Joe Carey
Question:276. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Bus Éireann's administration and passenger service provision plans for Ennis station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11250/14]
View answerBus Éireann Services
Questions (276)
Written answers
The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann 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 10 working days.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (277)
Emmet Stagg
Question:277. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the road improvement works to be carried out in County Kildare in 2014 through the 2014 regional and local road grant allocation; and the road improvements included in the allocation of €4.628 million. [11340/14]
View answerWritten answers
Copies of booklets detailing the road allocations in respect of regional and local roads for 2014 to each Local Authority, including Kildare County Council, are available from the Dáil Library.
In so far as is practical, I have given local authorities increased discretion on their roads budget in 2014. Local authority staff and members are best placed to assess and prioritise where funding should be directed in their area.
Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme
Questions (278)
Terence Flanagan
Question:278. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the pension deficit issue facing 5,000 members of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11363/14]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport I have no function in relation to the administration of the IASS. The resolution of the funding difficulties in the scheme is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme and the regulator of such pension schemes - the Pensions Board.
The trustees have recently announced that they have decided in principle on a number of changes to address the funding difficulties. The trustees, who are central to any solution to the funding difficulties, are required by law to act in the best interests of all members, be they active, deferred or pensioner members.
Following consultations between my Department, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU, an Expert Panel has been established to carry out a detailed investigation of how a final resolution of the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS can be secured. That investigation will include discussions with relevant stakeholders and the Panel has been asked to make a preliminary report by the end of March.
Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha
Questions (279, 280)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:279. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt cén fóirdheontas reatha agus caipitil faoi seach a íocadh le hAerphort Dhún na nGall sna blianta 2011, 2012 agus 2013; cén méid atá ceadaithe don bhliain 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [11381/14]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:280. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt cén fóirdheontas a d’íoc a Roinn faoi chóras OSP le haersheirbhísí a fhóirdheonú idir Baile Átha Cliath agus Aerphort Dhún na nGall do na blianta 2011, 2012 agus 2013; cén méid atá ceadaithe don bhliain 2014; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [11382/14]
View answerWritten answers
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 279 agus 280 le chéile.
Tá tacaíocht Státchiste le haghaidh aerfoirt réigiúnacha ar fáil faoin gClár Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha lena n-áirítear Deontais Caiteachas Caipitil Scéim (CAPEX), an Fóirdheontas Caiteachas Oibríochtúil (OPEX) Scéim agus Scéim le haghaidh Deontais Oibleagáidí Seirbhíse Poiblí (PSO) ag oibriú aersheirbhísí idir Ciarraí agus Baile Átha Cliath agus Dún na nGall agus Baile Átha Cliath.
Tá sonraí de mhaoiniú Státchiste d'Aerfort Dhún na nGall don tréimhse 2011-2013 mar seo a leanas:
|
Deontais chaipitil (Capex) |
2011 €,000 |
2012 €,000 |
2013 €,000 |
|
Dún na nGall |
2,111 |
- |
339 |
|
Tacaíocht Caiteachas oibríochtúil (Opex) |
2011 €,000 |
2012 €,000 |
2013 €,000 |
|
Dún na nGall |
43 |
111 |
- |
Is é an 2014 leithdháileadh iomlán don Chlár Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha € 12m, roinnte idir Dún na nGall, Ciarraí, Port Láirge agus IWA Chnoc Mhuire. Tá sé comhdhéanta de € 3m do chaiteachas caipitil agus € 9m do chaiteachas reatha chun an Scéim Seirbhísí Aeir PSO chomh maith leis an Scéim ( OPEX) a chlúdach.
Tá caiteachas caipitil dírithe ar thionscadail sábháilteachta agus slándála, dírithe ar a chinntiú gur féidir le gach aerfort cloí le caighdeáin sábháilteachta agus na slándála eitlíochta náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta is gá. Tá mo Roinn ag scrúdú an iarratais a chuirfidh an tAerfoirt d'fhonn a cheadú ar chaiteachas 2014 Chaiteachas Caipitil (Capex) do gach Aerfort go gairid.
Is í aidhm na scéime deontais go OPEX a chúiteamh leis na haerfoirt réigiúnacha do na costais a thabhaítear i soláthar seirbhísí aerfoirt príomhtháscairí a mhéid nach féidir na costais sin a aisghabháil go hiomlán ón ioncam a fhaigheann na haerfoirt óna ngnáthréimhse seirbhísí agus gníomhaíochtaí. Faightear iarratais ó na haerfoirt réigiúnacha do mhaoiniú agus a mheasúnú i bhFómhar gach bliain den Chlár. Ní féidir ag an bpointe seo a mheas an íocaíocht OPEX 2014 go dtí Aerfort Dhún na nGall, mar sin ag brath ar an méid a iarradh ag an Aerfort agus an measúnú ar an iarratas sin.
Faigheann Aerfort Dhún na nGall tairbhe freisin as an aersheirbhís Dhún na nGall / PSO Bhaile Átha Cliath i bhfeidhm chomh maith leis an tseirbhís Ciarraí / Baile Átha Cliath a raibh costas an Stáit san iomlán thart ar €22m don tréimhse trí bliana 2011 - 2014.
Driver Licences
Questions (281)
Michael McGrath
Question:281. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps taken if his Department becomes concerned a developing medical condition may impair the capacity of the holder of a full driver licence to drive a motor car safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11384/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has full statutory responsibility for driver licensing. My Department has no role in the direct administration of licensing and no power to intervene in individual cases. The circumstances envisaged by the Deputy would not come to the attention of my Department.
