Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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201.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments under the remit of his Department.[34019/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is responsible for the implementation of 54 specific commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, as well as playing a critical role in supporting other commitments.

Government has delivered positive improvements through this implementation, including securing lower public transport fares, expanding public transport services through the roll-out of schemes such as Connecting Ireland and BusConnects, improving Active Travel infrastructure around the country, and continuing to support the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) through funding for EV grants and charging infrastructure. My Department also continues to work to ensure that connectivity, by all modes of transport, within Ireland and internationally is safeguarded.

Key updates regarding the main policy achievements since 27 June 2020 are set out below.

Public Transport

Fares

The Young Adult Card (YAC) was launched on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services on 9 May 2022 enabling those aged between 19 and 23 to avail of an average 50% discount in their public transport fares. The Scheme was extended to participating commercial bus operators (CBOs) on 4 September 2022. Further, in October 2022, the Scheme was widened to include third level students aged 16 to 18. As part of the suite of Cost-of-Living measures, in May 2022 Government introduced a 20% average fare reduction on all Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services.

Funding to continue both the YAC and the continuation of the 20% average fare discount was provided for under Budget 2023 and Budget 2024.

Furthermore, under Budget 2024, my Department secured an extension to for the YAC scheme to include 24 and 25-year-olds and an extension of the 90-minute fare until the end of 2024. Funding has also been secured to support new and enhanced bus and rail services next year.

On 27 April 2023, the NTA published its National Fares Strategy for commuter and inter-urban journeys on Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus and rail services. Under this Strategy, changes introduced in future fares determinations will reflect a more consistent, equitable approach, and one that is easier to understand for customers.

Subsequently, in January 2024, the NTA published its fare determination which introduced specific changes to fares, including the formalisation of new ‘Dublin City’ and ‘Dublin Commuter’ Zone boundaries, simplified Leap capping, as well as changes to some Intercity Rail and town bus fares. The first phase of the fare determination was implemented on 23 June, with phase 2 to be introduced in late Q1 2025.

Connecting Ireland & Rural Mobility

Connecting Ireland is a major 5-year public transport initiative developed by the NTA to increase connectivity outside our major cities and towns. Throughout 2022, Phase 1 of the Plan delivered 38 new and enhanced bus services. The 65 new and enhanced services implemented in Phase 2, in 2023, have connected 190 towns and villages, 34 colleges, 42 hospitals and provided 49 connections to rail services. Over 365,000 people now have access to new and enhanced bus services.

The Rural Transport Programme, now operating under the TFI Local Link brand, provides scheduled and demand responsive public transport services in rural areas nationwide. There has been a substantial increase in funding for TFI Local Link services going from €12 million in 2016 to over €57 million in 2024. Local Link passenger numbers have increased from 1.76 million in 2015 to 3.2 million in 2023. As part of the ongoing transition of the public transport fleet to zero emissions vehicles, two fully accessible electric vehicles began operating on TFI Local Link services in the Dingle peninsula during June 2024.

Public Transport Accessibility

Work has also progressed to make public transport more accessible, including through:

• the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, the funding for which has progressively increased to €15m in 2024.
• The Travel Assist Scheme (TAS) providing free assistance for disabled people, persons with disabilities, reduced mobility, and older people, to use public transport in the Greater Dublin Area. The Scheme was rolled out to Cork in 2022 and to Limerick in 2023.
• In rural areas over 95% of TFI Local Link services are now accessible with new services also now accessible from the start of services.
• Work has continued under Irish Rail’s ‘Big Lift’ and ‘Lift Call’ multi-annual programmes to ensure the reliability and availability of lift access for disabled people.
• In January 2023, the 24 hours advance notice requirement was reduced to 12 hours on Intercity rail routes and in July 2024, reduced to one hour in Terminal Intercity Stations and Key Junction Stations.

Safe travel

A key priority for my Department is ensuring the safest possible travel experience for users of public transport services and infrastructure.

Under the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, my Department committed to publish an annual ‘Public Transport Passenger Safety and Personal Security Report’ in conjunction with the NTA and implement measures where appropriate. This Report was published in March 2024 and is available online.

Buses

BusConnects

The Preliminary Business Case for infrastructure investment was approved by Government in Q2 2022, allowing BusConnects Dublin to enter the planning system. The planning applications for all Core Bus Corridor schemes were subsequently submitted by the NTA to An Bord Pleanála. Seven schemes have been approved by An Bord Pleanála to date – the Clongriffin, Liffey Valley, Ballymun/Finglas, Belfield/Blackrock, Blanchardstown, Swords and Ringsend schemes. Legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to the Clongriffin and Belfield/Blackrock schemes.

