Written Answers Nos. 209-216
209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to increasing the traffic capacity of the M50; if the existing volume of traffic exceeds that for which the road was originally intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46645/14]
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, such as the M50 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
A substantial upgrade of the M50 was completed in 2010. This resulted in the addition of a third lane in both directions from the M1 to Sandyford and a fourth auxiliary lane in places together with the development of freeflow junctions and the introduction of barrier free tolling. This major investment has significantly enhanced the capacity of the motorway. There are no proposals at present for further investment in additional capacity.
One of the conditions attached to An Bord Pleanála's approval of the upgrade was the publication of a scheme of demand management measures. The NRA in conjunction with the relevant local authorities published its M50 Demand Management Report in April 2014.
Looking to the future and increased travel demand as the economy recovers further we will need to address congestion across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and not just on the M50. In this context I have asked the National Transport Authority, as the agency responsible for strategic traffic management in the GDA, to work with the NRA and the GDA local authorities to prepare a report on congestion and to outline actions and investment that might be required in the short, medium and long terms. I expect the report to be completed within a few months.
210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Leitrim-Cavan greenway; the outcome of the assessment of this application by the independent assessment team; the reason funding has not been approved; when it is likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46703/14]
View answer211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Sligo-Leitrim greenway; the outcome of the assessment of this application by the independent assessment team; the reason funding has not been approved; when is it likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
The proposals submitted by Sligo and Leitrim County Councils under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the development of greenways along sections of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway were assessed by an expert team comprising officials from the Sustainable Transport Division of my Department, the National Trails Office (Irish Sports Council), Fáilte Ireland and the National Transport Authority.
The number of proposals received under this funding call from authorities far outweighed the funding available. As a consequence it was only possible to award funding totalling €6.3 million to three projects in Kerry, Galway and Waterford. All Department funding is now fully committed up to 2016.
I would hope that given the success and popularity of greenways already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years. The EU Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under Interreg and the Rural Development Programme.
Full details of the assessment and marking process in relation to the selection of projects funded under the NCN Funding Programme 2014-2014 are in the public domain following disclosure under a recent FOI request and can be viewed on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/foi-decisions or on the Smarter Travel website www.smartertravel.ie.
212. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the BRT scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46714/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and Luas light rail projects.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question and correspondence to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
213. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will advise clubs on accessing funds under the Sports Capital Programme in 2015. [46717/14]
View answerAny organisation interested in applying for a grant under the next round of the Sports Capital Programme should register on OSCAR at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie (if not already registered). OSCAR is the portal on the Department's website which must be used by organisations to register, to apply for funding (when the Programme is open for applications) and to manage the drawdown of any grants allocated. It should be noted that in order to register on OSCAR a tax registration number from the Revenue Commissioners is required.
Detailed preparations are being made at present for the next round of the Sports Capital Programme and I will launch the 2015 Programme when these are complete. Interested organisations should read the document "Guide to Making an Application" very carefully (this will be made available when the new round of the SCP is launched) and should provide all information and documentation required.
214. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied with the delay in reinstating a sea defence wall in Ards, Creeslough, County Donegal which was destroyed by storms; if she is further satisfied with her Department's stance on having the reinstatement delayed due to planning restrictions and red tape being imposed by her Department; if her attention has been drawn to the costs of this project escalating due to further damage and delays in having this reinstatement completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46531/14]
View answerIreland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. These Directives ensure the protection of endangered habitats and species, which have been selected for conservation within Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Areas (SPA). Article 6 of the Habitats Directive, which has been considered extensively by Irish and European courts, provides a procedure for the assessment of plans and projects, which may have a significant effect on protected sites. Member States are obliged to undertake this procedure having regard for the relevant jurisprudence of the courts. In undertaking or consenting to works such as those proposed in this case, relevant local authorities must comply with the legal obligations of relevant Directives, as transposed into Irish law.
In the exercise of their functions, all public authorities have a responsibility to ensure the conservation of protected habitats and species and to ensure Ireland’s compliance with our legal obligations. These requirements are enshrined in the Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations 2011 and in the Planning and Development Acts.
I understand that Donegal County Council has undertaken assessments of the proposed work in this case, in relation to its obligations under the Planning and Development Acts and the EU Habitats Directive. I further understand that the Council is of the view that the proposed works require the consent of An Bord Pleanála in accordance with the planning code. During its deliberations on the matter, Donegal County Council contacted my Department for advice and my officials provided observations and advice in a timely manner. As a prescribed body under the Planning and Development Acts, my Department may provide further observations in due course.
215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money that the State has spent on the aerial observations of persons cutting turf from the period 22 June 2012 to 22 November 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46562/14]
View answerMy Department has incurred expenditure in the sum of €80,367 in the period since June 2012 for the hire of private aircraft for the purpose of aerial monitoring of activity on raised bog Special Areas of Conservation, where the requirement to cease turf cutting applies. Private aircraft are only used when the Air Corps is not in a position to undertake these flights. Any costs incurred by the Air Corps are a matter for the Department of Defence. I should point out that Ireland is at risk of action - including the potential imposition of daily fines of up to €25,000 - before the Court of Justice of the European Union if these Special Areas of Conservation, which are protected under Irish and European law, are not preserved.
216. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are restrictions on bankrupts successfully applying for grants from her Department, or from any of the bodies that award arts grants for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46603/14]
View answerI am advised that there is no specific condition specifying that persons who have been declared bankrupt may not apply to my Department for an arts grant. It may be noted, however, that, generally speaking, my Department does not make arts grants to individuals but to organisations. Such organisations are required to be not-for-profit and trading. In addition, grant payments by my Department are made only by electronic funds transfer to the bank account of grantees. Arrangements applied by bodies that award arts grants would be an operational matter for the bodies in question.
