Wednesday, 26 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 168-171

Taxi Regulations

Questions (168)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

168. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will accept an application under the grant scheme for wheelchair-accessible taxis, in order for a person to purchase a new WAV, in view of the fact that the person concerned has ordered a new vehicle from a car dealer but it will not be ready until March 2015 and the closing date for the scheme is 24 December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45504/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, including the issuing of wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) licences, and the management of the grant scheme for WAVs introduced in July of this year.  

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

Driver Licences

Questions (169)

Noel Harrington

Question:

169. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the costs involved for those undertaking to add an additional category to their current driving licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45505/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The present fee structure for driving licences was introduced in 2013 in the context of the introduction of the new plastic card format licence and the changeover to a centralised National Driver Licensing Service under the Road Safety Authority.  

The fees are intended to reflect the process involved in producing a licence, as well as the period of validity of the licence. 

I have no plans to revisit the fee structure at the present time.

Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme Applications

Questions (170)

Frank Feighan

Question:

170. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding relocation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon who ceased cutting turf on their special area of conservation bog when requested to do so; if they are entitled to compensation while awaiting relocation; and the current stratus of their application. [45464/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

No application has been received under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, administered by my Department, from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.

The closing date for the receipt of applications generally has passed for raised bog special area of conservation sites. However, my Department will continue to accept late applications under the scheme for the time being.

Applicants interested in relocation to a non-designated bog must tick the appropriate box on the application form.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (171)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

171. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide in tabular form, the dates of meetings of her Department's management advisory council in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the civil servants present at each of these meetings; if she or her Minister of State was present at each of these meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45471/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

My Department's Secretary General, three Assistant Secretaries, Director of Irish, Head of Finance and Head of HR comprise the membership of my Department's Management Advisory Committee (MAC).

The MAC is chaired by the Secretary General and meets regularly, as required. My Department was formally established on 2 June 2011 and its MAC met 13 times in that year, 25 times in 2012, 23 times during 2013 and 23 times to date this year.

Since I took office in July this year, I have met with all MAC members on a regular basis. I also met with the MAC collectively in October and again in November. Both Ministers of State at my Department attended the November meeting. Those meetings were in addition to the MAC meetings referred to above.