Written Answers Nos. 82-101
82. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport his plans from Irish Rail to turn off the speaker announcements at each stop on the designated quiet carriage on trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67405/25]
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 Iarnród Éireann. 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.
83. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the enforcement powers the National Transport Authority currently has to prevent dispatch operators from undercutting regulated fares; and if these powers are sufficient to protect driver incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67407/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will initiate a review of the dispatch operator licence system to ensure that its purpose remains limited to distributing work to drivers, and not to setting or manipulating fares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67408/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra85. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether the NTA has considered imposing additional conditions on dispatch operator licences under Section 20(2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to prevent fare manipulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67409/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 84 and 85 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing and regulation of dispatch operators, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
86. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed international cases, such as the Australian settlement with a company (details supplied); the lessons which can be applied to protect Irish drivers from similar income erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67412/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Ireland's SPSV regulatory framework requires that all drivers and vehicles are licensed, as a means of protecting the consumer and helping ensure public safety. Furthermore, no special regulations have been developed to govern the carriage of passengers by passenger cars which are not SPSVs. Therefore, the classic model where anyone with a car and the relevant App may provide taxi services, does not exist here. The protection of the consumer and personal safety are vital objectives and must continue to be central to how the SPSV industry is regulated and operated.
Uber has been operating as a licensed dispatch operator in Ireland since 2014 and, as it is considered a transport service which offers the carriage of passengers for reward, it is subject to the same regulations as all SPSVs in Ireland. A SPSV dispatch operator is an individual or organisation that provides a service for taking bookings for SPSV services that are delivered by someone else, or who provides a service that enables intending passengers to arrange the hire of an SPSV themselves. The NTA grants dispatch operator licences to individuals or companies, such as Uber which meets set criteria. Dispatch operators have an important role to play in providing a first-class service to the travelling public and improving the delivery of door-to-door services to people with disabilities.
SPSV operators are self-employed and may decide whether (or not) to sign-up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with any dispatch operator but where they choose to do so, they are free to contract with a dispatch operator of their choice. They also decide on their own hours of work within the SPSV regulatory framework.
87. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing regulations to ensure fare transparency and parity across all dispatch operators, including app-based platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67413/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of fares and regulation of dispatch operators, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to them for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
88. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if flights (details supplied) will be operated from Kerry Airport to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67414/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008 provides the framework for the operation of air services within the European Union, it is also provides that air operators have the freedom to set their own fares and rates.
I understand that for the Winter 2025 season, Kerry Airport has scheduled air services to Dublin, Frankfurt, London, and Manchester, providing point-to-point connectivity, and the opportunity for onwards connectivity to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, transatlantic, and further afield again.
89. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail will develop a coordinated communication response when major disruptions occur; if GPS tracking on DARTs is currently being considered to improve real time tracking on noticeboards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67429/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, related matters for the DART service.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this 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
90. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the type of training provided to staff within his Department in the use of, or understanding of artificial intelligence; if a programme is planned for all staff on their obligations under the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67472/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the need to develop skills and capability in order to enable ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Civil Service. Accordingly, my Department provides a number of classroom-based training courses to staff, which are delivered by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). These include an introductory course to provide essential understanding of AI, a masterclass for senior leaders to explore the strategic potential of AI, and a course on the effective use of Microsoft Copilot.
In addition, all Department staff have access to an eLearning module developed by the IPA in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and industry experts in the field of AI, which explores the core principles and practical tools designed to support the responsible use of AI. The course has been developed to accompany the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Irish Public Service and is tailored for civil servants tasked with planning, implementing, or overseeing AI initiatives in their own organisations.
The measures outlined above place my Department in compliance with the EU AI Act by ensuring that staff have the required level of AI literacy to safely and appropriately use the platforms made available to them.
91. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport as to what proportion of the public transport fleet now operates on non-fossil fuel energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67474/25]
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 query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
92. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the passenger-protection systems or supports the NTA currently requires from operators in non-fault incidents. [67483/25]
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 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.
93. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of buses currently deployed on the NX service in each direction (Navan-Dublin and Dublin-Navan); the average age and age profile of the buses used on the NX service; the number of bus breakdowns that have occurred on the NX service to date in 2025; the number of these breakdown occasions a replacement bus was provided, and within what timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67485/25]
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 Bus Éireann. 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.
94. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering any legislation to tackle or increase sanctions on the issue of drivers without motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that a driver who fails to comply with motor insurance requirements is already liable for a range of penalties, including possible seizure of the vehicle by Gardaí, 5 penalty points or a fine of up to €5000 and/or a custodial sentence of up to six months.
The introduction of the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) in 2023, a joint initiative between my Department, An Garda Síochána and the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), is transforming the enforcement of motor insurance offences in Ireland. The IMID provides a single, up-to-date resource which enables Gardaí at the roadside to identify uninsured vehicles more easily and get them off the roads.
Information in vehicle insurance in the IMID is available to Gardaí on duty, via the Garda mobility app and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). This means that uninsured drivers are more likely to be caught, have their vehicles seized and be summonsed to court to face substantial fines and the possibility of a prison sentence.
Data from the 2024 IMID annual report show a marked increase in issuing court summonses and charges and in vehicle seizures for uninsured driving offences since the end of 2023. In 2024, the first full calendar year since the introduction of the IMID for roadside enforcement, more than 26,000 charges and summonses were issued for insurance offences, an increase of 23% on 2023 figures. In addition, there were nearly 19,000 private vehicle seizures for insurance offences in 2024, an increase of 67% on 2023 numbers. Further detail on these figures are available in the Irish Motor Insurance Database Annual Report for 2024, which can be read at IMID-Report-2024-Final.pdf .
