Written Answers Nos. 595-610
595. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide detailed feedback on the reason an application from Lough Lene Gaels, Collinstown, County Westmeath, for funding under the sports capital fund was turned down. [8750/15]
View answerUnfortunately this application was deemed to be invalid under the 2014 round of the SCP. I do not consider it appropriate to publish details of why individual applications were deemed invalid. However, a letter issued to the club contact outlining the reasons. If the club wishes to have a copy of this letter resent, or wishes to discuss the contents of this letter, they should contact my staff in Killarney who will be happy to help.
596. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views in relation to active, and public, transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8765/15]
View answerMy Department is committed to a sustainable transport agenda and has devoted significant funds to developing and improving public transport and to supporting cycling and walking initiatives especially in urban areas.
In addition to maintaining and developing the bus and rail network (including DART and LUAS) funding has been provided for many projects which are helping to make public transport more attractive for users such as the Leap card, Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) the National Journey Planner, Taxi Apps, better stations and bus stops, and a safer cycling and walking infrastructure. Additional bus and cycle lanes have been created and existing ones upgraded. The city bikes rental scheme has recently been extended to the regional cities of Cork, Galway and Limerick after its success in Dublin.
Other cycling and walking initiatives funded by my Department include the An Taisce Green Schools Programme which encourages sustainable transport, particularly cycling and walking among primary and secondary school students, the Active Travel Towns programme aimed at developing cycling/walking strategies in small to medium sized towns and the Regional Cities Programme which supports sustainable transport in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Notwithstanding progress to date I fully accept that much work remains to be done. It is my intention as economic growth returns to seek to increase funding for sustainable transport projects.
In relation to safety issues on the LUAS, I have referred your question to the Railway Procurement Agency who have contracted Transdev to operate LUAS services, for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the RPA within ten working days.
597. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Irish Rail has spent a number of million euro on the construction of Kishogue railway station, as part of the Kildare route project, and that this station was to be opened in 2009 and, furthermore, as the station is adjacent to the location of a large number of high profile multinational companies that have invested heavily in the area and could, with proper park-and-ride facilities, help to provide a solution to the traffic problems in Dublin mid-west, his plans for the opening of this railway station, with adequate car parking facilities, at the earliest possible opportunity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8766/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including Kishogue train station.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
598. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the community involvement scheme; his plans to operate the scheme in 2015; his views on the introduction of a similar scheme for local improvements, such as a local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/15]
View answerThe Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It has been decided that there will be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme will revert back to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
The Local Improvement Scheme is already in place. The purpose of the Local Improvement Scheme is to provide funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge; that is, private roads and laneways. However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner.
At present, local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant towards Local Improvement Schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes is 20% of the total cost of the project. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources.
Some local authorities want a ring-fenced LIS allocation for private roads while others prefer to put the funding into public roads. I think this decision is best made at a local level.
Local authorities were notified of the above in Circular RW 2/2015 which my Department issued on 3 February 2015. Details of the 2015 regional and local road grant allocations to each county council (including Clare County Council) are available in the Dáil library.
599. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to the Lough Derg stimulus fund in 2014, 2015 and 2016; the funds allocated to local authorities in counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary in 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8890/15]
View answerAs part of its stimulus package in 2014 the Government announced funding of €2 million for the implementation of the Lough Derg plan, ‘A Roadmap for Experience Development and Destination Marketing 2014-2017’. An amount of €0.5m was provided in the vote of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport in 2014 and the balance of €1.5m was provided in the Department's 2015 vote.
While the Department provides funding for capital investment in tourism, the allocation of these funds is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
600. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the State agency, or agencies, responsible for promoting Ireland as a tourist angling destination; the level of funding the agency or agencies have to do this in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8907/15]
View answerTourism Ireland Limited is the agency with responsibility for promoting the island of Ireland as a holiday destination overseas, while Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. Decisions on the level of funding being used in 2015 for promotion of angling are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
In addition, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the state agency responsible for the protection, management and conservation of Ireland's inland fisheries and sea angling resources. Accordingly, you may also wish to raise the matter in question with my colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, as IFI is an agency under the aegis of his Department.
601. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he was briefed by Bus Éireann regarding route closures before they were announced; his current engagement with Bus Éireann around this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8939/15]
View answer602. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he was briefed by the National Transport Authority regarding bus route closures before Bus Éireann announced them; his current engagement with the National Transport Authority around extending the subsidy for public service obligation services on bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8940/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together.
I received no specific notifications of Bus Éireann route closures as the actual requirement to notify such closures would form part of its licensing obligations to the National Transport Authority (NTA). My Department continues to liaise with the CIÉ subsidiaries, including Bus Éireann, in relation to public transport policy generally and the financial sustainability of the CIÉ companies.
I am aware of the strong public concern locally about the likely impact of the reduced services as a result of the proposed changes to Bus Éireann's Route 7 services and also JJ Kavanagh's Route 717 services. At the community meeting in Castlecomer on Monday 22 February, Bus Éireann agreed to postpone the changes to its licensed Route 7 services until the summer.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is examining what might be an appropriate PSO service to put in place if funding was made available. Funding has not been secured at this time but the NTA are preparing the tender documents and plan to procure the services subject to funding. At the above meeting it was decided to set up a working group comprising local representatives and members of the local community to explore options for the continuation of public transport services in the area. The NTA and Bus Éireann will actively participate in this process.
