Written Answers Nos. 787-810
788. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a review of the local improvement scheme; if he will consider a ring-fenced allocation of funding to local authorities who have very little of their own funding and depend heavily on grant funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7661/14]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme has been reviewed and improved in 2014.
This Scheme provides funding for road and laneways that councils have not taken in charge. However, the maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. As indicated to all local authorities on 24 January 2014, the Local Improvement Scheme was reinstated but with no separate allocation for this grant category. Instead, local authorities may use up to 15% (up from 7% in 2013) of their initial Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes remains at 20% of the total cost of the project and the same eligibility rules apply for these schemes.
Details of the 2014 regional and local roads grants were communicated to local authorities on 24 January and I note that Sligo County Council was allocated a Discretionary Grant of €1,863,650. This means that Sligo County Council can allocate up to €279,547 of this grant heading to the local improvement scheme if it so wishes. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the local improvement schemes with their own resources.
792. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the capital and other spending from his Department allocated to the regional airports in Ireland in 2012 and 2013; if he foresees increased business in our regional airports in the coming year; the annual passenger numbers by airport for 2012 and 2013 in tabular form; the number of staff in each regional airport in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7681/14]
View answerExchequer support for regional airports is provided under the Regional Airports Programme which includes the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme, the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin.
Capital expenditure is focussed on safety and security projects, aimed at ensuring that each airport can comply with required national and international aviation safety and security standards. Operational subvention is provided towards the cost of core airport services. The current PSO air services Scheme ends in November this year. Policy on regional airports post 2014 is currently being developed in my Department.
Increasing business at the airports is the job of the Board, management and staff of the relevant airport.
Details of funding and passenger statistics are set out in the following tables.
|
CAPEX (Capital Grants ) |
2013 - €,000 |
2012 - €,000 |
|
Donegal |
39 |
- |
|
Kerry |
741 |
1,634 |
|
Knock |
2,013 |
699 |
|
Waterford |
362 |
1,334 |
|
Total |
3,455 |
3,667 |
|
OPEX (Operational Expenditure Support) |
2013 - €,000 |
2012 - €,000 |
|
Donegal |
- |
111 |
|
Kerry |
437 |
550 |
|
Knock |
655 |
590 |
|
Waterford |
1,121 |
1,233 |
|
Total |
2,213 |
2,484 |
|
PSO |
2013 - €,000 |
2012 - €,000 |
|
Donegal
|
3,599 |
3,452 |
|
Kerry
|
4,021 |
3,918 |
|
Total |
7,620 |
7,370 |
|
Passenger Statistics |
2013 - (,000) |
2012 - (,000) |
|
Donegal |
34 |
29 |
|
Kerry |
306 |
286 |
|
Knock |
665 |
686 |
|
Waterford |
28 |
77 |
|
Total |
1,033 |
1,078 |
As the regional airports are private companies, it would be inappropriate for me to supply staffing details without their prior agreement.
793. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the operation of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 since it came into force; if he intends to review the operation of the Act in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7682/14]
View answerWhile the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013 was enacted on 23 October 2013, the majority of its provisions have yet to be commenced. The NTA has prepared draft small public service vehicle (SPSV) regulations under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 that will introduce new measures provided for under the Act, as well as consolidate and replace the existing SPSV regulations. These draft regulations were the subject of a public consultation process that concluded on 31 January 2014.
When the regulations have been finalised, which it is expected to be in early April 2014, the remaining sections of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 will be commenced in tandem.
As the majority of the provisions of the Act have yet to be commenced and therefore implemented, I have no plans to review it.
794. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form and by date the percentage increase in fares in DART, Luas, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann services granted by the National Transport Authority since March 2011; the total percentage increase in fares for each of those services from March 2011 to date; his views on whether decreasing fares and improving services is the best way to encourage increasing passenger numbers on these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7683/14]
View answerI do not set public transport fares. It is the responsibility of the regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), to adjudicate on applications from the CIE companies and the Railway Procurement Agency for fare increases or changes to fares. 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 10 working days.
Through the NTA, my Department is funding the use of smart technology to make public transport easier to access and more reliable for the user. Significant progress has been made with the Leap card, Real Time Passenger Information, and the National Journey Planner which maps all public transport services across the country. It is important to point out that significant savings can be made by passengers who choose to avail of the integrated ticket, the Leap card. In many cases, passengers will be paying fares that are below 2011 cash fares when using the Leap card.
