Written Answers Nos. 691 - 711
691. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the pathway along the Royal Canal between O'Reilly's Bridge and Phibsborough is not being upgraded along with other sections of the canal that are being enhanced with new pathways and improved public lighting; if such upgrades can be expected; and if so, the date of same. [17485/14]
View answerThe development of pedestrian facilities within the Greater Dublin Area is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant local authority, in this case Dublin City Council. Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to the NTA and have asked them to reply to you directly. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
692. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which he expects Fáilte Ireland to issue the call for expressions of interest in connection with the possible development of a national diaspora centre, which he said in his statement of 3 March would be made within a matter of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/14]
View answerAs I informed the House previously, 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 based on the study commissioned by Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I asked Fáilte Ireland to issue the call for expressions of interest, which was placed on their website last Thursday 10 April and is available at the following weblink:http://www.failteireland.ie/News-Features/News-Library/National-Diaspora-Centre.aspx. The deadline for receipt of expressions of interest is 11 June.
Responses to the call will be assessed initially by the Fáilte Ireland executive. Their findings will then be submitted, alongside the expressions of interest, to a committee comprising of an independent Chair and representatives of relevant Departments and other interested parties. I will consider the recommendations of that committee and advise the Government if there are suitable projects or partners available to advance the development of a National Diaspora Centre.
693. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise on the matter in relation to the transfer of taxi plates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17502/14]
View answer708. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the lack of notice of the deadline for the transfer of taxi plates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18059/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 708 together.
Action 14 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report, 2011 recommended the prohibition on the transfer of a small public service vehicle (SPSV) vehicle licence with effect from 1st October 2012. The underlying principle for the recommendation was that a licence should determine a person's suitability to carry out a function and it should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market. The Taxi Regulation Review Group included representatives of the taxi industry and its recommendations were widely publicised to the industry, including through the National Transport Authority's website and industry updates. It was intended that the measure would be introduced with effect from 1st January 2013 by way of regulations to be made by the National Transport Authority (NTA) who have responsibility for the regulation of the taxi sector. However, it was concluded that it would be more appropriate to include such a provision in primary legislation as part of the Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 which was enacted as the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 on 23rd October 2013.
The provision is included in Section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013 which was commenced with effect from the 6th April 2014. Consequently the industry has had an 18 month period longer than envisaged under the Taxi Regulation Review Report under which transfers have been allowed to take place. Noting the above I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
694. 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 old railway line between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17503/14]
View answerThe Deputy will now be aware, following my Press Release of 10 April last, that the proposal submitted by Kerry County Council for the development of a greenway between Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen was one of three successful proposals approved for funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016. Almost €3.5 million is being allocated to Kerry County Council to deliver 26km of greenway from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh on the disused Great Southern and Western Railway to Glenbeigh along the Ring of Kerry. When delivered, this cycleway will open up the outstanding natural beauty of the coastline between Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen offering an exceptional and unique visitor attraction in the South West. Details of all successful projects and associated applications can be viewed at www.smartertravel.ie.
695. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if progress has been made regarding the development of a rural taxi licence, which is proposed to help persons living in rural areas where it may not be profitable for ordinary taxi operators to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17551/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. The NTA is also the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the actions agreed in the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011. Action 46 of the Taxi Regulation Review Report recommended the introduction of a local area hackney licence to address transport deficits in certain rural areas. Regulations providing for the introduction of such licences were made by the NTA with effect from the 30th November 2013 and applications can now be made under the scheme, which is being introduced on a pilot basis initially. More information and details on how to apply for a rural hackney licence may be obtained by phoning the NTA industry helpline on 076 1064000 or by visiting the NTA website at www.nationaltransport.ie.
696. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts made to ensure public transport is accessible to those with neurological difficulties or reduced mobility; his views on the recent report on the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's survey findings that 24% of respondents reported difficulty in accessing public transport and 13% reporting having to turn down a service due to lack of transport. [17557/14]
View answerPolicy in relation to accessible public transport is contained in my Department's Sectoral Plan 2012 under the Disability Act 2005 entitled Transport Access for All which sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible transport across all modes of transport. This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources. The plan is available at the following link Transport Access for All.
