Written Answers Nos. 252-272
252. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by Bus Éireann on private contractors to fulfil route requirements in Cork, by month, for the year 2024 to date, in tabular form. [32910/24]
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 query raised by the Deputy 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.
253. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on private security firms by Bus Éireann and Irish Rail in 2023 and 2024 to date, by route, in tabular form. [32911/24]
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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the spend on private security firms by Bus Éireann and Irish Rail in 2023 and 2024 are matters for Bus Éireann and Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
254. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport for an update and projected timeline for the DART+ Coastal North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33197/24]
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
This project aims to extend the overhead electric wires on the DART system by circa 37km, from Malahide to Drogheda. It will allow for high-frequency and fully electrified DART trains to operate between Dublin city and Drogheda, upgrading the rail service to growing communities along the route.
The DART+ Coastal North was submitted to Government in May 2024 and received consent for approval under Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged in July 2024.
Subject to DART+ Coastal North receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to this decision, the project will then advance through the subsequent Approval Gates as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
255. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the date by which the Road Safety Authority will have completed its review of the road traffic collision data sharing policies and procedures, and resume its statutory remit of issuing reports on road traffic collisions. [32978/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCollision data is compiled initially by An Garda Síochána. The review of the legislative basis for the receipt and onward sharing of collision data by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been completed. In June of this year a Ministerial Order was issued under Section 8 of the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, allowing for the sharing of collision data to the RSA from An Garda Síochána.
Furthermore, Cabinet has now approved the drafting of a Roads Bill 2024, which will allow local authorities, acting in their capacity as road authorities, to request collision data from both the RSA and Gardaí. My Department has worked extensively with the Data Protection Commission on this issue, ensuring that the provisions in the Bill will guarantee that data exchange and use are compliant with GDPR rules.
It is important to note that the key tenets of this data are already being shared onto local authorities by my Department, in a summary fashion, in order that local engineers can better identify “accident blackspots” and this is fully operational.
When enacted, this Bill will strengthen our multi-faceted response to the ongoing trend of rising road fatalities, by facilitating local authorities to target areas where collisions frequently occur with investment and infrastructure.
256. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport for a breakdown of the capital expenditure on public transport projects in each year since 2020; the overall allocation for roads, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the capital expenditure on public transport projects are available at the Oireachtas Library.
257. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the DART+ programme; the committed capital expenditure in each year since 2020, by project (west/coastal north/coastal south, south and fleet); the projected capital allocation in 2024 and the work under way; what aspects are planned in 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the planning and implementation of the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme comprises five related projects in the Greater Dublin Area and eastern region, including:
DART+ Fleet: a ten-year procurement framework for electric and battery-electric fleet;
DART+ West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth;
DART+ South West: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge;
DART+ Coastal North: extension of DART services from Dublin city centre to Drogheda; and
DART+ Coastal South: works to enable an improvement to current DART services from Dublin city centre to Greystones.
In December 2021 the Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ Programme and a fleet framework agreement between Irish Rail and Alstom. This framework allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric/battery-electric train carriages for the Irish Rail system over a 10-year period. This approval permitted the purchase of 95 new DART carriages, which are expected to enter service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement, which will see 90 new battery-electric multiple units arrive in 2026.
Following the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022, an Oral Hearing for DART+ West was held in September/October 2023. A Railway Order for DART+ South West was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in March 2023 and a Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in July 2024.
Subject to the respective DART+ projects receiving planning approval, and there being no successful legal challenge to these decision, procurement documents will be prepared for the projects, which will require Ministerial approval at Approval Gate 2 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. If approval is granted at this stage, the project will proceed through a procurement process. A Final Business Case, which will take account of the outcome of the procurement process including the final pre-construction cost, will be prepared and the project will be submitted for Government Consent at Approval Gate 3 under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
258. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport what is the next stage in the development of a completed rail connection to Navan; when he expects planning and design work to commence; the preparations carried out for these next stages; the projected cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33004/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which I approved early last year, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The Transport Strategy provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for Counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow.
The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy now includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036.
I am pleased that the NTA has allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (or IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project this year. The work will involve the route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.
IÉ has commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May. It is envisaged that the contract will be awarded in the coming months.
It is anticipated that a route options public consultation for the project will take place by early 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and develop a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government before it enters the planning system.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
259. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the projected additional rail, DART, Luas and bus fleet required for each year from 2024 to 2030; the number currently ordered for each; what the projected capital requirement will be; a breakdown of the additional fleet procured in each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33005/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, public transport fleet.
The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleet is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.
Electric buses produce no emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers.
