Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:48. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the timetable for a bus (details supplied); and if his Department will consider adding times to the route. [69960/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Services
Ceisteanna (48)
Freagraí 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 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.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (49)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:49. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and Iarnród Éireann review the capacity of the rail service serving Cork Kent to Cobh and Midleton, given the overcrowding regularly taking place on the service. [69959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 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.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (50)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:50. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if parking at the Millstreet train station will remain free of charge to commuters, given the expansion of the car park. [69958/26]
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 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.
Pension Provisions
Ceisteanna (51)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:51. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question 62049/26, if the statutory public consultation process has concluded; if the amendments to the CIÉ pension schemes have been agreed; and when retirees of CIÉ will finally receive their long awaited pension increase. [69982/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As a commercial semi-state body, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees.
Following on from the constructive and collaborative approach of the Trade Union Group and CIÉ management in reaching agreement on a pathway forward as of May 2025, my Department is progressing the agreement of bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members, including review of the relevant draft Statutory Instruments, and the matter of increases to pension payments.
Under the Transport Act, 1950, a Statutory Consultation process is required regarding amendments to CIÉ Pension Schemes, which took place over the early summer 2026, and representations from interested parties are currently under review.
Every effort is being made to progress this matter at the earliest, keeping in line with the appropriate procedures, compliance with all applicable requirements, and necessary approvals as part of the formal process, which is now well underway and imminent.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (52)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:52. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a reply to their road transporters support scheme late application query. [69987/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An opportunity to request permission to submit a late application for support under the Road Transporters Support Scheme was provided for potential applicants where they could demonstrate with supporting evidence that they were unable to apply during the original application period because:
1. An unforeseen event or circumstance occurred during all or a significant part of the application period;
2. The event was outside of their reasonable control; and
3. The event or circumstance materially prevented them from applying.
My Department received approximately 120 requests to submit a late application during the late application window which opened on Monday 20 July and closed on Friday 24 July 2026.
All requests to submit a late application received by my Department during the late application window have been assessed and officials from my Department have been in contact with each applicant with further instructions. In order to protect the integrity of the Scheme, requests to submit a late application are no longer being accepted.
Officials from my Department are finalising all remaining applications and are prioritising issuing replies to active applicants. Due to the high volume of queries being received, and noting that processing outstanding applications is being prioritised, individual responses are not being issued to all emails at present. However, the RTSS mailbox includes an auto response with general information on the Scheme and provides a link to a frequently asked questions document, available on the Department’s website, with additional detailed information on the Scheme.
Departmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (53)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:53. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport when a payment under the road transport scheme will issue to a person (details supplied). [70000/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Thank you for your question in relation to the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS). My Department received over 4,400 applications, in respect of approximately 31,500 vehicles. As of 02 October 2026, approximately 4,100 applications have been assessed and approved for payment.
This week, officials in my Department are processing the remaining applications in batches. The remaining applications have faced delays as they contained errors, were incomplete, or included duplicated information. All remaining applications will receive an assessment outcome email over the coming days.
I can confirm that the application ID you have provided is included in this cohort of applications.
Once all remaining outcome emails have issued, the appeals process will open. Officials from my Department will be in contact with all applicants with details of the appeals process once it goes live. Further information regarding the appeals process will also be published on the Department’s website.
Driver Test
Ceisteanna (54)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the rising increase in driving test wait times as reported today (details supplied), particularly in Dún Laoghaire where wait times have risen again to 19 weeks this month and the impact this is having on those waiting for tests for employment/education and other reasons; if he will outline the immediate steps he is taking to bring down waiting times permanently; and if emergency slots have been considered for those who can provide supporting evidence of the necessity of an early test. [70025/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service.
The latest information provided to me by the RSA indicates that, as of 19 September, the average waiting time for an invitation to book a driving test at the Dún Laoghaire/Deansgrange test centre was 18 weeks. This compares to the national average waiting time for an invitation to book a driving test of 11.9 weeks. I am assured by the RSA that work is continuing to reduce waiting times 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.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (55)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:55. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the assessments undertaken by his Department and the National Transport Authority to measure public transport demand in the Kildare North constituency; and the metrics used to assess whether existing public transport capacity is meeting current and projected demand. [70113/26]
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 and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In this context, the NTA continues to keep public transport connectivity under ongoing and active review as part of its wider network planning responsibilities. Within the constraints of the resources available for PSO services, the NTA are responsible for prioritising its service plan, taking into account operational readiness, demonstrated and anticipated passenger demand, and the need to deliver value for money.
We are at a key juncture for public transport in Ireland. Reliable and sustainable services are critical as passenger numbers grow, congestion worsens in urban areas, and a greater proportion of the population depends on public transport for commuting, education, and essential travel. The challenge is to therefore balance affordability for passengers with the long-term financial sustainability needed to expand and improve public transport services.
I can assure you that the NTA are informed by a balanced assessment of public transport demands including operational requirements, resource availability, and service performance when conducting transport planning. Their decisions are underpinned by detailed analysis of existing services, including operational metrics, performance trends, and customer feedback, and also take account of competing funding pressures, affordability considerations, and broader public transport priorities to ensure resources are targeted where they deliver the greatest benefit.
Funding for new or enhanced services in 2027 will be considered through the annual Estimates process, taking account of competing funding demands and wider public transport priorities.
Both my Department and I remain fully committed to delivering a public transport system that is reliable, accessible, affordable, and capable of meeting the growing needs of communities in Kildare and beyond.
Safeguarding the long-term financial sustainability while being responsive to passenger needs remains a central commitment under the Programme for Government. Achieving this requires a careful balance between delivering high-quality reliable services and ensuring the network is adequately resourced to meet growing demand.
