Written Answers Nos. 308-328
308. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the supports his Department will make available to complete the Gorey to Courtown footpath in County Wexford, including a footbridge over the Ounavarra River; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71092/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the development and delivery of individual projects.
The Government is committed to promoting and enabling walking and cycling across the country with approximately €360 million provided for Active Travel and Greenways this year alone, supporting projects in every Local Authority. The vast majority of this funding is allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) through the Department of Transport for its Active Travel Infrastructure Programme. I was delighted to secure similar funding for Active Travel and Greenways in Budget 2026, meaning that we can continue to progress walking and cycling projects around the country into next year.
As part of the allocations determination, the NTA liaises with each local authority to fully understand the projects being proposed by the local authority and its considerations in terms of priorities.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment will be to support high quality walking and cycling infrastructure, for everyday trips, in villages, towns and cities, particularly in designated growth settlements, with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel.
Given the ramping up of activities over the last few years in the Active Travel area, the number of projects being progressed now exceeds the level of funding made available to the NTA. Accordingly, the NTA is unable to fully fund all proposed Active Travel projects and has to prioritise certain projects over others in order to remain within its allocated budget. While a project may not be selected by the NTA for funding in a particular year, it may be funded in subsequent years.
The 2026 allocations for the Active Travel Infrastructure Programme will be announced early in the new year.
Separately, it is my understanding that the restoration and maintenance of the footbridge over the Ounavarra River would fall under the remit of Coillte and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
309. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the dates on which his Department sent correspondence to or met with Commissioner McGrath or the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers since March 2025; and the subject of any such correspondence and/or meeting, in tabular form. [71197/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have not sent or received correspondence, nor have I had any formal meetings with Commissioner McGrath or the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers since March 2025. The Commissioner was present however at the platform opening ceremony in Kent Station, Co. Cork on the 14th April.
310. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the dates on which his Department received correspondence from or met with a company (details supplied) or its representatives since March 2025; and the subject of any such correspondence and/or meeting, in tabular form. [71200/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have received the following correspondence and had the following meetings with Enterprise Mobility or its representatives since March 2025:
|
Meeting/Correspondence |
Date |
Subject |
|
Meeting: Mobility Partnership Ireland (MPI) |
01 October 2025 |
MPI Budget 2026 priorities |
|
Correspondence : Request for meeting from Rockwood on behalf of MPI |
08 April 2025 |
Pre-budget 2026 requests |
|
Correspondence : Request for meeting from Rockwood on behalf of MPI |
05th August 2025 |
Pre-budget 2026 requests |
311. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the status of Ireland’s implementation of the EU secure repair and maintenance information SERMI framework under regulation EU 2018/858; the legislative changes required to allow a national conformity assessment body to receive Garda vetting results for the certification of independent repairers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71216/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that the Department is currently progressing the draft European Union (Motor Vehicle Type-Approval - Criteria for IO Approval and IO Employee Authorisation) Regulations 2025. The draft regulations are at the final stages of preparation and are expected to be signed shortly.
The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) will appoint the National Standards Authority of Ireland as the conformity assessment body responsible for implementation of the SERMI scheme in Ireland. As the INAB operates under the Health and Safety Authority, which is a state agency within the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Department of Transport is not in a position to comment on the timeframes for this appointment.
312. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport following the recent publication of the Accelerating Infrastructure - Report and Action Plan, if he or his Department will be allocated additional resources to expediate the delivery of large scale transport infrastructure projects, such as the Metrolink and the Finglas Luas extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70788/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accelerating Infrastructure - Report and Action Plan, as well as the work of the taskforce which has been established in relation to the report and plan, fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The work of the taskforce is ongoing at present and the decisions made in that context will guide the amount of resourcing which will be made available to my Department, which in turn will be considered closely by my Department and I through an internal exercise, after which specific resources will be allocated to individual projects such as the Metrolink and the Finglas Luas Extension.
When considering the resourcing of any transport infrastructure project, but in particular those larger and strategically important ones such as Metrolink, my Department and the agencies which support those projects have and will continue to ensure that sufficient resourcing is made available insofar as possible to meet the needs of the project, both against key performance indicators such as timeline and budget control, as well as overall delivery of the project in the context of its purpose, challenges and benefits.
With regard to Metrolink specifically, I can confirm that a resourcing exercise is already underway within TII in support of that project and that a number of key positions have already been addressed.
313. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if his Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70874/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport does not purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users. I have asked the agencies under my aegis to provide the information directly to the Deputy. If you do not hear back from the agencies within 10 working days please contact my office.
314. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the absence of reciprocal driving licensing agreements between Ireland, America and Canada (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that Ireland already has licence exchange agreements in place with 7 of the 10 Canadian provinces, with the technical assessment for an agreement under way at present with Nova Scotia.
Ireland does not currently have agreements with any US state. In line with Programme for Government commitments regarding the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, the Department is exploring options for individual US states, as US driver licensing is regulated at state, not federal, level.
