Written Answers Nos. 201-208
201. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of reliability issues with a company's services in North Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46302/26]
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 this case Go Ahead.
Notwithstanding the above, I do understand and appreciate that some customers may be experiencing issues with regard cancellations and reliability. A range of factors can contribute to a decline in service performance, such as congestion, and a shortage of drivers or mechanics preventing services from operating to schedule. The NTA are working hard with operators to address these issues, and holds weekly operational meetings to discuss performance, understand challenges and identify where improvements can be made.
My Department is also working closely with the NTA to try to address these issues through initiatives such as the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce which aims to address recruitment challenges for drivers and mechanics; and planned improvements to the vehicle location system under Next Generation AVL, which will enhance the accuracy of real-time passenger information.
Further, in instances where performance drops, under their contractual arrangements, financial penalties are rigorously applied unless the cause of the loss of performance is outside of the control of the operator. For example, if a bus service doesn’t operate due to circumstances within the operator’s control, a deduction is applied equivalent to the cost of the cancelled service. The contracts also provide for deductions to be made when punctuality and reliability targets are not met.
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.
202. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the proposed Northern Ring Road. [46297/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 planning, design and construction 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 on the status of this project.
I can confirm that €400,000 has been allocated for the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formerly the Cork Northern Ring Road) in 2026.
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.
203. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the current provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in County Cork, including the number, type and distribution of existing charge points; the planned expansion of the network in the county; whether he is satisfied with the progress made to date, the level of funding committed by his Department towards EV charging infrastructure in Cork to date and in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44335/26]
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.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy is currently being revised, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April.
Further, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations, will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.
Local authorities will be funded by my Department, through Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking. Cork county has been identified under Region 6 of this plan separately identified as City 3.
A range of infrastructure schemes have been developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including:
LDV National Road Grant Scheme.
This programme provides financial support to the private sector for the installation of high-powered recharging pools along key sections of Ireland’s national roads, including successful sites in Cork.
As of the end of May, based on data for 1,163 locations provided by registered ChargePoint Operators directly to the national reporting platform for EV recharging infrastructure, the number of recharging points in Cork is 318. The table below provides the numbers broken down into categories per the AFIR classification.
The Shared Island funded Sports Club EV Charging Scheme provides funding to install a network of publicly accessible chargers in communities nationwide through their local sports clubs, with fourteen eligible clubs in Cork: Ballincollig GAA, Ballydesmond GAA, Bandon Hurling and Football Club, Buttevant AFS Ltd, Coachford AFC, Cobh Golf Club, Cork Constitution Football Club, Glengarriff Golf Club, Kildorrery GAA Club, 1 Kinsale Golf Club, Midleton GAA 1 Munster Rugby, Neptune Basketball Club and Sunday's Well RFC.
ZEVI has developed a Pilot Programme with Local Authorities, which aims to deliver 26 pilot projects across 15 Local Authorities, including Cork. The focus for the Pilot programme is to provide charging infrastructure at locations that meet multiple user needs for Local Authority owned sites.
204. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Transport the progress being made in expanding public transport services in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46228/26]
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 and monitoring the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link services. 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.
205. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided for the establishment of a new bus service between Athenry and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44954/26]
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 Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link services. 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.
206. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport when funding, needed to progress and complete the active travel projects in County Louth will be released; the amount of funding that has been deemed to be needed in order to fully deliver the active travel projects in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
In 2026, the NTA allocated €4 million to Louth County Council for various walking and cycling projects around the county. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
207. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport if PSO funding will be provided to maintain the 6.50am train from Athenry to Galway beyond August 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44953/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; 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 company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
208. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport when the NTA’s capital investment plan over the period to 2030 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46230/26]
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, including it's Capital Investment plan.
Pending this more detailed response I wish to note that the Department's NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, which was published last November, has allocated approximately €10 billion to public transport from 2026 to 2030, in addition to the €2 billion from the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to support the development of MetroLink. The NTA's investment plan will set out in greater detail how this funding will be allocated over the coming years.
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.