The use of Wi-Fi on trains and buses has also improved the transport experience. The NTA will continue to progress these consumer-friendly initiatives which make using public transport more attractive. The public transport experience has improved significantly and that is where we must target our efforts in future. I hope through avoidance of further reductions in subvention, a stabilisation of passenger numbers as the economy improves and cost-saving measures in Iarnród Éireann that future fare increases can be targeted at sustaining public transport that benefits commuters and our economy.
I have set as one of my Department's priorities for 2014 to work with NTA, CIE, Luas and other transport operators to increase the number of people using public transport by 2% i.e. 5 million passenger journeys. Minister of State Kelly and I will be meeting with senior management in all of the publicly funded transport companies and the NTA regularly to focus efforts to improve patronage on our buses, trams and trains. The first meeting took place on 12th February.
795. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the failure to date to implement section 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010, which would allow for a copy of the fixed charge penalty notice to be issued with a summons to court for non-payment of said charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7708/14]
View answerSection 44 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides that a person who is served with a summons in respect of a fixed charge offence may pay the amount stated on the fixed charge notice not later than 7 days before the date specified for the hearing of the charge in court. The section has not yet been commenced as some technical and administrative measures to give effect to the section remain to be resolved. I understand that the Gardaí and the Courts Service are working to resolve the outstanding issues and I will commence section 44 as soon as these issues are resolved. I share the Deputy's frustration with the delay.
796. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a disabled drivers permit will be renewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7728/14]
View answerOn the basis of an agreement reached with my Department some years ago, Disabled Parking Permits are issued on behalf of my Department by the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and I have no function in the matter.
The bodies concerned should be contacted directly in relation to the application mentioned in the Deputy's question.
798. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the progress to date in reforming rural transport and how his Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to devise the rural development strategy to include improvements in rural transport, tourism and diversity of sporting facilities and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7715/14]
View answer830. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date in reforming rural transport; the way these plans relate to the work of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in devising a rural development strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7720/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 798 and 830 together.
The restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP Groups currently delivering the service. The appraisal process of the applications (submitted in response to the Call for Applications from existing RTP Groups) for the selection of the TCUs was conducted during the months of December 2013 and January 2014. That process, which was managed by the NTA, has concluded and all applicants have been informed of the outcome of the selection process. The NTA has offered debriefing meetings to all unsuccessful applicants who requested one and is currently scheduling meetings with the successful applicants to initiate the process to establish the TCUs. I should add in the context of rural development that under the new RTP structure, for the first time local authorities will have a role in transport planning. Local authorities will carry out strategic transport needs assessment in their areas, including for those who are socially excluded, and will develop annual transport plans, in consultation with the respective TCU, which will inform the NTA of transport gaps and needs in each county. It is also the intention that local authorities will house the TCUs where feasible. Finally, I recognise that tourism is particularly important to rural areas as a source of employment, particularly where there are often few other significant industries. My Department is currently engaged in a tourism policy review which is due to conclude by the middle of the year and these and other issues will be considered in that review.
The wider question of the development of a rural development strategy is of course for the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for the Environment, Community and Local Government. My Department is ready to engage as necessary with any initiatives of this kind.
799. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give renewed consideration to the difficulties being experienced by an organisation (details supplied) in its delivery of rural transport under the proposed amalgamation of rural transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7803/14]
View answerFollowing a Government Decision in January 2012, management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 1st April 2012. This includes responsibility for implementation of the restructuring of the RTP announced by me on 9th July 2013. The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future.
The new RTP structure involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP Groups currently delivering the service. The appraisal process of the applications submitted in response to the Call for Applications from existing RTP Groups for the selection of the TCUs was conducted during the months of December 2013 and January 2014. That process, which was managed by the NTA, has concluded and all applicants have been informed of the outcome of the selection process.
The NTA has offered debriefing meetings to all unsuccessful applicants who requested one. I am advised by the NTA that the organisation that you have referred to, and which was successful in one of two applications submitted by it, has not sought a debriefing meeting. However, should they wish to arrange such a meeting, if they contact my office, I will ensure that one is arranged for them.
The NTA is currently scheduling meetings with the successful applicants to initiate the process to establish the TCUs.
800. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request a company (details supplied) to complete its sub-standard drainage works on the M8 at Cahir, south County Tipperary which is causing dangerous levels of water pooling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7804/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.
