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Thursday, 25 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 238-248

Medical Card Applications

Questions (238)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19723/13]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (239)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19724/13]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.

Roads Maintenance Funding

Questions (240)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

240. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed national motorway maintenance and renewal contract being put forward by the National Roads Authority; if it will include national roads and dual carriageways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/13]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The maintenance of individual sections of national roads 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Government-Church Dialogue

Questions (241)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an itinerary of his official engagements in the Far East over the recent St. Patrick's Day holiday as part of the promote Ireland programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. [19528/13]

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Written answers

As part of the Government's St Patricks Day "Promote Ireland" programme I travelled to Japan and South Korea. I set out the principle engagements below. As the Deputy will be aware, St. Patrick's Day is a unique opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. Few, if any, other countries have a national day which is so widely known and celebrated across the entire globe. As a country we should maximise the value we get from such global attention and goodwill. The purpose of these visits is threefold: Firstly, to promote Irish economic and cultural links overseas. Secondly, to use the opportunity of St Patrick's Day to strengthen our bi-lateral relationship with other states and thirdly, to connect with our diaspora overseas as well as those individuals with a strong connection or affinity with Ireland.  

Tuesday 12th March

Travel

 Wednesday 13th March

Arrival in Seoul, South Korea

Briefing with Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA 

Meeting with Irish Business Community and contacts

Thursday 14th March

Meeting with Global Irish Network member

Meeting with IDA target company

Meeting with Minister for Patriots and Veterans Affairs 

Meeting with Seoul Finance Forum

Interview with Korean media

Meeting with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport

Meeting with EI clients

National Day Reception

Friday 15th March

Travel from Seoul, South Korea to Tokyo, Japan

Meeting with Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League

Working Lunch with Irish Embassy, Enterprise Ireland and IDA staff

Meeting with Japan Rail East

Meeting with EI client

Media Interview

Irish National Day Reception

Saturday 16th March

Yokohama St. Patrick’s Day Parade & related functions

Meeting with EI Clients

Emerald Ball

Sunday 17th March

Tokyo St. Patrick’s Day Parade & related functions

Monday 18th March

Meeting with Members of the Global Irish Network

Briefing for members of the Tourism Trade in Japan

Meeting with Japanese Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Meeting with Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Meeting with IDA client

Meeting with Mitsui Busan 

Speak at Glen Dimplex seminar on Green Energy

Tuesday 19th March

Travel to Osaka

Meeting with IDA Client

Meetings with Vice-Governor of Osaka Prefecture

Meeting with EI client

Meeting with IDA target

Meeting with English Language School

Irish National Day Reception, Osaka

Wednesday 20th March

Depart Osaka

Air Services Provision

Questions (242)

Finian McGrath

Question:

242. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify an issue in regard to fuel surcharges by airlines; and if there is any legislation in this area (details supplied). [19549/13]

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Written answers

There is no legislation governing charges such as fuel surcharges; airlines have complete freedom in setting their fares and rates since the air services market was deregulated in the EU in the early 1990s. The question of refunds is a matter of airline policy and the refund policies of individual airlines are generally set out in the airline's terms and conditions.

Driver Licences

Questions (243)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that persons in County Kerry have driver licences issued to them as soon as possible (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19570/13]

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Written answers

The issuing of driver licences is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which became the national driver licensing authority in January of this year in accordance with the provisions of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012. I have no role in the processing of driver licence applications and no power to intervene in individual cases.  I have therefore forwarded this query to the RSA, and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (244)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

244. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Dublin Bus to increase the frequency of bus services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19602/13]

View answer

Written answers

The issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus 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.

Telecommunications Services Expenditure

Questions (245)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

245. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Bus have spent on developing a WiFi service on its fleet; the projected final costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19603/13]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), funding for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects, such as the installation of wi-fi on both buses and trains, is provided by my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation to projects and programmes. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to the funding of the installation of wi-fi on buses and trains in the GDA.

Outside of the GDA, my Department provides funding directly to Irish Rail for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects, such as the installation of wi-fi on services operated by Irish Rail. Therefore, I have also referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct reply to provide the costs regarding the installation of wi-fi on trains outside of the GDA. Please advise my private office if you do not receive both replies within 10 working days.

Road Safety

Questions (246)

Michael McGrath

Question:

246. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to undertake a national speed limit review; the type of roads that will be covered by such a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19606/13]

View answer

Written answers

I announced last year that I had established a Group, comprising all relevant stakeholders, to carry out a review of speed limits in the country. This Group, which is chaired by my Department, includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority.  Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group shortly.  I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.

Public Transport Provision

Questions (247, 248)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

247. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to increase bus services to a town (details supplied) in County Meath; if he will outline detail of same; his views that the current service is unsatisfactory in view of the increase in population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19648/13]

View answer

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

248. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to increase bus services to a town (details supplied) in County Meath; if he will outline detail of same; his views that the current service is unsatisfactory in view of the increase in population in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19649/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.

The provision of services is a matter for the relevant transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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