Irish legislation with regard to medical fitness to drive, is governed by EU law. This legislation is set out in the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 537 of 2006), as amended, in particular, by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 544 of 2010). The most recent change to the medical fitness to drive regulations was made in S.I. No. 544 of 2010, which transposed into Irish law two EU Directives, Commission Directive No. 2009/112/EC of 25 August 2009 and Commission Directive No. 2009/113/EC of 25 August 2009. These Directives revised EU standards on medical fitness to drive in a number of areas, including eyesight, epilepsy, and diabetes mellitus.
Aside from the legislative requirements, the RSA and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland have established the National Programme Office for Traffic Medicine to carry out research and advise on the appropriate approaches to issues such as medical fitness to drive.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (282)
Colm Keaveney
Question:282. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will release funding, through the National Roads Authority or otherwise, to Galway County Council to put in place a footpath leading to St. Michael’s Cemetery on Tynagh Road, Portumna and to widen the road for parking and to allow emergency vehicles get through while funerals are taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11387/14]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footpaths) 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 local authority.
On 23 January this year, I announced the €331.9m investment programme in 2014 for regional and local roads. From this allocation Galway County Council has been allocated over €18.3 million.
Driver Licences
Questions (283)
Clare Daly
Question:283. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of candidates who sat the transport management certificate of professional competence exam, by examination centre for each of the three examinations in 2012 , 2013 and to date in 2014. [11416/14]
View answerWritten answers
The requested details of candidate numbers for the Certificate of Professional Competence in Road Transport Management examinations are shown in the table provided.
Candidate Numbers for Road Transport Management CPC Examination by Centre 2012 – 2014
|
- |
- |
- |
2012 |
- |
- |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Examination Centre |
January |
June |
September |
February |
June |
Sept |
January |
|
Galway |
13 |
12 |
4 |
20 |
12 |
6 |
10 |
|
Enniscorthy |
6 |
3 |
2 |
- |
8 |
3 |
5 |
|
Maynooth |
9 |
8 |
5 |
9 |
6 |
- |
15 |
|
Dublin (Green Isle) |
38 |
45 |
21 |
24 |
25 |
25 |
33 |
|
Dublin (Sheldon Park) |
22 |
11 |
10 |
26 |
11 |
30 |
46 |
|
Mullingar |
9 |
9 |
- |
2 |
5 |
- |
- |
|
Limerick |
15 |
26 |
12 |
20 |
19 |
17 |
23 |
|
Cork |
14 |
14 |
13 |
16 |
13 |
5 |
16 |
|
Letterkenny |
22 |
8 |
- |
14 |
23 |
4 |
13 |
|
Athlone |
- |
- |
- |
6 |
- |
- |
2 |
|
Birr |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
18 |
|
Cavan |
- |
12 |
- |
- |
7 |
- |
- |
|
New Ross |
- |
- |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
- |
|
Mallow |
- |
- |
- |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
|
Curragh Armed Forces |
16 |
- |
- |
- |
16 |
- |
8 |
|
Limerick Inst. of Technology |
- |
11 |
- |
- |
17 |
- |
- |
|
DIT Bolton St. |
- |
6 |
- |
- |
18 |
- |
- |
|
Bus Éireann |
- |
- |
13 |
- |
10 |
- |
- |
|
Tallaght/FÁS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
- |
|
Ashbourne |
- |
- |
- |
- |
15 |
- |
- |
|
Dundalk |
- |
- |
- |
- |
16 |
- |
- |
Road Safety Authority
Questions (284, 285)
Clare Daly
Question:284. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Road Safety Authority roadside enforcement checkpoints carried out by county during 2012 and 2013; and the number of defective vehicles encountered. [11417/14]
View answerClare Daly
Question:285. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of premises inspections carried out by the Road Safety Authority during 2012 and 2013 for the purpose of checking drivers' hours and tachograph legislation compliance. [11418/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.
The area to which the Deputy refers is a statutory function of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Therefore I have forwarded both questions 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.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (286)
Terence Flanagan
Question:286. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to build a footpath (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11440/14]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footpaths) 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 local authority.
On 23 January this year, I announced the €331.9m investment programme in 2014 for regional and local roads. From this allocation Fingal County Council has been allocated over €4.7 million.
Industrial Disputes
Questions (287)
Terence Flanagan
Question:287. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to prevent a strike at Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11463/14]
View answerWritten answers
SIPTU served strike notice on Aer Lingus, DAA, and Shannon Airport Authority on 27 February 2014. This industrial action is scheduled to take place on Friday March 14th 2014 between 5 am and 9 am, which is the busiest time of day on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Following consultations among my Department, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU an Expert Panel has been established to carry out an urgent investigation on how a final resolution of the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS can be secured. The Expert Panel is being asked to carry out a detailed investigation, to include discussions with the LRC and the Labour Court and to carry out this work in a timely fashion as soon as practicable, recognising the considerable complexities of the issues involved. The Panel has been asked to make a preliminary report to both Departments, IBEC and Congress by the end of this month.
I welcome the fact that SIPTU have agreed to engage with the Expert Panel and I strongly urge them to reconsider the decision to go ahead with the planned industrial action.
Dublin Bus Services
Questions (288)
Terence Flanagan
Question:288. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Dublin Bus having off-peak fare cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11464/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Dublin Bus, 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.