Written Answers Nos. 26-46
26. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community renewable energy projects that have received funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the breakdown of each project and the amount of funding it has received, in tabular form; and his views on the Government’s support for community-led renewable energy initiatives. [45429/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) Community Enabling Framework was launched in 2022. It provides a range of supports, including grant funding of potentially up to €180,000, offered from SEAI to community renewable energy projects, to help them participate in the RESS. To date, two community projects (both under RESS 1 in 2022), including one solar and one wind, have received €40,000 each in grant funding.
My Department is working closely with the SEAI and community groups to assess the barriers to community energy projects, to ensure a long term sustainable future for the community energy sector in Ireland. In that regard, community projects will now transition to the non-competitive Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS), enabling community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The first phase of SRESS was launched in July 2023. This sees both SRESS and the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) providing support to communities, larger businesses, farms, and public buildings, with grants that support solar installations for self-consumption. These SEAI non-domestic scheme grants are supporting renewables self-consumers to invest in systems of up to 1MW in size. A total of 2,069 grants applications have been received, including, for the Community and Sports Sector, 117 grant applications amounting to funding of €994,039 and a total installation capacity of over 7.9 MW.
In May I announced the tariffs for the export tariff phase of SRESS, which will support small-scale and community renewable projects. In the largest SRESS category, communities will receive a guaranteed tariff 20% higher than the average community price in the most recent RESS auction for community projects in 2022. The export project tariff phase of SRESS, is due to open for applications by the end of the year, and will be a major step forward in supporting the community energy sector.
A set of technical and financial supports for community projects are currently available to communities through the Community Enabling Framework under the RESS. Similar supports will be available under the SRESS.
In addition, in 2023 and 2024, SEAI also undertook seven county level grid studies to support communities in identifying sites that are most likely to have an economically viable grid connection.
In September, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published the new Electricity Connection Policy – Generation and System Services policy. The new policy provides greater opportunities for connection to the electricity network for community renewable energy projects through provisions such as the reduction in the first stage grid payment fees; the removal of upper and lower capacity limits; the size of projects not required to pay a capacity bond increasing from 5MW to 6MW; and the removal of caps on the number of projects per processing batch.
27. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45437/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month.
I am advised by NBI that over 304,600 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 102,600 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Cavan over 9,727 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 9,746 available to order/pre-order, with 3,313 premises now connected. A further 7,273 premises with Cavan will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie , which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
Open eir have already passed over 21,326 homes and businesses in Cavan with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 4,932 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years. SIRO are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Cavan, having recently passed over 5,062 premises for full fibre.
28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress to date in the roll-out of the National Broadband Plan in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45438/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,200 homes each month.
I am advised by NBI that over 304,600 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection, which is over half the premises in the Intervention Area. Over 102,600 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In county Monaghan over 11,709 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 11,710 available to order/pre-order, with 4,345 premises now connected. A further 4,291 premises in Monaghan will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Monaghan and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
Open eir have already passed over 15,550 homes and businesses in Monaghan with gigabit services, with plans to pass a further c. 3,417 homes and businesses over the next 2 – 3 years. SIRO are also continuing to increase their network footprint right across Monaghan having recently passed over 1,335 premises for full fibre.
29. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45445/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for the National Smart Metering Programme (NSMP), with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the roll-out across the country, on a phased basis. However, I understand that the proposed 3-phase smart meter solution encountered some technical issues which has delayed the planned roll-out date. ESBN have since identified a solution for this, and the roll-out of 3-phase whole current smart meters is now expected to begin in Q3, 2025.
In the interim, renewables self-consumers with 3-phase connections remain eligible for deemed export payments under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme. In December 2021, CRU published a Decision on an interim enabling framework for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), enabling payments to micro-generators for excess electricity exported to the grid, which outlines the arrangements for its implementation, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. This process was reviewed in the CRU’s consultation on an enduring CEG, which resulted in a decision paper, published in June 2024.
Under certain conditions outlined in these CRU decisions, customers with microgeneration but who are not yet eligible for a smart meter (such as those with 3-phase meters) may still avail of the CEG. Under these conditions a deemed quantity will be calculated by ESBN, using the CRU agreed calculation method available here: cruie-live-96ca64acab2247eca8a850a7e54b-5b34f62.divio-media.com/documents/CRU21131-Interim-Clean-Export-Guarantee-Decision-Paper.pdf. Both CEG decision papers are available on the CRU website, cru.ie.
30. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of heat pumps installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and well-being scheme for 2023 and to the end of October 2024, in tabular form. [45449/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra31. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the number of oil and gas boilers installed in the warmer homes scheme and warmth and well-being scheme for 2023 and to the end of October 2024, in tabular form. [45450/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together.
The Warmer Homes Scheme is a free energy upgrade scheme which aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people in or at risk of energy poverty. The scheme is operated by the Sustainable Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of the and is funded through the Exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund.
The Scheme has been in existence in different forms since 2000 and has provided upgrades to over 160,000 homes since then. So far in 2024, 5,225 fully funded energy upgrades for low-income households of which 231 homes upgraded achieved a B2 Building Energy Rating.
In recent years, the scheme has been delivering a greater volume of deeper and more complex upgrades. This is reflected in the average cost of upgrades which have increased from €2,600 in 2015 to €26,464 in 2024.
The Warmth and Well-being Pilot Scheme was an interdepartmental and inter-agency project led by DECC, in collaboration with the Department of Health, the SEAI and the HSE. The scheme closed to new applicants in 2022, with the remaining homes delivered via mainstream Warmer Homes Scheme in 2023. The scheme produced evidence of the significant health and well-being benefits of upgrading the energy efficiency of a home. The research report is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/191db-warmth-and-wellbeing-scheme/
It should be noted that the Warmer Homes Scheme is the only scheme administered by SEAI where installation of a new gas or oil heating system can currently be funded, in order to comply with Building Regulations requirements where a major renovation is taking place. Ireland is working to implement the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive which is led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Under this Directive, Member States cannot provide financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels from 1 January 2025. Any applicants to the Warmer Home Scheme that have been informed prior to end December 2024 that they will receive a heating system upgrade will not be affected.
In order to move the scheme away from the installation of gas or oil heating systems where these Building Regulations are triggered, comply with the EPBD, and to provide more extensive upgrades with decarbonised heating systems under the scheme, the National Retrofit Plan included a commitment to carry out a pilot to upgrade homes under the scheme to a B2 standard and install heat pumps. This pilot is gathering evidence to inform the appropriate process and approach to increase the number of B2 upgrades and heat pumps installations delivered under this scheme.
The table below sets out the number of heating systems installed under the Warmer Homes Scheme in 2023 and data to the end of October for 2024.
|
Year |
Oil Heating System |
Gas Heating System |
Heat Pump |
|
2023 |
712 |
1067 |
54 |
|
To end of October |
724 |
894 |
41 |
32. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide a breakdown of the carbon emissions associated with all official air travel in tonnes; the value of these emissions; the amounts paid to the climate action fund by each Department, agency and body required to do so under the procedures for offsetting the emissions associated with official air travel for 2023 and up to the end of October 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45451/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments in accordance with the provisions of Circular 01/2020 (Procedures for Offsetting the Emissions Associated with Official Air Travel) are made into the Climate Action Fund (CAF) for which my Department has responsibility.
It is important to note that payments are not made directly into the CAF, as any transfers into the CAF are subject to prior approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. This approval is usually sought later in the year so as to allow for error corrections or late payments.
It is the responsibility of individual bodies to ensure that the correct payments are made to the CAF in relation to the Circular. It is also the responsibility of individual bodies to estimate the carbon emissions associated with every official flight taken and to keep a central record of these emissions. While my Department does not keep a central record of every bodies carbon emissions associated with all official air travel in tonnes, I have provided information on payments due to be transferred to the Fund in 2024, subject to approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in the attached table. This represents what has been received and verified up to 31/05/2024. Information on the payments related to 2024 will not be available until 2025.
33. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the number of islanded data centres that are already connected to the gas grid; those that contracted to connect; those that are seeking contract to connect; and for each category, the amount of capacity involved, in tabular form. [45452/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy provides that ‘Islanded’ data centre developments, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) is aware of the Strategy and the Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development contained therein and is engaging with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) in relation to the impact of this policy on gas connection policy. Furthermore, pending revised Connection Policy for Large Energy User from the CRU, GNI is not currently contracting more data centres (independent of any perceived classification as islanded or not) pending the conclusion of this process.
