Wednesday, 14 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 278-282

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (278)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

278. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of promotions made in his Department to principal officer higher scale, principal officer standard scale, assistant principal officer higher scale, assistant principal officer standard scale, higher executive officer scale, executive office scale and staff officer scale; the total for all of his Department; if he will provide a breakdown for for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50978/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

Grade	2012	2011	2010	2009
Principal Officer Higher	0	0	5*	2*
Principal Officer	2	0	2	0
Assistant Principal Higher	0	0	15*	0
Assistant Principal	2	2	0	0
Higher Executive Officer	2	2	0	0
Executive Officer	1	2	0	0
Staff Officer	0	0	0	0

The above figures include staff who are now staff of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs which was established in June 2011.

* All were already Assistant Principal/Principal standard scale.

Road Improvement Schemes

Questions (279)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

279. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the closure of Bellewstown Bridge, near Duleek, County Meath; the reason the bridge has been closed; if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience now being experienced by the local community as a result of the closure of the bridge; if he will make funds available to repair the bridge and the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

I understand that following an inspection by Meath County Council it was decided to close this bridge for safety reasons.  I also understand that Meath County Council requested the National Roads Authority (which administers regional and local road grants on behalf of the Department) to transfer funding of €92,000 within its Specific Improvement Grant Allocation for remedial works on this bridge in order for it to reopen as soon as possible and that this transfer request has been approved.

Airport Development Projects

Questions (280, 281, 283)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

280. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will set out the timetable for decisions in relation to the restructure of Shannon Airport to include when the Steering Group and Aviation Development Task Force will report to him and when he will respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50223/12]

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

281. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm if incentives in relation to Shannon Airport will be included in or are being considered for the forthcoming budget or the forthcoming Finance Bill and if so, if he will confirm that these will not have an adverse competitive impact on Ireland West Airport Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50224/12]

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

283. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if discussions have taken place with the EU authorities in relation to any potential incentives at Shannon Airport; the EU's response to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50274/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 281 and 283 together.

As the Deputy will be aware following the Government decision in principle to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it in a new entity with a restructured Shannon Development, a Steering Group of senior officials from five key Departments was established to bring forward proposals for the implementation of that decision.  That Steering Group is being assisted by two Task Forces.

I understand that these groups are well advanced in their work and that the Task Forces have recently submitted their Reports to the Steering Group.  Both myself and Minister Bruton will revert to Government in the coming weeks with detailed proposals for Shannon.

I do not anticipate incentives specific to Shannon being part of proposals put forward.  As the Deputy will be aware Budgetary matters are an issue for my colleague the Minister for Finance.

Railway Stations Upgrade

Questions (282)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

282. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has decided on funding measures to improve the appearance and environment of a station (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50271/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is an operational matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct reply.  Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.