Latest news with #AidanFarrelly
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Areas with most fines for footpath parking in Dublin revealed
According to the Department of Justice, the Northern division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR), which includes Finglas and Ballymun, recorded the most fines in the capital, with 243 fixed penalty notices issued. The figures were released in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, and shows the number of fines across the six garda divisions in Dublin from January to June this year. The second highest number of fines (182) was recorded in the North Central division, which covers Drumcondra and Glasnevin, followed by South Central (168), which takes in Rathmines and Harold's Cross. The Western division, covering Tallaght and surrounding suburbs, recorded 147 fines, while the Southern division, which encompasses Dundrum and Rathfarnham, recorded 95. Notably, the Eastern division, which covers the city centre and docklands, had significantly fewer fines, with just 67 issued. This suggests that illegal footpath parking is more widespread outside of the city core itself. Parking on footpaths blocks pedestrians, including vulnerable groups such as wheelchair users and parents with prams, and disrupts bus routes and emergency services. Cyclists also face increased danger when cycle lanes are blocked, forcing them into traffic. The issue recently gained fresh attention after community group I Bike Dublin painted fake parking spaces on footpaths along Phibsboro Road. The group used non-permanent materials to highlight the extent of illegal parking, criticising the lack of consistent enforcement and calling for the return of parking wardens across the city. ADVERTISEMENT A spokesperson for the group said such illegal parking is a 'continuous daily occurrence' in the area, and the lack of enforcement shows a 'clear neglect of public space management'. 'Illegal parking isn't just an inconvenience; it's a misuse of public space that affects everyone, from pedestrians to buses,' they said. 'It's not just about a single-file walk or a blocked driveway; it's about creating a traffic choke point that impacts the entire community. 'The real issue isn't just a car parked in the wrong place, it's the systemic failure to enforce rules and address the problem effectively. 'What gets attention isn't the ongoing problem, but the visible action taken to highlight the issue, such as paint on the ground. 'It's not about punishing drivers; it's about maintaining the integrity of public spaces and ensuring everyone can use them safely. 'The problem with illegal parking isn't just that it's illegal; it's that it disrupts the flow of daily life and services, from pedestrians to buses,' they added. An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have reminded drivers that parking on footpaths and cycle lanes is both illegal and unsafe. Offenders can face fines ranging from €60 to €120, with serious violations attracting up to five penalty points. The highest number of fines recorded across the country so far this year, was in Limerick, where 354 fixed penalty notices were issued. Dublin City Council, The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have been contacted for comment.
Irish Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Number of learner drivers caught driving unaccompanied jumps 20% in one year
There was a 20 per cent increase in the number of learner drivers issued with fixed charge notices for driving unaccompanied in 2024. And, in the first six months of 2025, some 4,707 drivers on learner's permits have been fined for driving on Irish roads without a fully licensed driver in the car with them. The figures were given to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly following a parliamentary question from Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Learner drivers are not allowed to drive on their own without being accompanied by someone who has had their driving licence for more than two years. Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that those found in contravention of this rule may receive a Fixed Charge Notice and a fine of €160, along with two penalty points. If determined by a court, four penalty points may be issued. However, he stated that "An Garda Síochána has advised that they are not in a position to report on accurate totals of penalty points issued, as penalty points can be issued in a judgment of a relevant Court on conviction for an offence". In 2023, some 8,815 learner drivers were given fixed charge notices for driving without a fully licensed driver. This jumped by 20 per cent in 2024 to 10,579, the figures show. As of June 4 this year, some 4,707 learner drivers have been caught. In total, over the course of three years, gardaí have issued 24,101 fixed charge penalty notices. The Minister also provided Deputy Farrelly with a breakdown of the policing districts where the learner drivers had been caught. The highest number of fixed charge notices was issued in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Western. This captures parts of Dublin 15, including Blanchardstown, and areas of Dublin City and South Dublin County Council. This was followed by DMR Northern, which encompasses districts like Ballymun, Coolock, Raheny and Balbriggan. In the two-and-a-half-year period, some 2,314 learner drivers were caught driving unaccompanied. This was followed by Kildare/Carlow (1,632), DMR Southern (1,527) and Wexford/Kilkenny (1,503). The fewest number of unaccompanied drivers who received fixed charge notices was in Sligo/Leitrim, where just 268 drivers were penalised. This was followed by Donegal (278), DMR Eastern (567), Mayo/Roscommon/Longford (670), Limerick (694) and Clare/Tipperary (822).
