Heather Humphreys
Question:222. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4825/14]
View answerHospital Appointments Administration
Questions (222)
Written answers
In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.
Cycling Facilities Funding
Questions (223)
Tom Fleming
Question:223. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the necessary funding to Kerry County Council and South Kerry Development Partnership to develop the greenway on the old railway line between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4577/14]
View answerWritten answers
In August 2013, my Department announced a second round of funding for cycle infrastructure under the National Cycle Network Programme and the closing date for applications was 15 November. It is intended that approximately €6.5million will be allocated to local authorities for the development of such infrastructure over the period 2014 to 2016.
Kerry County Council submitted two applications for greenway projects under the Programme. One of those applications relate to a proposal for a greenway from Glenbeigh to Reenard Point, Cahirciveen.
In total, my Department has received thirty-eight applications from twenty-eight local authorities. All proposals are currently being assessed by an expert panel comprising of officials from my Department, the National Transport Authority, the National Trails Office and Fáilte Ireland. It is expected that successful projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
Given the level of funding available, I expect that only 2 or 3 projects, or phases of projects, will be funded. Kerry County Council's applications will be assessed as part of the overall competitive process and will be measured against the criteria outlined in the funding call in August. Priority will be given to those projects with most potential to become world class, trip attracting cycle ways.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (224)
Shane Ross
Question:224. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way departmental contracts for taxi companies, for the purposes of providing taxis for the use of departmental staff, are decided and allocated; if there is a public tender process for taxi companies wishing to apply for these contracts; the process for allocating the contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4651/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has a contract for the provision of a taxi service. This contract dates to 1992 and there has been no procurement process since then. The cost of these services was €9,349 in 2013. The service is mainly used where other public transport options are unavailable.
Following an internal review of the costs of the service and in consultation with other Departments, it is considered that there may be better value available. As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is due to commence operations over the first half of this year. The OGP will procure common goods and services that account for 60% of public procurement spend. Procurement of taxi services are included in services to be provided through the activities of the OGP. The Department will avail of the services of the OGP to secure the most economical arrangement for the provision of a taxi service. This would be more advantageous than the Department undertaking solo procurement process.
Road Traffic Legislation
Questions (225)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:225. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to vary the maximum height that may be carried on a truck to facilitate the carrying of slightly higher loads of straw and hay; particularly taking into account the present regulations cut by a third the amount of round bales of straw that may be carried on a lorry; that an increase in height of 10 cm would facilitate an extra row of straw on lorries; the cost of transport of straw; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/14]
View answerWritten answers
Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. These regulations were signed into law on the 1st of November 2008 by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey.
These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. This derogation expired on the 31st October last.
Following the expiry of the derogation, specific concerns were raised with me by the agri-sector in relation to the effect that the 4.65 metre maximum vehicle height restriction would have on the cost of transporting fodder. This is an issue to which I am giving further consideration.
Road Traffic Legislation
Questions (226)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:226. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to maximum load heights, his plans to make an exemption in cases where fodder is imported into the county on a continuous basis as the contractors who haul this fodder will have to increase the costs if the height of their loads is reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4745/14]
View answerWritten answers
Statutory Instrument 366 of 2008 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2008 sets the maximum vehicle height limit at 4.65 metres. These regulations were signed into law on the 1st of November 2008 by my predecessor, Minister Noel Dempsey.
These regulations allowed a five year derogation from that limit for vehicles registered, licensed or in use prior to 1 November 2008. This derogation expired on the 31st October last.
Following the expiry of the derogation, specific concerns were raised with me by the agri-sector in relation to the effect that the 4.65 metre maximum vehicle height restriction would have on the cost of transporting fodder. This is an issue to which I am giving further consideration.
Road Projects
Questions (227, 228)
Brendan Smith
Question:227. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that will be made available to Cavan County Council for the roadworks programme for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/14]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:228. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that will be made available to Monaghan County Council for the roadworks programme for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4768/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.
As 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.
The 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.
Last week, I announced the 2014 Regional and Local Road Grant Allocations under which a total of €331.9 million was made available towards works on regional and local roads. Of this, Cavan County Council has been allocated €8.975 million and Monaghan County Council has been allocated €6.9 million.
With regard to national roads, details of the allocations to each local authority is a matter for the National Roads Authority.
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.