The Network Redesign for Dublin has been rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine (Howth to City Centre) – launched in June 2021. The second Spine – the C-Spine (Lucan/Leixlip to City Centre) – launched in November 2021. The roll-out continued in 2022 with the launch of the third and fourth phases – the G-Spine (Ballyfermot to City Centre) and the Northern Orbital routes. The Southern and Western orbital routes rolled out in 2023. The E-Spine (Ballymun to Bray) is expected to launch later in 2024 subject to driver availability.

100 double-deck electric buses are in service in Dublin. In addition to the 100 electric buses currently entering service in Dublin on an incremental basis, an additional 50 have been accepted by the NTA, and a further 70 have been ordered. Furthermore, 34 electric single-deck buses are expected to be absorbed into the Dublin Bus fleet in 2024.

In Cork, following a public consultation, the new BusConnects network was published in June 2022, and it aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented in the coming years. This will include implementation of bus priority measures on key bus corridors serving the city, which have been informed by three rounds of non-statutory public consultation.

BusConnects Galway will provide a major enhancement to the bus system there. Key elements are currently under development, namely the Cross City Link project and the Dublin Road scheme. The Salmon Weir Pedestrian/Cycling Bridge was officially opened to the public last May. The bus network design was finalised last December following a public consultation, and it will provide improved services, including in Bearna and Oranmore.

BusConnects Limerick will provide a major enhancement to the bus system there. Key elements are currently under development, with 34 electric buses entering service. The bus network design was finalised last December following a public consultation, and it will provide improved services across the city.

The new bus network for Waterford was published for public consultation in July. Implementation planning for the new network is estimated to commence following this.

Transport Infrastructure

Transport Planning

A revised Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.

The Transport Orientated Development (TOD) working group, which was established under the Government’s Housing for All plan and is jointly led by my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, published its report on TOD opportunities in Dublin in June 2023. Work has progressed well throughout 2024 on the draft Eastern Region Report, and draft Cork Report.

Metrolink

A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when Cabinet granted Decision Gate (DG) 1 approval under the Public Spending Code (PSC) to MetroLink. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage, and on 30 September, TII submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16 January 2023.

An Bord Pleanála commenced an Oral Hearing in relation to MetroLink on February 19 2024, which concluded on March 28th. Following this Hearing, an additional round of public consultation is taking place until 8 October. Dependent on the outcome of the planning process, construction of MetroLink is earmarked to commence over the coming years with a view to operation by the mid-2030s.

MetroLink reached another significant milestone in June 2024 with the hiring of Sean Sweeney as Project Director following a global search for the most suitable candidate.

DART Expansion

In December 2021 the Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the DART+ Programme and a fleet framework agreement between Irish Rail and Alstom. This framework allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric/battery-electric train carriages for the Irish Rail system over a 10-year period.

The DART+ West rail project will extend DART services from the City Centre to the M3 Parkway and Maynooth. Following the submission of a Railway Order application in July 2022, An Bord Pleanála granted the Railway Order in July 2024, subject to certain conditions, notably that the proposed depot west of Maynooth not be constructed due to concerns about flood risk. Iarnród Éireann are currently exploring other options for the construction of a depot, while working in collaboration with the NTA to progress the project.

DART+ South West rail project will extend DART services from the City Centre to Hazelhatch; including four-tracking from Park West to Heuston. A Railway Order application was submitted by Córas Iopmair Éireann (CIÉ) to An Bord Pleanála in March 2023.

The DART+ Coastal North rail project was approved by Government to enter the planning system in May 2024. A Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North was lodged by Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) in July 2024. This project will upgrade the rail service to growing communities along the route, allow for fast, high-frequency and fully electrified DART trains to operate between Dublin city and Drogheda, and improve existing DART services between Dublin city and Howth/Malahide.

Light Rail

• Dublin: The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA for review and I hope to bring this to Government in Q4 2024 in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines.
• Cork: Work on identifying a precise route for Luas Cork is progressing well. In discussions with Cork City Council, it was agreed that some additional work should be undertaken in relation to the city centre section prior to commencing the public consultation stage. TII, in collaboration with the NTA, are now undertaking that additional work, in consultation with Cork City Council.
• Galway: The NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), which will replace the 2016 Galway Transport Strategy.

