Written Answers Nos. 340-356
340. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regrading special improvement road grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57371/12]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that 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.
Local authorities were recently invited to submit a four year Multi-Annual Restoration Programme 2013 - 2016. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded under this grant category is a matter for the Council. It is open to the Council to prioritise this project and to include it in its four year programme.
341. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of all applications from County Donegal to the sports capital programme in tabular form and include the amount applied for and the reason the application was approved or rejected [57407/12]
View answerInformation on all applications received from County Donegal under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme including the amount of funding sought is set out in the table.
The Department is writing to all unsuccessful local applicants with details of how their applications were assessed. Given the limited resources it is not possible for me to fund all valid applications. The reason(s) why applications were deemed invalid is being outlined to the relevant applicants in the Department's correspondence referred to above. There are several reasons why an application might be deemed invalid and compiling such information into tabular format for all such applications in Donegal would involve a disproportionate amount of work. Some of the reasons why applications were deemed invalid include:
- Insufficient own funding or no evidence of own funding
- Work on project already commenced
- No evidence of freehold/leasehold/letter from landlord
- No quotations/estimates submitted
- No evidence of planning permission or application for same or letter from technical supervisor stating that planning permission is not needed
|
Applicant Name |
Sought |
|
Aileach Football Club |
€47,302 |
|
Aileach Youth & Community Centre |
€10,000 |
|
Aodh Ruadh C.L.G. (Park/Development Committee) |
€168,000 |
|
Ballyliffin Golf Club |
€85,000 |
|
Ballyshannon Leisure Centre Management Ltd |
€95,240 |
|
Buncrana Community Leisure Centre Cooperative Society Limited |
€78,256 |
|
Buncrana GAA Club |
€300,000 |
|
Buncrana Youth & Community Dev. Co. Ltd. |
€192,000 |
|
Carndonagh Boxing Club |
€220,000 |
|
Carndonagh GAA Club |
€160,000 |
|
Cashel na Cor Learning Disability Association Ltd. |
€656,483 |
|
CLG Ard An Ratha |
€234,059 |
|
CLG Gleann Fhinne |
€74,630 |
|
CLG Iorras / Urris GAA Club |
€224,593 |
|
Clonleigh Social Services Ltd. |
€54,165 |
|
Clonmany Shamrocks Sport & Athletics Ltd. |
€56,000 |
|
Clonmany Tug of War Club |
€4,376 |
|
Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre |
€467,391 |
|
Cloughaneely GAA Club |
€160,000 |
|
Cockhill Celtic Youth & Football Club |
€58,898 |
|
Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair Teo |
€6,055 |
|
Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo |
€268,182 |
|
Comhlacht Forbartha an Tearmainn, trading as Craoibhín. |
€13,324 |
|
Coole Cranford Community Centre Limited |
€90,000 |
|
Creeslough & District Angling Association |
€35,410 |
|
Creevy National School |
€54,000 |
|
Curragh Athletic Football Club |
€45,000 |
|
C.L. G. Dhun na nGall |
€520,000 |
|
C.L.G. Na Cealla Beaga |
€25,000 |
|
C.L.G. na nDúnaibh |
€336,850 |
|
C.L.G. Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin |
€119,600 |
|
Desertegney Youth Club incorporating Dunree Football Club |
€25,000 |
|
Donegal Athletics Board |
€20,814 |
|
Donegal Bay Rowing Club |
€20,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€569,770 |
|
Donegal League Organisation Co. Ltd |
€80,000 |
|
Donegal Mountain Biking Club |
€5,013 |
|
Donegal Mountain Rescue Team |
€25,000 |
|
Donegal Sports Partnership |
€10,000 |
|
Donegal Town Rugby Football Club |
€150,000 |
|
Donegal Town Soccer Club Trust Company Ltd.- (trading as Donegal Town F.C.) |
€39,328 |
|
