Written Answers Nos. 215-223
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
216. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport in relation to the learner drivers and their training requirements, his plans to revise the current system of licensing or plans to introduce off-road driver training requirements for learner drivers. [43834/12]
View answerWe are in the process of introducing a Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) in Ireland, which will include nine components developed by the Road Safety Authority and published in September 2010. A GDLS is a stepped approach to the driver learning process which focuses on acquiring experience and skills rather than simply on passing a test.
A number of the GDLS components have already been introduced and include compulsory lessons for learner drivers. Last year I signed the regulations to bring this into effect. Learners must now complete a syllabus of twelve lessons before they are allowed to take the driving test. A lower Blood Alcohol Concentration level applies since last year for learner drivers and those in their first two years of having a full driving licence. Some additional GDLS measures require primary legislation, such as an accelerated penalty point disqualification threshold for learner and novice drivers and the actual defining of a novice driver, which will be included in the next Road Traffic Bill. This will complement the measures already in place. However, I do not have any plans, in the context of GDL, for specific off-road lessons at this time.
217. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will make provision for an additional funding allocation to support and enable individuals and organisations to run events for The Gathering 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43851/12]
View answerIt is not envisaged that direct funding or grants will be provided for ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’ events on the ground except for selected and targeted major events and festivals. However, a series of community meetings are coming to a close across the country by the Gathering Team to help individuals and communities to organise their own local gatherings and to encourage additional overseas visitors to their locality in 2013.
For further information, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
218. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the reasons for charging airlines for use of airbridges at Cork Airport; the costs so charged per passenger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43927/12]
View answerI have no statutory function in relation to this issue which is a matter for Cork Airport Authority (CAA).
Airport charges at Cork Airport are set by the CAA. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the CAA for direct reply to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
219. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will outline in tabular form, the amount of money allocated by his Department and agencies within his Department to Ballina, Castlebar and Westport Town Council between 1997 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43954/12]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible. Money allocated by the agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves. The Deputy's Question will be forwarded to them for direct response. If you do not hear back within 10 working days please contact my private office.
220. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the Irish Aviation Authority do not grant approval to a college (details supplied) until there is a full investigation to enure there is no connection between them and the liquidated Pilot Training College Ltd. [43965/12]
View answerThe subject matter of this particular question, i.e. the licensing/approval of flight training schools is the statutory responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
221. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if the funding from central Government supplied for a road project (details supplied) in County Galway contained any stipulations on the prioritisation of public transport on the road. [43969/12]
View answerThe Bishop O'Donnell/Seamus Quirke Road Improvement Scheme in Galway City consists of a widening to dual carriageway of 1.6km of the existing single carriageway and allows for bus and cycle lanes in each direction. I understand from Galway City Council that it was a condition of An Bord Pleanala's planning decision that bus lanes were to form part of the road scheme.
Funding in the region of €2.5 million has been provided by my Department since 2010 for the bus priority aspect of the scheme under the Regional Cities Public Transport Programme and an allocation of €1million has also been included under the Programme in 2012 for the continuation and completion of the QBC. The Regional Cities Programme is being administered on behalf of my Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The local authority also received funding in respect of the Road Improvement Scheme under my Department's Regional and Local Roads Investment Programme and from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
It is a matter for the relevant local authorities in each city to prioritise projects and apply for funding each year under the Regional Cities Programme. In this regard Galway City Council applied for funding from my Department initially in 2010 for the provision of a QBC as part of this scheme. I understand from the local authority that this section of carriageway was identified as part of the key East/West transport corridor in both the Galway Strategic Bus Study and the Galway Public Transport Feasibility Study.
222. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his views regarding the condition of hedges and verges across rural Ireland; if he will consider strengthening the current policy that exists to address this issue; if he will ensure that maintenance is enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44010/12]
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.
Also under Section 70 of the Roads Act the owner or occupier of land is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation on the land is not a hazard or potential hazard to the safe use of a public road. This Section also confers powers on local authorities to ensure that action is taken to address potential hazards by landowners or failing that by direct action by the local authority.
223. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will report on the recent timetable agreement between this jurisdiction and Northern Ireland on the mutual recognition of penalty points; the reason this new regime will not come into force until 31 December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44016/12]
View answerThe detailed timetable agreed at the recent North South Ministerial Council Meeting includes the key milestones for the drafting, passage and enactment of parallel legislation, North and South, by 31st December 2014 to allow the mutual recognition of penalty points across Ireland.
The steering and working groups, comprising representatives of the relevant stakeholders in both jurisdictions, have been established to bring the required work forward and decide on how the necessary key deliverables will be achieved legislatively and operationally. The steering group has met on three occasions and the working group has met on two occasions to date. Further meetings have been arranged.
To achieve the December 2014 deadline, a significant volume of work will be required, among other issues, to put in place the necessary administrative arrangements and IT systems and agree data sharing protocols and procedures. In taking the work forward, complex issues need to be addressed by the two jurisdictions with a view to establishing a workable system which is perceived as proportionate and equitable and which attracts widespread public support throughout the island.
