Written Answers Nos. 305-315
305. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of funding for school sports programmes (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5191/15]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations, local authorities and, in certain circumstances, schools and colleges, throughout the country. I expect to be in a position to announce details of the 2015 Sports Capital Programme in the near future. The programme is open to all sporting organisations that fulfil the terms and conditions of the programme. A detailed guide to making an application will be available once the Sports Capital Programme has been announced. More details about the programme are available at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
I would advise any club or organisation that is interested in applying for funding to register on the Department’s online system OSCAR at https://www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
306. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the findings of the annual rail census that took place in November 2014, making particular reference to the DART; his views that the census findings indicate that current train set configuration on DART services is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5208/15]
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.
307. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding facilitating persons who are ordinarily resident in the State, but are unable to renew their driving licence due to being outside the State for an extended period, by renewing driving licences with more than three months left to expire and allowing the licence to be renewed by correspondence or any other means. [5223/15]
View answerThe National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) under the Road Safety Authority (RSA), normally requires attendance in person at an NDLS centre on one occasion for image capture when renewing a licence. This is part of the SAFE 2 (Standard Authentication Framework Environment) identity verification standard.
However, given the difficulty in cases where people ordinarily resident in Ireland are out of the country for some time, typically for work or study, it was agreed that the requirement to appear in person was an undue burden in these cases. This issue was addressed by a change in regulations last July under the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 326 of 2014). As a result, people who are normally resident in the State but are abroad for an extended period may apply by post. It is expected that an Irish person residing outside the State for a prolonged period, greater than 1 year, will apply for a licence in the country in which they are living. I do not believe that any further change to the regulations is necessary.
308. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocations approved for each local authority in 2014 and the amount paid to each of these local authorities in 2014; the funding allocated to these local authorities in 2015; the amounts paid to the local authorities to date in 2015 following the Government decision of the 11 February 2014 to allocate funding for the clean-up, repair and restoration works for public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5245/15]
View answerDetails of the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations and payments to county councils are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2015 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council are being provided to the Dáil library.
With regard to national roads, details of the allocations in 2014 and 2015 to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library. However, details of the actual drawdown of funding in 2014 for these roads are a matter for the National Roads Authority. 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.
The Government approved funding of €16.2 million for the repair of damage caused by severe weather. €14.1 million was included in my Department's budget in 2014 to cover expenditure related to severe weather. In addition, works to the value of about €2.1 million from this funding stream are due to be undertaken in 2015.
309. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the introduction of on-the-spot fines or other such penalties for cycling on footpaths; his plans that such penalties would apply to children; if so, if the views of the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were sought before making such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5276/15]
View answerIn accordance with Action 92 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, it is my intention to extend the fixed charge notice system to road traffic offences by cyclists. This will offer a significant improvement to the mechanisms available to An Garda Síochána to enforce road traffic law in cases involving cyclists, and I believe it will improve safety for all road users, cyclists included.
However, I am very conscious of the use that children, on and off their bicycles, make of our footpaths and all of the safety issues that must be considered. I will consult with stakeholders in relation to this specific matter before deciding policy in this area.
310. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will grant-aid community groups that wish to construct a spur off the new cycle way from Athlone to Mullingar in County Westmeath to encourage tourists using the track to explore different parts of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5337/15]
View answerAll funding available to my Department for the development of cycleways/greenways is fully committed up to the end of 2016. However it is possible, given the success of the projects already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years.
Westmeath County Council (WCC) were fortunate in securing substantial funding for two projects from the Government Stimulus Package for infrastructure development, €10m of which was earmarked for the development of greenways. The fund to WCC was €4m for the Athlone to Mullingar Greenway and €700,000 for a greenway from Coolnahay to the Westmeath County Boundary. WCC also completed the Mullingar to Meath Co Boundary greenway in 2013 using €629,000 received from my Department under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2012-2013.
The Community Group may wish to investigate the possibilities which exist under the LEADER programme. This may be a source of funding for progressing the initial stages of this project.
Finally, I always recommend that Community Groups work closely with the relevant local authority to continue to progress plans for suitable projects so that when funding does become available they are in a position to apply for that funding.
311. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be allocated to Monaghan County Council in 2015 to finalise the specific route in respect of improvement works on the N2 North of Monaghan town to the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5341/15]
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 (including the N2) 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. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
312. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support a local community club (details supplied); the position regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5442/15]
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.
No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any future rounds of the Programme will be advertised in the national press.
Any interested group should register now on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
313. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount paid out under the turf cutting cessation scheme; the number of persons it has been paid to; the total amounts paid out in the respective counties; the amount that has been ring-fenced by her Department to ensure that the scheme can continue to pay out over a 15-year period; if the scheme is still open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5203/15]
View answerTo-date 3,057 applications for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been received and acknowledged by my Department. A total of 6,437 payments and 650 deliveries of turf have been made in respect of the applications received. In addition, 1,330 once-off incentive payments of €500 have been made to applicants who have signed and returned legal agreements under the scheme to my Department. Details of the expenditure under the scheme for these sites, grouped by county, are set out in Table 1 SACs below. The total expenditure amounts to over €11.6 million. This expenditure is comprised of amounts paid in respect of annual payments, turf deliveries and once-off incentive payments.
My Department estimates that in the region of 2,300 individual applicants have received payments under the scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation. The cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been extended to land owners and turbary right holders affected by the restrictions on turf cutting in raised bog natural heritage areas. 164 applications have been received and payments have been made to 94 individual applicants at a cost of over €142,000. Details of the expenditure under the scheme for these sites, grouped by county, are set out in Table 2 NHAs.
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.
As domestic turf cutting may continue with my consent, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, until 1 January 2017, no closing date has been set for the receipt of applications for raised bog natural heritage area sites.
I have ensured that sufficient funds are available in relation to the operation of this scheme for this year. Funding for future years will be made available from the financial allocations to my Department.
Table 1 SACs
|
Site Code |
Name of raised bog special area of conservation |
County |
Expenditure under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme |
|
000006 |
Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally) |
Cavan/ Meath |
€9,539 |
|
000231 |
Barroughter Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000248 |
Cloonmoylan Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000285 |
Kilsallagh Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000296 |
Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough |
Galway |
|
|
000301 |
Lough Lurgeen Bog/ Glenamaddy Turlough |
Galway |
- |
|
000326 |
Shankill West Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
001242 |
Carrownagappul Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
002347 |
Camderry Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
002350 |
Curraghlehanagh Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
002352 |
Monivea Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
002356 |
Ardgraigue Bog |
Galway |
€2,489,467 |
|
000297 |
Lough Corrib |
Galway/Mayo |
€624,583 |
|
000382 |
Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog |
Kerry |
- |
|
002351 |
Moanveanlagh Bog |
Kerry |
€110,842 |
|
000391 |
Ballynafagh Bog |
Kildare |
- |
|
002331 |
Mouds Bog |
Kildare |
€777,935 |
|
000440 |
Lough Ree |
Roscommon/ Longford/Westmeath |
€1,364,343 |
|
000497 |
Flughany Bog |
Sligo/Mayo |
€65,896 |
|
000566 |
All Saints Bog and Esker |
Offaly |
- |
|
000572 |
Clara Bog |
Offaly |
- |
|
000575 |
Ferbane Bog |
Offaly |
- |
|
000580 |
Mongan Bog |
Offaly |
- |
|
000581 |
Moyclare Bog |
Offaly |
- |
|
000582 |
Raheenmore Bog |
Offaly |
- |
|
000585 |
Sharavogue Bog |
Offaly |
€479,957 |
|
000592 |
Bellanagare Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
000595 |
Callow Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
000597 |
Carrowbehy/Caher Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
000600 |
Cloonchambers Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
000604 |
Derrinea Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
000614 |
Cloonshanville Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
