Written Answers Nos. 168-174
168. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding funding and grants for a club (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18174/14]
View answerI can confirm that an application has been submitted under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's interest in the project is noted. I hope to announce allocations later this year.
169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the swimming pools programme, if he will provide a full list of completed projects; the projects that are under way; the projects that are intended to be commenced for which approval has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18119/14]
View answerThe current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. My priority in relation to this Programme is to deal with existing projects. There are four stages in the development of a project under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, namely Preliminary Report, Contract Documents, Tender and Construction. 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. Two of these projects (Clara and De Paul Navan Road) have been formally allocated a grant following Tender Report stage. The other 7 projects, namely Castlebar, Dunmanway, Buncrana, Edenderry, Balbriggan, Ballaghadereen and Loughrea, are at various other stages of the programme. The following is the list of the 49 pools that have been completed:
Arklow
Enniscorthy
Navan
Courtown/Gorey
Wicklow
Dundalk
Roscommon
Ennis
Tralee AquaDome
Ballinasloe
Finglas
Grove Island, Limerick
Tralee Sports and Leisure Centre
Clonmel
Churchfield, Cork City
Ballymun
Tuam
Drogheda
Monaghan town
Cobh
Youghal
Jobstown
Monaghan
Ballybunion
Birr
Letterkenny
Askeaton
Longford
St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys
Portarlington
Portlaoise
Clondalkin
Thurles
St Michael's House, Dublin
Killarney
Bray
Ballyfermot
Greystones
Tullamore
Kilkenny City
Athy
Naas
Dundrum, Co. Dublin
Claremorris
Roscrea
Ferrybank
Loughlinstown
Ballybofey Stranorlar
New Ross.
170. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are specific guidelines or legal requirements for taxis in dealing with persons with physical disabilities such as wheelchair users and facilitating their use of the taxi system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18140/14]
View answer176. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the vehicle age limit that was brought into legislation in relation to all taxis was subsequently abolished for wheelchair accessible taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18196/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 176 together.
The regulation of the taxi industry, including issues pertaining to the standards of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and the assistance to be given to customers with disabilities, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
171. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that it is equitable that a taxi may not be over 15 years in service while public transport vehicles, wheelchair accessible taxis and private buses are not required to be bound by this provision; if he will outline the public policies for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18151/14]
View answer175. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason vehicles that are over 15 years cannot be used as taxis yet no such rule exists for buses or other public services vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18195/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 175 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry, including vehicle standards, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days please notify my private office.
172. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with his counterpart, Minister Hammond, in the UK in order to seek an exemption for the A5 in Northern Ireland and that this exemption would facilitate the commerce and trade between Republic of Ireland to Republic of Ireland HGV traffic when transiting through the Six Counties; the way in which this would operate as the A5 route cannot be accessed by hauliers coming from Donegal without first having to travel on a contributory road; if these contributory roads are also to be made exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18182/14]
View answer173. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 9 April 2014, he touched upon HGV operators relocating to other jurisdictions; if he is doing all in their power to sustain these much needed jobs and avert any loss of revenue to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/14]
View answer174. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 9 April 2014 if he will clarify what happens in the event of a road closure or accident on the A5 route should traffic be diverted, as is often the case; the way a situation like this will affect HGV operators who have not paid the levy; in such an event, it may not have been a haulier's intention to use any other road but the A5, but due to said diversion must now travel on an alternative route; the way this affects them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 174, inclusive, together.
My Department officials and I continue to engage with the UK authorities to seek an exemption from the HGV road user levy for the A5. I recently wrote again to Mr Hammond on the issue and I await his reply. This morning I met with my colleague in the Northern Irish Executive, Minister Mark Durcan to discuss this matter. While this is a function that is not devolved to the Northern Executive from Westminister, he and his officials are working with us to ensure an appropriate resolution to the difficulties the UK road user levy is creating on our island for hauliers, in particular those from Donegal. The upgrade of the A5 is expected to bring significant benefits to both economies in the region and I would have concerns that any increased costs levied on Irish operators who are simply transiting Northern Ireland would have a detrimental impact on this economic benefit. I will continue to pursue what I believe to be a compelling case for the exemption.
For the exemption to be effective, it will of course be necessary to also exempt any approach roads that must be used in order to access the A5. As the Deputy will be aware, the management of road closures on the A5 and the issue of how resulting diversions may affect the administration of the levy are matters entirely for the UK and NI authorities. The Deputy refers again to the possibility of Irish HGV operators relocating to other jurisdictions. While operators are free to make this choice, I believe that when the costs of establishment and the severe limitations imposed by cabotage regulations on operations in Ireland are considered the number of operators who choose to relocate will be limited. The Deputy will further appreciate and be aware that the Government has made consistent efforts to support the Irish haulage industry. For example the introduction of the fuel rebate for licensed hauliers was a significant boost for the industry and makes fuelling in Ireland even more attractive for hauliers. Furthermore, my Department is chairing an inter-departmental working group looking at the issues involved with developing road charging for HGVs in Ireland and this group will be reporting in the summer on the feasibility of such.
