Written Answers Nos. 624-641
624. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of all external public relations firms hired by his Department and associated costs incurred from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/15]
View answerDetails of expenditure on external services, including public relations, are available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/English/expenditure-external-services.
625. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding Iarnród Éireann's plans to improve audio announcements on the DART; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4557/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
626. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of all weather pitches that have received funding over the past five years from the sports capital grant programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4561/15]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not available and to compile it would require a disproportionate amount of time. Details of all allocations under the Sports capital programme are available on the Department’s website www.dttas.ie.
627. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the points system used in deciding on sports capital grants schemes and the placing on the list of successful and unsuccessful applicants; the rationale behind this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4562/15]
View answerAll applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme were assessed by officials in the Department. Every application was assessed by one official and reviewed by another official.
Applications were first checked to ensure eligibility and eligible applications were then initially scored by officials against five criteria:
1 Likelihood of increasing participation and/or improving performance and sharing of facilities
2 Level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area
3 Technical merits of the project
4 Level of own funding available
5 Level of Sports Capital Programme funding received in the past.
These criteria were designed to give higher scores to applications that will increase participation, where facilities will be shared, that were from designated disadvantaged areas, that had not received substantial funding in the past and that were ready to be progressed as soon as possible.
In deciding the final allocations of funding to projects within each county Minister Varadkar and I had regard to a number of factors, including:
- The performance of each application during the assessment process;
- Ensuring a geographical spread of projects within each county;
- Ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and
- Ensuring that there was a spread of projects among different sports.
628. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the frequency that the sports capital grant applicants are sanctioned for moneys that have been returned to his Department by groups who are unable to fulfil their obligations in carrying out their developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4563/15]
View answerAs grants are only paid to applicants on submission of paid invoices for the work involved, the question of money being returned in the circumstances described by the Deputy would not normally arise. A proportion of the grants allocated to applicants are never drawn down because the proposed work does not proceed. However, this factor is allowed for when the Department is deciding what total level of grants can be allocated within the available multi-annual funding.
629. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of heavy goods vehicle and non-heavy goods vehicle traffic in respect of each of the following toll roads for the years 2010-2014 inclusive: M50 barrier-free-toll, M1 Gormanston - Monasterboice, M3 Clonee - Kells, M4 Kilcock - Enfield - Kinnegad, M7 - M8 Portlaoise - Castletown-Portlaoise - Cullahill, N6 Galway - Ballinasloe, N8 Rathcormac - Fermoy bypass, Limerick Tunnel and East Link Bridge, Dublin Port Tunnel. [4603/15]
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 operation 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.
I will, therefore, refer the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
630. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the Irish Rail proposal to connect Dublin Airport to Cork and Galway by rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4736/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area. Under this remit the NTA has commissioned the Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study to examine all existing proposals (heavy rail, metro, Luas extensions) as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the needs of the Swords/Dublin Airport to City Centre corridor in the long term.
In relation to the recent comments from the CEO of Iarnród Éireann regarding a new rail link to Dublin airport, I have stated that of the six options currently under consideration by the NTA, two of these are heavy rail links. In addition, I have acknowledged that it is right that Iarnród Éireann should plan for the future.
However, I have also noted that their proposal is looking beyond the timeframe of the current reviews. I have not yet made a decision regarding a link between the city centre and Dublin airport, yet alone beyond that timeframe.
631. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding proposals to provide a new public transport connection between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4737/15]
View answerThe Fingal/North Dublin study currently underway is an independent study commissioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to identify the optimum long term public transport solution to the meet the needs of the corridor. Phase One of the Study was published on 8th December and six short-listed project options were identified for further detailed evaluation. A public consultation process was also launched at that time. Under the next stage, the six shortlisted projects will be subject to further analysis assessing cost, engineering, environmental and usage forecasts. This will form the basis for the selection of the recommended preferred option.
The NTA has indicated that they expect to have the output of this next phase of the Study available to me at the end of March. That output will then require careful consideration in tandem with other analyses being undertaken, including the updating of a business case for the DART Underground project and the work being carried out in the preparation of a draft Transport Strategy for the GDA. I anticipate that I will finalise this review by mid-year, in conjunction with the development of the transport strategy for the region.
632. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the details of agency staff costs incurred by his Department or its aegis in 2012, 2013 and 2014, including the breakdown of the staff roles involved and the area within his Department's aegis where they are contracted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4744/15]
View answerDetails of agency staff supplied to my Department are contained in the following tables.