Accessibility for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments is being built into new public transport infrastructure and significant progress has already been achieved in this regard with 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets now wheelchair accessible as well as 56% of Bus Éireann's coach fleet. The Luas service is also fully accessible as well as Iarnrod Éireann's Intercity and DART/commuter rolling stock.
Funding is also provided by my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for accessibility improvements to existing public transport infrastructure and facilities under the Accessibility Grants Programme. Since 2006 more than €70m in Exchequer funding has been made available under this Programme with the bulk used for the upgrading of Iarnrod Éireann rail and bus stations and to fund accessible bus stops and bus ramps. All new rolling stock has on board audio announcements and funding is being provided to retrofit older buses. My Department also provides funds via the NTA for the Dublin Bus Travel Assistance Scheme which funds an assistant to accompany a disabled person the first few times they travel and offers advice on planning a journey using different modes of transport e.g. Dublin Bus, the DART or the Luas.
Technology is also being used to help people with disabilities access transport services. The Dublin Bus Real Time signs indicate the arrival of low floor buses for wheelchair users and the Real Time App is ‘text to speech enabled’ to help the visually impaired. The NTA is examining the feasibility of the greater use of technology to facilitate the use of public transport by people with disabilities and I fully support these initiatives. Together with my Department the NTA is fully committed to improving access to public transport services by people with disabilities in accordance with the Sectoral Plan. Given their responsibility for this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply and I have also brought to their attention the findings of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland's recent survey. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
697. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxis registered in Dublin; and the numbers registered in 2007 to 2013, inclusive. [17559/14]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including responsibility for SPSV vehicle licensing, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. Your correspondence has been forwarded to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private office.
698. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request that Dublin Bus place an additional bus stop at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun behind Balcurris Park. [17581/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport provider and 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 ten working days.
699. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will devise provisions for recipients of social welfare who cannot afford to purchase "a vehicle that has been specially constructed or adapted for use by a disabled person" under the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, yet may equally deserve such provisions in view of their circumstances. [17592/14]
View answerThe scheme referred to is a Revenue matter, relating to relief on VAT and VRT. My Department does not have any involvement in this scheme, nor does my Department have funding available for such assistance as the Deputy is suggesting.
700. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a place name sign on a national secondary road will be moved (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17663/14]
View answerAs 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, 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
701. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with the transport infrastructure service and Luas operators to ensure the safe and accident-free operation of Luas trams on Abbey Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17701/14]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) in conjunction with the operator of LUAS, Veolia Transport Ireland. The Railway Safety Commission (RSC) also has a role in relation to the safe operation of the LUAS and application of enforcement measures in accordance with the Railway Safety Act 2005. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to both the RPA and RSC for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
702. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an indirect discrimination practiced by a motor insurance company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17723/14]
View answerMy Department's role with regard to motor insurance is confined to the enactment of policy relating to the relevant Road Traffic Acts. Motor insurance is provided as a private contract between the supplier and the customer. Any terms and conditions of motor insurance policies are a contractual matter between the person insured and the insurer and are not matters in which I would have any direct involvement or responsibility. The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA), under the aegis of the Minister for Finance, regulates and supervises insurance undertakings.
703. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress update on plans to extend the runway at Waterford Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17761/14]
View answerFunding for capital expenditure under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014 has been confined to safety and security related projects. The projects being funded at Waterford Airport under this Programme include runway end safety areas (RESA) (which involve the purchase of land to facilitate this work) as well as boundary fencing and the installation of other safety related equipment. Development projects, such as any runway expansion, is a matter for Waterford Airport. I understand that the Board and management of the airport have commenced fund raising from local interests in relation to this project.
704. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position of the Irish aviation superannuation scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) on the north side of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17890/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport I have no formal function in relation to the resolution of the funding difficulties of the IAS Scheme. This 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 Authority. I understand that both deferred and pensioner members have organised representative groups and the Expert Panel has met both groups. Furthermore 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.
The Expert Panel, established to carry out an urgent investigation of how a final resolution of the industrial relations issues relating to the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS) can be secured, gave an update last Friday (April 11th) to officials of my Department, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ibec and Congress on progress to date. The Panel confirmed that:
- It is continuing to concentrate its efforts on engagement with DAA, Aer Lingus and the trade unions involved on critical issues which are being explored by the Panel with the parties through an outline of positions from the employers and the development of responses now being coordinated through Congress on behalf of the unions.
