Written Answers Nos. 287-306
287. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the number of reported faults or service interruptions affecting ticketing machines at Irish Rail stations in each of the past three years; the stations most frequently affected; and the average time taken to resolve such faults. [55241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the details of the current maintenance contract for ticketing machines at Irish Rail stations; the name of the contractor; the scope of the contract including response times and service standards; and the annual cost of the contract. [55242/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to improve the reliability and performance of ticketing machines at Irish Rail stations; if any upgrade or replacement programme is planned; and how passenger inconvenience is being mitigated in the interim. [55243/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if the contractor responsible for maintaining ticketing machines at Irish Rail stations receives additional payments for each individual call-out or fault response; and if so, the payment structure and any limits or conditions attached. [55244/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 288, 289 and 290 together.
As Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including ticketing machines, is a matter for Irish Rail in the first instance.
In view of Irish Rail's responsibility in this matter, the queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
291. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme A, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55265/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme B, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55266/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme C, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55267/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme D, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55268/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme E broken, down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55269/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra296. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in Budget 2026 under programme F, broken down by capital and current allocations under each subheading, in tabular form. [55270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the additional funding beyond the 2025 revised estimate which has been provided in Budget 2026 to each of the programmes A to F under the remit of his Department, by capital and current funding, in tabular form. [55397/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra312. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the additional funding beyond the recently revised new NDP Capital ceilings published in July 2025 which has been provided in Budget 2026 to each of the programmes A to F under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [55398/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 311 and 312 together.
The information requested by the Deputy will be available in the coming weeks following publication of the Revised Estimates Volume for 2026.
297. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project, including the project phase now underway; the key upcoming milestones; the indicative timelines to statutory planning, procurement and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55293/25]
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.
I can confirm that €4,500,000 has been allocated for the N/M20 Cork to Limerick scheme in 2025. The scheme is currently in the Design and Environmental Evaluation Phase, and as with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2026 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply providing a detailed update on this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
298. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Mallow relief road project; the current status of the project; the progress made to date; when it is expected to proceed to the planning stage; to address the ongoing issue regarding the gas pipeline in the proposed route corridor, and whether this matter has caused any delay to the advancement of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55294/25]
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.
I can confirm that €700,000 has been allocated for the N72 Mallow Relief Road scheme in 2025. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2026 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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.
299. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his justification for the €1 plus VAT fee applied to a product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55297/25]
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. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, 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).
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.
300. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of making the M50 toll barrier free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55298/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his plans to make any further motorways across Ireland barrier free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55299/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the merits of introducing barrier free tolling on motorways wherever possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55300/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 300, 301 and 302 together.
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).
Noting the above position, I have referred the question regarding barrier-free tolling TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
303. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the basis for the introduction of green tags on the registration plates of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55301/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe green ‘flash’ is designed to give visibility to zero emission vehicles, supporting the shift to cleaner, greener transport across the country.
Ireland joins countries like the UK, Germany and Norway in introducing distinct plates for electric vehicles. These identifiers are becoming a common way to highlight the presence of zero-emission vehicles on the roads.
The new registration plates help create awareness around the changing societal norm as more people move away from polluting vehicles towards zero emission alternatives. Since 1st July 2025, this design was offered on qualifying battery electric vehicles (BEVs), helping to visually identify them on the road.
Green ‘flash’ registration plates are optional rather than mandatory and allow consumers to demonstrate their choice of a green product - research shows that this can have a positive influence on willingness of others to invest in more sustainable products.
304. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond on matters raised in correspondence regarding public transport issues in Dublin 5 and surrounding areas (details supplied); if there are plans to address these issues in the near future; if there are plans to provide new and additional public transport options in the referenced area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55356/25]
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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. 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.
305. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55376/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not required to provide a breakdown of expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees in its annual report, however a full breakdown of the Department’s financial position is available in the appropriation account which is available online.
The Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good procurement practice in the award of all contracts and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines. Any non-compliant procurement (in relation to the goods/services procured by the Department) is disclosed in the Statement of Internal Financial Control published with the annual appropriation account.
The Department provides details of any non-competitive contracts in excess of €25,000 ex-VAT in the annual return in respect of Circular 40/2002 to the C&AG and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
All agencies under the aegis of my Department are expected to adhere to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies including section 1.5 “Consultancy Costs” of the Business and Financial Reporting requirements and on an annual basis make disclosures in their annual reports and financial statements, which are available on their websites and on gov.ie [Latest financial details from the Department of Transport. ]
In addition, and in accordance with internal controls in place in my Department, each agency is asked on an annual basis if they comply with each aspect of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies.
306. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport when works to Athy train station will be completed; the scope and detail of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55390/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport if works for the provision of additional public lighting and a pedestrian crossing to the car park at Athy Train Station will be completed; the plans if any to complete the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55391/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 and 307 together.
As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including any proposed works at Athy train station, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