Ports & Maritime Infrastructure

During COVID and in preparation for Brexit, significant work was undertaken and continues to safeguard and increase maritime supply lines into and out of Ireland, to ensure maximum maritime connectivity. A significant number of additional routes and capacity to the Continent were introduced in the aftermath of Brexit. The number of weekly sailings to mainland European ports rose from 30 sailings per week to more than 60 since 2020. In November 2022, Brittany Ferries introduced a new vessel, the Salamanca, on the Rosslare-Bilbao route. This has enabled foot and cycle passengers to access sailings to Spain for the first time. In September 2023 the Ireland - France Sail-Rail initiative was launched, meaning travellers between the two countries who use both the ferry and the train to start or continue their journey are now able to book their Sail-Rail tickets from the Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries websites, or in-person at 12 rail stations around the country, offering a more sustainable, environmentally friendly form of international travel.

In line with National Ports Policy (NPP) and the National Development Plan, the ports of Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes and Rosslare are all progressing major infrastructure projects to increase capacity for the trading needs for Ireland. A review of National Ports Policy has commenced. A first phase public consultation was conducted seeking views on an Issues Paper published on 23 October 2023.

On the 14 November 2022, Iarnród Éireann announced the commencement of works which will facilitate the reopening of the 42km stretch of railway between Limerick and Foynes which will assist Shannon Foynes Port Company in its development of a freight distribution hub as well as port infrastructure for Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE). My Department is committed to facilitating the development of port infrastructure to maximise the use of Irish commercial state ports for offshore wind delivery, complementing the delivery important Programme for Government commitments around renewable energy. A number of ports and entities within ports are progressing plans for the delivery of port infrastructure to meet the requirements of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector in line with the policy statement published by my Department in December 2021.

Aviation

Dublin Airport & North Runway

The North Runway at Dublin Airport officially opened on the 24 August 2022. The new runway provides much needed capacity to enhance connectivity for Ireland’s island economy and is key to developing Dublin Airport’s position as a leading European Airport, a key European gateway to North America and a driver of economic growth.

Regional Airports

In recognition of the importance of our regional airports to supporting connectivity to the regions and enhancing balanced regional development, this year Government has provided almost €17m to eligible airports (Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West (Knock)) and PSO air services under the Regional Airports Programme. This Programme continues to support Ireland’s smallest airports that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million annual passengers, as well as targeting funding at safety and security projects and activities, and projects with a sustainability focus. Following public consultation, a mid-term review of the Programme was published in July 2024. High-level outcomes of the review were announced on 16 July and can be viewed on the gov.ie website.

Aviation Sustainability Measures

The agreement of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation in 2023 is an important step given the significant role Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) will play in emissions abatement in the short to medium term. Work is underway to provide for the domestic implementation of this Regulation. In 2023, my Department began development of the national SAF Policy Roadmap, which is targeted for completion in Q4 2024. To assist in this, my Department established the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Task Force to bring together stakeholders with responsibility for and interest in policy development and implementation in relation to SAF. To date, the SAF Task Force has convened four times, and officials have engaged in over 90 bilateral meetings with the aviation sector, fuel producers, financial representatives and other relevant stakeholders. Engagement with this broad range of stakeholders, along with identifying interlinkages that exist between different policy remits across government departments and agencies, will help ensure fuller understanding of this emerging industry and the development of an effective, cohesive policy roadmap.

In addition, my Department is updating the 2019 State Action Plan on Emissions Reduction which will be submitted to ICAO at year end. In accordance with ICAO commitments, the SAF Policy Roadmap will be incorporated into this updated State Action Plan

Roads

At the start of 2023, €491 million in capital exchequer funding was allocated for investment in the national road network. €237 million was allocated for the progression of new national roads projects. This included a number of projects which were completed in 2023, including the N5 Westport to Turlough, the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom, and the Moycullen bypass. €254 million was invested in the protection and renewal of the existing national roads network, which includes measures to improve safety and meet the challenges of climate adaptation.

At the start of 2024, approximately €411 million in capital exchequer funding was allocated for investment in the national road network. €146 million was allocated for the progression of new national roads projects. This included a number of projects which were under construction, including the Dunkettle Interchange, Listowel Bypass and N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge. In addition, a number of schemes are approaching construction, including the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and the Adare Bypass, with other National Development Plan (NDP) projects at an earlier stage of development continuing to be advanced. €265 million was invested in the protection and renewal of the existing national roads network, which includes measures to improve safety and meet the challenges of climate adaptation.

