Written Answers Nos. 219-238
219. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital works currently ongoing at Haulbowline naval base; when each of those capital works will be completed; and the future capital works projects at this base that are scheduled to commence later this year. [13138/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) sets out a programme of project delivery for the years 2023 to 2027. The capital allocation for building works in military installations and barracks across the country for the last five years was some €170m. This year the capital allocation stands at €50m for capital investment with a further €12.5m allocation for ongoing maintenance and running costs.
In regards to Haulbowline; the following are the current capital works projects and respective stages of ongoing construction, procurement and design.
Ongoing
• Block 4 – Accommodation Refurbishment; expected completion Q2 2025
• Block 9 refurbishment – HQ Comcen/Store; expected completion Q2 2026
In Procurement – planned for site commencement in 2025
• Storage and Maintenance facility to accommodate 4 x 76mm Naval Gun Systems
• Dredging Works and Removal of Dock Gate at Graving Dock
Design and planning
• Remediation of ISPAT site
• Refurbishment of Old Communications Cadet Accommodation
• Refurbishment of Cadets’ Mess Accommodation
• New Gym at Old Tank Building.
The Department also allocates funding each year to the Defence Forces for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of its building stock. This year the budget of €12.5 million was assigned to the Defence Forces by my Department. The individual prioritisation of specific projects to be carried out is solely a matter for the Defence Forces in keeping with the delegated nature of this budget.
220. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the amount the Defence Forces spent on purchasing military equipment from Australian companies in each of the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [13139/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Defence Forces that no military equipment was purchased from companies based in Australia in the period referred to by the Deputy.
221. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the budget allocated in 2024 and 2025 for purchasing new horses for the Defence Forces equitation school; and the percentage of the 2024 budget that was actually spent. [13140/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Army Equitation School continues to source Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement. The Army Equitation School’s budget for the purchase and lease of horses in 2025 is set at €500,000, as it was in 2024. I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow the School to maintain its competitiveness at national and international events, while balancing the need for budgetary prudence.
In 2024, some €475, 000 of the horse purchase budget was spent.
222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13178/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there have been no secondments from consulting firms to my Department since 2020.
223. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department, or any agency under his Department’s remit, have, since 1 November 2024, entered any contract in respect of a hotel (details supplied) or have had any discussions, or received any offers, in respect of using this premises for any reason; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials are examining the matter and I will arrange to have the information provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport the revenue generated from motor tax in County Tipperary in the years of 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [12959/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the amount of motor tax collected from 1 January 2022 to 1 December 2024 for Tipperary. The amounts do not include receipts for registration books, trade plates, trailer licences or refunds.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
TIPPERARY |
€34,544,094 |
€34,648,937 |
€34,934,278 |
225. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the total number of copper communication lines within his Department currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12995/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total number of copper based communication lines used by the Department of Transport is 100. This number continues to reduce as we move services away from using copper lines to fibre optic based media.
226. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Transport the current wait times and the number on waiting lists for driving tests, by each testing centre in Dublin city; the way in which the RSA intend to address the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13015/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the reason for a delay at a driving test centre (details supplied); if he is aware that some applicants have been waiting 20 weeks for a test date; the actions being taken to ensure an efficient service is provided from the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport regarding the decreasing year on year monthly CSO numbers of driving tests being delivered in County Cork, the efforts being made to reduce waiting times for driving tests in the county; the number of testers employed at the beginning of each respective year from 2021 to 2025 inclusive; the plans to employ additional testers or to open additional testing centres in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13240/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 235 and 238 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by them. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputies questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.
On the issue of delays in obtaining a driving test more generally, I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputies that measures have been taken to address the issue.
To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, 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, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. I understand that recruitment is well underway, with offers being made to successful candidates. The first tranche of new testers started their training this month. As additional testers progressively enter the system and increase testing capacity, I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.
The Deputies may 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: data.cso.ie/table/ROA31
227. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand EV charging points at the State's airports to facilitate more EV drivers and an increase in EV car rental; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEV Charging Infrastructure at the state's airports is mainly provided at the discretion of the airports at these locations.
daa announced 20 environmental sustainability initiatives being rolled out at Dublin and Cork Airports last year which will accelerate both airports’ climate and sustainability related ambitions. This includes the completion of work on over 20 additional electric vehicle parking spaces at Dublin Airport. Currently there are a total of 30 charging points in Dublin Airport car parks, and 12 charging points at Cork Airport car park.
The Shannon Airport Group’s Sustainability Strategy, Reaching Further for Good, includes the action to expand EV charging infrastructure across the Shannon Campus and develop a further expansion plan to meet future demand. There are currently six public charging points and one taxi charging point at the Airport, and five public charging points in the Shannon Business Campus.
The Regional Airports Programme provides targeted safety, security and sustainability funding to regional airports. This funding includes support for EV charging of airside airport operational vehicles.
ZEVI also provided support for a mixed taxi/public charging pilot scheme at Shannon Airport in 2022 and 2023. This scheme was proposed by Shannon Airport to test the charging model at such facilities.
In relation to developing the EV share of the car rental market, ZEVI has regular engagement with Failte Ireland and the Car Rental Council of Ireland to identify ways to address this.
As well as charging at airports, there is a need for a high quality nationwide EV public charging network, as tourists renting EVs will be reliable on public charging, rather than home charging. ZEVI is working through TII and Local Authorities to deliver a national charging network covering not just motorways and national roads but regional and local roads, and towns and villages around Ireland.
