Seán Sherlock
Ceist:161. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus shelters currently under consideration for installation in the Kildare area, their locations and cost, in tabular form. [41029/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Services
Ceisteanna (161, 163)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:163. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus shelters currently under consideration for installation in the Kildare area; the location and cost of each, in tabular form. [41101/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 163 together.
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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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 (162)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:162. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers using all public transport options in the Kildare area, broken down by route, type, that is train/bus for 2022. 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41100/24]
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 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.
Question No. 163 answered with Question No. 161.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (164)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:164. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers using all public transport options in the Cork area, broken down by route, type, that is train/bus, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [41106/24]
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 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (165)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:165. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus shelters currently under consideration for installation in the Cork area; and the location and cost of each, in tabular form. [41107/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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.
Coast Guard Service
Ceisteanna (166)
John Brady
Ceist:166. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the status of works to construct a new Coast Guard station (details supplied); the stage matters are currently at; the estimated timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Planning permission has been granted for the development of the Coast Guard Station at Greystones and the prequalification tender process commenced on eTenders in October 2023. However, for technical reasons, the process had to be discontinued.
Following a further review of the site and plans, the Office of Public Works (OPW) have identified a number of issues that Wicklow County Council (who own the site) and Sispar (who manage the Marina) require to be addressed within the site, prior to the commencement of the current tender process.
In addition, the Coast Guard required some changes to the interior layout of the proposed building. The OPW will now incorporate these changes into their revised layout, but as a result are required to obtain an updated Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC).
The OPW will continue with the completion of all legal documents while Sispar carry out the necessary works to the site and the revised FSC and DAC are processed.
It is anticipated that the new tender process will commence following receipt of the revised FSC and DAC, completion of all legal documents and completion of the work by Sispar. It is anticipated that Sispar will complete these works by the end of October.
Construction will commence on completion of the tender process and the appointment of a contractor. Construction time is currently estimated at 14-18 months, from commencement to completion.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (167)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:167. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the representatives referred to in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41120/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All requests and queries regarding meetings can be sent to my diary team who will liaise directly with the requestor. They can be contacted at ministerdiary@transport.gov.ie.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (168)
Gary Gannon
Ceist:168. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is aware of the number 11 bus route’s critical role in serving the elderly population and students in Dublin central (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/24]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the NTA. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 159.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 159.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (171)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff that worked in his Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41172/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The professionalisation of the Communications Function of my Department in recent years reflects the increased need to ensure that the Department is responsive and proactive in terms of the transparency of our work. This has resulted in improved outputs and outcomes, including a 19% drop in FOIs from journalists on 2022 levels in 2023 for example, and cross-Government climate campaigns being driven by the Department to change public behaviour including "Your Journey Counts". Public transport users are now using services more than a million times per day, up 12% on the same period last year. Last year people who walked, wheeled and cycled helped reduce 160,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in our 5 cities.
The number of staff that worked in my Department's communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024 and their grades are outlined below:
|
Year |
Grades serving during year |
Number of staff that served per grade |
|
2019 |
Press Officer (Acting up post for Higher Executive Officer and Administrative Officer) |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
2020 |
Press Officer (Acting up post for Administrative Officer) |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
2021 |
Press Officer (Acting up post for 2 Administrative Officers during year) |
2 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
|
2022 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
|
Press Officer (Acting up post for Administrative Officer) |
1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
|
2023 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
|
|
Press Officer (Acting up post for Administrative Officer) |
1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
|
Year up to end of September 2024 |
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
|
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
Departmental Advertising
Ceisteanna (172)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by his Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41190/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The details of all advertising campaigns undertaken by my Department in 2024 can be found in the table below.
The Your Journey Counts campaign focuses on encouraging behavioural change away from private car use towards more sustainable modes such as public transport and active travel. The development of the campaign was identified in both the Climate Action Plan 2023 and the Climate Action Plan 2024 as a key action to support the achievement of the transport sector’s behavioural change and emissions abatement targets. The campaign compliments other policy initiatives within the Department, including community engagement and targeted policy interventions.
My department also ran an advertising campaign for ZEVI, (Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland), which is the division within the Department responsible for supporting the adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in Ireland. This campaign targeted car buyers to encourage them to consider going electric for their next car, in line with Government targets to electrify 30% of Ireland’s vehicle fleet by 2030.
My department has also ran a number of smaller campaigns on social media related to recruitment, public consultations etc, where required.
