Thursday, 10 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos 220-226

Driver Licences

Questions (220)

Brendan Smith

Question:

220. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to reduce the costs for persons who have to upgrade their driving licence and renew same more frequently due to recent changes in regulations, who in many instances are one-person business operations with small delivery trucks and so on, and who need to undertake a theory test and 12 driving lessons and achieve a certificate of competence; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern about these additional costs for small businesses and persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17260/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The requirement to take a theory test before getting a learner permit has existed for a long number of years.  In 2011, I introduced the requirement for learner drivers to undertake twelve lessons before sitting a driving test.  These are important measures aimed at improving the quality of driving overall and enhancing driving skills at the earliest stages. The requirement to undertake formal lessons forms part of an overall Graduated Driver Licence System proposed by the Road Safety Authority for learner drivers.  They are once-off events and apply to all drivers as part of the process of being obtaining a full licence.  They do not add any greater burden on people working in or operating small businesses than on any other citizen.  Periods of grant of licence are the same for these citizens as all others.  

Professional drivers are required to have a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), and there is periodic retraining under the CPC regime.  However, the entire CPC regime, including the requirement for periodic retraining, is an EU-wide system and it not open to Ireland to unilaterally vary this.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (221)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding. [17261/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport

I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's interest in the project is noted.

Road Projects Expenditure

Questions (222)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the maintenance costs for the motorway network in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and the total revenue raised from tolls on the motorway network in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014. [17033/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and  funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including motorways, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  

In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

Noting this 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.

Swimming Pool Programme Status

Questions (223, 233)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

223. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the local authority swimming pool programme. [17034/14]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

233. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the swimming pool programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17248/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport

The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. Since 2000, 58 projects have or are being dealt with under the Programme, of which 49 have been completed and the other 9 projects are at various stages of the Programme.

My priority in relation to this Programme is to deal with existing projects.

Dublin Bus Services

Questions (224)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

224. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional buses that became part of the Dublin Bus fleet in the years 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and the number of buses that have been withdrawn from the Dublin Bus fleet during the same period. [17035/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

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) in December 2009, the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) comes within the remit of the NTA. The acquisition and replacement of PSO buses for the Dublin Bus fleet is funded under the NTA's Bus Refurbishment and Replacement Programme.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed response.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Questions (225)

Tom Fleming

Question:

225. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the Cloghane-Brandon area of County Kerry is included in the route of the Wild Atlantic Way, as this unique, unspoilt picturesque area is a prominent feature of the Kerry coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17053/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I do not have a role in setting the route of the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 220.