Written Answers Nos. 395-414
395. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if online certificate of professional competence courses will be offered for heavy goods vehicle drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20487/22]
View answerThere is no online driver CPC training in place at the current time. EU Directive 2003/59/EC, which introduced driver CPC, was updated in 2018 (EU Directive 645 of 2018) and the amended directive allows for part of the driver CPC training to be completed online. However, most of the training would be required to be completed in a classroom-based environment.
The RSA is has begun reviewing options for online training. Later in the year, it will commence a consultation process with stakeholders.
396. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to introduce legislation which would allow local authorities to regulate the use of horse drawn carriages on public roads. [20490/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, some local authorities develop bye-laws to licence horse-drawn carriages operating commercially. Through bye-laws, these local authorities set their own rules and stipulations to govern such operations. It is under Part 19 of the Local Government Act 2001 that local authorities are provided with power in respect of making bye-laws. Local Government legislation comes within the ambit of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
In most counties, there seems to have been little demand and bye-laws are not in place. In other areas, the matter is more relevant. For example, in Kerry, where there is a long tradition of jarvey operation, bye-laws have been adopted to regulate the operation of these horse-drawn hackney carriages.
Unlike other local authorities in the country, Dublin City Council lacks the power to regulate and set standards for horse-drawn carriages. My Department is working with relevant stakeholders in developing an appropriate regulatory framework for this area. This work includes the consideration of how best to safely repeal the Dublin Carriage Acts 1853-55, which currently vests the power to regulate horse-drawn carriages in Dublin with the Dublin Metropolitan Police Commissioners, to whom An Garda Síochána is the successor. Work on this issue, unfortunately, did not progress as planned in the last two years due to the need to prioritise work in other areas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Work is once again progressing, however, and it is expected that, once consultations with relevant stakeholders have been completed, approval of Government will be sought to commence detailed drafting of the necessary legislation.
397. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport if a policy change will be made to allow driver licenses from the United States of America to be transferred to an Irish drivers’ license following similar policies that currently apply to licenses from Canada, Australia and Ukraine. [20499/22]
View answerIreland has driving licence exchange agreements in place with Australia and seven of the 10 Canadian provinces, but not with the United States of America.
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all member states must comply. The format of licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are all set at EU level.
Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU countries. These agreements can be made when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible. For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The RSA has previously explored exchange agreements with the USA. However, US driver licensing operates at state, rather than federal, level, meaning that there are 50 different licensing systems. This would require the development of 50 separate agreements.
When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, they may obtain an Irish licence through the normal process. While many may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring that the standards of the driving test have been met.
People resident in Ireland who have held a full but non-exchangeable licence for longer than two years must go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons, instead of the usual 12, and they do not have to be a learner for the minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
On 22 April, I signed an order to allow Ukrainians admitted to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to exchange their Ukrainian licences for Irish licences. Such licences are valid for 12 months and will only apply to cars. This measure was taken in response to the immediate and extraordinary humanitarian crisis arising from the conflict in Ukraine.
398. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider a request by an organisation (details supplied) to include the Limerick to Ballybrophy via Nenagh railway line on the Irish Rail manual level crossing upgrade project and provide the ring fenced funding required to initiate the process of automating the 12 manual level crossings remaining on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line.
This is the third year of the five-year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme in excess of €1.1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support infrastructure maintenance and improvement. This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services. Usage of level crossings is reviewed on an annual basis through an on-going programme of inspections.
The Deputy may wish to note that the IMMAC programme supports an enhanced programme of track relaying on the Ballybrophy line.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility on the specific issue raised, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
399. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review correspondence from (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20559/22]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
The major cuts to funding for regional and local roads during the post 2008 recession resulted in the build-up of a substantial backlog of works across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion.
Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
While funding is not at a level that would allow the backlog of roadworks across the country to be addressed, there has been significant increases in Exchequer grants for regional and local roads particularly in the recent years. The 2022 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities on the 15th February and Monaghan County Council has been allocated a total of €15,868,600 million which compares to an allocation of €7,684,950 million in 2017.
The Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated to local authorities on a pro-rata basis, determined mainly by the length of the regional and local road network in the county. Basing regional and local roads grant allocations on road condition could result in an uneven distribution of Exchequer funding. For example, local authorities that allocate higher levels of own resources funding to regional and local roads will have a larger proportion of roads with a higher condition rating than those with lower levels of own resources funding.
The Department appreciates that, within the overall parameters set for the grant programme, local authorities might need to target funding at particular problem areas and there is sufficient flexibility in the structure of the grant programme to allow for this. It is also open to each local authority to allocate its own resources to priority areas.
400. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport when grant information will be available for the heavy goods vehicle transport market to encourage the transition from traditional fossil fuelled vehicles to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/22]
View answerProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Irish Government. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
To promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, my Department launched the Alternatively-Fueled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme in March 2021.The Scheme, which is administered by TII, is intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fueled power-trains. To accord with EU State Aid rules, grant levels under the Scheme are calculated as a percentage of the difference in price between a conventionally-fueled diesel HDV and its alternatively-fueled equivalent. Maximum grant levels for eligible vehicles depend on the size of the enterprise applying for the grant.
