John Clendennen

340. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the details of the proposed legislation intended to grant greater legal protections to members of An Garda Síochána when pursuing e-scooters and e-bikes; the expected timeline for the enactment of these provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57733/26]

532. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport to outline the new statutory obligations that will be placed on retailers at the point of sale for e-scooters; the way in which the Government intends to enforce the ban on the sale of e-scooters to minors and the sale of non-compliant models; the penalties that will apply to retailers found in breach of these obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57731/26]

533. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the specific legislative or regulatory mechanisms that will be used to raise the legal age limit for e-scooter use from 16 to 18 years; the date in August 2026 when this regulation is expected to come into effect; the way in which this new age limit will be practically enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57732/26]

534. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the criteria, indicators or threshold of evidence that would lead his Department to consider the introduction of an outright prohibition on the use, sale or possession of e-scooters in the State; whether such criteria have been identified or are under consideration by his Department; the assessment that has been undertaken of the circumstances in which such a measure might be considered necessary in the interests of public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57734/26]

535. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has developed, or intends to develop, contingency plans in the event that an outright prohibition on e-scooters were to be introduced in the future; the arrangements that would apply to privately owned e-scooters already in circulation at that time, including any proposed surrender, buy-back, compensation or disposal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57735/26]

536. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the introduction of legislation classifying e-scooters as "mechanically propelled vehicles"; the specific mechanisms by which the proposed mandatory registration and licensing system will operate; whether this system will be managed by the Revenue Commissioners or a newly established registry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57765/26]

546. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport authority have undertaken an assessment of the feasibility of introducing a Transport For Ireland town bus service in Tullamore, Co Offaly; if an assessment has been completed, the findings of same; if one is currently underway, the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58171/26]

547. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport where Tullamore ranks among towns currently being considered by the National Transport Authority for the future rollout of Transport For Ireland town bus services; the criteria used in determining that ranking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58172/26]

548. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the minimum population, employment demand or other criteria applied by the National Transport Authority when determining a town is suitable for the introduction of a Transport for Ireland town bus service; how Tullamore compares against those criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58173/26]

549. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether funding has been identified within the National Transport Authority’s capital or current expenditure programme to facilitate the future introduction of a Transport for Ireland town bus service in Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58174/26]

550. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the towns identified for the next phase of the Transport for Ireland town bus service programme; whether Tullamore is included among those towns; the anticipated timeline for the next phase of rollout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58175/26]

551. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the engagement that has taken place between the National Transport Authority and Offaly County Council regarding the potential introduction of a Transport for Ireland town bus service in Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58176/26]

552. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has undertaken passenger demand modelling for a Transport for Ireland town bus service in Tullamore, if so, the estimated annual passenger demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58177/26]

553. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to the role a Transport for Ireland town bus service in Tullamore could play in improving connectivity with Tullamore train station, the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, education campuses, employment centres and surrounding residential developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58178/26]

597. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority is currently meeting its service level objective of issuing driving test invitations within ten weeks; if not, the measures taken to alleviate delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58756/26]

598. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the current wait time for a category B driving test at every RSA driving test centre; the number of applicants on each waiting list, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58765/26]

599. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether the road Safety Authority has undertaken demand forecasting for upcoming driving test applications; the actions taken and resources required based on said forecasting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58766/26]

600. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the current average waiting time for applicants seeking to undertake the SPSV driver entry test; the average waiting times in each of the testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58767/26]

601. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants currently awaiting an appointment for the SPSV driver entry test nationally, by testing centre and by applicant address, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58768/26]

602. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to increasing the number or geographic spread of SPSV driver entry test locations, particularly to improve accessibility for applicants from the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58769/26]

924. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether provision has been made, or is being considered within Budget 2027 to facilitate a negotiated settlement of outstanding industrial relations issues affecting school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58748/26]

1069. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the proposed reform of the Local Enterprise Offices; the details of the proposed reforms; the timeline for implementation of the proposed reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58754/26]

1070. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the recommendations included in the Cost of Business Advisory Forum Report; the impact these recommendations will have on the cost of business for small and medium enterprises; whether recommendations from this report are being considered in the context of Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58755/26]

1102. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual Exchequer cost of restoring the special education diploma allowance to all teachers who have completed the recognised special education diploma but who are not currently eligible for the allowance; whether this cost has been assessed in the context of the public service pay agreement or Local Bargaining Fund; whether the Government is considering the restoration of the allowance through those mechanisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57763/26]

1335. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Education and Youth the plans to reinstate the special education diploma allowance for teachers who entered public service after 1 February 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57760/26]