Finian McGrath
Question:277. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [9854/14]
View answerSports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (277)
Written answers
Based on the information supplied by the Deputy it is very difficult to provide precise advice for the club referred to by the Deputy on how best to make their application under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme. I would advise all applicants to read the Guide Making an Application as this explains the application process in detail. The guide can be found at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. If, after reading the guide the club contact has any further questions I would advise that he contacts the official dealing with sports clubs in Dublin directly. He can be contacted on 064 6627366.
In relation to one issue raised I can advise you that work cannot have commenced or equipment purchased before the grants have been provisionally allocated.
The deadline for applications under the 2014 SCP is 5pm on Friday 28 February 2014.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (278)
Dessie Ellis
Question:278. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Ballymun has been left out of the proposed new Bus Rapid Transit in view of the fact that the metro north was supposed to service the people of Ballymun. [9883/14]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the proposed routes for the Bus Rapid Transit comes under the remit of the NTA.
Noting this 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.
Dublin Bus Services
Questions (279)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:279. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount Dublin Bus has collected in unclaimed refund receipts in the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [9899/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus 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.
Railway Safety
Questions (280)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:280. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the Railway Procurement Agency to ensure that there are additional security personnel deployed on the Luas red line. [9900/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RPA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Driver Licences
Questions (281)
Andrew Doyle
Question:281. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on mutual recognition of Irish driving licences with all the Canadian provinces and territories; the current status of Irish driving licence recognition for Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut; if he will provide an update on activities by the Road Safety Authority and the embassy of Ireland in Ottawa on having Irish driving licences recognised and setting up a reciprocal recognition scheme between each jurisdictions where recognition is not yet established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/14]
View answerWritten answers
Negotiations with the Canadian provinces on mutual recognition of diving licences are being dealt with by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which has statutory responsibility for driver licensing in Ireland. The RSA informs me that agreement is close to being finalised with Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland & Labrador. It was decided at an early stage to prioritise Ontario due to the large number of Irish residents there. When agreement is reached, the RSA will conclude formal agreements, in the form of Memoranda of Understanding, with each of those Provinces. I will then introduce regulations to give effect to the changes. Negotiations are at various stages with other provinces.
Tourism Project Funding
Questions (282)
Anne Ferris
Question:282. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 920 of 15 January 2014, when it is expected that the call for expressions of interest to develop a diaspora centre will be issued; the form the call will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9922/14]
View answerWritten answers
As I informed the House previously, in 2012 I asked Fáilte Ireland to carry out a scoping study of the development of a Diaspora Centre and the most suitable means by which it could be financed, developed and managed.
Last Summer, I received the outcome of the scoping study and following consideration of the appropriate next steps, I have decided that expressions of interest should be sought to establish if there is a suitable project and partner available to develop a Diaspora centre.
Given its role in commissioning the scoping study, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to make the call for the expressions of interest. I expect that call will issue in the next couple of weeks.
Severe Weather Events Response
Questions (283)
Seán Kyne
Question:283. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in view of the negative impact on road and transport infrastructure owing to the recent adverse weather, if he has given consideration to making an application to the EU solidarity fund, which provides assistance following natural disasters, such as flooding and storm damage, using the regional criteria in view of the fact that the recent severe storms affected the west and south west disproportionately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9935/14]
View answerWritten answers
When the Government announced on 11th February that it was making up to €70 million available for a programme for repair and remediation works to address storm damage, it noted that, following discussions with the European Commission, the impact of the storms did not meet the threshold conditions for EU Solidarity Fund assistance.
Bus Éireann Services
Questions (285)
Willie Penrose
Question:285. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the appropriate licence will be provided to Bus Éireann to operate a bus route at a location (details supplied) in County Westmeath which is required to accommodate passenger numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9975/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for 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.