Following the priorities set out in the National Road EV Network Plan, TII has launched procurement for delivery of high powered chargers along motorway routes, national primary and secondary roads. Contracts have been awarded for the motorway charging banks, and delivery is expected by the end of 2025. "LDV2" procurement targeting single carriageway national primary roads has closed is in the evaluation process. LDV3 procurement targeting national secondary roads was launched in February.
Local Authorities are in the process of developing and finalising regional EV strategies. While these are in development, ZEVI is working with Local Authorities to deliver pilot charging infrastructure to test different commercial models and charging provision.
228. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA's next generation, account-based ticketing project can be expanded to include more forms of commercially operated sustainable transport, including bike rental schemes, short-term car rental schemes and taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13032/25]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project is to provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Following a competitive procurement process, the NTA awarded, in April 2024, an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system to a Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
229. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of motor tax refunds issued, by county in each of the years from 2019 to date in 2025. [13069/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax refunds are only issued in Motor Tax Offices. As Motor Tax Offices are part of the local authorities and do not record the financial transaction on the National Vehicle and Driver File, this data is not available to my Department.
230. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons that have been charged for the late payment of tolls each year since the introduction of barrier-less tolling on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13160/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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
231. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the pledge in the Programme for Government to form a national transport security force; for a timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.
There is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport Security Force under the NTA, which would operate and have similar powers to Airport Police and Customs Officers.
Work in my Department is starting around identifying the necessary legislative proposals to progress this, in conjunction with the NTA. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to provide safe, sustainable public transport.
232. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport when the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) course for HGV drivers in Ireland was last reviewed and updated to consider new technologies in that area; who has responsibility for the setting of this CPC course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13168/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) process is based on European Union Directive 2022/2561, which concerns the initial qualifications and periodic training of drivers of vehicles carrying goods or passengers. The Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (SI 359 of 2008), as amended.
To drive a truck or bus professionally in Ireland, drivers must have a valid driver CPC, which involves four exams (theory test, case study, driving test and walkaround). This qualification is maintained by completing CPC periodic training of 35 hours in each five-year training cycle. Each of the five training modules consists of 7 hours training and drivers must do one module a year over the five years. Drivers with both a bus and a truck CPC must complete 42 hours of training over the five years.
One syllabus module is reviewed each year and it is hoped to increase the frequency of reviews. Module 2, Minimising Risks and Managing Emergencies in the Transport Industry, was reviewed and circulated for use in 2024 and the RSA is currently making slight amendments, based on feedback received from trainers. Module 1, Control of the Vehicle and Eco Driving Techniques. was also reviewed in 2024 and the RSA is currently working on the final draft, prior to it being circulated to all organisations for use.
The RSA is responsible for selecting the content in each module, based on the objectives in the EU Directive. When each module is being reviewed, the RSA works with CPC trainers and a panel of subject matter experts from the industry, to ensure relevant sectoral input. Work to review module 4, Role of the Professional Driver in the Transport Industry, is due to commence later this year.
In 2024, the RSA introduced the option for drivers with a valid ADR qualification, for transportation of dangerous goods, to apply for a credit in respect of module 2 and this has been well received.
233. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport in the case of a HGV driver who comes to Ireland from South Africa on a work permit, the reason that their drivers licence must be validated twice by the same agencies; considering the licence is first validated during the work permit application process and approval for said work permit is contingent on positive approval; and considering that the same licence then must be validated again after the worker has arrived in Ireland so that they may secure an Irish driving licence; if this level of bureaucracy is necessary during the recruitment process of key workers during a labour shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13171/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that verification of a licence is not sought by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), where it was previously verified within six months of the driving licence exchange application as part of a work permit application.
I have been informed by the Road Safety Authority that applications for exchanges of South African driving licences are processed in a timely manner where a valid application is received.
There are various reasons for the time taken in processing licence exchange applications. For example, the driver may need to submit outstanding information, such as a medical or eyesight report, or the physical driving licence itself in the case of an online application. The most common reason for delays is where the NDLS is awaiting verification of the driving licence from the issuing driving licence authority. At times a response is received very quickly but sometimes there can be considerable delays.
Vigilance is needed when processing a foreign licence for exchange, to ensure a fraudulent document has not been submitted and to ensure a driving test was passed in the country in which the licence was obtained. Road safety and keeping Irish roads safe for all road users remain the priorities in this matter.
234. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the details of any secondments from consulting firms to his Department since 2020; the consulting firm involved; the purpose of the secondment; the durations of the secondments; who paid the salary of the individual seconded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13193/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecondments to the Department are only available to established Civil or Public Servants and there have been no secondments from consulting firms to this Department in this period.
236. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the work of his Department to strengthen the State’s ability to detect and sanction breaches of law relating to the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe examination, by my officials, of the current legislation in relation to the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign airspace is ongoing and I expect to be briefed in due course.
237. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a copy of the plan to restore waiting times for driving tests to ten weeks that was requested by his officials as condition of his Department sanctioning 70 permanent positions for driver testers for the RSA in September 2024; the date by which his Department has requested waiting times to be restored to ten weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13239/25]
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 restoring the service to its service level agreement target wait time of 10 weeks and developing the plan for doing so, which, as the Deputy notes, was a condition of the September 2024 staffing sanction.
I am informed that the first tranche of new testers have started their training this month. As additional testers progressively enter the system and increase testing capacity, I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.
I will shortly be meeting with the RSA and I expect that they will thereafter publish the detailed plan to return to the target 10 week wait time.