In 2023, €626 million was allocated for investment in the regional and local road network. At the start of 2024, €658 million was allocated for investment in the regional and local road network, with about 90% directed to road maintenance and renewal and the balance for targeted road improvement schemes.

In Q2 2024, an additional capital allocation of €30m was made available to help address the impact of persistent and prolonged rainfall over the 2023/24 winter season, with this funding to support remedial works on the worst impacted sections of the network.

Through the National Development Plan, €70 million was allocated to road improvement projects including the completed Athy Southern Distributor Road along with current projects in construction such as Shannon Crossing / Killaloe Bypass/ R494 Upgrade and the Tralee Northern Relief Road, together with the completion of advance/emergency works and the retender of the main construction contract related to the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road. A range of regional and local road minor/safety improvement schemes and climate adaptation projects have also been implemented under the roads works programme.

Road Safety

Implementation of a new 10-year Road Safety Strategy, aligned with the Vision Zero principle, is well under way with all relevant agencies participating and led by my Department. Phase 1 Action Plan is due to close end 2024 with 190 Actions almost complete or nearing completion. Work has begun on implementing the Phase 2 Action Plan 2025- 2027.

The Speed Limit Review, published 14 September 2023 fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and an action included in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. It is a significant piece of work which aims to address the fragmentation and inconsistency of speed limits on roads all over the country to increase road safety. Key proposals include:

• default speed limit on national secondary roads to reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h
• default speed limit for the network of local and rural roads throughout the country to reduce from 80km/h to 60km/h
• default speed limit on urban roads, which include built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres, to reduce to 30km/h

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 is a wide-ranging Act which addresses a number issues, including underpinning dynamic traffic management on the M50, the BusConnects project, the Irish Motor Insurance Database, and many other matters.

Decarbonisation of Road Transport

Within the Climate Action Plan (CAP), fleet electrification is one of the two single biggest mitigation actions for domestic sectors and will provide the greatest share of transport emissions abatement to 2030. The CAP sets an ambitious target of shifting 30% of our private car fleet to electric by 2030 with a supplementary target of 195,000 EVs (battery electric and plug in hybrid electric) vehicles on our roads by the end of 2025. As of end of July 2024, there are just over 135,900 registered electric vehicles in Ireland.

Aligned with Ireland’s first EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025 which sets out the Government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade the National Road EV Charging Network Plan, published in May 2024, outlines the pathway for delivery of EV charging on the national road network with banks of high powered chargers to be rolled out every 60km on our motorway network by 2025. The second part of this plan, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, was published for consultation in May 2024 and focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging in cities, towns and villages around the country.

Universal Design Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure were published in May 2024 and provide best practice guidance for public authorities and private sector chargepoint operators to ensure that EV charging infrastructure is as accessible and easy to use as possible. In 2024, €115.8m has been allocated to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure.

A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.

As well as investing in EV infrastructure, the Government is supporting the transition through the continuation of vehicle incentives such as the purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) of 3,500, home and apartment charging grants, benefit-in-kind relief for BEV’s, VRT relief of up to 5,000 for BEVs and a low rate of annual motor tax.

E-Bikes, E-Mopeds and E-Scooters,

All necessary e-scooter regulations were commenced on 20 May 2024. Provisions classifying e-bikes and e-mopeds were contained in the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 and were also commenced on 20 May 2024. Further information, including details of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) public information campaign can be found online.

To coincide with the enactment of the new micromobility regulations, my Department has prepared an advice note for local authorities on the provision of shared micromobility services. It is intended that the note will assist local authorities considering the likely consequences of this new legislation, including the integration of e-scooters within existing shared mobility service contracts and licenses and how best to leverage the changes to ensure alignment with climate-oriented goals for transport.

Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

In 2022, Ireland became a signatory to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, which targets a new sales share of 30 percent for zero emission trucks and buses that are 3.5 tonnes or over by 2030.

The 10-Year Road Haulage Strategy, published in December 2022, sets out the strategic and policy direction for the haulage and heavy goods road freight sector for the next decade. Key actions included the establishment of a Road Freight Forum, which has met on five occasions since it was established in 2023, and the organisation of Ireland’s first ever Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Week by the Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group (LSCSG), currently chaired by my Department.

