Written Answers Nos. 339-358
341. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if bin and waste collection companies will be eligible to apply for the road transporters support scheme; if they are eligible, would a communication to their customer base informing them that they are increasing service subscription costs due to rising fuel costs disqualify them from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Transport Support Scheme (RTSS) is a package of supports primarily directed at the road transport sector given its importance to the wider supply chain, businesses and communities throughout Ireland. The scheme was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 April and details of the scheme were announced at a press conference on Wednesday, 29 April and will be administered by the Department of Transport.
The RTSS will be available to both licensed road haulage operators and the own account sector, in respect of certain heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kg in laden weight) where the vehicle is used in the haulage business (the carriage of goods by road).
Licensed road passenger operators, subject to certain criteria, will also be eligible for support under the RTSS.
As payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026, all applicants must meet the following conditions as of that date:
be the holder of a road haulage operator licence issued by the Department of Transport; or
where the applicant is not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence, an operator whose normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by road; or
be the holder of a passenger operator licence issued by the Department of Transport.
In all cases, payments will only be made to operators where the vehicle for which they seek support is registered on the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database, with motor tax paid and with a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) certificate.
My Department is developing an electronic application and processing system to facilitate payments under the RTSS. The scheme will open for applications in the coming weeks and payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.
342. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to consider providing night services on a bus route as an area awaits the rollout of BusConnects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34304/26]
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 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders
343. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the efforts to get buses into service (details supplied); whether any of these buses are due to serve routes in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34305/26]
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.
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.
344. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport given the number of fatalities along the Irish coastline in recent years, whether consideration has been given to the use of drone technology to deploy lifesaving equipment, such as lifebuoys or flotation devices, to persons in distress at sea; whether drones could be strategically based at Garda stations and operated remotely from a central hub to support emergency response times; if any feasibility studies, pilot projects or inter-agency discussions (including with An Garda Síochána, the RNLI, the Coast Guard or local authorities) have taken place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34312/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of fatalities in Irish waters in recent years is deeply regrettable. My department, through the Irish Coast Guard, operates a 24/7/365 emergency service, and in 2025 provided life saving assistance to 1,941 individuals, either preventing loss of life or ensuring timely access to medical care.
The Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) utilises Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of search and rescue operations, maritime casualty and pollution response services. UAS assets are strategically deployed across 18 Coast Guard stations and operate in complement to rescue boats, cliff and land search and rescue resources as well as helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
The IRCG’s UAS capability continues to develop with enhanced operational coverage and the introduction of UAS with increased operating parameters. IRCG UAS are not currently employed for payload transport however integration of emerging capabilities across all aspects of the response service to complement and support existing operations remains an ongoing operational consideration.
The IRCG regularly conducts operations and exercises with partner Principal Emergency Services, and with neighbouring States, providing UAS, aviation, marine and land search and rescue resources.
345. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 28 April 2026, whether the Government has conducted any assessment of deploying 500 or more fixed speed cameras to match the enforcement density of Finland (1,164 cameras) or Sweden (2,487 cameras); if not, the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34322/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Safety Camera Strategy was published on 29 April and it provides the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the road network to assist with enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences including speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in the future.
The Strategy aligns with Programme for Government commitments to expand the use of safety cameras across the road network. It also delivers on part one of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan.
The Strategy sets out a partnership approach for camera deployment and enforcement. It proposes that TII takes responsibility for the management of fixed and average speed cameras in partnership with An Garda Síochána, who will continue to be responsible for the enforcement of camera-detected speed offences. The NTA will assume the primary responsibility - both management and enforcement functions - for urban traffic management offences.
A delivery focused Camera Enforcement Oversight Group (CEOG) will soon be established, comprising senior leaders from AGS, NTA, TII, RSA, the Courts Service and the Local Authority sector. The Group will be responsible for progressing the Strategy and will report progress to the Road Safety Leadership Group.
It is important to note that enforcement of road traffic offences, such as speeding, is first and foremost the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. I am told that since 2024 An Garda Síochána, with the assistance of TII and local authorities, has installed three additional average speed camera zones and nine static cameras. In addition, there are 9,000 hours of AGS GoSafe monitoring carried out on our roads each month.
346. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his views on the timeline associated with the pre-feasibility study for the Luas Poolbeg; if he will report on his engagement with the National Transport Authority in respect of same; the works underway in his Department to ensure funding and capacity for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34323/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
There are four light rail proposals identified for development and delivery within lifetime of the GDA Transport Strategy 2022-2042. These are proposed expansions of the Luas network to Finglas, Lucan, Poolbeg, and Bray.
In relation to Luas Poolbeg, the development of a Luas red line extension to serve Poolbeg is currently one of the longer-term proposals in the NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042. The Strategy states that the proposed Luas extension to Poolbeg is subject to the assessment of forecast travel demand arising out of development patterns in the Poolbeg Strategic Development Zone and environs. The Luas Poolbeg Pre-Feasibility study has been completed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Noting the NTA's responsibility with regard to light rail, I have referred 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.
347. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the maximum capacity of a rail service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34328/26]
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.
348. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the number train carriages operating on the Maynooth train line, per day, in each of the years 2019 to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34329/26]
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.
349. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the number of wheelchair spaces available on each Irish Rail service from Kildare train stations to Dublin Heuston station and total of non-wheelchair spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34400/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the average number of wheelchair spaces available on all Irish Rail services compared to non-wheelchair spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As queries relating to the number of wheelchair spaces on Irish Rail services, including from Kildare Station to Heuston Station, are a matter for Irish Rail in the first instance, I have referred your Questions to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
351. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the funding for and progress of the Dart+SW; and the timeframe for when work on this much needed public transport project will commence. [34414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the DART+ programme, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that full planning approval for DART+ South West was granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála in November 2024. Procurement for both DART+ South West and West is progressing, with pre-qualification questionnaire notices for design and build works advertised in May 2025.
Funding secured under this National Development Plan will see construction of the DART+ programme begin before the end of next year, starting with DART+ West, as this project acts as a crucial enabler of the rest of the programme by providing additional electrified depot capacity for the new DART+ fleet.
The Compulsory Purchase Orders process for DART+ South West commenced in recent months and aspects of the procurement frameworks put in place for DART+ West will be available for use on South-West when its main construction works commence.
352. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any mechanism in place within his Department that allows for civil servants to transfer on secondment to an equivalent role within the European Union, without negatively impacting their pension and other employment rights; his views on the merits of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficers in my department are eligible to apply for secondments to EU institutions, bodies and agencies for a fixed period of time. My department regularly receives a list of vacancies in EU institutions from the Department of Foreign Affairs. Upon a review of these vacancies, those deemed to be relevant to the work of the Department are circulated to staff in my department. Officers who are successful in the selection processes for these roles are seconded to the relevant EU institution. These temporary assignments allow secondees to retain their original employment status and rights. These are governed by the overarching Secondment Policy for the Civil Service (Circular 27/2021).
At the end of the secondment, the officer returns to the Department at their substantive grade.
353. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time to receive an NCT date in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34452/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Car Testing Service and the information requested is held by the RSA.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
354. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting time to receive a driving test in County Meath for the years 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34453/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested by the Deputy is held by the Authority. 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.
Pending this response, the latest information available to me from the RSA indicates that the average waiting time for a driving test at the Navan test centre in County Meath, as of 30 April, was 10-weeks. This is in line with the Service Level Agreement.
The Deputy may also wish to note that detailed statistics on the waiting times for a driving test, by County and test centre, are made available on the CSO website on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link: https://data.cso.ie/table/ROA36.
355. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional buses that have been added to the fleet to serve commuters in County Meath in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34454/26]
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.
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.
356. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the status of the Navan rail line project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the rail network, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
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 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region from 2022 to 2042. The Strategy includes delivery of the Navan Rail line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals. The delivery of this project is currently proceeding on target and to this timeline.
The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan published by my Department last November has allocated funding to advance the Navan Rail Line to submission of a planning application, or Railway Order.
It is anticipated that the recommendation of an Emerging Preferred Route for the Navan Rail line will be announced with the launch of the first Non-Statutory Public Consultation to be held later this year.
That public consultation process will ultimately result in a defined route for the line and support the development of a Preliminary Business Case, which will need to be approved at approval Gate 1 in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines before any planning application.
Subject to Approval Gate 1 approval, it is anticipated that a Railway Order for the project will be lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2028.
357. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to improve reliability and frequency of the NX (Navan to Dublin) bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34456/26]
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 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.
358. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to improve bus connectivity between Meath and Dublin City Centre during peak hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34457/26]
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.
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.
