Written Answers Nos. 245-264
245. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland have plans to introduce road safety and traffic calming measures at the entrance to Mallow Hospital on the N20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68041/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
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 traffic calming measures on the N20.
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.
246. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend rail services to Park West and Cherry Orchard station on weekends. [68030/26]
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.
247. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding the Transport Security Force Bill; and when this Bill will progress to the next stage. [68054/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is actively progressing the necessary steps to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to establish a Transport Security Force, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. Considerable progress has been made in recent months, and this work remains a top priority.
Current work in relation to the commitment is focused on ensuring that an effective and appropriate operational model is selected, with ongoing engagement across a range of policy, operational and legislative issues.
My Department is also actively progressing the legislative measures required to underpin a Transport Security Force. Work has been undertaken to date in developing and assessing the policy and legislative proposals for the introduction of the force.
Subject to the completion of the policy development process, my Department intends to advance work on the General Scheme of a Transport Security Force Bill during the fourth quarter of 2026, including undertaking the preparatory work required to support the drafting of the legislation.
248. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Transport his Department’s policy on consultation with the National Monuments Service and The Heritage Council, with regards to protected sites located close to proposed development of bus layover infrastructure. [68116/26]
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, including bus infrastructure.
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 10 working days.
249. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding a review of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 that would restrict the permission of private clamping companies to clamp cars on public land and instead encourage a system of fixed penalties that would not restrict the driver from leaving. [68092/26]
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.
250. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if his Department plans on reviewing the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015. [68244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, which came into effect in 2017, gave the National Transport Authority responsibility for vehicle clamping in both statutory and non-statutory clamping places throughout the State.
As Minister for Transport, I can confirm that my Department has no current plans to review or amend the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015. The Deputy may also note, however, that officials of my Department are open to submissions of suggested amendments, should the Deputy wish to do so.
251. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the amount the National Transport Authority has fined Dublin Bus for bus routes 15, 27a, 27b, H1, H2, H3, and 6 not meeting NTA service delivery targets in each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68263/26]
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.
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. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
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.
252. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the amount the National Transport Authority have fined Iarnród Eireann for not meeting service delivery targets for the DART. [68276/26]
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. As Minister for Transport I continue to engage with the NTA on an ongoing basis in relation to maintaining high operational standards on all forms of public transport.
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.
253. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the plans for the introduction of BusConnects to Waterford; the date the BusConnects plan is to commence; the requirements which must be met to deliver the new transport scheme; whether permanent funding has been committed to the scheme; if so, the amount; the full extent of revenue and capital funding needed for the scheme; the number of drivers needed for the scheme and the number in situ; the plans for recruitment of drivers; whether there are delays to implementation; if so, the reasons; and whether there has been a decision to postpone the scheme. [68285/26]
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 BusConnects Waterford programme.
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 10 working days.
Pending this detailed response, I note that BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. In each city the programme will involve a mix of network redesign, new electric bus fleet, and the provision of segregated bus and cycling facilities to support more efficient journey times for sustainable transport modes.
In Waterford this includes the provision of 63km of bus lanes and bus priority measures across the Waterford Metropolitan Area and a network redesign to increase in the level of bus services including four proposed routes which would operate every 15 minutes, seven days a week.
The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, which was published by my Department in November last year, has allocated funding to progress BusConnects across the cities. The NTA will publish a more detailed plan later this year of what elements of the programme will be advanced within the funding available up to 2030.
254. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to the difficulties faced by learner drivers whose insurance renewal date falls after their scheduled driving test date, resulting in them being unable to present valid documentation at the time of the test; whether this issue has been raised with the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68238/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including all operational matters.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
255. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to take into consideration the most dangerous section of the Ring of Kerry, National Secondary road by requesting TII to provide €150,000 to Kerry County Council to cover the cost of the planning application for the long-overdue Laune Bridge to Anglont/RDI Hub road realignment project; and will he make a statement on the matter. [68232/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.
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 the N70 Ring of Kerry road as well as the N70 from Killorglin to the RDI Hub at Anglont.
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.
256. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to review and broaden access to the Residential Sound Insulation Grant Scheme (RSIGS) for homes experiencing noise disruption due to the increase in night-time flights at Dublin Airport. [68303/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to begin by assuring the Deputy that it is important to this Government in ensuring the sustainable development of Dublin Airport, to balance the legitimate rights of local residents who are concerned about noise levels at the airport, with the objectives of the National Aviation Policy, and the needs of business and tourism.
That said, it is important to note that, as Minister, I do not have a role in determining the criteria for the insulation or buy-out schemes operated by daa.
As the Residential Sound Insulation Grant Scheme falls within the remit of daa, I have forwarded your question to daa for direct response. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
257. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport to outline his plans for interim traffic arrangements during the Dart+ west construction programme. [68196/26]
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.
With regard to the Deputy's specific questions regarding specific details for interim traffic arrangements during DART+ West construction, this is a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
258. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has a strategy for the purchase of additional train carriages over the next number of years; and if such a strategy exists to outline the number of carriages expected to be delivered by year, in tabular form. [68178/26]
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, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, the purchase of rolling stock.
