Written Answers Nos. 243-251
243. 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 Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3470/14]
View answerThe 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 issued to Oireachtas members.
244. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the drugs programme unit of his Department lacks understanding of the timeframe associated with a capital grant project for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3503/14]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy was approved for a capital grant of €9,330 from the Drugs Initiative in 2013. Any inquiries regarding the drawdown of the grant should be directed to the Addiction Service Manager, at the Ballymun Health Care Facility.
245. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of all consultancy firms engaged by his Department during 2013; if he will further provide details of all the relevant fees paid to these firms during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3217/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputies is published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a junction upgrade (details supplied) has not commenced at this stage; the number of improvements queued at present awaiting funding to begin works in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3312/14]
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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, grants for such projects are being curtailed due to the need to focus the limited funding available on the repair and strengthening of the road network.
It is important to re-iterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement the resources of Councils like Kildare County Council. It is, therefore, open to the Council to fund this project from its own resources.
247. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research that has been commissioned by his Department on climate change mitigation and or adaptation over the past year; and if he will supply a copy of the terms of reference for any such research. [3334/14]
View answer248. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work being done to develop climate change mitigation policy applicable to his Department and the public participation opportunities incorporated in that work. [3341/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
My Department launched a public consultation process on the preparation of a low carbon roadmap for the transport sector on 17 December 2013. This roadmap is being prepared in anticipation of obligations proposed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. The National Roadmap will be coordinated by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and will be completed, following public consultation, in 2014.
Roadmaps for adaptation will also be prepared by key sectors, including transport, and Departments will be guided by the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework on the preparation of sectoral adaptation plans.
The NESC Secretariat analysis in 2012 made a strong case for the national climate challenge to be reframed and the sectoral roadmap for the transport sector will form part of that process. It will set out a pragmatic approach towards achieving a transition to a low-carbon transport sector in the period up to and including 2050. The early stakeholder consultation for the transport roadmap concludes on 7 February 2014.
While no research has been commissioned in the last year, my Department keeps abreast of the extensive research being conducted in this area. Such data is important in determining the range of measures necessary for the development of a robust and cost-effective policy platform for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
249. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding road safety initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3365/14]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this correspondence to my attention.
In the context of developing road safety policy, I will, in consultation with the Road Safety Authority and all other relevant State agencies, take into account the views expressed in the correspondence.
250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Driving Licence Service will not accept a marriage certificate in Italian from a person who got married in Italy and who wishes to renew her driving licence in her married name; if his attention has been drawn to this rule by the Road Safety Authority; the reason for the rule in view of our membership of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/14]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if CIE retains ownership of a piece of infrastructure (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3445/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for CIÉ and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Will the Deputy pease advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
