Written Answers Nos. 740-762
740. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update of progress made on projects which are being funded under the sustainable transport measures programme, including the allocated funding; the estimated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6841/13]
View answerMy Department works with the NTA to improve smarter travel, with the NTA funding local authority schemes in the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities, while my Department provides direct funding in the other counties and towns. In addition to NTA funding, we are investing €65 million in sustainable transport over the 5 year period 2012-2016, the majority of which will be invested in cities and towns around the country with funding allocated under key programmes such as Smarter Travel Areas (€23 million), Active Travel Towns and the National Cycle Network delivery programme.
Work within each of the three STAs of Limerick, Westport and Dungarvan commenced in 2012 and is due for completion in December 2016. Funding to support implementation of walking and cycling strategies under the Active Travel Towns programme was allocated to 12 towns in 2012. Works are completed in Loughrea and Ballina/Killaloe with a further ten projects due for completion by the end of this year. In addition a number of local authorities have now developed walking and cycling strategies for their respective towns with a view to securing funding under a new competitive round of Active Travel Towns funding to be announced later this year.
Furthermore 16 projects received funding allocations in 2012 of €7.2 millon specifically for cycling infrastructure under a programme to invest in the National Cycle Network. 7 of these projects are now completed - the Ennistymon to Lahinch route in Clare, the Donegal town to Newtowncunningham route in Donegal, the Killarney to Fossa route in Kerry, the Great Southern Trail Abbeyfeale to Kilmorna route in Limerick, the N52 cycleway extension in Tipperary, the Tullamore to Moate route in Offaly/Westmeath and the City Outer Ring Road to Tramore route in Waterford. A further 9 projects are scheduled for completion by the end of this year before which a new competitive round of funding under NCN will be announced. Details of all the projects funded are available on www.smartertravel.ie.
In addition to investment in infrastructure my Department continues to fund programmes to support and promote smarter travel, including the annual Bike Week, the travel component of the Green Schools programme and the Smarter Travel Workplaces/Smarter Campuses initiative.
741. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline his plans to announce further funding for projects to improve road, bus cycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the greater Dublin area under the sustainable transport measures programme, similar to his announcement of 18 April 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6842/13]
View answerFollowing the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, funding for delivery of public transport infrastructure, including funding for projects to improve road, bus, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is a matter for the NTA. Under its Sustainable Transport Management Grants (STMG) the NTA also provides funding to local authorities for a range of schemes to benefit cyclists including cycle paths and cycle corridors.
I have forwarded your request to the NTA for details of future funding proposals in the GDA and I have asked them to forward the information to you directly. If you have not received a response within 7 days please contact me again.
742. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial allocation to the National Road Safety Authority for 2013. [6891/13]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority has been provided with a current budget allocation of €8 million in 2013.
743. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to address under use of the rail service from Dublin to County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6932/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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.
744. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the initiatives being undertaken by Fáilte Ireland to promote County Cork as a tourism destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7019/13]
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.
745. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to roll out a scheme similar to the Leap card for public transport users in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7020/13]
View answerResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010 in accordance with section 58 of the Dublin Transport Authority (DTA) Act 2008. In addition, section 63 of the DTA Act 2008 extends the NTA’s remit in relation to integrated ticketing to the rest of the State.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
746. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will justify the practice of initially registering passenger transport coaches as private vehicles prior to reclassification and subsequent registering and taxing as PSVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7059/13]
View answerThe circumstances that give rise to the issue raised by the Deputy and the responsibility for them are unclear. My office will correspond further with the Deputy when the position has been clarified.
747. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding making exceptions on taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7080/13]
View answerThe regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to vehicle age limit, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. The NTA is the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011.
The NTA carried out a consultation on vehicle standards as part of the Taxi Regulation Review in 2011 which recommends strengthening vehicle standards.
Action 10 of the Review Report recommends that the 9 year vehicle age limit should apply at licence issue or renewal for all new vehicles entering the fleet and for vehicles that have entered the fleet since 1st January 2009. Those entrants to the taxi industry since January 2009 have entered the industry on the basis of a 9-year age limit on vehicles.
As a transitional arrangement, existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1 January 2009 can operate up to 14 years of age subject to 6-monthly NCT testing and NTA licence renewal assessment. Therefore, it is envisaged that, over time, all vehicles older than nine years will be removed from the taxi and hackney fleet.
748. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding taxi drivers. [7081/13]
View answerFrom the end of January 2013 it is a requirement that all small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators notify the National Transport Authority (NTA) about the vehicles they are operating at any time. This is a once-off notification in the case of SPSV drivers who own their own vehicle. Any changes such as with respect to rental agreements or change of vehicle will need to be notified.
I understand that free IT tools are available to facilitate this notification process, The "Taxi Industry Portal" smartphone application can be downloaded onto both Apple and Android smartphones. In addition, SPSV operators can use any PC or laptop to access the Taxi Portal over the Internet.
A call centre is currently operating all-day every-day to take telephone notifications. This is charged as a national number from landlines and mobile phones and is included in bundles of free calls from the various companies / operators. The call centre is operated by the NTA and noting this, I have asked the NTA to respond directly to the Deputy with regard to the issues he has raised relating to access to the call-centre.
Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply from the NTA within 10 working days.
749. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on an incident detailed in the press statement (details supplied) issued by representatives of the International Transport Workers Federation, the response of the authorities and the demands made by the ITF representative of his Department. [7082/13]
View answerA Port State Control inspection of the particular vessel was carried out by the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. These inspections are carried out to check for compliance with international law.
The MSO detain any ship which poses a safety hazard or which does not comply with the international requirements on living and working arrangements. In this case the vessel was detained for safety reasons and released when these issues were resolved Non-payment of wages is not in itself a basis for detention of a vessel by surveyors of my Department.
The payment of wages on foreign flagged ships is a matter for the flag state where the ship is registered and is a matter for the internal domestic law of that country, which in this case is the United Kingdom.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána engaged with the Indonesian crew of the vessel. The Gardaí provided accommodation for them and contacted the Indonesian Embassy on their behalf. They also facilitated their return to Indonesia. Any other requirement for information in relation to Garda engagement with the crewmen should be referred to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
750. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will be making any further provision for the smarter travel programme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7087/13]
View answerMy Department works with the NTA to improve smarter travel, with the NTA providing funds to local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities, while my Department provides direct funding in the other counties and towns. In addition to NTA funding, we are investing €65 million in sustainable transport over the 5 year period 2012-2016, the majority of which will be invested in cities and towns around the country under key programmes such as Smarter Travel Areas and Active Travel Towns. Targeted investment is essential in these financially straightened times. Given the pressure on the public finances, there is no possibility of additional funding by the Exchequer in 2013.
751. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the number of coastguard units in County Louth; and the number of boats attached to each. [7115/13]
View answerPrimary maritime search and rescue services in Co Louth are provided by a combination of the Clogherhead based Royal National Lifeboat Institutions All Weather Lifeboat and two volunteer Coast Guard boat units, based in Drogheda and at Greenore. The Drogheda unit is provided with a D Class RNLI-built boat and a small three metre inflatable boat for upriver use on the Boyne. The Greenore unit is provided with a 6.5 metre rib (ridged inflatable boat). Both Greenore and Drogheda Coast Guard Boat Units provide the necessary inshore boat capacity required. These services are supported by a third Volunteer Coast Guard unit based in Clogherhead which is designated as a shoreline search unit which can provide a search and first aid capacity for anything occurring on land or coming ashore. County Louth is also serviced by the Dublin Coast Guard helicopter based at Dublin Airport.
752. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his future plans for Clogherhead coast guard, County Louth, with respect to the provision of equipment and the recruitment, training and upskilling of new members. [7116/13]
View answerClogherhead Volunteer Coast Guard Unit is designated as a shoreline search unit and supports their neighbouring Co. Louth units in Drogheda and Greenore. Coast Guard policy facilitates such inter unit cooperation in relation to maritime emergency preparation and response.
All Coast Guard units are provided with a suite of equipment deemed necessary to conduct their assigned roles and tasks. Shoreline units are also normally provided with a 4x4 commercial vehicle and an All-Terrain Vehicle (commonly called a Quad bike). Clogherhead has both these vehicles and also has the temporary placement of a van. The equipment requirements and the need for additional members is kept under on-going review. All new and current members are provided with the requisite courses and training.
753. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give a commitment on the duration for an application to the national driver licence service for a driving licence to be processed from the first point of contact a person has with their local authority to when they receive their new driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7150/13]
View answerThe operation of the Driver Licensing system is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which became the national driver licensing authority as of 12 January 2013. The details of the process are therefore a matter for the RSA and I have passed the Deputy's query to the authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
754. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a matter (details supplied) regarding mini-buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7151/13]
View answerI am not aware of a vehicle age rule that applies to the category of vehicle described by the Deputy.