The Department of Transport uses the services of PHD Media for media buying purposes, and Javelin for creative services, through all-Government tenders managed by the Department of the Taoiseach and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Cost |
|
Your Journey Counts |
May – July 2024 |
€622,521.89 |
|
ZEVI Car Buyer Campaign |
January – March 2023 |
€38,273 |
|
ZEVI Public Consultation for the Draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan |
May 2024 |
€8,482.93 |
|
Social Media Boosting 2024 |
March 2024 - present |
€1035.21 |
|
Strategic Rail Review Print ad |
August 2024 |
€4,816.00 |
Greenways Provision
Ceisteanna (173)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:173. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if it is proposed to fund the Mallow to Dungarvan greenway from Exchequer funding; to provide an update on monies spent on all aspects of the project to date, and the purposes of monies allocated presently; and his views on the animation of this project. [41201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, 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.
Road Tolls
Ceisteanna (174)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:174. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if his Department carries out reviews in respect of the effectiveness of individual toll booths and bridges; if so, where such reviews are made publicly available; if he has plans to exempt motorists who live within 1km of a toll, and who cannot feasibly commute by car within passing through the toll. [41232/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the 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.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (175)
Francis Noel Duffy
Ceist:175. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that people are receiving driving test appointment at a test centre (details supplied) after a six month wait; what his Department is doing to shorten these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41243/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) this includes all application and scheduling matters.
To address issues of increasing demand and lengthening waiting times for a driving test, in March 2023 the Department of Transport conveyed sanction for the RSA to recruit up to an additional 75 driver testers on a temporary basis.
In line with the conditions set out in the 2023 sanction, the RSA submitted a business case to the Department in June 2024 regarding long-term, permanent staffing needs for the service to cater to current and future demand. The Department conveyed sanction the beginning of September for 70 additional driver testing posts on a permanent basis, bringing the permanent sanction to 200. This is more than double the sanctioned headcount in June 2022, which was 100 testers.
As a condition of sanction for these additional resources, my officials have requested that a plan is put in place to restore waiting times to the service level agreement of 10 weeks as soon as possible.
To further assist with reducing waiting times, last year a change was made to the booking system to allow unused test slots to be made available for candidates to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to candidates on the MyRoadSafety (rsa.ie) portal.
The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA has 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.
Road Safety
Ceisteanna (176)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:176. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on plans to improve safety at the N22 at the turn for the L6212; and whether funding has been released for same. [41307/24]
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 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.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (177)
Seán Canney
Ceist:177. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made in recent months on the provision of new public transport facilities from Loughrea via Oranmore to Galway; when the tendering process will conclude; how long after the conclusion of that process will services be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41331/24]
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 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 delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Galway, 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.
Question No. 178 answered with Question No. 156.
Transport Costs
Ceisteanna (179)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:179. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if commercial bus operators will be included in the continued 20% fare reduction in support of their important contribution to the increased use of public transport. [41423/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware the 20% average fare reduction for all PSO services was introduced in February 2022 as part of a suite of a suite of Government measures to help combat the rising cost of living. It also provided an incentive for the use of public transport as opposed to the private car at a time when fuel prices were increased. This fare initiative was continued under Budget 2023 and 2024 on all PSO services.
Most recently under Budget 2025 funding has been secured to support the continuation of the temporary fare initiatives until the end of 2025, this included funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on PSO and participating commercial services, the continued roll-out of the BusConnects and Connecting Ireland programmes, and the planned introduction of further new town services.
EU Funding
Ceisteanna (180)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:180. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if Ireland has, or intends to, access funding from the European Investment Bank’s Clean Bus Initiative; and if commercial bus operators in Ireland will be supported to avail of this finance under this initiative. [41424/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the electrification of public transport.
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. The initial stages of the transition will focus upon the deployment of battery-electric buses, and two framework agreements are in place for the supply of new single-deck and double-deck battery-electric urban buses.
The first order of 100 double deck electric buses for the Dublin network was placed in 2022 and over 90 of these are currently in service in Dublin. An additional 50 have been accepted by the NTA, and a further 70 have been ordered.
Furthermore, in April this year, Limerick’s city bus service, operated by Bus Éireann, became Ireland’s first fully electric/low-emission regional city bus service. 34 double deck electric buses have been brought into service in the city with more to enter service in the coming years.
Under the Sustainable Mobility Policy Pathfinder Programme, a fully electric town bus service, with 11 new single-deck battery-electric buses, is now operating in Athlone.
The electrification of the urban bus network has been funded through exchequer resources. My Department will continue to consider other potential funding options, but at this time funding has not been sought from the EIB to support bus electrification for public or private operators.