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
€100 should be added to leap cards of anyone waiting more than 12 weeks for driving test, Dáil hears
Anyone waiting more than three months for a driving test should have €100 put on their Leap card as an incentive to use whatever public transport is available in their area, the Dáil was told. Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly said that given the backlog in driving tests for young people he called on the Minister for Transport to consider, as part of the next budget, putting €100 on learners' travel cards, for anyone waiting more than 10 or 12 weeks. 'This would give people an incentive to use whatever public transport is available be it rail or Local Link, he said. An estimated 100,000 people have applied for the test with an average waiting time of 20.6 weeks. READ MORE The Kildare North TD was speaking during a private member's debate on public transport. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said the programme for Government contains significant commitments on public transport but is 'completely lacking' on the amount of funding and 'there isn't a deadline in sight'. Introducing the motion, he said that with no clear timelines there is less pressure on agencies and 'without constant pressure from the top no big reform in this country will ever succeed', Mr O'Gorman said. The motion calls for a further 20 per cent reduction in fare prices across the lifetime of this Government, the establishment of a new public transport passenger experience office and ensure a transport security force is operational by the end of 2026. To ensure this target is met funding for it should be included in this year's budget. The legislation would have to be introduced in September or October this year, he said. 'It means putting drafters under pressure, but there is widespread agreement that we need to improve the perception of safety on our public transport services, so let's deliver that now.' Minister of State for Transport Seán Canney said there is a 'strong commitment' to establish a transport security force with similar powers to the airport police and customs officers and operating under the National Transport Authority (NTA). The department is working to examine options for the establishment of a force but he warned the legislation will have a 'significant lead-in time'. 100 per cent Redress Party TD Charles Ward said the lack of public transport in Donegal had led to 'chronic traffic issues' and 'Letterkenny is a disaster'. He said ambulances 'constantly struggling to reach Letterkenny Hospital and what used to be a five-minute journey now takes 45 minutes and it's putting lives at risk'. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy called for free public transport and said it was a 'question of political will to implement it'. He said it would cost €650 million but that 'needs to be matched with significant capital investment' to expand services. Independent TD Brian Stanley said it was time to tackle the 'nonsense' of drivers over the age of 70 not being allowed to drive schoolbuses when they drive private coaches with 52 passengers on board. Mr Stanley said the age limit should be pushed out to 75 with strict annual medical and driving tests for them. This would help reduce the shortage of bus drivers. Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly said 'we only have to look at Dublin's MetroLink, which has been stuck in the pipeline for decades, to see why Ireland regularly ranks as having one of the worst public transport systems in the EU'. The Kerry TD said there is still no rail in Donegal and that region 'ranks in the bottom 10 per cent of the EU's 234 regions in terms of transport infrastructure'. He said 'the Government cannot stand over that any more'. Labour TD Ciarán Ahearn there is 'no vision for public transport' in the Government's plans. 'There is no lodestar to work towards, and the programme for Government is beyond bare on details. Instead, it is bypasses for the boys, lay-bys for the lackeys.'
BreakingNews.ie
18-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Learner drivers who had vehicles seized for driving unaccompanied hit 6,500 in 2024
The number of learner drivers who had vehicles seized or impounded after being caught driving unaccompanied last year rose by 28 per cent to almost 6,500. However, just 24 motorists were issued with summonses in 2024 for the offence of allowing a learner driver to drive on the public road without being accompanied by a full licence holder. Advertisement New figures published by the Department of Justice reveal that a daily average of 18 learner drivers had their vehicles taken off the road in 2024 – a total of 6,483. Figures so far this year indicate similar levels of detection with 3,157 cases recorded up to June 4th, 2025. However, a road safety group has expressed concern about the seemingly low level of enforcement of the offence of driving unaccompanied by learners in some rural counties, despite increased detection rates. The figures, which are based on the Garda PULSE system, indicate that approximately four out of every 10 drivers caught for such an offence manage to avoid having their vehicle seized. Advertisement Learner drivers in Dublin are far more likely to have their vehicles seized than any other part of the country with just 23 per cent of those detected driving unaccompanied being allowed to retain their vehicle. The figures, which were provided in response to a series of parliamentary questions by Social Democrats TD, Aidan Farrelly, indicate that more than 60 per cent of such offenders