The Road Transport Operators Licence (RTOL) administered by my Department is for commercial operators who carry passengers for hire and reward, using large public service vehicles which can carry nine or more passengers. There is no age limit as to the vehicles authorised on the RTOL licence – as long as they continue to meet all the relevant safety requirements.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003. SPSV’s are typically vehicles which carry less than 9 passengers on a commercial basis for hire or reward.
Action 10 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report published at the beginning of 2012 recommends that a 9 year vehicle age limit should apply at licence issue or renewal for all new vehicles entering the fleet and for vehicles that have entered the fleet since 1st January 2009. Those entrants to the taxi industry since January 2009 have entered the industry on the basis of a 9-year age limit on vehicles.
As a transitional arrangement, existing vehicles in the fleet prior to 1 January 2009 can operate up to 14 years of age subject to 6-monthly NCT testing and NTA licence renewal assessment. Therefore, it is envisaged that, over time, all vehicles older than nine years will be removed from the taxi and hackney fleet.
755. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the position for a taxi plate owner who wishes to sell or lease their licence as he wishes to retire; the options available for such a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7152/13]
View answerCurrently, small public service vehicle (SPSV) licences (wheelchair accessible taxi and hackney licences, hackney licences and limousine licences) which were issued after January 2009 are non-transferable. Licences issued prior to January 2009 can be transferred once.
If a holder of an SPSV vehicle licence wishes to rent the vehicle licence to another SPSV operator, then from the 1st of January 2013 it must be a "full rental package". The person must own the SPSV vehicle licence and the vehicle that the licence relates to; must provide appropriate insurance for the rental period; and, must notify the NTA of the rental agreement.
The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012, which I hope will be enacted by the Oireachtas in the first half of this year, provides for a prohibition on transfer of all SPSV licences. This follows a recommendation the Taxi Regulation Review Report that a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market.
756. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a new sports capital programme in 2013 to assist clubs and organisations that wish to develop projects in their areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7160/13]
View answerThe allocations under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were announced last December. The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and there are no more grants available at this time.
I have not made any decision on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. this will be contingent on the availability of funding.
757. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the National Roads Authority, in the interest of safety, when the money that is allocated and earmarked for the N71 Kenmare-Bonane road is being spent this year to ensure the road is adequately widened to ensure that cars can pass each other safely and without accident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7255/13]
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.
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.
758. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the process for providing photographic identification for the purpose of issuing new driving licences; if local pharmacies and retail shops have now been excluded from providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7261/13]
View answerAs of 12 January this year the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for driver licensing nationally. RSA also had responsibility for designing the transition to the new plastic card driving licence, which was introduced from 19 January 2013.
The subject matter of this Question relates to the operation of the driver licensing service and is, therefore, a matter for the RSA. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the RSA for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
759. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total number of tourists that visited this country arising from the visits of cruise ships to ports here in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number of projected visitors for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7294/13]
View answer760. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or the tourist bodies have undertaken any assessment of the tourism potential offered by the visits of cruise vessels to ports here; his plans to promote further development of this tourist market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7295/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 759 and 760 together.
The matters raised are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received with ten working days.
761. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the need to ensure the provision of facilities in ports here to cater for the next generation of cruise ships, those of more than 338 meters in length, with a draft of 8.6 meters, in view of the growing importance in the cruise business of vessels of this size; if he intends to take any action to promote the provision of facilities for these vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7296/13]
View answerAt the outset, I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not provide Exchequer funding to ports as such an investment is contrary to State Aid rules and we have no budget line from which to do so in any case. Individual ports are responsible for their own investment decisions around their infrastructure and facilities, and must fund such investment from their own profits and reserves.
However, I can inform the Deputy that the port of Cork can already accommodate cruise ships over 338m at the Cobh Cruise Terminal and Ringaskiddy Deepwater Berth. A cruise vessel of 340m overall length has been a regular caller to Cobh since 2008. The port of Cork Company has invested in the provision of facilities for these vessels including berth upgrades, dredging, employee and pilot training and regional tourism promotion in order to attract and accommodate vessels of this size. Dublin Port can also accommodate vessels of this size in Alexandra Quay, while smaller liners can come up the river Liffey close to the city centre.
My Department encourages ports and other relevant organisations to investigate opportunities to increase Ireland's share of the cruise tourism market and further develop Ireland as a cruise destination. Port companies are also encouraged to develop or expand cruise facilities, where they consider it is appropriate to do so, using their own resources.
762. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost incurred by his Department for assessing means of individual citizens for any reason on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7396/13]
View answerMy Department does not assess the means of individual citizens and does not incur such costs.
