Written Answers Nos. 591-606
591. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the funding that has been advanced to the integration centre from 2005 to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45908/14]
View answer606. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the funding that has been advanced in respect of an organisation (details supplied) from 2005 to 2014, specifically if any European funding has been channelled through his Department to this body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46244/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 606 together.
My Department has not provided funding to the integration centre.
592. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons for the establishment of the national driving licence service; and the reason the conversion to plastic driver's licences cannot be dealt with online or by post. [45989/14]
View answerDriving licence provision was centralised as the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) under the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in 2013. This was done under the terms of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012. The reasons for centralising the service were rehearsed and debated thoroughly in both Houses during the passage of the Bill. I am happy to summarise them here. The Deputy may wish to consult the record of the debate for further details.
The review of the driver licence service was prompted by the requirement in an EU Directive to introduce a plastic card form of driving licence with effect from January 2013. The decision to centralise driver licence provision was taken following a study of the costs of options for the provision of the service. This showed that significant savings could be achieved through a centralised service, as opposed to the then system of provision through local authorities, which involved many duplications of functions.
The reason for requiring people to apply in person rather online or by post is ID security. The NDLS is intended to operate to the Government SAFE (Standard Authentication Framework Environment) 2 level of ID security. This requires a face-to-face authentication of ID, and digital image capture on-site.
Once a person has had their ID authenticated to SAFE 2 standard, they do not need to appear in person again when renewing or replacing their licence.
593. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an all-weather football pitch (details supplied) in Dublin 5; if he will consider the waiver from the Office of the Chief State Solicitor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46007/14]
View answer607. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the major delay in the provision of an all-weather football pitch (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46276/14]
View answerThe club was provisionally allocated €44,556 under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme towards an all weather pitch. The club has leasehold title to the property. A Deed of Covenant and Charge is being drafted by the Chief State Solicitor's Office for the 2012 grant and previous funding. As the club's title is leasehold and the lease contains a forfeiture clause, a landlord agreement is required. The Landlord Agreement is an assurance by the landlord that the facility will be kept in sporting use if the tenant forfeits the lease.
The club has not yet been able to provide the landlord agreement and as the full legal requirements have not yet been met, formal approval cannot be granted. As recently as last Thursday (27 November), the Chief State Solicitor's Office has confirmed to the Department that the requirement for a Landlord Agreement has not been waived. Once the Landlord Agreement is in place and the Chief State Solicitor's Office confirms that the Deed of Covenant and Charge has been finalised, then formal approval may be granted and the grant will be available to draw down. The club is fully aware of the outstanding requirements.
594. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding waste dumping on the R158 regional road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46008/14]
View answerMy Department has received identical correspondence directly from the individual concerned regarding alleged unauthorised dumping of waste on the R158.
The key legislative code in combating illegal dumping in Ireland is the Waste Management Act 1996 (as amended). In particular, Section 32 of the 1996 Act places the responsibility on the holders of waste to ensure that it is managed in a manner that does not cause environmental pollution. Enforcement of waste legislation including action against illegal activity is a matter for local authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency.
My Department has replied directly to the individual concerned to confirm that it did not receive copies of the signed contracts for Phases 1 and 2 of the R158 upgrade works on the Trim to Kilcock Road. Furthermore, the Department has clarified that the parties to these contracts would have been Meath County Council and the successful contractor in each case. Accordingly Meath County Council and/or its solicitor would have had possession.
I understand that Meath County Council submitted a report on unauthorised dumping adjacent to the R158 to the EPA on 10 July 2014. As the Statutory Agency with responsibility for enforcement of waste legislation the EPA is the appropriate agency for adjudicating on and pursuing such cases. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, neither I nor my Department has any function in this matter.
595. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a proposed relief road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46036/14]
View answerI have responded to a number of similar questions concerning the Dingle Inner Relief Road, most recently on 4 November (PQ 41564/14). I am happy to again clarify the position regarding this regional road scheme.
The 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.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
It is, of course, open to the Kerry County Council to fund the project from its own resources.
596. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of repairing the motorway network here in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if he is satisfied that the funding required to ensure a high quality motorway network has been provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46067/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects, including the maintenance of the national motorway network, is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
597. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeframe for the expansion of the public bike schemes in counties Limerick and Cork; if any further expansion is planned for Dublin; if the Dublin bike card will be usable on the new Galway bike scheme; if all bike schemes will be integrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46068/14]
View answerResponsibility for the roll-out , extension, maintenance and commercial elements of the Public Bikes Scheme in Dublin and in the Regional Cities is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority, working closely with the relevant local authority.
