Written Answers Nos. 343-362
344. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will give an update on changes that will be made to bus stop number 526011 at Cloonarkin Drive in Oranmore village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36687/26]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters nationally.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the 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 ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I note the commitments in the Programme for Government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers, and to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport options and infrastructure.
345. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the terms of reference, timeline and reporting arrangements for the independent review ordered into the Train Management System project; the date on which the review commenced; the expected completion date for the review; when the findings will be published; whether the review will examine procurement, governance, contractor performance and cost escalation risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current estimated total cost and revised delivery timeline for the Train Management System project; the amount expended to date; the projected completion dates for commissioning phases CP1 to CP8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department, the National Transport Authority or Irish Rail have undertaken an assessment of the contractor’s capacity to deliver the remaining phases of the Train Management System project; the contractual, financial or legal mechanisms available to the State bodies concerned to mitigate further cost exposure or recoup costs arising from delays or non-delivery; whether contingency delivery options are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36708/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport what additional governance and oversight measures have been introduced by the National Transport Authority and Irish Rail since concerns emerged regarding delays and potential cost overruns on the Train Management System project; whether enhanced reporting arrangements are now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 345, 346, 347 and 348 together.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the National Train Control Centre, or NTCC.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
349. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide extra funding for roads to Tipperary County Council, given the increased fuels costs that are impacting the amount of work it can do. [36721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2026, Tipperary County Council was allocated a total of €49,379,670. Of this, €36,234,670 was allocated for the protection and renewal of Tipperary's regional and local roads.
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 selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.
For 2026, €718 million was 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. This is an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works.
The allocation to each eligible local authority is on as fair and equitable a basis as possible. In the main protection and renewal grant categories, it is based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility, with some account taken of the level of traffic present.
All funding available through the 2026 Regional and Local Road Grant Programme was allocated to local authorities in February this year. It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.
My Department is aware of the pressure local authorities are under to deliver their work programmes for regional and local roads within their existing budgets and that oil price increases may impact contracts, contract prices, and outputs. Where applicable, mechanisms within contracts for price variation can be utilised by contracting authorities. Road maintenance and rehabilitation is heavily dependent on oil products and bitumen and it is acknowledged that this work is affected by the increasing cost of materials.
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 this.
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.
350. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the number of local authorities who applied for funding to repair roads damaged by storm Chandra flooding at the beginning of the year have thus far received funding; the number of counties that are awaiting funding allocations; of those counties awaiting funding, how long they can expect to wait for funding to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36820/26]
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.
351. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport the supports that are currently in place and provided by his Department or agencies within his Department to support BOTPs and Ukrainian citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I hold responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport.
There has been no funding since 2024 to support BOTPs and Ukrainian citizens.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in rural Ireland, 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 10 working days.
352. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport for an update regarding a roads project in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36924/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Cycle Network (NCN), while Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) manage the delivery of NCN projects.
The reallocation of road spaces on national roads to provide segregated cycle facilities is a relatively novel concept in an Irish context, as such, it was deemed prudent to pilot and assess the concept in situ to inform potential use in future projects. Accordingly, a pilot road space reallocation project was selected by TII in conjunction with Kildare County Council on the R448. The objective of this pilot is to evaluate the effectiveness of various segregation options. The outcomes of the pilot will provide useful insights to inform the wider roll out of the National Cycle Network.
Noting TII's responsibility in this matter, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
353. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 6 May 2026, to state plainly the circumstances where passenger service vehicles that do not fall under the scope of supports provided by the NTA or DEY may be eligible for support under the RTSS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37010/26]
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 my Department.
The RTSS will be backdated to 01 March 2026 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 either month, as measured by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
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.
As previously indicated in my response of 6 May 2026, passenger service vehicles that do not fall under the scope of supports provided by the NTA or Department of Education and Youth may be eligible for support under the RTSS. Applications for support will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This will be necessary given the complexity of most passenger service providers business models where the same operator may provide services under local link services, school transport services, and on a commercial basis. Licensed road passenger companies that do not provide school transport or local link services will not be excluded from the scheme provided they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Applications for the RTSS will open very shortly and the application process will contain further detail on eligibility.
354. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the DART West project; the timelines for CPOs to be undertaken; the timelines for procurement; the estimated time for commencing works; the current timeline for the conclusion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37091/26]
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 conditional planning approval was granted for DART+ West was secured in July 2024. This granted approval to Iarnród Éireann for progressing all of the work – electrification, resignalling, track work, station work – needed to enable electrified DART services to operate the railway line from Dublin City Centre to Maynooth.
While the proposed depot location in Maynooth was rejected in that planning decision, public consultation took place between 16 March and 27 April on the proposed new depot location west of Kilcock. Subject to Railway Order approval by An Comisiún Pleanála, separate from the existing planning decision in respect of the other elements or DART+ West, construction of the depot in the newly proposed location will also see an extension of DART+ West beyond Maynooth to Kilcock.
355. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a licence will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37107/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service.
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.
356. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the ongoing disruptions and cancellations affecting the 132 bus service operating between Dublin and Bunclody via Tullow; the steps being taken to address the reliability issues on the route; whether additional measures or resources will be provided to improve the consistency of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/26]
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.
357. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for limiting the recent extension of the retirement age for public service drivers to drivers employed by CIÉ companies only; whether consideration has been given to extending similar arrangements across the wider public and community transport sector; whether he recognises the potential benefits such a measure could have for local organisations (details supplied) and other operators experiencing significant driver shortages; whether he will reconsider the current approach with a view to introducing a more uniform policy that is applied to all public service categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume that the Deputy is referring to the announcement by Bus Éireann on 27 March 2026 of an extension to the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles (max 8 seats and driver) contracted by Bus Éireann under the School Transport Scheme, from age 70 to 72, for a trial period. Further information on this announcement can be found at www.buseireann.ie/news/driving-age-policy As the School Transport Scheme comes under the remit the Minister for Education, any queries on the School Transport Scheme should be directed to her office.
I would also advise the Deputy that the employment of bus drivers by private sector and voluntary organisations is entirely a matter for these organisations, subject of course to any relevant statutory requirements.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to 'open' public transport. From a policy perspective, the Programme for Government commits to enhancing and supporting a skilled workforce to maintain and operate public transport vehicles.
To advance this policy commitment, my Department chairs the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce, which brings together representatives from a number of Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, relevant agencies, public transport operators, unions, and training bodies. The Taskforce is tasked with identifying the key factors contributing to recruitment challenges for State transport services and developing practical measures to support a sustainable pipeline of drivers, mechanics, and craftworkers. My Department is continuing to engage with stakeholders, with a view to producing an action plan in the coming months.
358. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for increasing the clamp release fee from €80 to €125 a 56% increase in March 2022; whether any assessment was carried out on the impact of this increase on motorists, particularly in the context of cost-of-living pressures; and if he will consider reviewing or reducing the current clamp release charge. [37162/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that, the regulation of vehicle clamping, including fees, is provided for under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, with oversight by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The current €125 fee was set by the Road Traffic (Prescribed Charge Removal of Clamp) Regulations 2022. This increase from €80 reflected the first revision in over 20 years and was intended to maintain an effective deterrent to illegal parking.
While impacts on motorists, including cost pressures, were raised at the time, the primary purpose of the fee is to promote compliance, rather than generate revenue.
There are currently no plans for a review of this fee. However, my Department will continue to monitor the operation of parking enforcement arrangements, to ensure they remain fair, effective and proportionate. Any decision to amend the current fee would ultimately be a matter for the NTA.
359. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the total revenue generated from clamp release fees by local authorities in each of the past five years; the number of vehicles clamped annually over the same period; and whether his Department has assessed whether the increased fee of €125 has had a measurable impact on parking compliance. [37163/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that, in 2017, the National Transport Authority (NTA) assumed responsibility as the regulator for vehicle clamping activities in statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping areas throughout the State. It is responsible for the regulation of clamping activities, administration of second-stage vehicle clamping appeals and the investigation of complaints.
In light of the NTA's role, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
360. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the current charges applied for towing vehicles to car pounds and daily storage fees; whether the €250 tow-away charge has been reviewed or increased in recent years;and if any changes to these charges are under consideration. [37164/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the removal and storage of vehicles (including towing to car pounds) is an operational matter for local authorities. Similarly, vehicle towing and storage charges are not set by my Department but are a matter for local authorities as well. There are no proposals currently under consideration at national level to standardise or amend them. However, local authorities may continue to review fees as part of ongoing contract management and service delivery considerations.
361. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles towed to car pounds due to non-payment of clamp release fees within 24 hours in each of the past five years; and whether his Department has assessed the proportionality of towing vehicles in such circumstances. [37165/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that in October 2017 the National Transport Authority (NTA) assumed responsibility, as the regulator of vehicle clamping activities, for both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping areas throughout the State. It is responsible for the regulation of clamping activities, the administration of second-stage vehicle clamping appeals and the investigation of complaints.
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.
362. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport whether a broader review of parking enforcement mechanisms including clamping and towing is planned; and whether alternatives to clamping have been assessed. [37166/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that in 2017 the National Transport Authority (NTA) assumed responsibility, as the regulator of vehicle clamping activities, in both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping areas, throughout the State. It is responsible for the regulation of clamping activities, the administration of second-stage vehicle clamping and appeals and investigation of complaints.
Parking enforcement, including clamping and towing, is primarily a matter for local authorities under the Road Traffic Acts, with policy oversight by the NTA and provisions set out in the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015.
Alternatives to clamping—such as fixed charge notices, improved payment systems and on-street enforcement—are already widely used as part of overall parking management. Local authorities retain discretion to apply the most appropriate mix of measures based on local needs.
There are currently no plans for a broad review of these enforcement mechanisms. However, my Department will continue to monitor the operation of parking enforcement arrangements to ensure they remain fair, effective and proportionate.
