Written Answers Nos. 383-402
383. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); if he has addressed it with the NTA; if his attention has been drawn to any passengers having been overcharged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27972/26]
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.
The Legal Metrology Service, which is part of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), is the agency responsible for the regulation and verification of taximeters, while also ensuring taximeters are of an approved type, and verified so that fares charged to passengers are correct and accurate.
The NTA recently made the NSAI aware of a taximeter programming issue with Digitax taxi metering systems, that may result in overcharging passengers, in contravention of the National Maximum Taxi Fare Regulations. Approximately 7.5% of taximeters in use are impacted by this, affecting trade operations between 08:00 to 20:00, Monday – Saturday. The applicable taxi operators have been informed by the NSAI of the issue. The NTA has advised me that those affected operators should cease operations immediately, and operations are not to re-commence until their taximeters are updated and re-verified.
Given the NTA's responsibility in regulating the SPSV sector, 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.
384. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the National U-space Steering Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27986/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of the National U-space Steering Group is one of the actions set out in the National Policy Framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The implementation of the Policy Framework is underway.
The Department has published an Implementation Action Plan for 2026, the first of a series of annual plans to guide and report on the implementation of actions set out in the Policy Framework. The 2026 Plan was circulated in advance of publication to the Implementation Monitoring Group for the Policy Framework and discussed at its first meeting. The Plan sets out actions and corresponding timelines, including the establishment of the working groups set out in the Policy Framework. The Action Plan is available on the Government's website.
The National U-space Steering Group is due to be established in Q4 of 2026 and work is underway to identify the requirements and costs of a U-space delivery programme ahead of the establishment of the Steering Group.
385. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport if Bus Éireann’s 52 bus service will be maintained following the NTA’s PSO determination; if the NTA is in discussions with other operators regarding new services on route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27995/26]
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.
Bus Éireann operates both Public Service Obligation services funded by the State subvention and Expressway intercity services which operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention.
I am aware that Bus Éireann recently announced the withdrawal of some services which operate under its Expressway service. This decision was taken following a financial and operational review carried out by Bus Éireann with regard Expressway performance over recent years, which sought to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the company as a whole.
As is the case with any such commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of these routes triggered the NTA’s PSO Determination process, the outcome of which has been published on the NTA's website.
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.
386. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE staff, by job title working within the railway accident investigation unit of his Department; the WTE vacancies, by job title within this unit; the expected timeframe for filling each of those vacancies, in tabular form. [28019/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy,
Please see below:
|
Role |
Number WTE |
Vacancy |
Expected Timeframe |
|
Chief Accident Investigator |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Deputy Chief Investigator |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Senior Rail Investigator |
2 |
1 |
October 2026 |
|
Administration |
1 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
5 |
|
|
387. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the application for an SPSV licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, 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 direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
388. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport if additional funds will be made available to local authorities to repair road surfaces damaged during the recent poor weather. [28193/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has liaised with those local authorities affected by Storm Chandra on damage caused and remediation needed and is now looking at means to address it.
In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.
For 2026, €718 million has been allocated, through State road grants, for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal.
All funding available through the 2026 Regional and Local Road Grant Programme was allocated to local authorities in February this year. Such allocations should supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.
Local authorities are advised to set aside a contingency, from Department allocations and its own resources, for severe weather events.
389. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number of services operating on the Maynooth train line, per day, in each of the years 2016 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28207/26]
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.
390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department holds estimates or records of the number of United States military personnel who have transited through Shannon Airport, both to and from the United States, in the current year; if so, whether he will provide a breakdown of those figures breaking them down month by month; if not, the reason such data is not collected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28213/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate data in relation to the number of United States military personnel transiting through Shannon Airport and has no statutory function in relation to the transit of foreign military personnel through Irish sovereign territory or Irish airports. However, The Shannon Airport Group collates this data, and I have asked The Shannon Airport Group to respond directly to you. If you do not receive a reply from The Shannon Airport Group within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
391. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to extend the upper age limit to 72 years for drivers of all minibuses up to 16-seaters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28237/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that there are no restrictions in driver licensing legislation to prohibit the issuing of category D licences to drivers over the age of 24 or to those over 21 with a certificate of professional competence.
392. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if bus routes S8 and S6 in Dublin have met their minimum operated kilometres standard as per their Public Service Obligation in 2025 and in 2026; and if any fines were imposed for failure to do so. [28246/26]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. The contracts allow for not just the monitoring of performance and the publication of annual performance reports, but importantly, for the imposition of financial penalties, to reinvest into the network, in places where performance does not meet the minimum required standards, as well as reasonable incentive payments where performance exceeds those standards.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, 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.
393. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the roll out of EV chargers in Kingscourt in County Cavan; the details and locations of these chargers, in tabular form; and his plans for the introduction of further chargers in this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home and will address most users charging needs, there is a need for a seamless public charging network to provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
The latest data available shows that in Co. Cavan there are approximately 29 publicly accessible charging pools (with 75 charging points across these pools), with one of the charging pools in Kingscourt.
It should be noted that data is provided by Charge Point Operators, (CPOs), and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. The Department of Transport is finalising a Data Strategy and associated data platforms that will, once in place, enhance the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately.
The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of public destination and neighbourhood charging and will be led by Local Authorities. (Cavan is the Regional Lead of Region 1 under this plan.). This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area.