Sport Capital Division
|
Year |
Amount |
Agency |
Service provided |
|
2012 |
€4,189 |
IRE Recruitment Services |
Data input for the Sports Capital programme |
Finance division
|
Year |
Amount |
Agency |
Service provided |
|
2012 |
185,000 |
Hays Recruitment |
Accountant services for Finance Division |
|
2013 |
188,000 |
Hays Recruitment |
Accountant services for Finance Division |
|
2014 |
196,000 |
Hays Recruitment |
Accountant services for Finance Division |
In addition to the employment agency staff above, the Department also has a number of contractors engaged.
The cost of agency staff in State Agencies is a matter for the agencies themselves. I will forward the Question to the agencies under the remit of my Department for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
633. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reactivate the M20 Cork-Limerick motorway project; and if there is work being done on this project at present. [4767/15]
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 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Because of the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years. The reality is that the available funds do not match the amount of work which could be undertaken. For this reason it has not been possible to progress a range of worthwhile projects and the main focus has to be on the maintenance and repair of roads and this will remain the position in the coming years. The scope for progressing new major road improvement projects will be very much dependent on the availability of funding in the future as the economy recovers further.
In 2011 my predecessor indicated to the NRA that it should withdraw its application to An Bord Pleanála for the M20 Cork to Limerick route. I understand Minister Varadkar was concerned that to proceed any further with the scheme to build the M20 would have exposed the NRA to significant costs arising from a consequent requirement to purchase the CPO'd land within a limited timeframe. This would have had to be done without the reasonable prospect of proceeding to the construction stage quickly.
Given continuing budget constraints and the need to focus on road maintenance and renewal, I do not currently plan to review the decision.
634. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the tendering out process of Dublin Bus orbital routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4364/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
635. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the sports grant scheme is available to a scout troop; if not, the equivalent capital grant system that is in place to assist the work of a local troop with capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4827/15]
View answerUnder the Sports Capital Programme funding is available for projects that are sporting in nature. In making an application, any organisation would need to make clear the sporting content of their proposed project. While some SCP applications from scout troops have been successful in receiving funding, other applications from scout troops have been considered to have little or no sporting content.
636. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason CIE Tours International is selling tours to the UK from the US; the way the company is managing its foreign exchange risk if it is accepting bookings in US dollars and is paying suppliers in UK sterling; if this is a profitable business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4846/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
637. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria or conditions on which munitions permits are granted to civilian aircraft carrying foreign troops under Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. [4904/15]
View answerThe primary purpose of the regulations in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973 is the safety of the aircraft and the persons on board. The regulations govern the carriage of munitions or dangerous goods, not the carriage of persons on board.
Before granting any permit, my Department consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in relation to foreign policy issues, the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to security issues and the Irish Aviation Authority, where necessary, in relation to aviation safety issues. A copy of each application is also forwarded to the Department of Defence for information.
638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the condition of the surface of a street (details supplied) in County Kerry will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4924/15]
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 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 surface of the N86 through Annascaul, Co. Kerry 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. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
639. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe involved for the consultation process regarding the requirements for testing classic and vintage vehicles; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4926/15]
View answerUnder the Government's 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was tasked with conducting a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for inclusion in roadworthiness testing.
As part of its review of this issue, the RSA conducted a public consultation process which ran for 4 weeks from 15 October to 14 November 2014 and attracted in the region of 2,000 submissions.
My Department recently received the RSA's review findings and proposals and these will be examined by my officials with a view to submitting recommendations to me which I will then consider.
640. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various national and international sporting bodies with a view to attracting events like the Rugby World Cup to this country on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5005/15]
View answer641. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to make contact with various promoters in the sporting sector worldwide with a view to encouraging location of major events here with obvious economic benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5006/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 641 together.
The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination. The hosting last year of the Giro D'Italia on an all-island basis showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host such events and the FAI and Dublin City Council also recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium.
Accordingly, I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the Tourism Agencies and the National Governing Bodies of Sport, where appropriate in conjunction with their colleagues in Northern Ireland, to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, recently announced our support for the preparation of a joint bid for the Rugby World Cup by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). The IRFU, with support of both Governments, has commenced work on compiling the bid. An Overview Group will be appointed in the near future to oversee progress and guide the bid preparation.
