Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stricter enforcement measures that can be taken to protect public transport staff during the latest Covid-19 surge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1291/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. 

The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis.  I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their staff for providing this vital service in such challenging times. 

The Government's "Living with Covid" Plan sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan.   At the current Levels 5, public transport operators are restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles.  Importantly, the Plan's guidance on working from home where possible and on the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has reduced the demand for public transport well below normal levels.  There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so.  People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most and in particular frontline workers.

A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, and to help protect the safety of passengers and staff, including enhanced cleaning regimes, the wearing of face coverings and social distancing measures across the network. My Department is engaging directly with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to these measures and the NTA is coordinating the response of public transport operators.

Accordingly, 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.

Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an instruction can be given to local authorities and private clamping companies to suspend parking charges and clamping during the current lockdown, given that these charges are putting increased financial pressure on many persons who are already struggling on a reduced income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1320/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While I acknowledge the Deputy's argument that the current level 5 restrictions are having a profound financial impact on many, I must point out that the same restrictions require us to stay at home, to work at home where possible, and to avoid all but the most unavoidable and essential of journeys.

As a result of people choosing to abide by these restrictions and avoid unnecessary car travel, there is in fact considerably less pressure on the availability of public parking at present than there might be under normal circumstances.  I must emphasise that the public health emergency does not provide carte blanche to motorists to park as they please and it would be irresponsible of either my Department or the local authorities to facilitate them in doing so by unnecessarily suspending the current system of fines and charges.

Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) in respect of charges and changes to flights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1349/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government announced a ban on all flights arriving into Ireland from Great Britain with effect from midnight on Sunday, 20 December, 2020 which continued to Friday 8th January 2021. This ban resulted in flight cancellations.If the flight in question took place during the UK flight ban, the customer should be entitled to a refund as all flights were grounded except for a small number of special repatriation flights. The Commission for Aviation (CAR) has made the following notice available on its website in relation  to the flight ban and cancellations in respect to refunds -

If the flight took place before the ban, and the customer either cancelled or did not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law.  

I would encourage anyone who having already corresponded with the airline continues to have difficulties securing a refund to contact the CAR. Further advice, including information on how to submit a formal complaint to the CAR is available on its dedicated passenger rights website www.flightrights.ie.