An annual report detailing the progress during the first year on the actions contained within the strategy was published in January 2024 and can be viewed on the gov.ie website.

Rail

Cork

In Cork, Phase 1 of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, largely funded through the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is to be completed by end-2026. This will facilitate more commuter rail services in the Cork area and the longer-term electrification of this network. Work on the overall programme is underway and the Preliminary Business Case is being developed. The programme will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.

Construction has commenced on through-platform at Kent Station and is expected to be completed by next year.

Construction for the double-tracking of the Glounthaune to Midleton line is expected to commence later this year. In June, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract to Alstom for a major signalling upgrade project on the Cork commuter rail network, to increase the number of trains which can operate between Cork and Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.

Waterford

Relocation of Plunkett Station in Waterford is being funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) as part of the regeneration plans for Waterford City. The project continues to progress well with Iarnród Éireann working closely with the contractor and Waterford County Council to manage the interface with the railway.

Galway

The construction contract for the upgrade of Ceannt Station in Galway city, which is included in the National Development Plan, was awarded in November 2023, with works currently on-going. Construction is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026.

The Preliminary Business Case has been approved by the NTA for Oranmore Station, which is also included in NDP, with a planning application for the project expected from Irish Rail in late September. Construction on the project is expected to commence in Q4 2025 subject to planning permission and funding availability.

Limerick

A non-statutory public consultation on the emerging preferred option for a new rail station at Moyross concluded in June, with Irish Rail expected to produce a Preliminary Business Case for the project in Q3 2024. Construction on the project is anticipated to begin in Q4 2025, subject to planning permission and funding availability.

Redevelopment Stage 1 commenced for the Upgrading of Colbert Station in June 2022 and is approaching substantial completion.

All-Island Strategic Rail Review

The All-Island Strategic Rail Review has been undertaken in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions.

The Review’s Final Report was published on 31 July 2024. The Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes.

It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the final Review Report will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines in Ireland.

Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Advisory Services, the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure, and agencies north and south, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations in the years ahead. This includes a more detailed identification of rail priorities to pursue over the next decade. Progress in following-up on the Rail Review will be reported on as appropriate through the North South Ministerial Council.

Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs)/Taxis

The eSPSV infrastructure scheme is designed to encourage more taxi drivers to convert to electric vehicles. The project involved installing taxi dedicated electric vehicle chargers at major transport hubs nationwide. Chargers have been installed in Dublin (Heuston), Cork and Limerick (Colbert) train stations as well as Dublin and Cork airports. Additional funds had been allocated to this project with further high-powered charge points having been installed at five (Westport, Dundalk, Bray, Sallins & Tralee) additional Irish Rail stations.

The greening of the taxi fleet continues to be prioritised with 2,397 vehicles grant aided since the scheme’s inception.

Climate Action

Progress Reports on the delivery of commitments outlined in the Climate Action Plan are prepared by the Department of the Taoiseach and have been on a quarterly basis. Thus far, in 2024, the Department has achieved an overall positive delivery rate of 60% of committed CAP24 transport actions over the Q1 and Q2 period.

Some examples of key CAP achievements delivered include measures such as the expansion of rural mobility services under the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Connecting Ireland programme, completion of projects under our Sustainable Mobility Policy Pathfinder Programme including the electrification of the Athlone town bus fleet, publication of our National Cycle Network Strategy, the publication of our National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy and National En-Route EV Charging plan, update of our Renewable Transport Fuel Policy, the launch of the ‘Your Journey Counts’ national advertising campaign, the completion of new and revised Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies for the Waterford, Limerick-Shannon and Greater Dublin Areas. This year, the department also launched for public consultation a new transport strategy called Moving Together: A Strategic Approach to the Improved Efficiency of the Transport System in Ireland and the department also published its Public Engagement Strategy on Climate Action and Sustainable Mobility. Following extensive stakeholder engagement, it is intended to finalise the strategy by end 2024. The National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP), published in April 2022, aims to deliver a significant increase in additional daily active travel and public transport journeys, and to support ambitious commitments in modal shift and reduced kilometres travelled in Climate Action Plans. Progress on the delivery of SMP actions are outlined in two progress reports that were published in August 2023 and 2024 on Gov.ie.

The annual update of the Climate Action Plan (CAP24), which was finalised in May 2024, has seen significant milestones achieved so far in terms of key public transport infrastructure delivery with the submission of the Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North to An Bord Pleanála and DART+ West project receiving planning consent (subject to certain conditions).

