Written Answers Nos. 134-153
134. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the number of requests to his Department that were granted for various matters (details supplied); the number of such requests that have been refused; and the grounds on which they have were refused. [2499/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department granted one request in 2024 to take up a temporary post in an EU Institution. My Department has not refused any such requests in 2024.
135. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Transport if a review into the road safety along Luffany/Slieverue/Rhu Glenn has taken place, due to the high number of road traffic fatalities on this stretch of road; if a review has not been conducted, whether he will instruct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to carry out a road safety review to assess the measures that can be put in place to improve road safety along this section of the N25; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2149/25]
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 maintenance of 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 regarding this section of the N25. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the Local Link services currently available in Meath; and to outline plans for additional routes or an expansion of this service. [2165/25]
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 public transport services in County Meath, 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 Orders.
137. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he will give a commitment guaranteeing that the public service obligation will be maintained for the duration of this Government term, in the event that the present airline should cancel at Kerry Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to assure the Deputy that regional connectivity remains critically important to this new Government.
Air services between Kerry and Dublin airports operated as an Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) in the past in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community.
However, as allowed for under this Regulation, an air carrier has operated this route on a commercial basis since July 2021. Given that a PSO is no longer imposed on this route, operations are now a commercial matter for the carrier providing the service.
In the event of any lost or failed services on this route, in accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2008 a review would be required to be undertaken to consider whether a PSO should again be imposed.
138. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to continue the regional airport programme, which expires in 2025, as it ensures the viability of regional airports, such as Kerry Airport at Farranfore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2175/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the further steps that can be taken by his Department to attract international routes and flights to regional airports such as Kerry Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2176/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.
In line with National Aviation Policy, Government provides substantial annual funding under a Regional Airports Programme which supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, i.e. those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Kerry Airport along with Ireland West and Donegal airports are currently eligible for funding under this Programme.
The current Programme for the period 2021-2025, supports vital safety, security and sustainability activities and operations at these airports, as well as Public Service Obligation (PSO) Air service between Dublin and Donegal.
As the Deputy will be aware the new Programme for Government commits to continuing to invest in the Regional Airports Programme and to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. I can assure the Deputy that this new Programme will be progressed by my Department as a matter of priority this year.
Ireland has established good connectivity via our regional airports with the UK, Europe and America. The targeted Exchequer funding provided by my Department to this sector has supported this connectivity, with overall passenger traffic across Irish regional airports in 2024 up 7% over 2023 levels. This also represents a significant 17% increase on 2019 passenger traffic, the last comparable period prior to COVID-19.
In terms of further steps that can be taken to attract international routes and flights to regional airports, I wish to advise the Deputy that the operation of any scheduled air service is a commercial decision for airlines, in consultation with airports and other market actors, based on the commercial viability of the route in question and other operational factors. While my Department ensures that the appropriate regulatory frameworks exist for the operation of air services, I do not have a role in the commercial decisions of airlines.
That being said, a mid-term review of the Regional Airports Programme was undertaken by my Department and the high-level outcomes were announced last July. In line with these outcomes and with a view to supporting future growth, my Department will shortly be engaging with the market to consider the potential for the development of an Exchequer funded Start-up Aid Scheme for airlines. It is envisaged that such a scheme would support strategic route development to and from the regions, including Kerry Airport.
I trust that these initiatives, which have been designed to enhance Ireland's connectivity and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development, will be welcomed by the Deputy.
140. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport if the funding provided to county councils for road gritting is restricted solely to regional and national roads. [2183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the contingency measures his Department has in place to ensure that funding is provided for council municipal districts such as the Edenderry local electoral area in Offaly, which has no national roads and therefore does not meet the criteria for additional funding from central Government for essential road safety services during yellow, orange and red weather alerts issued by Met Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2184/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been tasked with managing the central purchase of salt stocks for national, regional and local roads. The upfront cost related to the purchase and stocking of salt for national roads is funded from TII’s grant allocation while the cost for regional and local roads is funded from the Department’s Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme budget. In the case of regional and local roads, a charge for salt used over the previous winter by individual local authorities is deducted from Councils’ Discretionary Grant in the following year.
While it is open to local authorities to purchase salt independently for regional and local roads, most local authorities draw on the central facility.
TII looks after the management of the central salt stocks for national, regional and local roads with the Department approving salt purchases for regional and local roads. The amount of salt used each year varies depending on the weather and each winter season assessments have to be made in relation to the amount and timing of salt purchases, taking into account usage, stock balances and storage capacity. In this context TII monitors stock drawdowns closely with a view to ensuring that sufficient stocks are in place to meet demand from local authorities.
As regards the gritting of regional and local roads, it is a matter for each Council to determine its winter road treatment programme including the prioritisation of routes for salting/gritting.
142. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for a definitive update on the northern distributor road, Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2192/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the proposal for the Northern Distributor Road was established in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. It is intended that the Northern Distributor Road will include both traffic and bus lanes as well as cycling and pedestrian facilities.