€3m was allocated to this scheme in 2021 and given the excellent response to the initiative, my Department has allocated an additional €3m in funds this year to assist the heavy-duty vehicle sector in its transition to zero-mobility. Details on how to apply are available on the TII website.
401. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to their position within the Department. [20652/22]
View answerSince January 2019 each secondment out of my Department has taken place with the intention that each staff member would be returning to the Department when the secondment has ended.
The duration of staff secondments to other Government Departments vary as they may be terminated at relatively short notice, or extended, by agreement with the other Department and the staff member concerned. In accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform rules, during periods of secondment, staff maintain their terms and conditions of employment including their civil service grade and when the secondment period ends they return to the Department at that grade.
402. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to €360m per annum over the period 2021-2025 for investment in Active Travel. This investment will help support the delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025, as well as additional investment in Greenways and increased numbers of Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country.
I would like to assure you that the provision of safe and connected walking and cycling infrastructure is at the forefront of my Department's priorities, and the step-change in funding committed for Active Travel is proof of the Government's commitment to this area, and I look forward to the delivery of the numerous projects and programmes around the country.
As Minister, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.
Noting their responsibility in this area, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
403. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has discussed with his colleague the Minister for Finance ways to overcome VAT and custom barriers on electric vehicle imports now in place due to Brexit in order to encourage the importation of second-hand electric vehicles from Britain to help build a second hand electric vehicle market here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/22]
View answerThis matter of VAT and custom barriers has arisen due to the UK leaving the EU. Overall, policy responsibility for taxation lies with the Minister for Finance. However this Department is considering and reviewing ways to expand the range of measures available to support the importation of EVs as well as specific measures targeting the growth of the second hand market.
The Department is also reviewing alternative provisions such as converting ICE vehicles to EVs. For the moment the Department has been advised that this is not feasible at scale. Officials will keep this technology under review.
I am acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers and that supply chain issues globally have also proven difficult. These have been exacerbated by international events.
Ireland is at the beginning of its transition to private electric transport. Within a few years I anticipate there will be a viable second hand market that will provide a more affordable pathway to the purchase of an EV. In addition, the motor industry is planning to bring more affordable electric vehicles onto the market. Notwithstanding this, I am taking steps to accelerate the establishment of a second hand EV market in Ireland.
My Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. This Group considered a variety of regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to accelerate EV adoption. The Group also examined the issue of price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles and found that parity in respect of the Total Cost of Ownership is likely to be achieved later on this decade, driven by falling battery prices and savings due to economies of scale.
In the meantime, in order to support the transition to EVs, the Group recommended that the generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland should be retained until at least end-2022. Additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. Cost-effective, targeted policy supports should continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years.
An Implementation Group has been established to progress the recommendations and consider further potential measures and barriers to the adoption of the EVs. It will also examine the creation of a second hand market. This Group will report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
In addition, work is underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland as a matter of priority. This office will co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure. Our objective is to develop and refine cost-effective, targeted policy supports over the coming years.
404. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the report completed by a person (details supplied) in 2010 into much needed reform of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20675/22]
View answerThe report referred to was not a report about the Marine Casualty Investigation Board or Ireland’s marine casualty investigation structures per se, but rather a report on the possible establishment of a multi-modal investigation body combining the rail, air and marine accident investigation bodies under a single entity.
The focus of the current Merchant Shipping Bill and the next legislative reform proposal is a review of the organisational structures relating to marine casualty investigation alone. The option of a multi-modal body was considered again but is not being pursued as the main focus is to amend the marine casualty investigation structures – consideration of a multi-modal body would be a longer term issue. Possible publication of the report is under consideration by my Department.
405. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the Clinch Report has not yet been published given his public commitment that it would be published by the end of the first quarter of 2022; if he will now make arrangements to publish this important report into much needed reform of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to make clear that the report referred to in the question was not solely a report on the current organisational structures for marine casualty investigation in Ireland, i.e. the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, but rather it was focused on setting out recommendations to achieve the most appropriate and effective marine casualty investigation structures for Ireland, taking into account national, EU and international obligations.
In March 2021 my Department issued a Request for Tenders inviting proposals, including costings, from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to undertake the review. Following a tendering process between 3 potential suppliers, Clinchmaritime Ltd. was selected as the preferred supplier to undertake the review. Clinchmaritime Ltd. is headed by Captain Steve Clinch, who is widely recognised as an international expert with extensive experience of marine casualty investigation. Captain Clinch was the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents of the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) between 2010 and 2018.
Clinchmaritime Ltd.’s report was received in July 2021. The report and its recommendations are currently being considered by officials in my Department as part of the review of organisational structures for marine casualty investigation in Ireland and my Department is engaging with the Office of the Attorney General with regard to its publication. Once this engagement has been concluded, and subject to the advice, I will then look to publish the report as appropriate.
406. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the timeframe for a decision to fund the N11 and M11 upgrade taking into account the hiatus on planning permissions for residents in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/22]
View answerAs 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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
407. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the details of the terms and conditions for the draw down of his Departments safety improvement scheme and regional roads grants by local authorities; the checks that are in place to ensure that the works are completed and that value for money is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20739/22]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
€10 million approximately in grant support has been allocated this year for lower cost safety improvement works schemes on regional and local roads where the cost of individual projects does not exceed €200,000.
Applications for funding under my Department’s Safety Improvement Scheme are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. In submitting projects for consideration, local authorities are required to set out the collision history of the works site and outline how the proposed project should reduce accidents or address a hazard. Applications are reviewed and assessed by the Department's Engineering Inspectorate prior to allocations being finalised.
As regards the drawdown of grant allocations, the Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads provides information on, and defines the conditions governing the allocation and payment of monies to local authorities in respect of all grant programmes for regional and local roads.
408. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce a grant aid scheme for persons that wish to purchase a second-hand electric vehicle. [20812/22]
View answerElectric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2021 Climate Action Plan. Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
I am acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers and that supply chain issues globally have also proven difficult. These have been exacerbated by international events. For these reasons, our policy measures here are kept under continuous review.
Ireland is at the beginning of its transition to private electric transport. Within a few years I anticipate there will be a viable second hand market that will provide a more affordable pathway to the purchase of an EV. In addition, the motor industry is planning to bring more affordable electric vehicles onto the market. Notwithstanding this, I am taking steps to accelerate the establishment of a second hand EV market in Ireland.
My Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. This Group considered a variety of regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to accelerate EV adoption. The Group also examined the issue of price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles and found that parity in respect of the Total Cost of Ownership is likely to be achieved later on this decade, driven by falling battery prices and savings due to economies of scale.
In the meantime, in order to support the transition to EVs, the Group recommended that the generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland should be retained until at least end-2022. Additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. Cost-effective, targeted policy supports should continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years.
An Implementation Group has been established to progress the recommendations and consider further potential measures and barriers to the adoption of the EVs. It will also examine the creation of a second hand market. This Group will report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
In addition, work is underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland as a matter of priority. This office will co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure. Our objective is to develop and refine cost-effective, targeted policy supports over the coming years.
409. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of electric vehicle charging points in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20820/22]
View answer410. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle charging points that are to be supplied in each county over the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy was published for consultation at the end of this March which sets out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2025.
Preparations are underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open shortly.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as neighbourhood or residential charging, destination charging, and motorway charging.
The Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers.
Information about the development of the EV charging strategy in the Dublin local authority areas is available here councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=33248
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles - Seventeen high-power chargers distributed across 14 multi-vehicle hubs have been delivered as part of the programme to date.
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers - This work is completed at 36 locations.
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points - This work is substantially complete. 258 of the chargers have now been successfully replaced.
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
The Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department has reviewed the Scheme and has announced through the strategy a number of additional actions to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the de-carbonisation effort.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
While the public consultation regarding the charging infrastructure strategy is ongoing, my Department continues to engage directly with stakeholders to ensure that a sufficient number of chargers, as well as a sufficient spread of charger types, will be in place to meet demand as we move towards our 2030 target of circa 1 million EVs on the road.
411. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to bus providers limiting their transport routes from the greater Dublin area to Dublin airport and the impact this is having on those who want to avail of a public transport option to the airport as opposed to driving; if he has taken steps to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/22]
View answerAs 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 in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to public transport services from the greater Dublin area to Dublin airport, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
412. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when the south Kerry greenway will commence; and the amount he expects it will cost by completion. [20833/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. As of 20 September 2021 and in line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway projects is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code and necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, 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.
413. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to put a road by-pass of Thurles on the national development plan by this Government. [20837/22]
View answerAs 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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
Approximately €600m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations were made having regard for the revised NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health, over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. The Thurles Bypass is not included in the list of projects to be progressed under the revised NDP which was launched in October 2021.
414. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when the construction of the Shannon crossing at Ballina/Killaloe will commence. [20838/22]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan. Clare County Council is the contracting authority for the scheme.
Ministerial approval to award the public works contract for the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme was given in December 2021 and following the conclusion of the due diligence process Clare County Council issued the Letter of Acceptance to the successful tenderer in February 2022 with an expected start date in March 2022.
As the Deputy is aware the construction industry is currently experiencing significant inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints. These factors have implications for progress on construction projects, including the Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme, while the industry takes stock of the options available to them and the consequences of any decisions taken. In this context the scheme Project Team are actively engaged with the contractor regarding the issues affecting the commencement of the scheme.
As regards the overall position regarding the impact of construction inflation on public works contracts, as the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which operates as an office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is responsible for implementing national policy on public procurement, particularly in relation to construction procurement. I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure is considering options at present with regard to the impact of construction inflation on public works contracts.
