Finian McGrath
Question:261. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the assistance that will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6. [12025/13]
View answerHealth Services Issues
Questions (261)
Written answers
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (262)
Catherine Murphy
Question:262. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART underground project; his future plans in relation to this project; if any developments are expected in the coming months to advance the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11786/13]
View answerWritten answers
Due to the reduction in funding available for transport projects arising from the difficult economic situation, the DART Underground Tunnel project has been postponed for consideration in advance of the next capital programme which will cover the period from 2016 onwards. DART Underground remains a key element of the overall transport integration strategy as it would deliver a quantum improvement in rail accessibility to the city centre with benefits for each of the four mainline rail corridors radiating from the city centre.
DART Underground is currently part of the Trans European Network (TEN-T) Belfast-Dublin-Cork Priority Project. I have sought its inclusion in the updated Core Ten-T Network currently under discussion and have also proposed that it be designated part of a specific Core Corridor under the Regulations governing the next round of Ten-T funding for the period 2014 -2020. This means that if the Dart Underground project or elements of the overall programme are included in the next capital programme they will be eligible for some limited co-funding under Ten -T.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (263)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:263. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will contact the chief executive office of Dublin Bus requesting that security personnel be onboard its Nightlink services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/13]
View answerWritten answers
The safety and security of passengers and staff is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Gardaí. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration
Questions (264)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff in the National Roads Authority earning more than €80,000 but less than €100,000; between €100,001 but less than €120,000; between €120,001 but less than €150,000; between €150,001 but less than €180,000; between €180,001 but less than €200,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11819/13]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall corporate governance of the National Roads Authority (NRA). However, the remuneration of staff in the Authority is a day to day matter for the NRA. 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.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (265)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional DART commuter and intercity railcars that were brought into operation for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; if EU funding was provided in any of these years to cover the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/13]
View answerWritten answers
The purchase of new Intercity Railcars (ICR's) commenced in 2004, with options to acquire additional rolling stock being exercised at intervals since then. A total of 234 ICR's were delivered. EU co-funding of €11 million was provided towards 22 ICR's serving the BMW Region. No new DART railcars have been funded since 2007. Operational issues in relation to rolling-stock, such as when the ICR's were introduced into service, are a matter for Iarnrod Eireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Chief Executive of Iarnrod Eireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Taxi Regulations
Questions (266)
Jack Wall
Question:266. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a hackney business (details supplied) in County Kildare in relation to its application for licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11855/13]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the taxi industry, including the circumstances where transfer of an SPSV licence is permitted, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. I have referred the Deputy’s Question to the NTA. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private Office.
Air Navigation Orders
Questions (267)
Seán Crowe
Question:267. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of requests that were made by foreign aircraft to carry munitions through Ireland in 2012; the number of these that were granted; the breakdown by country; and the number that were for aircraft that landed at Shannon Airport. [11917/13]
View answerWritten answers
A permit is required under SI 224 of 1973, as amended, for the carriage of munitions on civil aircraft using Irish airspace. The statistics requested by the Deputy in relation to these permits in 2012 are outlined below:
- Number of requests that were made by foreign civil aircraft to carry munitions through Ireland in 2012 - 821.
- The number of these that were granted - 807.
- The breakdown by country of the applicants - USA 758, United Arab Emirates 32, UK 9, Switzerland 3, Russia 2, Portugal 2, Ukraine 1.
- The number that were for aircraft that landed at Shannon Airport - 557.
State Airports
Questions (268)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:268. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the establishment of the International Aviation Services Centre at Shannon; when he expects to see this centre operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11930/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Shannon Airport was separated from the Dublin Airport Authority on 31 December last and the assets and business of the airport were transferred from the DAA to the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA). My Department is working with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the Heads of the new Bill to provide for the merger of the airport with a restructured Shannon Development in a new, commercial, State-owned entity and this legislation will be advanced during the first half of this year. When the Heads of the Bill are ready, they will be referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport for their consideration prior to drafting. It is my hope, subject to enactment of the Bill, that the new Shannon entity could be established mid-year although I appreciate that this will be challenging. It will then be a matter for the new entity to proceed with the development and expansion of the aviation services centre in Shannon.
In January, I appointed Rose Hynes as Chairman of the SAA and in that context I expect her to take on the role of Chairman designate for the NewCo which is in the process of being established. More recently, I have made four further appointments to the board of the SAA, including two employee representatives nominated by ICTU. A process to recruit a Chief Executive for the Shannon Airport Authority and the new Shannon entity (NewCo) is also currently under way. In addition, my colleague, Minister Bruton and I, have written to the Chairmen of the SAA and Shannon Development requesting that they and their management teams work closely together over the coming months to ensure an orderly transition to the establishment of NewCo. In this regard also, Minister Bruton appointed Ms Hynes and one other SAA board member to the board of Shannon Development and it is likely that one further common appointment may be made to the boards of the SAA and Shannon Development to maximise synergies between the two ahead of the merger.
Tax Code
Questions (269)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:269. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to the offer that was made to abolish the €3 air travel tax; if he will provide details in tabular form of the changes in numbers to inbound flights since the change to the charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11933/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government’s offer to abolish the tax in return for an increase in capacity and the restoration on cancelled routes stands. The purpose of the offer was to stimulate inbound tourist traffic. There have been some positive developments in relation to additional capacity on US-Ireland routes for 2013 linked to both general traffic demand and the expected increased traffic linked to the Gathering. However, overall the response from the airlines to date has been inadequate. The Government has made it clear that it will need to see a significant increase in capacity and routes before consideration can be given to abolishing the tax.
The €3 flat rate charge has applied since 1 March 2011. Data from the three State Airports shows a modest increase in passenger numbers of 0.5% in 2012 at the three airports. Individually this breaks down as:
- Dublin airport increase of 1.9% on 2011
- Shannon decrease of 14.9% on 2011 and
- Cork decrease of 0.9% on 2011.
However, a number of factors influence demand for air services so it is not possible to attribute increases or decreases of this magnitude to any one factor.