GNI understand that the term ‘islanded’ is intended to refer to a data centre fuelled mainly by fossil fuel and / or a data centre that does not have an electricity connection sufficient to cover its entire energy requirement. The gas connection policy, and so GNI’s application process, does not currently require information as to alternative fuel sources and GNI does not formally collect information as to whether a data centre would be ‘islanded’ or indeed the anticipation duration of same. GNI has advised my Department that it does not assign or classify data centres between “islanded” and “non-islanded”. The exact status of a data centre is primarily a function of the timelines (if any) pertaining to when that data centre will receive an electricity connection to allow them to move to electricity as their primary source.
GNI has provided below information relating to the connection agreements entered into by GNI in relation to all data centres, together with information as to additional connection applications. This information therefore relates to all applications for connection to the gas network, including so called ‘islanded’ data centres.
|
Category |
Number |
Aggregated Max Hourly Load (MW) |
|
Data Centres contracted to connect to the gas network |
11 |
2,100 |
|
Connected to the gas network (of those contracted) |
7 |
1,778 |
|
Awaiting connection to the gas network (of those contracted) |
4 |
322 |
|
Formal Enquiries received from Data Centre Sites (but not contracted) |
22 |
9,308** |
*Of the 11 that are contracted, 7 are connected, with less than 5 data centre sites of these consuming gas
**Projected demand from these enquiries’ ranges from 3.1MW up to 1,300MW; the aggregated demand represents the total developer’s strategic long-term ambition which would be dependent on multiple factors including: ability to gain planning permission for multiple phases, availability of electricity grid capacity, permitting, data centre storage demand and route to market to fund these projects.
34. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to establish a retrofit scheme specifically targeted at households reliant on solid fuel heating, in line with recommendations from the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Environmental Protection Agency; if any analysis or advice has been sought in designing such a scheme; if not, to outline the reasons for the absence of such analysis or advice; how this initiative would contribute to emissions reduction and air quality improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45453/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a number of schemes administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support households and the community sector to improve the energy efficiency of their properties: individual energy upgrade grants under the Better Energy Homes Scheme; the National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme for an end-to-end service through One Stop Shops and the Community Energy Grant scheme for energy efficiency upgrades as part of a community project. There are also fully funded upgrades for qualifying households under the Warmer Homes Scheme.
In recent years a range of measures have been put in place under the National Retrofit Plan including:
• Enhanced grant rates of up to €10,500 for heat pumps when a B2 energy rating is achieved;
• Amending the construction rule for grant support for heat pumps to include homes built and occupied before 2021.
• Changes to SEAI scheme rules to make the process of accessing heat pump grants easier for homeowners;
• Measures to expand the supply chain;
• An €8 billion budget allocation to support retrofit and heat pump installations to 2030; and
• A focus on installing heat pumps within the Local Authority Retrofit Programme.
Budget 2025 committed to a reduction in the VAT rate for the installation of heat pumps reduced to 9% - the lowest rate allowable under the VAT Directive.
Data from SEAI shows that since 2019, almost 171,000 property upgrades have been supported. Of these, over 13,000 have installed a heat pump, mostly under the SEAI part-funded, demand-led schemes. In addition, data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage shows that an additional 4,863 heat pumps were installed under its Local Authority Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme in the period 2021-2023. Last year’s total of almost 6,000 heat pumps represents a 44% increase on 2022 and a 430% increase on the number installed in 2019.
There are no current plans to establish a retrofit scheme specifically targeted at households reliant on solid fuel heating. However, increasing the uptake of heat pumps among homeowners is a top priority of my Department and as such, further policies and measures will be introduced on an annual basis in order to support the achievement of these targets.
Budget 2025 includes record funding of €469 million, from the Carbon Tax, for SEAI residential and community energy upgrades, including the Solar PV scheme. This is an €89 million increase on 2024 and means that more funding than ever will be available to make homes warmer, healthier, more comfortable and less expensive to heat.
35. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to clarify the statutory basis on which the just transition commission is established; and to outline the staffing and resources that have been assigned to it. [45454/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Just Transition Commission is an advisory body established on an administrative basis by Government Decision of 30 April 2024. The chair and members of the Just Transition Commission were appointed by the Government on 22 October 2024 on the recommendation of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, in line with the Commission’s Terms of Reference.