In December of 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) approved a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the project. The approval of the SAR authorised Cork City Council to proceed with the next stage of the project, namely the route selection stage.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the Cork Northern Distributor project.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
143. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the construction of the proposed motorway between Limerick and Cork; the projected date it will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/25]
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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the Cork to Limerick project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days
144. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delays in driver testing centres across the country; the measures being taken to address these delays; the budgetary measures being taken in this regard; to further explain the reasons there are no job vacancies for RSA driving instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2215/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the delays for first tests and for retests at the Dún Laoghaire test centre; the reasons for the delays; the measures being taken locally to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2216/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. 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 this detailed reply the Deputy may also wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: https://data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS
To address the issue of driver testing delays, in September 2024, my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.
As a condition of sanction, my officials have requested that a plan is put in place to restore waiting times to 10 weeks as soon as possible. I understand that recruitment is well underway and additional capacity will enter the service in the coming months, helping to progressively reduce waiting times.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADI's) are not employees of the Authority, but entirely independent operators. To register as an ADI and qualify for a permit, each potential instructor must undertake the 3 stage process to qualify as an instructor or demonstrate that existing qualifications/experience are adequate to meet the ADI standard. Following this process, an ADI must be listed on the Road Safety Authority’s 'Register of Approved Driving Instructors' and must display an Approved Driving Instructor permit.
146. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the public bike scheme in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2222/25]
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) in support of public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
Matters related to the day-to-day operations, management and expansion of these public bike schemes are primarily a matter for the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
Outside of the regional cities, many local authorities have arrangements in place with shared mobility companies to provide bike-sharing schemes under contract or licence agreement. These schemes are not funded through the NTA. Accordingly, any plans to provide or expand such schemes in County Clare would be a matter for Clare County Council.
147. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the project to upgrade the R624 Cobh Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2249/25]
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 State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. 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, Cork County Council submitted an initial project appraisal to the Department in 2019 regarding the upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road. The project, as submitted, includes upgrading the existing N25-R624 interchange, the provision of a dual carriageway from the interchange to Marino Point, widening of Slatty Bridge, the provision of a new bridge crossing to Great Island at Belvelly and upgrading the existing R624 from Marino Point to Cobh.
The estimated cost of this scheme was more than €100 million, with possible staged implementation.
In line with Government requirements Cork County Council also produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme and a draft was forwarded to the Department in November 2022.
Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance have been updated - the Department continues to liaise with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure Guidelines and the TAF including the preparation of a Project Outline Document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the SAR stage.
The Council submitted the POD to the Department in March 2024. Following the submission of the POD, the Council commenced work on developing a brief for the appointment of consultants to deliver the scheme through options assessment, design and planning, starting with the commencement of a Preliminary Business Case. The Council recently submitted the brief for appointment to the Department for review.
An allocation of €150,000 was made to Cork County Council as part of the 2024 Regional and Local Roads Grants to assist in the development of the Preliminary Business Case.
Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
148. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the Transport Infrastructure Ireland policy of functioning of lights on the M1 motorway; and the rationale for having so many lights turned off in the dark considering the need to improve road safety. [2265/25]
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 regarding lighting on the M1. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
149. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the inclusion of Drogheda in the Dublin commuter zone; and when commuters living in Drogheda, south Louth and east Meath will be able to avail of lower rail fares within this zone. [2286/25]
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 the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
150. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update regarding the NTA’s intentions for bus services in Galway city (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2303/25]
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 request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
151. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the current wait times at driving test centres across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2308/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. 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 this detailed reply the Deputy may also wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: https://data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS
152. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if it is possible to retroactively declare a car off the road for tax purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2333/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Non-Use of Motor Vehicle Act 2013 requires that where the owner of a vehicle wishes to declare their vehicle off the road, they may submit an Off the Road Declaration. The declaration must be made in advance, in either the month of expiry of the vehicle’s current motor tax disc or current off-road declaration. The declaration can be made for a period between 3 and 12 months. If, thereafter, the vehicle is not going to be in use in a public place for further time, another declaration may be made during the last month of the period covered by the first declaration.
Where a declaration is not made in advance, motor tax must be paid for a minimum of 3 months, along with any arrears, where applicable, before a declaration of non-use can then be made in the final month of the tax disc.
153. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide additional funding to Kerry County Council to assist with the unusually high volume of road repairs needed after the snow and Ice damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2339/25]
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.
In line with established practice, local authorities are advised by my Department that a contingency provision should be reserved from the overall resources available to each authority for regional and local roads so as to deal with damage caused by severe weather conditions.
In addition, local authorities may carry out repairs from the regional and local road grants available to them and from their own resources and in this context, it is open to each Council to determine and reprioritise its work programme following severe weather events.
Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
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 ten working days.