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.
801. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to exempt vintage veteran vehicles to reduce the regulatory burden to owners of historic vehicles, in order to have a similar exemption which already applies to pre 1980 vintage cars which do not require NCT road worthiness testing under the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act road worthiness testing, as requested by the Vintage Veteran Trucks Association in Ireland in September 2012 and January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/14]
View answer814. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to exempt pre-1980 vintage veteran vehicles from roadworthiness testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7970/14]
View answer856. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make vintage trucks and trailers exempt from testing under the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, in order that pre-1980 vintage trucks are treated equally with other vintage veteran vehicles, for example cars and caravans, which are exempt from roadworthiness testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 801, 814 and 856 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has the overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing arrangements.
In accordance with current commercial vehicle roadworthiness testing requirements - SI 347 of 2013 - all commercial vehicles over one year old must undergo and pass a roadworthiness test and hold a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. Some older commercial vehicles are still capable of being used for commercial purposes and it is for this reason that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age, are required to be tested to the standards that they were originally designed to meet.
However, under Action 59 of the 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy, the RSA have committed to completing a review of roadworthiness testing arrangements for vintage vehicles by Quarter 1 of 2015.
802. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the employment of Irish citizens as flight crew in the Irish Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7877/14]
View answerCHC Ireland, the company which provides the Search & Rescue helicopter service to the Irish Coast Guard is responsible for employment within its own company. From a safety point of view, the expectation is that CHC Ireland would employ the most qualified individual for any vacant position, irrespective of nationality. I understand from CHC Ireland that currently of the order of 79% of the employees are Irish nationals.
803. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the necessity for the construction of the Claregalway inner relief road has been diminished by plans for the imminent development of the M17-M18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7883/14]
View answer804. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to progress the Claregalway inner relief road to construction within the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7884/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 803 and 804 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
Given the current financial position it has been necessary to reduce the grant allocations for major new road schemes and for major realignment schemes. The main focus has to be on the maintenance and repair of roads and this will remain the position in the coming years. The small amount of funding available for major schemes will focus on projects already under construction or that this Department is already committed to.
The preliminary cost estimate given in the 2010 Feasibility Study Report for the Claregalway inner relief road was approximately €21 million. The Council was allocated €50,000 towards the design of the Báile Chláir Inner Relief Road in 2013. However the reality is that my Department is not in a position to commit funding to the construction of a relief road for Claregalway at this stage, but we will reconsider the matter should the financial position improve. Any such review would also take account of progress on the M17/18 project and its potential impact on traffic levels in Claregalway.
805. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to plans for the establishment of a cycle greenway between Galway and Clifden; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7885/14]
View answerThere are no proposals under consideration by my Department at present for the development of a complete cycleway from Galway to Clifden.
However, Galway County Council have submitted two applications under the current National Cycle Network (NCN) funding call for the period 2014 to 2016. These applications relate to two proposals for cycleways from Galway to Moycullen and Clifden to Letterfrack. The first proposal would be expected to form part of a route linking Galway to Clifden. The second proposal would be an extension of that route from Clifden to Letterfrack, an extension of the proposed Connemara Greenway.
These proposals are currently being assessed against criteria outlined in the NCN funding call in August 2013. A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.
806. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7901/14]
View answerNone of the offices on any premises occupied by the Department have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since March 2011.
807. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria hotels must be in possession of in order to be permitted to pick up guests at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7904/14]
View answerThe issue referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). As such, this question has been referred directly to the DAA for reply to the Deputy. If a response has not been received within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
808. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the road construction projects that will be completed in 2014; the road construction projects that will commence in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7905/14]
View answerThe most significant projects which are due to be completed on the regional and local road network in 2014 are the Enfield to Edenderry Road Improvement scheme, the current phase of Clarke's Hill/Moneygourney scheme and the New Twopothouse to Doneraile scheme. No major projects are due to commence on the regional and local road network this year as monies are being focused on maintenance and rehabilitation works.
The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
809. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review and comment on the quantity of signage for the town of Dunmanway off the N71 at west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7913/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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, including the provision of signage, 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
810. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding any pending improvements planned for regional road No. 586 located at Dunmanway, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7914/14]
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 reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement the resources of Councils like Cork County Council. It is, therefore, open to the Council to fund this project from its own resources.