Noting the above, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
598. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a pension scheme; if he will assist in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46112/14]
View answerThe administration of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is a matter for the Trustees of that scheme. Resolution of its funding difficulties is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.
On 14 November 2014, the Trustee of the IASS applied to the Pensions Authority for a Section 50 Direction and submitted a funding proposal to address the deficit in the IASS. The Trustee also requested me to commence with immediate effect Sections 32(b)(1) and 32(b)(5) of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, as inserted by Section 34(1) of the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014 to facilitate implementation of the funding proposal should the Pensions Authority approve them. The Trustee confirmed to me that it believes that this course of action is in the overall best interests of the members of the IASS as a whole. As the Deputy knows, this was also the view of the Expert Panel.
Following specific requests on behalf of deferred members that more funding be made available outside the IASS for that group, I subsequently engaged further with the employers in the matter. However, it was clear that the funding proposed by the employers is the maximum that can be achieved. Therefore, having considered the Trustee's request and reflected on all of the issues relating to the IASS, including the significant deficit of €750 m, I signed the Commencement Order on 17 November 2014.
I am very conscious of the difficulties that this will cause for many members but the risks that will arise for all members, the companies and the wider economy in the event of failure of this solution are even greater and this is the reason that I commenced these provisions. I believe that the funding proposal put forward by the Trustee offers the best possible outcome for all members given the acute difficulties and unsustainable circumstances of this fund.
599. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a date has been agreed on when the next sports capital programme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46115/14]
View answerDetailed preparations are being made at present for the next round of the Sports Capital Programme, which I will launch when these are complete.
600. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a club (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46119/14]
View answerThe club in question has a grant outstanding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. The club has yet to obtain formal approval as there is some documentation outstanding. The club is strongly advised to submit all outstanding documentation as soon as possible so that a decision can be made as to whether to grant the club an extended deadline for drawdown of the grant.
601. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding insurance cover for races in respect of a sporting organisation (details supplied); if the competitors are covered arising from their membership of Leinster regional clubs to specifically include outdoor races; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46127/14]
View answerInsurance cover for sporting organisations is an operational matter for the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport, which are independent, autonomous bodies. My Department has no role in insurance cover for sporting organisations.
The National Governing Body for swimming is Swim Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council and have asked the Council to clarify the position with Swim Ireland in respect of the organisation mentioned by the Deputy. I have asked the Council to reply directly to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
602. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the obligations of sporting organisations in terms of insurance cover; if enforcement is applied in terms of registration and maintenance of cover; and if he is satisfied that his Department maintains a suitable review process for both. [46128/14]
View answerInsurance cover for sporting organisations is an operational matter for the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport, which are independent, autonomous bodies. My Department has no role insurance cover for sporting organisations.
In respect of sports capital grants awarded for facilities, there is a requirement that organisations must insure the completed facility against fire and all other insurable risks. The insurance should provide cover for the full reinstatement value of the facility and for professional fees. It is also a requirement that organisations take out and maintain satisfactory public liability insurance to cover users and the general public. This requirement is monitored through the capital inspection process.
603. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs involved in setting up the national driver licence service; if personal attendance is required for licence renewal in other jurisdictions; the current delays and waiting lists for services provided by the NDLS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46144/14]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. This includes the cost of establishing the NDLS, which was born by the Authority and did not involve Exchequer funding. I have therefore referred this part of the question 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.
With regard to the services operated by the NDLS, while there were a number of difficulties initially, I am satisfied that the NDLS has the appropriate measures in place to address the problems which arose. In particular, the NDLS has taken a number of measures to address demand at its public offices since opening. These include: providing extra staff at centres experiencing high demand; additional training (which will increase efficiency and therefore throughput of customers); and the setting up of an online booking facility to make appointments. In addition, it has opened two new centres, one in Dublin and one in Cork. I am assured that the RSA ensures that properly presented and fully completed applications for licences are issued within a five to eight working day period.
I cannot comment on what practices may operate in other jurisdictions with regard to licence renewal.
604. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on recent reports of objects being thrown over motorway over-passes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46170/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding relating to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects and the management of the motorway network 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. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
605. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will forward a copy of a file in his possession relating to a maritime accident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46183/14]
View answerIt is not the policy of the Department to release files or records even on a redacted basis that relate to past investigations in the maritime area in respect of loss of life or vessels. It is however the practice of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, a statutory body established in 2002, to publish a report following investigations carried out by the Board.
I regret that I cannot be of any further assistance to the Deputy.