While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, including Cavan, so as not to delay rollout and to provide charging infrastructure at locations that meet multiple user needs.
394. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport his plans, and those of CIÉ, to increase the CIÉ pension, which has not been increased since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department, alongside our financial and commercial advisors NewERA, are currently engaging with all relevant stakeholders. This includes CIÉ, the Pensions Authority and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the next steps in progressing the agreement and bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members, including review of the relevant statutory instruments and the matter of increases to pension payments.
My Department and all relevant stakeholders are endeavouring to achieve the same at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate procedures, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals as part of the formal process, which is now well underway.
395. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider creating a national programme to address the highest-risk road sections across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28327/26]
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 grants.
My Department funds Network Safety Analysis of the Regional and Local Road Network across the country. Using available collision datasets, high collision locations are identified and Locations of Interest (LoIs) reports are produced.
These LoI reports are then issued to the relevant local authority and form the basis for application for funding under the Safety Improvement Schemes Grant. In 2026 my Department allocated €14 million in Safety Improvement Schemes Grant to the sector which is funding over 330 low cost safety schemes nationally and is an 8% increase over the 2025 allocation.
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 in relation to road traffic accident black spots on National Roads.
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.
396. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the total budget allocated for electric vehicle purchase grants in 2026; the amount committed to date; if additional Exchequer funding will be provided if demand exceeds the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28330/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra397. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if projections indicate that electric vehicle grant funding may be exhausted before year end; if contingency funding is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28331/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra398. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the additional measures that are planned to support electric vehicle uptake, including grants, tax incentives and charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28333/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 397 and 398 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting the transition to zero emission and making electric vehicles accessible to all.
In 2026, €67m has been allocated for the EV Purchase Grant administered by the SEAI. €7m has been allocated for the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle Grant (ESPSV) which is administered by the NTA and €4m has been allocated to the Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle Grant (ZEHDV), administered by TII.
Funding and incentives for Electric Vehicles are under regular review by Departmental officials with a view to targeting exchequer funding which can deliver most effectively against Government priorities. It should be noted that decisions on financial incentives must be taken in the context of overall financial sustainability and greatest impact.
We will continue to take a balanced approach, ensuring that our incentives and policy measures are both ambitious and deliverable within our current environment.
399. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the level of capital investment committed in 2026 for public EV charging infrastructure; and whether this is sufficient to meet projected demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28334/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Over €120m has been allocated in the Transport Vote in 2026 to support the continued transition to EVs, which includes over €44m towards infrastructure delivery. Additionally, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme is a €15 million all-island initiative supporting the installation of publicly accessible EV chargers in sports clubs. The aim of the scheme is to install a network of publicly accessible EV chargers in communities throughout the country, through their local sports clubs.
The 2026 infrastructure allocation will fund delivery of all motorway charging hubs, along with significant investment in the national primary and secondary roads high powered charging. It also includes funding for pilot EV infrastructure schemes in 15 Local Authorities, and the phase 1 rollout of the Dublin and Limerick EV infrastructure networks.
In February, ZEVI published for consultation a refreshed National EV Infrastructure Strategy that sets out the next phase of Ireland’s EV charging infrastructure rollout. This updated strategy will build on the progress of recent years under the 2022-25 National EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy and ensure charging infrastructure keeps pace with the rapidly growing level of EV adoption in Ireland.
400. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing delays on the Dublin-Westport rail line caused by single-track sections, particularly between Portarlington and Tullamore, resulting in trains being routinely held to allow passing services; if there are plans to upgrade or provide dual-tracking on this section of the line; the timeline for any such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. This includes the route between Dublin and Westport/Ballina, by providing a passing loops at Clara and between Athlone and Mayo, west of Claremorris. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published be my Department in November 2025.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan includes funding to commence construction of this reinstatement project.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
401. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to improve reliability and journey times for commuters travelling from towns such as Athlone to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28434/26]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. The contracts allow for not just the monitoring of performance and the publication of annual performance reports, but importantly, for the imposition of financial penalties, to reinvest into the network, in places where performance does not meet the minimum required standards, as well as reasonable incentive payments where performance exceeds those standards.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, 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.
402. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department will ensure that recent excise duty cuts to the cost of petrol and diesel will be passed on to end consumers; if his Department has mechanisms to monitor whether these excise duty cuts are being passed on to end consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28436/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo support the haulage and coach sector, the Government will be establishing a new Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS), which will be delivered by my Department. This will be modelled on the Licenced Haulage Support Schemes of 2022 and 2023 deployed to assist the sector with the higher fuel prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The RTSS will provide direct payments to the haulage and coach operators. Payments will be graduated, with smaller businesses receiving a proportionately greater level of support. An initial payment backdated for March 2026 will made to each qualifying haulage or coach operator. The scheme will remain in place for three months. Payments will be made for April and May, if the national average price of diesel exceeds €1.90 per litre in the month.
The Department of Transport is not responsible for the monitoring of the general excise duty cuts on petrol, diesel and green diesel announced as part of the package of fuel relief supports announced on 12th April 2026.
Earlier this month, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) published a report on consumer complaints about home heating oil and road fuel prices. The report found that recent price increases were not due to competition issues in the market. I would advise any consumers with specific concerns to report them to the CCPC.