Sectoral Adaptation

Implementation of the statutory Transport Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (T-SAP), which was published in 2019, has progressed to increase Transport infrastructure resilience to climate change impacts across the three priority implementation objectives to:

Improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on transport infrastructure, including cross-sectoral cascading impacts, and close knowledge gaps through research and cross-sectoral collaboration;

Assist transport stakeholders in identifying and prioritising climate risks to existing and planned infrastructural assets and enabling them to implement adaptation measures accordingly;

Ensure that resilience to weather extremes and longer-term adaptation needs are considered in investment programmes for planned future transport infrastructure.

Preparation for the revision of the T-SAP under the revised National Adaptation Framework (NAF) is underway.

Renewable Transport Fuel

The Renewable Transport Fuel (RTF) Policy 2023-2025 sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan targets and European obligations, as well as ensuring European sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction criteria are adhered to concerning renewable transport fuel.

The RTFO rate has been increased annually since 2021 to a current rate of 21% (by energy content) of the road transport fuel (gasoline and motor diesel) placed on the market in Ireland.

In line with the Policy, the rate of the RTFO will increase from 21% to 25% for the 2025 obligation period.

Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation

My Department will submit an updated draft National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure in Transport to the European Commission by end 2024. My Department completed a 6-week public consultation over May-June 2024 to inform the development of this policy framework, with a second phase planned for early Q1 2025.

Cycling and Walking

In 2024, €290 million has been made available to local authorities around the country through the NTA to progress the delivery of over 1,000 walking and cycling projects across Ireland. This funding constitutes a significant increase on investment levels even a few years ago, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. Actual spend on Active Travel infrastructure exceeded its 2022 and 2023 allocations with an investment of €310 million and €340 million made around the country in each respective year.

In tandem with their National Roads and Greenways projects, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has begun investing in Active Travel projects in areas outside the remit of the NTA. Just under €12 million has been allocated to TII in 2024 for such projects which link urban centres to major road projects. These projects, most of which are at early stages of development, include the N8 Cycleway from Tivoli to Little Island in Cork, Active Travel linkages in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and cycle path projects along the N2 in Monaghan. Active travel infrastructure is also incorporated, where possible, into major National Roads projects progressed by TII as part of their overall capital roads programme.

Greenways

In addition to the significant investment in Active Travel, €72 million is being invested in our Greenway network this year through TII, an increase of over €50 million based on 2019 funding levels. The number of Greenways in development in Ireland has increased from 13 in 2019, to over 70 projects currently underway.

National Cycle Network & CycleConnects

Following a period of public consultation by TII, the National Cycle Network was published in January 2024 and is available online. The plan comprises a 3,500km network that will criss-cross the country, connecting more than 200 villages, towns and cities. The network will include cycling links to transport hubs, education centres, employment centres, leisure and tourist destinations, and support “last mile” bicycle deliveries.

In tandem with the National Cycle Network, the NTA are developing CycleConnects, which will outline planned cycling infrastructure investment within urban areas around the country and builds on the cycling plans already developed for the GDA, aiming to create an overall comprehensive cycle network for Ireland. The draft CycleConnects plan has undergone environmental assessment in recent months and is due for publication in Q3 2024.

Active Travel teams are now in place in all 31 local authorities, with the number of dedicated staff for Active Travel projects increasing from 57 in January 2021 to around 240 across the country.

Safe Routes to Schools and other initiatives

The Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) Initiative was established during 2021, and successive rounds of applications have brought the total number of schools currently in SRTS to 275. As of 31 July 2024, projects at 76 schools have been completed with 35 additional under construction. All remaining schools in Rounds 1 and 2 are at various stages of progress through the Programme.

Funding for the delivery of CycleRight training through Cycling Ireland has continued, and the 2023 target of 35,000 pupils trained was reached. It is expected that around 40,000 students will be trained in 2024, in line with the target in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy of an additional 5,000 students per annum completing the training. 2024 funding also includes an increased subvention for students in DEIS schools, which will number around 10,000 of the total trained this year.

Thresholds under the Cycle to Work scheme have been increased in recent budgets to allow for the purchase of e-bikes and cargo bikes or e-bikes. The latter was included in the Finance Act following Budget 2023, with an allowance of up to €3,000 available for individuals to put towards the purchase of a cargo bike or cargo e-bikes.