Emer Currie
Ceist:225. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport whether the NTA is required to issue an annual publication of enforcement and appeals statistics regarding vehicle clamping. [50697/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Transport Authority
Ceisteanna (225)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, I wish to advise that the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 does not require the National Transport Authority to publish data on its enforcement activities or the number of appeals received in a given year. However, the National Transport Authority does publish vehicle clamping appeal statistics on its website and in its annual report.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (226, 227)
Pa Daly
Ceist:226. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost of maintaining the 20% fare reduction on public transport. [50698/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:227. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost of increasing the fare reduction on public transport to 30%. [50699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.
As 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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts. Budget 2026 included funding for the continuation of public transport fare initiatives including the 90-minute fare and provision to maintain targeted fare initiatives such as the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and reduction in fares for Young Adult Cardholders for those aged 19-25, as part of the NTA's National Fares Strategy. The provision of PSO funding to support the extension of fare initiatives into 2027 will be determined through the Annual Estimates process. In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Question No. 227 answered with Question No. 226.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (228, 229, 230, 231)
Pa Daly
Ceist:228. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost of hiring an additional FTE driver tester. [50700/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:229. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost of increasing the number of driving testers by 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 50% and 100% respectively, in tabular form. [50701/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:230. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver testers that are currently employed; the salary of a driver tester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50702/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:231. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver testers broken down by testing centre in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50703/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 231, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, I am informed by the RSA that as of 13 June, 194 testers were in place, which marks a significant increase on the 151 available at the beginning of 2025. The RSA is working to reach its full complement of 200 testers later this year subject to the training and onboarding of new recruits, which is continuing.
Additionally, the Deputy may wish to note that detailed statistics on driver tester distribution, 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/ROA38
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Question No. 229 answered with Question No. 228.
Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 228.
Question No. 231 answered with Question No. 228.
Question No. 232 answered with Question No. 215.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (233)
Pa Daly
Ceist:233. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been provided to connecting Ireland rural bus scheme broken down by capex and opex funding in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50705/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
A fundamental reset in funding was required to place the Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme on a sustainable, long-term footing, in line with the Programme for Government. Accordingly, the 2026 PSO allocation was structured to eliminate the need for supplementary in-year funding, providing greater certainty and stability for service delivery.
To underpin this, the Department secured an unprecedented €940 million allocation for PSO and TFI Local Link services in Budget 2026, a substantial 43% increase on Budget 2025. This significant investment provides a robust foundation to ensure that existing public transport services are delivered reliably and sustainably throughout the year, enabling the system to meet rising passenger demand and assist to absorb growing operational costs. €31m has also been ring-fenced for dedicated investment into key rural transport services.
Below are the details for the Rural Transport Programme, Rural Regular Services, and Connecting Ireland including maintenance and implementation of relevant new services:
|
Year |
Current Expenditure |
Capital Expenditure |
|
2020 |
€22.8m |
€0.65m |
|
2021 |
€27.6m |
€0.65m |
|
2022 |
€34.6m |
€0.65m |
|
2023 |
€47.8m |
€0.875m |
|
2024 |
€54.2m (+ €10m all new services*) |
€3.1m |
|
2025 |
€73.4m (+ €15m all new services*) |
€3.3m |
|
2026 |
€97m |
€3.4m |
*During 2024 and 2025 there was a combined allocation to New Services (Connecting Ireland, New Town Services and Bus Connects).
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (234)
Pa Daly
Ceist:234. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost to hire an additional FTE bus driver broken down by cap ex and op ex funding on public transport. [50706/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 including cost determination and breakdown of expenditure for staffing bus drivers, 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.
The referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (235, 238, 239, 241)
Pa Daly
Ceist:235. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the cost to hire an additional FTE train driver broken down by cap ex and op ex funding on public transport. [50707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:238. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the detailed breakdown of the number of train drivers hired on public transport in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50718/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:239. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to employ train drivers on public transport in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50719/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:241. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of increasing the number of Iarnród Éireann drivers by 10%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively, in tabular form. [50721/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 235, 238, 239 and 241 together.
As 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.
Aviation Industry
Ceisteanna (236)
Aidan Farrelly
Ceist:236. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify whether a company (details supplied) have been consulted or have been engaged with to provide support with existing aircraft navigation systems such as ground beacons at Irish airports; if the same company has been consulted or engaged with to provide a replacement of existing system; and if he will provide the details of same and associated cost of those investments. [50716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been informed by AirNav Ireland that they have engaged with Indra Navia AS in relation to aircraft navigation systems at Irish State airports.
Indra Navia AS was appointed following a competitive public procurement process conducted by the Irish Aviation Authority in 2020 for the replacement of Instrument Landing System (ILS) infrastructure at the State airports. The company was selected as the preferred bidder following evaluation of tenders received under that process. The contract was transferred to AirNav Ireland on 1 May 2023.
The project is ongoing and no elements of the project have been abandoned, paused or placed on hold. There are no reported cost overruns or delivery overruns in respect of this contract. The contract value is €2,827,247.03 (exclusive of VAT).
Indra Navia AS is a recognised international provider of air navigation and landing system technology and has been engaged by AirNav Ireland in connection with the delivery and support of ILS systems at the State airports.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (237)
Pa Daly
Ceist:237. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the detailed breakdown of the number of bus drivers hired on public transport in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [50717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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, Bus Éireann and Go Ahead Ireland. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Further, While most public transport in Ireland comprises the bus and rail services funded through the NTA’s public service obligation (PSO) programme, there is part of the national public transport system that comprises non-subvented bus services, which are run on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying sizes throughout the country. As commercial operators, any decisions taken by these companies are operational maters for the individual companies themeselves.
Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 235.
Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 235.
Dublin Bus
Ceisteanna (240)
Pa Daly
Ceist:240. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of increasing the number of Dublin Bus drivers by 10%, 20%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively, in tabular form. [50720/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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
Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 235.