Written Answers Nos. 281-300
281. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the current bus fleet serving west Cork, by local area; and the number of busses which are accessible to disabled passengers, by local area, in tabular form. [33513/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport serving West Cork, 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.
282. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the total number of the current bus fleet by county; and the current number of busses which are accessible to disabled passengers, by county, in tabular form. [33514/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 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.
283. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if urgent consideration will be given to the provision of traffic calming measures in a village in County Sligo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33529/24]
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.
284. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Navan rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33570/24]
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.
285. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the 103 bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33571/24]
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.
286. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on 109a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33572/24]
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.
287. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the recruitment of bus mechanics at Broadstone depot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33573/24]
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 Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
288. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driving test; and the number waiting for a theory test in County Cork, by test centre, in tabular form. [33574/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time for a driving test in Ballincollig and Sarsfield Road test centres in Cork; and the number of persons waiting for less than 3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, for 12-18, 18-24 months and for over 24 months, in tabular form. [33575/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time for a theory test in test centres in Cork; and the number of persons waiting for less than 3 months, for 3-6 months, for 6-9 months, for 9-12 months, for 12-18 months, for 18-24 months and for over 24 months, in tabular form. [33576/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport when the National Transport Authority will complete the tender process for local link coordination units given the significant role of local link in the roll out of connection Ireland the national rural development policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33674/24]
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 securing the provision of public transport 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.
292. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the driving test waiting lists, by test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33688/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if there is any update in relation to the increased recruitment of driving testers to address the driving test backlog. [33689/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to reinstate the Dublin Airport stop on the 245X bus from Cork to Dublin, formally the X8 route, as it was regularly used for the sole purpose of travelling to the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33691/24]
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.
295. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase funding for local roads, drainage projects and general maintenance to local authorities to assist with the growing cost of inflation, and to allow them to carry out their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33692/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, allocations provided for the regional & local roads programme in the annual Revised Estimates of Public Services ("REV") have increased year on year, with the current 2024 allocation announced as €658m in this year's REV. Over the years, further additional funds have been added during the year, to offer additional support to local authorities for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads, with an additional €30m being made available in May 2024 for example, to assist with the damage to the road network caused by unusually persistent and prolonged rainfall over winter and spring period.
From the outset, it is important to emphasise that the 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. And that works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
The main regional and local road grant programmes are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage, road strengthening based pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant which allows for a specified range of activities including winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated taking into account the length of the road network and traffic factors in a particular local authority area. Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is a matter for decision by each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their area, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
296. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to fund further rollouts of local link services to introduce the service in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33694/24]
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.
As with all plans, further funding for local link services will be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
297. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to provide the evidence used to support the planned reduction in speed limits on local and national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33700/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra298. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that taxi drivers with 2015 registrations or older who lost two years work and income during the Covid pandemic, income that would be needed to assist in financing the purchase of a new vehicle when they reach the ten year time limit, are not being given the same two year extension that was given to 2013, 2014 and other cars who received this compensation for work and income lost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Regulations made by the NTA in 2010 first established a maximum permissible age of 10 years for new standard taxis and hackneys. The ten-year rule was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort, and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully. The NTA's extension of age limits during Covid-19 was an emergency measure of a temporary nature, taken in recognition of the particular challenges posed by the pandemic and was specifically aimed at ensuring that no operator would be required to change their vehicle while passenger demand remained low, and there was a lack suitable vehicles available for purchase. The 2022 Regulations amend Regulation 31 (Maximum Permissible Age Requirements) of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015. This amendment was made as an exceptional provision and contingency measure, as a result of vehicle supply issues. The Regulations also provide for a graduated return to the ten-year age limit, with vehicles whose 10-year limit was originally in 2020 or 2021 now extended to 2025; those whose original limit is in 2022 or 2023 now extended to 2026, and those whose original limit will be reached in 2024, extended to 2027.
The impact of the 2022 Regulations has been under continuous review and the NTA does not anticipate introducing any further maximum permissible age extensions, as the instigating factors no longer exist.
Grants which are administered by the NTA, are available for drivers looking to purchase new vehicles. Firstly, the eSPSV Grant Scheme is available to persons (individuals or companies) applying for new SPSV licences or existing SPSV licence holders who wish to upgrade their current vehicle with a replacement electric vehicle. Applicants can avail of up to €25,000 in grant funding under this Scheme. Secondly, the wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) Grant is available to provide financial support towards the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet. Applicants can avail of up to €17,500 in grant funding under this Scheme.
299. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the BusConnects plans for Wicklow; when the new and revised bus networks will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA recently revised plans for the L1, L2, and L3 routes following consultation with Wicklow County Council. The NTA currently anticipate that routes L1, L2, L3, L14 and L15 will commence services later this year. A more precise date will be known when detailed checks on operational readiness are completed by the NTA and the bus operators.
Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.
The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
300. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on plans for a new bus route to service Roundwood, County Wicklow; when that route will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33758/24]
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 and the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, including in County Wicklow, 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.