Downstands Family Resource Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Drimarone Development Association |
€100,000 |
|
Drumkeen United Football Club |
€115,000 |
|
Drumoghill Football Club |
€88,069 |
|
Dungloe G.A.A. Club / Cumann Luthchleas Gael An Clochán Liath |
€150,000 |
|
Dunlewey Celtic Football Club |
€25,000 |
|
Dunree Amateur Boxing Club & Community Hall |
€25,000 |
|
Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd. |
|
|
Finn Valley Athletic Club |
€100,000 |
|
Finn Valley RFC |
€12,791 |
|
Finn Valley Swimming Pool Limited |
€153,335 |
|
Fit Kidz |
€63,965 |
|
Four Masters G.A.A. Club |
€40,000 |
|
Frosses Foróige |
€3,000 |
|
Galf Chumann Ghaoth Dobhair |
€64,229 |
|
Glebe Sports Holdings Ltd |
€105,362 |
|
Gleneely Colts FC Sports & Leisure Club |
€25,739 |
|
Glenswilly Sports Park |
€187,662 |
|
Greencastle Sports and Leisure Company Limited |
€7,000 |
|
Gweebarra Canoe Club |
€4,000 |
|
Illies Community Association & Illies Celtic Football Club. |
€150,748 |
|
Illies Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club (IGG, ABC) |
€246,160 |
|
Illistrin Community Development Association |
€34,535 |
|
Indoor Street Ltd (Plaza Project) |
€84,657 |
|
Inishowen Community & Recreational Carndonagh Community School Sports Development Project Company Ltd. |
€200,000 |
|
Inishowen Football League |
€12,000 |
|
IRD Milford Limited |
€83,262 |
|
Kilmacrennan Celtic School Boys & Girls F.C |
€21,000 |
|
Letterkenny Athletics Club |
€73,350 |
|
Letterkenny Community Centre |
€93,295 |
|
Letterkenny Rovers Football Club |
€252,596 |
|
Letterkenny Sports Complex Development Limited. |
€13,550 |
|
Letterkenny Tennis Club |
€156,657 |
|
Letterkenny Youth & Family Service (LYFS) |
€20,436 |
|
Lifford Athletic Club Ltd/Lifford Athletic Club |
€100,000 |
|
Lifford Celtic Football Club |
€129,197 |
|
Malin G.A.A. |
€115,500 |
|
Milford United Football Club |
€74,364 |
|
Moville Celtic Football Club |
€20,000 |
|
Moville GAA Club - CLG Bun an Phobail |
€92,924 |
|
Mulroy Hoops Basketball Club |
€7,328 |
|
Na Rossa Community Club |
€300,000 |
|
Naomh Colmcille GAA Club |
€110,388 |
|
Naomh Mhuire GAA Club |
€10,167 |
|
Naomh Micheal GAA Club |
€170,121 |
|
North West Golf Club |
€69,681 |
|
Pobal Eascarrach Teoranta & Donegal County Council |
€300,000 |
|
Quigleys Point Swifts Football Club |
€34,000 |
|
Ramelton Tennis Club |
€25,000 |
|
Ray Community Group - (formally Ray Youth Athletic Club) |
€35,080 |
|
Realt na Mara CLG, Bundobhráin |
€13,625 |
|
Red Hughs GAA Club |
€81,153 |
|
Redcastle United Football Club |
€25,000 |
|
Robert Emmets GAA Club |
€25,000 |
|
Royal and Prior Comprehensive School in conjunction with Raphoe Hockey Club |
€129,739 |
|
Scoil an Stratha Mhoir and Glendowan Youth Club |
€47,428 |
|
Springboard Family Support Project |
€6,000 |
|
St John Bosco Ac Limited |
€17,673 |
|
St John Bosco Club |
€700,000 |
|
St. Catherine's F.C. |
€17,500 |
|
St. Eunan's GAA Club |
€350,000 |
|
Termon GAA (CLG An Tearmainn) |
€48,784 |
|
Tír Chonaill Gap Cycling Club |
€9,200 |
|
Tír Conall Rugby Club |
€538,507 |
|
Trustees of Leghawney Hall Limited |
€2,691 |
|
Tullyvinney Rovers F.C. |
€6,978 |
|
Twin Towns Amateur Boxing Club |
€12,000 |
342. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a club (details supplied) was deemed unsuitable for any funding from the sports capital programme despite the fact they fulfilled the criteria to receive funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57408/12]
View answerThe Department is writing to all unsuccessful applicants under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme with details of the results of the assessment of their application. The reasons why applications were deemed invalid is being outlined to the relevant applicants.
The application referred to by the Deputy was deemed invalid on two grounds under the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme. Firstly, the applicant had insufficient own funding to meet the minimum matching funding requirements of the Programme and secondly; the applicant did not provide evidence that they had adequate title to the property where the proposed facility was to be developed.
343. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated to Monaghan County Council in 2013 to finalise the preparatory work on the N2 Clontibret to the Border road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57411/12]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
344. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding his plans for developing cycle routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57421/12]
View answerThe development of interurban cycle routes is being progressed through the National Cycle Network funding scheme. Just over €7 million has been allocated to fund 16 projects, each in a different Local Authority area. A wide variety of route types have been allocated funding, including canal tow path routes, routes along disused rail lines and routes which make use of bypassed national roads. Most projects are substantially progressed. Five will be completed by year end, with the remaining projects expected to be completed in 2013. It is currently planned that a further NCN funding call will be undertaken next year for the determination of projects to be funded from 2014-2016.
In terms of developing urban cycle routes, the NTA, under its Sustainable Transport Management Grants Scheme provides funding to relevant local authorities for a range of schemes to benefit cyclists including cycle paths and cycle corridors.
Providing safe cycle routes is a key factor in encouraging more people to cycle for both transport and leisure. The Government will therefore continue to provide funding either directly or through the NTA to local authorities for the development of cycle routes.
345. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by the National Roads Authority on the M50 for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 on grass cutting, litter picking, road markings, road maintenance and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57438/12]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
346. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average number of passengers per week in Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, Ireland West Knock Airport and Shannon Airport for the years 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57439/12]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the average number of passengers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports falls within the operational responsibilities of Dublin Airport Authority and I have referred the question to the company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.
In relation to Knock Airport, which is a privately owned company, the Deputy should address any queries regarding the airport’s performance to the airport management.
347. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the air accident investigation unit has completed its investigation into the heavy landing by the Air Corps air ambulance on 19 June 2012; the results and recommendations on foot of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57458/12]
View answerFollowing the accident which occurred to an Irish Air Corps air ambulance helicopter on the 19th June 2012 near Borrisoleigh Co Tipperary, the Minister for Defence requested that an investigation would be carried out in accordance with the Regulations set out in S.I. No. 460 of 2009 and that the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of my Department would take the lead role in the Investigation. I agreed to this request.
I am informed by the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents that the Draft Report of this accident is in the final stages of preparation and that it will be issued to the interested parties imminently. Following a period of consideration as set out in the Regulations, it is expected that the Final Report will be published on the AAIU website early in the New Year.
348. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to drive tourism through local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57474/12]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy and the State Tourism agencies, under the aegis of the Department, deal with the operation and administration of that policy, including regional tourism development.
In this respect, Fáilte Ireland works with local authorities to maximise the tourism potential of their respective regions. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information in this regard. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
349. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a train service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57489/12]
View answerThe scheduling and timetabling of train services is an operational matter for Irish Rail in conjunction with the National Transport Authority and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
350. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Fáilte Ireland to support and provide funding to Puck Fair and Summerfest festivals in County Kerry, if he will ask Fáilte Ireland to take into consideration the importance of these festivals to tourism in the county and the very special effort that they are making for the Gathering in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57496/12]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational one for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
351. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce an Irish language-Gaelic tourism strategy for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57502/12]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
352. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding in 2013 for the Kenmare relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57503/12]
View answerThe 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.
Earlier this year, the National Roads Authority (NRA) invited applications (on behalf of the Department) for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme in respect of regional and local roads. Kerry County Council submitted an application for €760,000 for the Kenmare Eastern Relief Road. All applications are currently being considered by the NRA and the Department having regard to the compliance with the eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funding available under this grants scheme in 2013.
I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.
353. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a singular tourism strategy for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57504/12]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
354. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of a number of taxi drivers (details supplied) regarding the recommendations for the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57526/12]
View answerOverall the thrust of the reforms contained in the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011 will mean better services for consumers and improvements to the operating environment for taxi drivers generally. It is acknowledged that some of the measures proposed by the Taxi Review may lead to increased costs for individuals. However these should be offset by the benefits to the industry in terms of a better regulated and safer taxi sector.