The Commission will support the Government in its responsibility to provide that Ireland’s transition to the National Climate Objective has regard to the requirement for a just transition. The Commission will provide impartial, strategic, and evidence-based advice to inform policy planning related to just transition across different sectors. Delivering a just transition to climate neutrality remains the responsibility of the Government and relevant Ministers
Membership of the Just Transition Commission comprises five representatives from the five pillars of social dialogue, together with individuals with expertise in a range of relevant disciplines including human rights and equality, skills development, rural and community development, social inclusion, the green economic transition, and youth perspectives.
The Commission will be chaired by Ali Sheridan and its membership is as follows:
• Mr Conor Minogue (Employer Pillar)
• Dr Diarmuid Torney (independent expert)
• Dr Evan Boyle (independent expert)
• Ms Michelle Murphy (Community and Voluntary Pillar)
• Mr Oisín Coghlan (Environment Pillar)
• Mr Ryan McKinney (Trade Union Pillar)
• Mr Seamus Boland (independent expert)
• Mr Suresh Kumar (independent expert)
• Ms Tanya Ward (independent expert)
• Ms Vanessa Kiely O’Connor (Agriculture Pillar)
In line with the Commission's Terms of Reference, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications will provide the secretariat to the Commission. The Commission’s operational budget will be provided within the overall budget of the Department. A provision for €270,000 has been made for 2025, to cover member fees, research, events and communications.
36. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline his proposals to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45367/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn April 2024, the Government approved the proposal to draft the General Scheme of a Bill to govern overseas deployments into the future. Work on drafting those proposals, including consultations with the Office of the Attorney General, Government Departments and key stakeholders, has progressed since then, and a draft General Scheme has been prepared.
It is Intended to revert to Government with this General Scheme, seeking approval to publish, in due course. Once approved by Government, the Scheme will be referred for consideration by the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to determine if pre-legislative scrutiny is required.
As this legislation advances, there will be ample opportunity for members of the Oireachtas to scrutinise and debate its contents within the Dáil and Seanad.
It remains important to emphasise that any legislative proposals will remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Any modification to the Triple Lock will continue to require Government and Dáil approval for the dispatch of Defence Forces’ personnel to take part in peacekeeping and similar missions and will do nothing to change Ireland’s traditional position of military neutrality, which is characterised by Ireland's non-participation in any military alliance.
37. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to outline all capital investments, if any made by his Department in the constituency of Louth and east Meath since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45395/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure by my Department is mainly on pay and allowances, operational costs and capital investment across the Defence Forces. Capital expenditure on projects in the Louth East Meath constituency by my Department are limited to expenditure on the maintenance and upgrade of military installations, including Aiken Barracks.
The capital expenditure on the maintenance and upgrade of military installations for the years 2020 to 2024 in the Louth East Meath constituency has seen over €600,000 invested in Aiken Barracks to improve the central heating system. A further investment of €5.5 million is underway for Aiken Barracks in the construction of a new dining hall. These projects will greatly improve the environment in which Defence Forces personnel work and live.
38. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if the grant for electric taxis will continue in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45355/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Scheme (eSPSV) supports the uptake of EVs in the SPSVs sector (taxis, hackneys, and limousines).
In recognition of the important role the sector plays in decarbonising the broader transport system, the scheme increased from €2m in 2020 to €15m in 2021, 2022 and 2023, with grants of up to €20K available to existing SPSV drivers who scrap older, high mileage vehicles for new full electric models. 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 scheme is continuing in 2024 with an overall allocation of €12.5m.
As of end of September there were 398 grants paid under the 2024 Electric SPSV scheme to the value of €6,949,000.
The eSPSV scheme will continue in 2025 with budget allocation to be confirmed.
39. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the reason appointment dates keep changing for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45357/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, this includes all application and scheduling matters and neither I nor my department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days
Pending the response, the Deputy may wish to note that to further assist with reducing waiting times, in October last year a change was made to the booking system to allow any 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 on the MyRoadSafety portal on RSA.ie.
40. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 286 of 9 September 2024, if unspent funding allocated to a project in Kerry (details supplied) from 2019 to 2024 is still available to Kerry County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. Kerry County Council have a number of new roads projects in construction and planning. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In this regard, it is my understanding that Kerry County Council are currently examining options for Listry Bridge, considering the needs and objectives, and deciding how best to progress to ensure value for money within existing budgets.
Allocations are notified to local authorities each year and the drawdown of the funding allocation for a project in any particular year is a matter for the local authority.
41. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the action he will take to ensure that CIÉ pensioners will receive a cost-of-living increase, as no increase in CIÉ pensions has been approved by the CIÉ board since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45376/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ, Group and their employees.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
42. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to outline all capital investments, if any made by his Department in the constituency of Louth and east Meath since 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy,
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, the national roads programme, the regional and local roads programme, and active travel.
Investments are delivered by the relevant local authorities, working in partnership with the National Transport Authority, which is responsible for Active Travel and Public Transport Investment; Transport and Infrastructure Ireland, which is responsible for National Roads Investment.
Payments to all local authorities concerning regional and local roads investments are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority. In this regard I suggest you contact the relevant Local Authority directly for details of the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in these constituencies.
I have requested that each of the above organisations respond to you directly relating to investments in the specific districts referenced. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
43. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date on the provision of strategic park and ride facilities on the south bound carriageway on the M1 approaching Dublin, the provision of which could significantly reduce the volume of non-HGV vehicles entering the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45413/24]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of park and ride facilities.
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.
44. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport for an update in relation to changes to the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme; when changes are likely to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45422/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Transport Act 1950, CIÉ have initiated the statutory process by submitting an amending scheme to the Minister for Transport for review to give effect to Labour Court Recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by a ballot of trade union members in May 2021.
Work is ongoing in the Department of Transport, in consultation with the Department for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform regarding the proposed amendments to the 1951 Scheme.
45. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the DART project for Drogheda, the impact on future additional public transport needs expected by the designation and development of Drogheda as growth centre for transport-oriented development, and the need for a new railway station on the north side of Drogheda. [45446/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Preliminary Business Case for the whole DART+ programme was approved by Cabinet at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code in December 2021. The Decision also permitted the purchase of DART Fleet. This first order of DART+ Fleet comprised an initial purchase of 95 DART carriages - 65 battery-electric and 30 electric. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see 90 new battery-electric carriages arrive around 2026.
The first of the new carriages have started arriving, for testing and commissioning before deployment. The first batch of 65 battery-electric train carriages are expected to enter service on the Dublin to Drogheda line, in early 2026. To enable the roll-out of these DART trains to Drogheda, new battery-electric charging infrastructure is being developed at Drogheda station. This will allow the DART trains to operate on battery power between Malahide and Drogheda, in advance of the extension of overhead electric wires in future, under DART+ Coastal North.
A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged in July 2024. The project will significantly increase the peak hourly capacity and frequency on the Northern route between Dublin city and Malahide, Howth and Drogheda, with the section between Malahide and Drogheda (as part of the service between Dublin city and Drogheda) increasing in capacity from circa 4,800 to 8,800 passengers at peak hour/direction upon project completion.
The upgrades planned under DART+ Coastal North will help to facilitate Transport Orientated Development (TOD), which aims to ensure the delivery of housing, employment, services and amenities along high capacity transport networks and at transport nodes to cater for future population growth. This is in line with National Strategic Objective 10 of the National Planning Framework (NPF), which aims for delivery of TOD at scale at suitable locations, served by high capacity public transport and located within or adjacent to the built up area of the five cities or a metropolitan town. This in turn supports NPF priorities for Compact Growth, Sustainable Mobility and Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society.
As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network and stations on the network, including the proposed station on the north side of Drogheda referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Noting IÉ's responsibility in relation to the rail network and stations on the network, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the rail station issue. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that increased funding will be made available in 2025 for the non-national road network in counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the urgent need to carry out essential repairs and upgrade the road network, taking into account the considerable damage caused to roads by increased rainfall and poor weather in recent years, the increase in traffic volumes due to more economic activity and population increase and the substantial additional costs in construction products over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45492/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority; Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
As regards 2025, regional and local road grant allocations will be finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume and will take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year. Within the budget available, 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.