The technical assessment to prepare for a possible agreement is done by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and its counterpart licencing authority. Owing to the technical nature of the review process, the RSA can only conduct a limited number of reviews at any one time. In light of this, the Department has, with the Department of Foreign Affairs, identified states with large Irish-born populations. Three states, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey, have been chosen as the initial states for consideration, due to the size of their Irish-born populations.a
New York is the first state for consideration, as it has the highest Irish-born population, and the RSA is engaging with the Department of Motor Vehicles in a review process. The RSA has also contacted the licensing authorities in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
315. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of court notifications received by the District Court in each of the years since 2022, of drivers convicted of penalty point offences; the number of penalty points attached to each conviction; the number of notifications that included a valid driver number; the number of convictions that could not be matched to the driver to apply the penalty points to their driving licence record on the NVDF; the number whereby a separate record file had to be created by his Department in order to keep a record of unmatched drivers with penalty point offences. [70881/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my Department does not hold any information on notificatiaons received by the District Court. This would be a matter for the Department of Justice through the Courts Service. The Deputy may wish to contact my colleague the Minister for Justice in this regard.
316. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to immediately address the extremely dangerous lags on the R-559 Cill Fhiontain, the Long Road, Slea Head Drive, Dingle, County Kerry and resurface this strategic road in west Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
The Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
In 2025, Kerry County Council were allocated €33,360,450 for regional and local roads, which is an increase of over 10% on their allocation for 2024.
Kerry County Council is responsible for deciding its annual programme for road maintenance and the Department has no role in that process.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
317. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the timeline in which the taxi regulations will be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70912/25]
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.
Accordingly, 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.
318. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport if there is any requirement or monitoring whether the vehicles used by roads and other construction companies are registered in Ireland and conform to European standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70913/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra319. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport in relation to vehicles hired by equipment hire companies, if there is any obligation that those vehicles are registered in Ireland, taxed in Ireland and subject to Irish regulations and standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70914/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 319 together.
As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that vehicles used by roads and other construction companies in the course of their work fall within the remit of the EU Machinery Directive - Directive 2006/42/EC. This Directive has been transposed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, which has appointed the HSA as Market Surveillance Authority for these vehicles.
The Directive sets standards and requirements for these vehicles in the course of their intended operation but does not impose specific requirements for their use on public roads. Questions regarding current standards for these vehicles should be directed to the HSA and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
At present, the Revenue Commissioners are not obliged to register these vehicle types, as they are not covered by EU Vehicle Type-Approval. Where Revenue do register these vehicles, it is on the basis of compliance with Directive 2006/42/EC. Once registered, they may be motor-taxed and insured as appropriate.
However, the EU has published new vehicle type-approval regulations to govern certain non-road mobile machinery. Regulation 2025/14 specifically addresses self-propelled mobile machinery, falling within the scope of Directive 2006/42/EC. These machines are designed or constructed with the purpose of performing work (non-road mobile machinery), and may need, whether occasionally or regularly, to circulate on public roads, mostly to move from one working place to another. This regulation will establish a harmonised type-approval system and an individual approval system for the road safety of non-road mobile machinery intended to circulate on public roads.
This new regulation was enacted in January 2025 and is required to be operational in member states by January 2028. The Department are currently developing plans for appointing a market surveillance authority in respect of these vehicles and are preparing the necessary legislative amendments to accommodate these specific vehicles in road traffic legislation and to comply with the requirements of Regulation 2025/14.
It should be noted that this new regulation does not negate the requirements of Directive 2006/42/EC, and machinery intended for public road use will be required to comply with both directives. However, from January 2028, the Revenue Commissioners will only register machinery which comply with Regulation 2025/14, and will not register those vehicles that only comply with Directive 2006/42/EC. Machinery that is intended to be used on public roads will be required to be registered.
New machinery that does not comply with Regulation 2025/14 after January 2028 will be permitted to be used in the course of its intended work, but will not be permitted to be used on public roads. Existing machinery already in use will not be required to comply with Regulation 2025/14.
320. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider increasing funding for safety improvement schemes in Sligo in order that Sligo County Council can address the safety needs of the county. [70923/25]
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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
My Department sought applications in September 2025 for consideration for funding of safety improvement works on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities during 2026. The schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the local authorities and submitted in order of priority.
Within the overall budget available for the Safety Improvement Grant Programme, the 2026 allocations will be decided following consideration of Councils’ applications by the Department. The allocations will be notified to Councils as part of the general grant allocation process early next year.
321. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a situation (details supplied); the measures he is taking to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70929/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 and associated vehicle roadworthiness regulations, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Car Testing (NCT) service. As Minister, I have no function in respect of operational matters. However, my officials have engaged with the RSA on various aspects of the NCT service including quality control and monitoring. The NCT is designed for a particular purpose, which is to ascertain does a vehicle meet certain roadworthiness tests at a point in time.
