Thomas Gould
Ceist:48. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Kilbarry railway station. [30179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRail Network
Ceisteanna (48)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been developed to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network, including rail network, that enables the sustainable growth of Cork up to 2040.
Good progress has been made in delivering key projects within the Strategy, including the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. This Programme involves the delivery of increased capacity, frequency and sustainability on the three commuter rail lines between Cobh and Midleton in east Cork, Mallow to the north, and Cork Kent station in the city centre.
More specifically, the Programme aims to provide for:
• The development and integration of the three rail corridors by providing a high-frequency north-east connection through the city centre between Cobh, Midleton and Mallow;
• A multimodal integrated transport hub at Kent Station;
• Additional rolling stock to meet existing and future demand;
• New stations and Park & Ride interchange points.
Phase 1 of the Programme consists of a signalling upgrade, a through-platform at Kent Station, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. This phase has received EU Funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Work is well underway for this phase and is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Programme also plans for the delivery of up to eight new stations in future on the commuter corridors, including in Blackpool/Kilbarry. Works to facilitate the new stations are at an early design stage. Following the completion of Phase 1, these works will progress subject to funding availability and the relevant approvals.
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 the Cork Area Commuter Rail project.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (49)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:49. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the cost of BusConnects in Cork to date. [30192/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects will be transformative for all five of our cities, including Cork. The third round of public consultation on the 11 sustainable transport corridors in Cork concluded last December. There was positive stakeholder engagement in relation to these proposals.
The National Transport Authority's (NTA) expenditure from 2020 to end-June on Cork BusConnects is in the table below.
|
Project |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
To 30 June 2024 |
Total |
|
BusConnects Project Cork |
- |
€1,555,715 |
€1,787,906 |
€10,486,270 |
€10,839,349 |
€24,669,240 |
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, including BusConnects Cork.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Electric Vehicles
Ceisteanna (50)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:50. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications received for the electric taxi vehicle grant; and the number approved to date in 2024. [30193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines).
Drivers can apply for grants of up to €10,000 towards the purchase of a new full battery eSPSV with a further €2,500 available to convert it to a wheelchair accessible model.
Those scrapping older, more polluting, or high mileage vehicles are now eligible for double the normal grant if they make the switch to electric with €20K available for a new full electric or €25K for a wheelchair accessible new battery electric vehicle.
The status of the eSPSV Grant Scheme 2024 as of 28th June 2024 is as follows:
There have been 1735 applications received in total
657 grants have been issued or are in progress
• 180 grants have been paid to date.
• 90 grants are approved for payment and awaiting drawdown
• 105 Grants Offer Letters have been issued.
• 275 Provisional Grant Offer Letters have been issued
• 7 applications are in progress
1068 grants have lapsed, been rejected or been withdrawn
• 1004 applications have lapsed
• 9 have been rejected
• 55 have withdrawn
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (51)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:51. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the totality of the funds requested and drawn down by his Department from EU sources in respect of covid-19 in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form (details supplied). [30233/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department has not drawn down or requested any funds from EU sources in respect of Covid-19 in the years 2020 to 2023 and to the date in 2024.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (52, 53)
David Cullinane
Ceist:52. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the number of people waiting for a driving test at each centre; and the average wait time from application to test. [30421/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDavid Cullinane
Ceist:53. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the number of people waiting for a driving test in Waterford; and the average wait time from application to test. [30422/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. As such, I have referred the question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA 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. This information is available at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/databases/rsai/.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 53 answered with Question No. 52.
Driver Licences
Ceisteanna (54)
David Cullinane
Ceist:54. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he can address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if the policy will be reviewed in light of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30424/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
My Department does not have access to nor may it intervene in individual driving licence applications.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Road Projects
Ceisteanna (55)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:55. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the northern ring road and the funding provided in each of the past 5 years, in tabular form. [30457/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 as to the status of this project.
I can confirm that the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formally the Cork Northern Ring Road) did not receive an allocation in 2024. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the Cork City Northern Transport 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.
Cycling Facilities
Ceisteanna (56)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:56. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the funding provided for new cycle lanes and cycle lane maintenance respectively in each of the past five years, by local authority, in tabular form. [30459/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 have responsibility for the allocation of this funding to walking and cycling projects in each local authority area. The NTA oversee the selection and development of these projects in partnership with local authorities around the country.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
In relation to day to day cycle lane maintenance, there is currently no specific funding stream available for such works. Departmental officials are working with their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform ahead of Budget 2025 to find a workable solution for this matter. The overall issue of ongoing maintenance of active travel infrastructure in order to make it both safe and attractive for use is one which my Department is keen to address.
Road Safety
Ceisteanna (57, 58)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:57. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the provision of funding for traffic calming measures and the amount applied for in Cork city and county respectively in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30460/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThomas Gould
Ceist:58. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the provision of funding for road maintenance and the amount applied for in Cork city and county respectively in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30461/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.
As regards the funding provided to Cork City and County Councils for road maintenance, within the budget available to the Department, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain the network. The allocation of the three biggest exchequer grant types (restoration maintenance, restoration improvement, and discretionary grants) are based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority’s area, with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.
This approach also means that, while central Government is supplying significant funding, we are acknowledging that local authorities themselves are best placed to make determinations in their own areas for maximum delivery of results. Indeed, the initial selection and prioritisation of maintenance and renewal works is a matter for each local authority. There is flexibility within the State grant programme for Councils to direct resources to address particular problems identified on their networks as they see fit.
In addition, the Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. In this context funding can be sought for traffic calming measures.
Regarding national roads, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Road 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 57.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (59)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:59. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to a railway station near Grenagh in Cork. [30462/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been developed to deliver an accessible, integrated transport network, including rail network, that enables the sustainable growth of Cork up to 2040.
Good progress has been made in delivering key projects within the Strategy, including the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme. This Programme involves the delivery of increased capacity, frequency and sustainability on the three commuter rail lines between Cobh and Midleton in east Cork, Mallow to the north, and Cork Kent station in the city centre.
More specifically, the Programme aims to provide for:
• The development and integration of the three rail corridors by providing a high-frequency north-east connection through the city centre between Cobh, Midleton and Mallow;
• A multimodal integrated transport hub at Kent Station;
• Additional rolling stock to meet existing and future demand;
• New stations and Park & Ride interchange points.
Phase 1 of the Programme consists of a signalling upgrade, a through-platform at Kent Station, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton. This phase has received EU Funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Work is well underway for this phase and is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Programme also plans for the delivery of up to eight new stations in future on the commuter corridors. Under the programme eight new stations are proposed at the following locations:
Tivoli, Dunkettle, Water Rock, Carrigtwohill West, Ballynoe, Blackpool / Kilbarry, Monard and Blarney / Stoneview.
Works to facilitate the new stations are at an early design stage. Following the completion of Phase 1, these works will progress subject to funding availability and the relevant approvals.
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 the Cork Area Commuter Rail project.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (60)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:60. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport for an update on bringing back the catering trolley on the Dublin to Galway train line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30509/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 the catering trolley on the Dublin to Galway train line 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.