- It will be continuing its engagement with the parties over the coming weeks to complete its investigation of how a final resolution of the complex industrial relations issues concerning the IASS can be achieved.
- These discussions are taking place in the context of the separate Labour Court Recommendations in May 2013 in the cases of DAA and Aer Lingus, the IASS Trustee Proposal in February 2014 and the stated position of the parties.
A further report from the Panel is expected in early May. It is important that the discussions and deliberations underway be allowed to proceed without interference so that a resolution can be found to this long-standing and complex issue. The significant deficit in the IAS scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into the scheme to match the benefits that were expected/promised. Resolution of the issues will involve contributions from all the parties involved.
705. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make emergency funding available for a section of the L-3018, local primary route from Coolcorcoran Cross and Inchycullane. [17933/14]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department has allocated a total of €332 million for regional and local roads in 2014, €12.7m of which was allocated to Kerry County Council. Increasingly regional and local road grant funding to local authorities is being directed towards the maintenance and repair of regional and local roads and low cost safety works. This will remain the position in the coming years but as I outlined above the selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
706. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated for festivals in 2014; if he will provide details of the criteria for applying for funding and on the closing dates for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17942/14]
View answerI have no direct role in relation to allocation of tourism funding for festivals as this is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, while funding for programming and content is a matter for the festival promoter and the Arts Council, which falls under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Accordingly I have referred the question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply in relation to tourism funding. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
707. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 697 of 8 April 2014, if he will provide details of the proposed capital investment plan to 2020; if the public will be kept informed of the plan; if it will be subject to public consultation, for example, via a dedicated website, public workshops or other means; if the plan will be assessed and made subject to public consultation under Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, the SEA directive; and if his attention has been drawn to the provisions of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, the Aarhus Convention and its potential relevance in this regard. [17966/14]
View answerOn 1 April, cross-government work began on the 2014 Comprehensive Expenditure Review and a Review of Capital Expenditure. The process is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is in the process of developing its input to the Review. A Steering Group led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will consider submissions from Departments and present options to Government in the context of the Budget 2015 cycle. The Transport input to the Review of Capital Expenditure will be informed by on-going work in my Department on a Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport. The completion of this work and its publication in 2014 is one of my priorities for this year. This framework will allow us to identify the types of investment that can enhance economic productivity, but also recognise that meeting the needs of people is a critical aspect of transport infrastructure provision.
A steering group is guiding this work and stakeholders and advisers such as Forfás and the IDA have been involved in identifying the issues. To ensure that wider stakeholder needs and concerns are fully addressed, a public consultation on a draft framework will take place this Summer. The framework is also undergoing a Strategic Environmental Assessment, according to the provisions of the SEA Directive.
709. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the exorbitant prices being charged by a company (details supplied) operating the Donegal to Dublin route; and if this will be considered when renewing the subsidy for its services. [18074/14]
View answerAir fares charged on Public Service Obligation air services, including the Donegal - Dublin route, are in compliance with the contract signed between my Department and the airline operating the route for the three year period 2011-2014. The current PSO contracts will expire in November this year. It is intended that a new PSO tender competition will be organised for 2015 and, as heretofore, the maximum fares and how such fares may be applied will form part of the criterion for the new tender process.
710. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Knock Airport is charging a development tax on its flights which is not advertised on its website or during purchase of flight tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18075/14]
View answer711. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the exorbitant charges for use of Knock Airport car parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18076/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together.
Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and the other regional airports in the State are independent bodies, privately owned or held in trust. While the State currently makes funding available to them in certain limited circumstances in accordance with relevant EU legislation, they must meet the balance of their operating and capital investment costs from their own resources like any other businesses. Some regional airports, including IWAK, have chosen to cover a portion of their costs by means of an airport development charge, which they ask outbound passengers to pay, for the use of their facilities. Information about this fee is included on the airport's website. The charging of fees, whether they be for development purposes or car parking, is essentially a matter for the commercial judgement of the airport and how it operates in practice is a matter between that airport and its customers.