Given the ongoing success of the use of the IMID for roadside enforcement, and the increased deterrent effect of more effective enforcement, my Department does not consider an amendment to the existing penalties for uninsured driving to be necessary at this time.
95. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the implementation of the new transport support scheme to replace the motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67494/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Motorised Transport Grant was a means-tested Health Service Executive payment for people with disabilities which closed in 2013. The development of a scheme to replace it falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
I can confirm that the Department of Transport is developing a new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to support necessary vehicle adaptations, as a specific individual transport measure, in the context of the need for a wider Government consideration of holistic and integrated transport supports to improve functional mobility for those with a disability. In consultation with key stakeholders, the principles and parameters of the new scheme will be agreed over the coming months.
96. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to outline the rules and regulations in place to prevent the misuse of disabled parking spaces on private premises, such as shopping centres and car parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67508/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise the Deputy that disabled parking bays in private car parks, such as those attached to shopping centres and other commercial premises, are the responsibility of the car park's owner. The owners are responsible for enforcing disabled spaces on their own property and for setting the requisite penalties.
97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide information on the rationale for not proceeding with EU JTF community facilities EV charging scheme applications (details supplied) through Westmeath County Council. [67535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) EV Charging Scheme, co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland, was designed to support the installation of publicly accessible fast and high-powered EV charging infrastructure at community facilities within Ireland’s Just Transition region.
In recent months, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), the Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), and the relevant Local Authorities have engaged in extensive discussions to determine the most effective structure for the scheme.
Throughout this process, a number of significant risks were identified. Following careful consideration, it became clear that these risks, particularly the risk of delays that could prevent completion within the required timeframe under the 'N+3' rule, were too substantial to be confident of successful delivery. For this scheme, that deadline was 31 December 2026. If delivery was not within the required deadline, the funds would have been lost to Ireland and the region.
To safeguard the funding for the region, the resources originally allocated to this scheme have now been be redirected to an alternative initiative. This approach ensures that the EU investment remains in place and continues to support our shared goal of advancing sustainable transport.
Where site inspections are already completed for all eligible locations, the Department will work closely with Local Authorities to explore opportunities to incorporate viable sites into regional and local strategies, ensuring that the groundwork completed to date contributes meaningfully to future plans.
98. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has directed the Road Safety Authority to publish on a monthly basis; the number of learner drivers who fail to show up for their scheduled driving test appointment; by driving test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67546/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA publish detailed information on the driver testing service on the CSO website each month. This includes information on the number of test 'no shows' broken down by month, driving test centre and by driving test category.
This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/ROA30
99. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the long delays in the Road Safety Authority providing figures requested via Parliamentary Questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67547/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that this is not the first occasion that delayed reply to parliamentary questions by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been raised. Deputies have a legitimate expectation to receive detailed replies to any question referred to a State agency within a reasonable timeframe, and it is therefore a subject of significant concern for me as Minister when this expectation is not met.
In response to this issue being raised earlier this year, my officials requested that the RSA prepare an analysis of their PQ volumes and response times. This analysis showed that, as of the end of August, the RSA had received 312 PQs and responded to 76% within ten days. I do wish to acknowledge that the volume of PQs received by the RSA had increased from 143, or by 118%, compared to the same period in 2024.
Notwithstanding this significant increase in query volumes and improvement in response times, I believe that approximately a quarter of PQs not being replied to within ten days is an issue. While there may be certain complex queries requiring more time than the standard period, these should be the exception rather than the rule, and it is incumbent on the RSA to appropriately prioritise and resource responses to Deputies.
I thank the Deputy for raising this matter with me and will request that my officials continue to engage with the RSA and monitor their ongoing performance on this issue. Finally, I would request that Deputies continue to inform my office when responses are not received within the ten day period and my officials will follow up on any such instance.
100. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate allegations of price gouging on airline tickets to the soccer world cup play offs, with flight prices to Prague increased by more than 3.5 times their original cost; the measures he will take to prevent such gouging; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67559/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the actions he has taken to engage with Irish airlines that engage in significant price hikes for flights to locations of international events including European fixtures for teams from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67712/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 116 together.
Under EU Regulation 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, airlines have full pricing freedom in relation to setting air fares for intra-Community air services and other related services such as baggage.
The Regulation requires that air fares be transparent i.e. that passengers booking a flight must be aware of the final price of a flight including any supplemental elements selected by the passenger, at all times during the booking process.
Within this framework airlines regularly take into account various operational realities in setting these fares and charges over time, for example flights at peak times or with short advance bookings may attract higher prices, which is an industry norm.
101. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time for applicant’s waiting on an Irish language driving test invitation, by county, as of 30 November 2025, in tabular form. [67588/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicant’s waiting on an Irish language driving test invitation, by county, as of 30 November 2025, in tabular form. [67589/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of English language driving testers, by county, as of 30 November 2025, in tabular form. [67590/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of Irish language driving testers, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [67591/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of applicants waiting on Irish language driving test invitations, who are waiting longer than applicants waiting for an English language driving test invitation. [67592/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 105, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. While my Department is responsible for the overall staffing sanction, neither I nor my officials are involved in the service at an operational level. Accordingly, the information requested for learner drivers taking tests through either Irish or English language sits with the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