As such 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 a more detailed response I note that my Department has funded the NTA for three orders comprising a total of 285 new electric and battery-electric carries to date under the DART+ Fleet project. This first order of 95 carriages is currently undergoing testing and will start rolling out on the Northern Rail Line to Drogheda next year. The second order of 90 battery-electric carriages is planned to start entering service in 2028 and will help facilitate the extension of the DART to Wicklow around 2029. A third of 100 electric carriages was placed in December 2025, to replace the existing DART fleet.
I also note that the NTA and Iarnród Éireann are developing a national rail fleet replacement programme which will inform the purchase of replacement rolling stock for intercity and commuter rail fleet currently in operation on the network.
259. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport whether additional funding has been allocated to the RSA to expand existing road safety education programmes; if yes, the amount of additional funding provided; whether any additional programmes will be delivered in 2026; and the number of additional educational programmes that will be delivered. [68329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness campaigns and for the advancement of education specific to the safe use of roads. As part of its remit the RSA delivers key road safety messages through education programmes ranging from pre-primary road safety education through to education programmes for third level students. Details of the RSAs education programmes are available on the RSA website. I have also referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for a direct and more detailed reply in relation to its education programmes.
The RSA has set aside a ringfenced budget of €18 million this year dedicated to road safety public interest activities including awareness raising, educational, and promotion campaigns in 2026. This matches the amount of funding set aside for these activities in 2025.
In addition, under the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030, Action 9 identifies education as a key measure to address and improve road user behaviour as part of achieving better road safety outcomes for all road users. The RSA are leading this Action, working collaboratively with key stakeholders including An Garda Síochána, Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the local authorities.
260. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Transport To ask the Minister for Transport why the 00:20 Expressway service from Dublin Airport to Drogheda failed to operate on September 13, why no passenger updates were provided, and what measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence. [68333/26]
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.
Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route 51, is a commercial bus service and responsibility for the operation of the service is a matter for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
261. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport Whether any funding has been allocated to establishing the new "Road Safety Ambassadors Programme" as announced by his Department (Details Supplied); and when the programme is expected to be launched. [68332/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government approved proposals on 29 July to further reform the Road Safety Authority (RSA) while maintaining the one organisation. These proposals build upon governance and financial changes previously introduced following the 2024 Indecon Review of the RSA and aim to strengthen its visibility, impact and effectiveness.
My Department is engaging with the RSA on the implementation of the reform proposals. This includes the introduction of a new Road Safety Ambassadors Programme this year which will see the appointment of high-profile road safety advocates to work with the RSA to target different audiences with road safety messaging.
The RSA is largely self-funded and income from customer services, such as driver testing, driver licencing and the NCT service, is used to fund public interest work. The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA has ringfenced €18 million this year for investment in road safety awareness, education and campaigns, maintaining the significant 2025 level of investment in this important area.
262. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport has the RSA considered reforming the current driving-test format, including a more supportive or modular assessment model, while maintaining road-safety standards. [68319/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the Deputy may wish to note that in the Phase 2 Action Plan 2025-2027 of the Government's Road Safety Strategy, Action 7A states that the RSA will lead to 'enhance the learning to drive programme based on evidence from international best practice, in tandem with improvements in the driving test'.
The objective of this work is to ensure the learning to drive programme is fit for purpose, future-proofed, and capable of adapting to advancements in vehicle technology while considering international best practice.
The RSA has progressed this action and conducted a review of the learning to drive curriculum, in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology, with a view to bringing forward recommendations in the coming months.
263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport what the average waiting time is for a repeat driving test following an unsuccessful attempt, and what measures are being considered to reduce this delay. [68320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the latest information provided to me by the RSA indicates that, as of 19 September, the national average waiting time for an invitation to book a driving test was 11.9-weeks. I am assured by the RSA that work is continuing to reduce the waiting time in line with the target 10-week service level agreement.
I am pleased that as of end June, the full sanctioned complement of 200 driver testers are employed by the RSA, which is a significant increase on the 151 testers available at the beginning of 2025 and a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.
I would encourage learner drivers awaiting a test to monitor the driver testing booking system which makes available cancelled test slots for candidates to take up at short notice across the service.
264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the supports or reasonable accommodations the RSA provides to driving-test candidates experiencing anxiety or mental-health difficulties; and if these supports are being reviewed. [68318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service. Neither I nor my officials are involved in the service at an operational level. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, I am informed that the Driver Theory Test provider offers various options to accommodate candidates who may require special assistance to take their test. Additional supports include a voice-over option whereby the questions and answers are read out to the candidate over headphones. Additional time may also be allowed for a candidate to take the test. There is also a reader recorder service available whereby a staff member will read the questions and answer options to the candidate and record their answers on screen.
The RSA assures my Department that they continuously seek to review its services to ensure customers are supported and welcomes the feedback of customers and their advocates.
