate offshore wind projects. Officials in the Department of Transport provided critical feedback and guidance on the CEF applications. If successful, ports can obtain up to 30% of costs for infrastructure or up to 50% of costs for studies. The results of the funding call are expected in mid-July of 2024.
Furthermore, the Department is working with the European Investment Bank (EIB), which Bank is providing advisory support concerning a number of ORE port projects, which projects are expected to require financing in order to undertake the significant capital investment required to develop the necessary ORE infrastructure. The results of this engagement by the EIB will inform the approach of both ports and the Department in identifying sources of finance for these projects.
An ORE Ports Co-Ordination Group has also been established by the Department to facilitate consistent engagement with key stakeholders on ports’ progress with their ORE projects. The group meets on a quarterly basis and not only allows for ports to engage directly with the Department of Transport but other key government Departments relevant to the delivery of ORE.
67. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the proposed new Local Link bus service from Kinlough, County Leitrim to Grange, County Sligo via Ballintrillick; the timeline for when the service is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28347/24]
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 Counties Leitrim and Sligo, 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.
68. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the €35 billion commitment for transport infrastructure made in 2021 as part of National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28208/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn investment allocation of €35 billion was agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, as part of the revised National Development Plan in 2021, for the period 2021-2030, the highest amount ever allocated to transport. From this overall envelope, a total of €13 billion was allocated to the Department's Vote for the period 2021-2025, and set out in published capital ceilings.
This allocation has proven sufficient for investment requirements in the 2021-2024 period. In this period, the core capital allocation was also supplemented by some additional capital from the Shared Island Fund for cross border active travel, and EV infrastructure projects; and the EU Just Transition Fund for bus infrastructure in the midlands. For 2024, the Department forecasts that expenditure of a budget allocation of €2,679.450m will be on target, enabling transport plans across the country to be progressed and completed.
During the spring, the Department negotiated an additional share of capital from the Windfall Reserve Fund for the period 2025 and 2026. The capital ceiling set for 2025 is €2.850bn and for 2026 is €3.350bn. DPENDR have no immediate plans to negotiate further capital allocations in the period 2027-2030. Nonetheless, I am satisfied that the balance of the €35bn allocation will become available when it is required.
The envelope provides a degree of certainty in underpinning both protection and renewal requirements and new infrastructure projects. As the Deputy will be aware, major public transport projects are now in the process of exiting the planning system. In addition, major new road projects, including the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and the Adare bypass are steadily progressing towards construction phase.
The Department will keep DPENDR appraised of forecast capital requirements, to ensure that the quantum of capital is aligned with the pace and timing of projects as the pipeline of projects under the Department's remit move through the investment project lifecycle.
I am now happy to take any questions that the Deputy may have.
74. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update following the publication of the Population Ageing and the Public Finances report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28221/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week my Department published its third triennial assessment of the budgetary costs associated with ageing in Ireland. The key message from the report is that while Ireland’s demographic profile is relatively favourable at present, it is set to age rapidly over the coming decades, bringing us closer to the EU norm. While it is, of course, a very positive development that people in Ireland are living longer, healthier lives, it is important that we understand the significant impact these trends will have on our economy and public finances.
To put the ageing of our population into perspective, Ireland will experience one of the largest proportional increases in the ratio of people over the age of 65 to those of working age between now and 2050. To put it another way, there are currently around 4 persons of working age for each retiree in Ireland, by 2050 the equivalent figure will be around 2.
The effect this will have on our public finances will be two-fold. Firstly, Government revenues will be impacted because they are linked to economic growth. An ageing population will slow growth, as the labour supply expands more modestly and growth becomes increasingly dependent on labour productivity gains.
Secondly, public expenditure will be impacted as demand for age-sensitive areas such as healthcare, long-term care and pensions grows. This will be the most significant channel impacting on the public finances. My Department’s analysis shows that total age-related expenditure is projected to increase by 6 percentage points of national income over the next three decades, the largest increase in the EU.
It is in this context, and to promote intergenerational equity, that the Government is preparing for the establishment of the Future Ireland Fund, which will save a portion of ‘windfall’ corporation tax receipts to help offset some of the costs associated with long-term structural challenges, including an ageing population.
Nevertheless, it is clear that further reforms will be required to fully address the fiscal pressures associated with an ageing population. The alternative to this is to place a significant financial burden on future generations.
80. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the total number of rent tax credit claims made in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
For the tax years 2022 and 2023, the maximum value of the credit is €1,000 per year in the case of a jointly assessed couple, and €500 in all other cases. Finance Act 2023 increased the value of the credit for the 2024 and 2025 tax years to a maximum of €1,500 for a jointly assessed couple and €750 in all other cases.
I am advised by Revenue that the Rent Tax Credit statistics currently available refer only to PAYE taxpayers. Data on self-assessed taxpayers are not yet available. These data will be available, in respect of the 2022 year of assessment, later in 2024 when the self-assessed tax returns for that year, filed in late 2023, are fully analysed.
Claims in respect of the 2022 and 2023 years of assessment can be made by PAYE taxpayers by submitting an Income Tax return for that year. For claims relating to 2024, PAYE taxpayers have the option of claiming the Rent Tax Credit due to them either as rent is incurred or at the end of the year through their Income Tax return.
Rent Tax Credit claims are made are on a ‘taxpayer unit’ basis. A taxpayer unit is either an individual with any personal status who is singly assessed or a couple in a marriage or civil partnership who have elected for joint assessment.
I further advised by Revenue that the data are provisional and subject to change.
Data for claims relating to PAYE taxpayers for county Cavan are as follows:
• 2,356 taxpayer unit claims for 2022,
• 2,327 taxpayer unit claims for 2023, and
• 466 taxpayer unit claims for 2024.
This gives a total of 5,149 claims for all years (as of 25 June 2024) for county Cavan.
Data for claims relating to PAYE taxpayers for county Monaghan are as follows:
• 2,012 taxpayer unit claims for 2022,
• 1,935 taxpayer unit claims for 2023, and
• 398 taxpayer unit claims for 2024.
This gives a total of 4,345 claims for all years (as of 25 June 2024) for county Monaghan.