002338 |
Drumalough Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
002339 |
Ballynamona Bog and Corkip Lough |
Roscommon |
- |
|
002349 |
Corbo Bog |
Roscommon |
- |
|
002354 |
Tullaghanrock Bog |
Roscommon |
€2,199,557 |
|
000641 |
Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog |
Tipperary |
- |
|
000647 |
Kilcarren-Firville Bog |
Tipperary |
- |
|
002353 |
Redwood Bog |
Tipperary |
€440,829 |
|
000679 |
Garriskil Bog |
Westmeath |
- |
|
002336 |
Carn Park Bog |
Westmeath |
- |
|
002337 |
Crosswood Bog |
Westmeath |
€553,666 |
|
001818 |
Lough Forbes Complex |
Roscommon/ Longford |
€7,518 |
|
002110 |
Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog |
Galway/ Roscommon |
€437,193 |
|
002298 |
River Moy |
Mayo/ Roscommon/ Sligo |
€139,896 |
|
002332 |
Coolrain Bog |
Laois |
- |
|
002333 |
Knockacoller Bog |
Laois |
€386,843 |
|
002340 |
Moneybeg and Clareisland Bogs |
Meath/ Westmeath |
- |
|
002342 |
Mount Hevey Bog |
Meath/ Westmeath |
€568,474 |
|
002341 |
Ardagullion Bog |
Longford |
- |
|
002346 |
Brown Bog |
Longford |
- |
|
002348 |
Clooneen Bog |
Longford |
€215,305 |
|
002343 |
Tullaher Lough and Bog |
Clare |
€674,046 |
Table 2 NHAs
|
Site Code |
Name of raised bog natural heritage area |
County |
Expenditure under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme |
|
000985 |
Lough Kinale and Derragh Lough |
Cavan, Longford and Westmeath |
€1,521 |
|
000993 |
Ayle Lower Bog |
Clare |
€12,168 |
|
000229 |
Ballygar Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000281 |
Keeloges Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000307 |
Lough Tee Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
000321 |
Raford River Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
001227 |
Aughrim Bog |
Galway |
- |
|
001254 |
Derrinlough Bog |
Galway |
€25,857 |
|
000333 |
Anna More Bog |
Kerry |
€10,647 |
|
001405 |
Cashel Bog |
Leitrim |
- |
|
000422 |
Aghnamona Bog |
Leitrim and Longford |
€10,647 |
|
000691 |
Rinn River |
Leitrim and Longford |
€3,042 |
|
001450 |
Mount Jessop Bog |
Longford |
€3,042 |
|
000565 |
Clonydonnin Bog |
Offaly and Westmeath |
€3,042 |
|
001623 |
Carrickynaghtan Bog |
Roscommon |
€10,647 |
|
000640 |
Arragh More Bog |
Tipperary |
- |
|
000937 |
Scohaboy Bog |
Tipperary |
€15,210 |
|
000674 |
Ballynagrenia and Ballinderry Bog |
Westmeath |
- |
|
000677 |
Cloncrow Bog (New Forest) |
Westmeath |
- |
|
000684 |
Lough Derravaragh |
Westmeath |
- |
|
000694 |
Wooddown Bog |
Westmeath |
- |
|
001812 |
Lough Garr Bog |
Westmeath |
€30,420 |
|
000221 |
Moorfield Bog/ Farm Cottage |
Galway and Roscommon |
€1,521 |
|
001580 |
Girley Bog |
Meath |
€15,210 |
314. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason she refuses to publicly release the curricula vitae of successful candidates who have been appointed to State boards under her remit; if she will publicly release the curriculum vitae of each successful candidate in the future under the newly announced regime for State board appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5350/15]
View answerThe Government has agreed a Revised Model for Ministerial Appointments to State Boards, which provides a more structured approach to ensure that vacancies on State Boards are populated in a transparent way by the high-calibre personnel required to successfully implement their mandates. My Department is now implementing this revised model in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards issued by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, last November. The guidelines provide that: "At the time of the appointment of new members of State Boards, information shall be published by the relevant Department, for example in the press release announcing the new member(s), on the specific reasons the person(s) appointed meet the criteria determined by the relevant Minister for the role."
The guidelines do not propose the publication of the Curricula Vitae of the successful candidates.
With regard to the specific issue referred to in the Deputy's Question, I assume that this relates to a decision made by an official of my Department last year under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation. I am advised that the decision, which was made independently by the official in question, took account of all relevant factors, including matters relating to personal information. I am also advised that the requester in that case did not avail of the option to appeal the decision. As Minister, I have no role in determining what information is released in response to FOI requests.
I should also add that board membership details are generally published on the websites of the relevant bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. In many cases, these include biographies of board members and I expect that this practice will continue.
315. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of staff from her Department or agency under her remit working out of a Government building at a location (details supplied) in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5584/15]
View answerI am advised that no staff of my Department or any agency under its remit are currently working out of the location specified by the Deputy.
