Written Answers Nos. 622-631
622. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of the hospitals under the aegis of the Health Service Executive; if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of the electricity costs and other fuel types and costs, in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively in each of these hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41225/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
623. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health with regard to the hospitals under the aegis of the Health Service Executive, which have combined heat and power plants installed and operational; if his Department and the HSE have calculated the potential annual savings in electricity and heating in each HSE hospital if CHP plants were installed; and if he will outline his policy in relation to same. [41226/13]
View answerDelivery of healthcare infrastructure and financial management is a service issue. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
624. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on all regulatory impact statements carried out on Bills in his Department since this Government took office to date; if he will list these Bills in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41596/13]
View answerSince 2011, Regulatory Impact Assessments have been carried out in relation to the Bills listed in the following table.
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Name of Bill |
|
Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Bill 2011 |
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Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012 |
|
Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
625. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who died from traffic accidents in 2012; the amount of expenditure dedicated to road safety advertisements on television in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/13]
View answerA total of 161 people died in road traffic collisions in 2012. Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for publicity with regard to road safety. Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
626. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if employees of the Rail Procurement Agency are covered by the Haddington Road agreement; the discussions he has had with representatives of staff at the RPA in respect of their terms and conditions of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40933/13]
View answerEmployees of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), which is a commercial state body, are not covered by the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). However, this matter will have to be reviewed in the context of the proposed merger of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the RPA. My Department has had regular engagement with the RPA in the context of the proposed merger. I have not had specific discussions with RPA staff on their terms and conditions of employment.
627. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the only transport now available for the people of Killucan, County Westmeath, is rural transport which runs on a Friday (details supplied); if he will ensure adequate transport is made available for this area as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40406/13]
View answerThe provision of public transport services are operational matters for the relevant transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the licensing and regulatory body for public transport. I have referred 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.
628. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on overheight trucks and the reason behind the derogation for overheight trucks on public roads to 31 October 2013; if he intends to extend the derogation beyond the set date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/13]
View answerStatutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. Following a public consultation undertaken prior to the completion of the Regulations, it was agreed that a five year derogation from that limit would apply to vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. The derogation was introduced in order to allow a five year period within which vehicles operating at heights in excess of the new statutory limit could be withdrawn from use in Ireland. The derogation terminates on 31st October 2013 and I have no proposals to extend it.
630. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation, and if not the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40554/13]
View answerWith the addition of the Tourism and Sport functions to the Department's portfolio, tenders were sought for exterior signs for the Department's Office buildings. A contract was placed with the lowest tenderer. These signs were in compliance with the Official Languages Act with appropriate prominence given to the Irish language. The issue of internal signage is under constant review and is subject to change in keeping with any realignment of functions of divisions within the Department. An Coimisinéir Teanga carried out an audit recently on two of the Department's buildings. If the audit reveals any deficiencies in compliance with the Act the Department will remedy these immediately. The Deputy might note that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has no responsibility for schools or third level institutions.
631. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the increased number of road deaths compared with last year, the measures being taken to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/13]
View answer668. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures currently being undertaken by his Department to improve road safety with particular reference to the increased number of deaths on Irish roads in comparison to last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 668 together.
At end September the number of fatalities on Irish roads was higher than for the equivalent period in 2012 and the indications are that the figures for 2013 as a whole will show an increase on last year. I am concerned at this increase, particularly following a period of seven years of continuous reduction. The Road Safety Authority and the Garda Síochána meet regularly to discuss the cause of collisions and the steps necessary to prevent such collisions occurring.
All stakeholders involved must continue with the effort and commitment that resulted in year on year reductions over the past seven years. Earlier this year, I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 which identifies a total of 144 Actions to be implemented by key stakeholders within the timeframes set. Implementation of these Actions will lead to a further significant reductions in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. I will take a personal interest in ensuring that the Actions are implemented.
In addition to the new Strategy, I will also introduce a Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill in the Dáil this week. The Bill provides for adjustment of penalty points for certain offences, introduces a new concept of novice driver, assists the Gardaí in determining the presence of intoxicants in drivers through an impairment testing system and provides for the testing for intoxicants of drivers left incapacitated by a road collision. The provisions of the Bill will assist in making our roads safer.