in Clare, Galway, Kerry and Waterford/Kilkenny avoid having their vehicle seized. They also reveal that the overall number of learner drivers who were issued with a €160 fine after being detected driving unaccompanied last year increased by 20 per cent to 10,579. No information was available on how many also had penalty points attached to their licence. Advertisement One Garda division – Dublin West which covers areas including Lucan, Clondalkin, Finglas, Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown – accounted for 14 per cent of the national total last year with 1,516 unaccompanied learner drivers caught by local gardaí. The next highest numbers were detected in Dublin North (968) and Waterford/Kilkenny (649). The lowest number of such offences were recorded in Sligo/Leitrim (133), Donegal (137), Dublin East (209), Mayo/Roscommon/Longford (265) and Kerry (283). Detection rates were up in 18 of the 21 Garda divisions with annual increases in excess of 50 per cent in Dublin North Central, Dublin South Central, Donegal, Kerry and Sligo/Leitrim. Advertisement Meath/Westmeath and Clare/Tipperary were the only two Garda divisions to record a decrease in the number of unaccompanied learner drivers fined last year, while the number was unchanged in Louth/Cavan/Monaghan. Separate figures from the Courts Service also show that only 886 individuals were convicted for driving a vehicle while not being accompanied by a full licence holder last year The chairperson of road safety group PARC, Susan Gray, said the most alarming aspect of the figures on unaccompanied learner drivers was the seemingly low level of enforcement in rural parts of the country. 'Donegal gardaí only seized 151 vehicles in 29 months; Sligo/Leitrim – 136 and 218 in Kerry over the same period,' said Ms Gray. Advertisement While official figures indicate that over 24,000 fixed charge notices were issued to unaccompanied learner drivers between January 1st, 2023 and June 4th, 2025, Ms Gray said there was no information about how many fines were paid and how many offenders had penalty points applied to the driving licence via the Department of Transport's driver file database. 'A lot more questions must be answered to see the full extent of the problem,' said Ms Gray. Concern has also been expressed that the sharp increase in the number of learner drivers having their vehicles seized in the past 18 months is linked to long-waiting times for driving tests. Commenting on the figures, Mr Farrelly said it was important to bear in mind that not every learner driver who had been detected and sanctioned for driving unaccompanied chooses to be in that position. The Kildare North TD said he believed the figures might be linked to backlogs in the number of learner drivers waiting to sit their driving test with an estimated 100,000 applicants still waiting for a test in May. Ireland Taoiseach wants 'review' of Leaders' Questions int... Read More 'Many learner drivers have made great efforts to secure a driving test and I feel that some of what we are seeing here is the prevailing manifestation of backlogs at test centres,' he added. According to the Road Safety Authority, the annual number of driving tests has increased by 61 per cent since 2021 to 253,850 last year. The RSA announced an action plan last month which aims to reduce driving test waiting times from 27 weeks to 10 weeks by early September. The latest RSA figures indicate the average waiting time for a driving test currently stands at just below 19 weeks.
BreakingNews.ie
06-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Childcare fees for some parents to be reduced from September
From September, childcare fees for parents paying the highest rates will be capped at €295 per week. With the National Childcare Scheme subsidy, many parents will effectively pay around €198 weekly, closer to the national average of €197. Advertisement The cap applies to full-day care of 40 to 50 hours and follows a fee freeze introduced in 2022. State funding for childcare will also rise by €60 million next year. Minister for children, Norma Foley, told Newstalk that some parents fork out €400 a week. "So the maximum amount that can be charged is €295, and when the subsidy that's applied for parents, when that's injected that's €198.70 per week, so for those parents on those very high fees, that's a saving of more than €5,460 a year or almost 5,500 a year," Ms Foley said. Advertisement However, according to figures from the Department of Children, the highest average fees being paid at the moment is in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area of Dublin at €258. The department said the fee cap will bring fees 'closer to the average weekly fee of €197 for full day care'. The figures, released to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly, show that Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow are the only counties with a current average above €197, the Irish Examiner reported. Mr Farrelly said that while he welcomes the announcement, the move falls short of addressing the significant issues facing families who are trying to find a place for their child or workers who do not have pay parity with their peers. While announcing the fee cap, as well as an increase in investment of €60m, Ms Foley said it would reduce the cost for families who are facing the highest fees across the country in around 10% of early learning and childcare providers. 'It will address some of the extreme fee disparities across the sector in a meaningful way, so that there are more consistent rates in place for families in their local area,' said Ms Foley.