In January 2023, the first full electrification of a town bus service was launched in Athlone under our Pathfinder Programme, providing clean and green public transport services for the town, and paving the way for a similar transition in other services across Ireland.
An order for 100 double deck electric buses for Dublin was placed in 2022 with the vehicles arriving in 2023. The majority of these battery-electric double-deck buses are available for service at Summerhill Depot and Phibsborough Depot. Together, the charging infrastructure at Phibsborough and Summerhill will provide charging for a minimum of 136 electric buses. The remaining buses are expected to enter service in the coming weeks. Additional charging infrastructure is being procured to allow for more electric buses to enter service in the coming years.
Additionally, 34 double-deck electric buses are currently entering service in Limerick.
In relation to rail fleet, the delivery of 41 additional intercity railcars was completed in March 2023 and this fleet has recently begun to enter service on a phased basis. These new railcars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network as they are introduced into service this year.
Approval by Government in December 2021 permitted the purchase of 95 DART carriages from Alstom, to start entering into service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see an additional 90 new battery-electric multiple units enter service from around 2026.
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.
260. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the cost to the Government to permanently reduce transport fees for young adults and students, including rail and the €1 transport cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33014/24]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
261. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the projected cost of making public transport completely free for students and holders of young adult travel cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33015/24]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
262. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the progress of the Ennis town bus service; whether his Department has released funding to ensure it moves to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33050/24]
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, the roll out of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan as well as developing new and enhanced Town bus services.
The development of the Ennis new town public transport service is a part of the wider NTA Town Services programme. The NTA transport planning team decide on the best utilisation of these funds, and the timing and prioritisation of the roll-out of services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the roll out of new services, including in Ennis, 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.
263. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the progress on allowing the 336 bus route to stop within Ennis town; the reason for the delay in changing the route; the timeline for implementation of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/24]
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 query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
264. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport , further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 4 July, the status of the feasibility study for light rail in Galway, which is being undertaken as part of the Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33071/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the National Transport Authority, or NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). Part of the development of the new Strategy involves transport mode-specific analysis being undertaken, which includes a light rail feasibility study. This study is now substantially complete.
Noting the NTA's role in the development of the GMATS and the light rail feasibility study, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for the latest available information in relation to its development and current status. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
265. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the public consultation on the draft Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; the expected timeline for the publication of the final strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the National Transport Authority, or NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). The new Strategy will provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the delivery of transport and the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the Galway Metropolitan Area. It will replace the existing Galway Transport Strategy which was published in 2016.
Given the NTA's role in the development of the GMATS, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for the latest available information in relation to its development. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
266. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport , further to Parliamentary Question No. 64 of 16 May, the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33073/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, is leading the development and roll out of strategic park and ride sites nationwide through the Park and Ride Development Office.
The NTA established the Park and Ride Development Office in February 2020, which had been included as an action in the Climate Action Plan 2019. The function of the Office is to enable the delivery of park and ride sites by the NTA in collaboration with Local Authorities and transport operators such as Iarnród Éireann, across the country. Through the Park and Ride Development Office, full-time specialist resources are now employed on such projects.
The Park and Ride Development Office has developed a Park and Ride Strategy for Galway. That Park and Ride Strategy envisages the development of up to five bus-based strategic Park and Ride sites, three for initial development and two for future development, and the expansion of rail-based Park and Ride site at Oranmore station.
Work by the Park and Ride Development Office is ongoing. Given the NTA's role in the development and roll-out of park and ride sites, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for the latest available information in relation to its development. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
267. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the cost of expanding the bike sharing schemes outside of major cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33137/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for bike-sharing schemes like the Regional Bikes Scheme in Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
However, matters related to the day-to-day operations, management or expansion of public bike schemes are matters for the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA. As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
268. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the proposals to provide park-and-ride facilities on the N3 and M3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33156/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
269. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when safety measures will be introduced on a national road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33157/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
270. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if further services can be provided on a bus route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33234/24]
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 query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
271. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is aware of the terrible condition of the Currynanerriagh bridge, on the R250 between Glenties and Fintown in County Donegal, a bridge that has been severely neglected in terms of maintenance, and, tragically, has been the site of several accidents, resulting in the loss of six lives; if his Department has any plans to sign off on the €600,000 needed to bring the road up to an appropriate standard or if his Department has any plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33248/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
My 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 and the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under these programmes for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. It is a matter for Donegal County Council to submit such an application for consideration of funding.
As Donegal County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources.
According to my Department's records, an application has not been received from Donegal County Council with reference to the widening of Currynanerriagh bridge, on the Glenties side of Fintown on the R250.
272. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to introduce free public transport for all students. [33270/24]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
