Written Answers Nos. 283-287
284. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bodies that have been abolished or amalgamated by his Department out of the list of bodies listed in the Public Service Reform document of 17 November 2011; the savings or cost of this in 2012; the projected savings or cost of this programme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50546/12]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 355 of 8 November 2012. The position regarding the abolition or amalgamation of State Bodies under the remit of my Department remains the same. In relation to the savings and cost of this programme it is not possible to quantify the potential savings/cost from rationalisation until the detailed arrangements in respect of each implementation have been worked through with the agencies in question.
285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider examining the feasibility of introducing a left hand turn on red policy and to implement a pilot programme that would enable drivers to turn left after coming to a complete stop at an intersection where the light is red, assuming that no traffic is coming from the fight (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50550/12]
View answerA proposal to allow for turning left on a red light in the absence of oncoming traffic was examined by my Department and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in recent years. After careful consideration, the RSA recommended against the proposal on the grounds that it would cause confusion among motorists and pedestrians regarding the absoluteness of the red traffic light. It was also likely to lead to enforcement difficulties, relying as it does on the opinion of the driver. The overall view taken was that the safety risks outweighed any marginal gains in efficiency. While I have no firm views on the matter, I will ask the RSA to re-examine the position.
286. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine an application in respect of a pre-school (details supplied) in County Kerry. [50565/12]
View answerI have not received any application for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
287. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [50982/12]
View answerThe total number of promotions and assignments made in my Department since 2009 to the grades listed by the Deputy is 11. In 2009, there were three promotions to Executive Officer and one to Staff Officer. In 2010, there were four promotions to Principal Officer Standard Scale and three assignees to Principal Officer Higher Scale. There have been no promotions to date in 2012.