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.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (56)
Naoise Ó Cearúil
Ceist:56. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the public transport projects currently planned or under construction in the Kildare North constituency and their anticipated delivery timelines. [70112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport I hold overall policy responsibility for transport projects across the sector. However the delivery of those projects is generally managed by the relevant agency directly. Additionally, capital projects can vary in scale, from ongoing capital works programmes such as road maintenance, to major infrastructure delivery.
As a result, to provide the information requested by the Deputy I refer the Deputy to the National Development Plan's Transport Sectoral Investment Plan 2026-2030 (available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/publications/national-development-plan-review-2025-sectoral-investment-plan/). Some of the many projects in the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan include the M4 Maynooth to Leixlip project, the DART+ West and DART+South West projects, the Grand Canal Greenway, and cycling network improvements related to the CycleConnects programme.
I also refer the Deputy to the Government's coordinated Project 2040 tracker for major regional projects (available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/myprojectireland-interactive-map-and-tracker/).
For information on other programmes which are not specifically captured within the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan or within reporting on Project 2040, I will refer the Deputy's question to TII and the NTA for consideration and provision of an overview at the county level. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Active Travel
Ceisteanna (57)
Emer Currie
Ceist:57. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress made rolling-out electric bike schemes in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford; the breakdown of the number of the previously-announced 400 bikes now available for public use in these cities; the amount that has been spent to date on the introduction of electrics bikes in these cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of shared micromobility schemes such as the TFI bike schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.
Details related to the operation and expansion of the above schemes are a matter for the NTA. Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (58)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:58. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport to list the cultural institutions, if any, including museums, galleries, libraries, archives, theatres, concert halls, bands, ensembles, and performing companies, operated or hosted by his Department and public bodies or semi-State companies under his Department's remit, identifying the State funding provided for these institutions each year for the past ten years; where they are based; and the number of personnel dedicated to them. [70132/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department makes an annual payment of €3,750 to the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, as well as occasionally providing additional payments for specific purposes such as maritime-heritage activities undertaken by the Museum. In 2024 an additional €5,000 was paid to the Museum in support of the maritime-heritage related activities carried out by the Museum including commemorations, lecture and small-scale exhibitions.
The cultural institutions within the agencies and organisations under my Department's remit are operational matters for those organisations. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies under my remit for direct reply on this matter. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Taxi Regulations
Ceisteanna (59, 60, 61)
Pa Daly
Ceist:59. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if consideration is being given, as part of the dispatch operator review, to placing greater regulatory obligations on app-based dispatch platforms to assist drivers in meeting tax compliance requirements; and the proposals under consideration. [70264/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:60. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if the issue of VAT reverse-charge obligations on SPSV drivers forms part of the current review of dispatch operator regulations being undertaken by the National Transport Authority; whether submissions raising this matter have been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70263/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:61. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if the ongoing National Transport Authority review of dispatch operator regulations is examining the tax compliance implications arising from platform-based dispatch services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 61 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry and the dispatch operator licence review, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
Question No. 60 answered with Question No. 59.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 59.
Taxi Licences
Ceisteanna (62, 63, 66)
Pa Daly
Ceist:62. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority considers it has sufficient statutory powers to impose licence conditions relating to tax-compliance arrangements between dispatch operators and drivers; and if not, the legislative amendments would be required to provide such powers. [70259/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:63. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority has examined the possibility of requiring licensed dispatch operators, as a condition of licensing, to implement systems that ensure tax liabilities arising from platform commissions or dispatch charges are dealt with directly and transparently rather than being left to individual drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:66. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the tax compliance checks undertaken by the National Transport Authority before granting, renewing or maintaining a dispatch operator licence; whether licensed dispatch operators are required to demonstrate that their Irish tax affairs are fully up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70249/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 63 and 66 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Matters in relation to tax compliance are the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. I have no role in personal or business taxation issues. I understand, however, that before an SPSV driver licence, vehicle licence, or dispatch operator licence is granted, the applicant must ensure that their tax affairs are up to date.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 62.
Taxi Regulations
Ceisteanna (64, 65)
Pa Daly
Ceist:64. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that the growth of app-based dispatch operators does not undermine the ability of the National Transport Authority to regulate the SPSV sector independently and in the interests of drivers, passengers and the wider public. [70267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPa Daly
Ceist:65. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the regulatory framework governing the SPSV sector is being determined by the National Transport Authority in the public interest rather than being shaped by the corporate structures and business models of large international platform operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70266/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
The principal function of the NTA is the development, operation and maintenance of a regulatory framework for the licensing and regulation of the standards to be applied to SPSVs, their drivers, and dispatch operators. This is done in accordance with the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 and all associated regulations and orders.
As part of its role, the NTA continues to review and modernise the regulatory framework for SPSVs and regularly involves relevant stakeholders and the public in this process through public consultations. For example, the structure of the taxi and hackney market has undoubtedly changed since liberalisation of the market in 2002, and more notably in recent years, in relation to the role of dispatch operators. In response to this, the NTA held a Call for Inputs consultation on the dispatch operator licensing framework earlier this year. The results of this Call for Inputs exercise will be presented to the NTA’s Board later this year and a public consultation will be held soon afterwards on legislative developments arising from this Call for Inputs exercise.
Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 64.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 62.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (67)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:67. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority has engaged with Cork County Council regarding bus stop provision and pedestrian access to public transport for new residential developments in Whitechurch, County Cork; the outcome of any such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70275/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 and management of bus stops 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 10 working days.
Pending a more detailed response, I note that my Department and the NTA are committed to providing public transport infrastructure that is safe, accessible and effective for all passengers, in line with commitments made in the Programme for Government. Decisions regarding the location of bus stops are made following careful considerations of a range of factors such as passenger interchange, safety, accessibility and road alignment, among others.