Many of the areas of concern to the Deputy have been addressed in the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012, which was published earlier this month. The Bill will support measures to ensure that operators and drivers can operate under a robust regulatory framework that is supported by an effective enforcement regime. The provisions of the Bill include mandatory disqualification from holding a driver licence upon convictions of specified serious offences. This measure is in addition to the existing arrangement for Garda vetting of taxi drivers. There is also provision for the assessment of the suitability of a person to hold a licence linked to new powers for the licensing authority to revoke or suspend, or to refuse to grant a licence, as well as a demerit scheme aimed at penalising persistent breaches of the taxi regulations.
The Taxi Regulation Bill provides for the prohibition on the transfer of a vehicle licence as envisaged in the Taxi Regulation Review Report. The underlying principle for this proposal is that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market. The prohibition on transfer will apply to company licences and a further technical amendment to the legislation will be required to fully address the issue of company licences.
Concerning vehicle standards and the age of some vehicles currently operating in the industry, the Taxi Review Group proposed to allow vehicles licensed before 2009 to continue to operate to the point where the vehicle reaches the fifteenth anniversary of its first registration subject to a twice yearly NCT test and licence renewal assessment. This will allow some time for vehicle owners and drivers to adjust to the new standards regime. The intention is that, over time, vehicles older than nine years will be removed from the taxi and hackney fleet. It is anticipated that this measure will be implemented from 31 January 2013.
There is provision made in the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 for appeals and representations to be made with regard to SPSV licensing and the decisions of the licensing authority.
The Taxi Advisory Committee, which I appointed during this summer, includes representatives of small public service vehicle and driver interests in line with the provisions of Section 54 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including entry requirements and the operation of the testing process under the SPSV skills development programme, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. In this regard, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
355. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the successful sports capital grant projects were selected; if he will provide the details of the procedures that were used in selecting successful projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57540/12]
View answerAll applications received under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were first checked to ensure eligibility and then eligible applications were initially assessed against the following criteria (the final 4 criteria only apply to regional and national projects):
|
Selection Criteria |
|
Increase in the levels of active participation/ improved standards of sporting performance, especially among women and older citizens |
|
Level of socioeconomic disadvantage in the area |
|
Technical merits of the project |
|
Financial viability of project |
|
Level of own funding available |
|
Extent to which applicant will be able to maintain project after completion |
|
Current and planned levels of sport and/or recreational sport facilities in the area |
|
Current or proposed sharing of facilities with other sporting groups or schools |
|
Level of SCP (or other Government) funding received in the past |
|
Strategies to be used to attract people from disadvantaged areas |
|
Priority of proposed improvements/ facility in relation to existing facilities |
|
Priorities as identified by the NGB (national/regional projects only) |
|
Priority as identified by the Irish Sports Council (NGB and third level only) |
|
Location of facility within the network of national, regional and municipal facilities (non-local projects only) |
|
Linkages with Local Authorities Swimming Pools Programme (municipal multi-sport only) |
In deciding the final allocations of funding to local projects within each county Minister Varadkar and I had regard to a number of additional factors, including: - the performance of each application during the assessment process;
- ensuring a geographic spread of projects within each county;
- ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and
- ensuring that there is a spread of projects among different sports.
356. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is expected to be announced the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report that will be implemented and the level of engagement that has taken place with taxi operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57554/12]
View answerThe Taxi Regulation Review report was published by the Government in January of this year. It contains 46 actions targeting at improving the regulation and operation of the small public service vehicle industry.
Responsibility for implementation of the majority of the recommendations of that report rests with the National Transport Authority (NTA) which is the body responsible for regulating the small public service vehicle industry.
I understand from the NTA that they have implemented ten of the actions in full and that a considerable number of other actions are scheduled to come into operation in January of 2013. The NTA have informed me that new regulations have been adopted by the Board of the NTA which will introduce new measures relating to taxi door signage, vehicle age limits, rental controls and notification requirements for drivers of the vehicles that they are operating, during January 2013.
There was significant engagement with the taxi industry during the Taxi Regulation Review, including a public consultation process involving an opportunity for written submissions and for oral presentations from key stakeholder groups. There were also four representatives from the taxi sector on the review group and the Minister met many taxi groups in advance of the review process.
Since the publication of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, I understand that the NTA has engaged extensively with the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles (the “Advisory Committee”) and the sub-group of that committee comprising of industry representative members. The NTA has informed me that the various proposals that are intended to be introduced in January 2013 were the subject of consultation with the Advisory Committee.