Delivery of the NCT service is currently contracted out to a third-party supplier, with the contract managed and overseen by the RSA's customer operations directorate. The service is subject to a stringent regime of independent audits and inspections carried out by the AA. More than 99 per cent of tests reviewed are deemed to be fairly and correctly assessed. A dedicated internal audit team is in place to manage allegations, investigations, and complaints. This involves random surprise audits to review vehicles that had just completed a test. Auditors repeat critical elements of the test and identify if there are any discrepancies with the original test result.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the NCT is accredited to International Organization for Standardization standards. All NCT Inspectors are fully qualified mechanics who undertake an intensive three-week training programme delivered through classroom, practical and online training methods. All staff complete Code of Integrity training upon recruitment and on an annual basis thereafter. On-site and annual training programmes are delivered every year to staff to brief them on new technologies.
322. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address concerns raised therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70932/25]
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.
As Minister for Transport, I continue to engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to maintaining high operational standards on all forms of public transport.
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.
323. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport if any of the 185 new carriages ordered for the greater Dublin area, due to enter service from Q2 2027 onwards, will be allocated to services operating in Kildare North, specifically on the Maynooth line, Longford line, Hazelhatch–Celbridge, Sallins and Naas, and Kilcock routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70987/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme, which comprises five different projects in and around the GDA, will triple the length of the electrified network from circa 50km to 150km and double city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours.
DART+ West will provide an extension of DART services from the City Centre to M3 Parkway and Maynooth, and the construction of a new depot and city centre enhancements. Conditional planning approval was received from An Coimisiún Pleanála in July 2024.
DART+ South West will provide an extension of DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge. Planning approval was received from An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024.
Procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) notices for Design and Build works advertised in May 2025.
Two fleet orders have been placed (185 carriages, largely battery-electric with some electric units). The first order for the purchase of 95 additional DART carriages, which compromise of 65 battery-electric carriages and 30 electric carriages, have started arriving and are currently undergoing certification and safety testing. It is intended that the new battery-electric sets will be initially deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
324. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for the delay of the DART+ South West project; if there is flexibility in bringing forward the timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71017/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the DART+ programme.
The DART+ programme, which comprises five different projects in and around the GDA, will triple the length of the electrified network from circa 50km to 150km and double city centre capacity from 26,000 passengers per hour per direction to 52,000 during peak hours. This will significantly enhance access to high capacity public transport across the GDA.
DART+ South West will extend DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston. A Railway Order was approved for DART+ South West by An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024. In addition, procurement for DART+ South West and West is progressing with pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ) notices for Design and Build works advertised in May 2025.
The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, published by the Department in November, sees the allocation of €22.3 billion in Exchequer resources to Transport, along with an additional allocation of €2 billion from the country's Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to support the development of MetroLink. Of this total allocation, funding of circa €10 billion for public transport infrastructure is earmarked from 2026 to 2030, in addition to the €2 billion for MetroLink, primarily in line with the Department’s NIFTI intervention hierarchy of Maintain, Optimise, Improve, and New. This approach involves prioritising investment in the protection and renewal of existing assets before investing in new ones, on economic and environmental grounds.
The funding under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan will see significant advancements made in a number of public transport projects, including DART+ West. This funding will also allow Compulsory Purchase Orders to progress for DART+ South West starting next year and provide for procurement progress for the project, with some of the framework contracts being established in common for DART+ West and DART+ South West.
The Department of Transport will continue to explore opportunities for additional funding, including through funding streams such as the European Union Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), to compliment national Exchequer funding which may allow some projects to proceed to construction earlier than currently anticipated, including DART+ South West.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
325. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the implementation of a new bus network for Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71029/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities, including Galway. BusConnects is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The NTA published its final new bus network for Galway in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the key elements of BusConnects Galway, which aims to transform the city’s bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.
In 2023, the NTA carried out an extensive review of the bus network in Galway, in collaboration with Galway City Council, Galway County Council, local bus operators, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers Jarrett Walker and Associates. In April 2023, a draft new network was published, and the feedback and submissions received informed the final new bus network published in December 2023.
The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport, resulting in increased access to a greater number of schools and workplaces across Galway City, Bearna, and Oranmore. Once this network is implemented, circa 67% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route (running every 15 minutes or better).
The NTA plans to commence the implementation of the new Galway bus network in the coming years, subject to funding and operational readiness. As part of BusConnects, the NTA is also advancing work on the Sustainable Transport Corridor, the Cross-City Link, which will improve travel times on the bus network and improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists. Other parts of the BusConnects programme, such as simpler fares, will be delivered with the new bus network.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply with 10 days.
326. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport to outline the new Local Link routes that have commenced to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In light of the NTA responsibilities 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.
327. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of all routes planned for County Galway in the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71031/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. In light of the NTA responsibilities 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.
328. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport when his Department will commence the development of the next Rural Ireland Mobility Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. In light of the NTA responsibilities 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.