The NTA has also been contacted concerning changes on the Expressway Route 5 service from Waterford. In view of these changes Bus Éireann plans to extend Route 4 (Dublin–Waterford) to New Ross in order to maintain a link between New Ross and Waterford. Separately, the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann, is examining options to re-configure existing subvented services in the south-east in order to maintain socially necessary services to the affected areas following the withdrawal of Route 5.
603. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the operation by Dublin Bus of a limited Nitelink service on either Thursday or Sunday nights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8941/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Dublin Bus, 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.
604. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the borrowings that Drogheda Port Company currently has when the port is transferred to Louth County Council as per the national ports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8970/15]
View answer605. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the borrowings of Drogheda Port Company will be secured or unsecured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8971/15]
View answer606. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the borrowings of Drogheda Port Company are unsecured, if a letter of comfort in respect of the borrowings or a negative pledge in respect of the company's assets will be issued to the lenders by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8972/15]
View answer607. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if detailed planning has been done by his Department as to the borrowing expectations and ability of Drogheda Port Company, if and when it is transferred to Louth County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8973/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 to 607, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware National Ports Policy states that the shareholding in Drogheda Port Company will transfer to local authority control. My Department is currently finalising the Harbours (Amendment) Bill 2015 which will provide the legislative basis to allow for that transfer to take place.
Borrowings by a port company are governed by section 23 of the Harbours Act 1996. The section provides the statutory power to allow a port company borrow money, subject to the consent of its shareholders, currently the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. However, the actual moneys borrowed are particular to the port company in question and are in no way guaranteed by Government.
Any borrowings by Drogheda Port Company are therefore borrowings by that company and the company is responsible for those borrowings.
The proposed transfer of shareholding has no impact on the status of any borrowing by Drogheda Port Company. The corporate entity will continue in existence as it exists today and the Company will remain responsible for all its liabilities, including borrowings.
608. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport , in the context of the ongoing debate about provision for reduced speed limits within residential housing estates, if consideration will be given to legislative provision for lower speed limits on minor public roads with significant levels of residential development, along the lines of the quiet lanes initiative in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/15]
View answerThe Road Traffic Act 2004 established maximum default speed limits that apply to defined categories of roads. These limits may, however, be amended by the Elected Members of local authorities by means of Special Speed Limit Orders. Section 9 of the 2004 Act sets out the range of special speed limits, including a limit of 30km/h, available to local authorities for that purpose. In October last year, I instructed my officials to issue a Circular (RSD 01/2014) to all local authorities asking them to review the speed limits in place in residential and local housing estates in their area to determine whether or not appropriate speed limits and signage are in place, especially where children are at play.
In particular, the Circular asked that consideration be given to reducing speed limits in housing estates to 30km/h and I have made €2 million of additional funding available to local authorities in the current year to assist with such measures. This funding will be allocated to local authorities as they submit proposals to implement the lower speed limit and introduce new measures.
I have also committed to make provision in legislation for the application of a 20 km/h special speed limit. This will be addressed in the Road Traffic Bill 2015 and I sent the General Scheme of this Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications last week.
I am aware of the Quiet Lanes initiative in the UK which I understand is intended to make selected country lanes more attractive for such pursuits as walking, cycling and horse riding rather than specifically tackling safety problems on a particular stretch of road. I also understand that this initiative aims for a maximum 85 percentile speed of 35 miles per hour, that is 56 km/h, whereas the initiative which I launched last year is for a lower maximum limit of 30 km/h and is intended as a substantial step forward in improving safety for pedestrians, and particularly children, in housing areas.
609. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedure for selection of the route for the new N6 Galway transport project; the legislation under which power has been given to the executive to make the decision, without any vote by the elected representatives of Galway City Council and Galway County Council in the route selection process; the persons who will be making the decision on the preferred route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8987/15]
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 road authorities concerned. Under section 17 of the Roads Act 1993 the NRA has overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works for the construction of national roads. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with section 19 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended), the construction of all national roads is the responsibility of road authorities.
It should be noted that the provision of major road projects must be in accordance with local authority Development Plans which are determined by the local Elected Members. Planning approvals for major road projects are decided by An Bord Pleanála and ultimately in some case by Court decisions.
610. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding changes for vehicle testing for vintage tractors and old tractors that are used solely for display at vintage rallies and so on and are not operating commercially or on farms; the proposed changes and the costs involved for persons who own these tractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8999/15]
View answer618. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision on the timeframe for the testing of vintage vehicles, on a 30-year rolling basis, and if any qualifying vehicle that is 30 years of age or older would automatically be exempt from testing. [9215/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 618 together.
Under 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.
The RSA has completed this review which included a public consultation exercise that attracted in the region of 2,000 submissions. The scope of the RSA's review covered those vehicle types for which roadworthiness testing regimes currently exist namely, passenger cars, ambulances, motor caravans, buses, goods vehicles and their trailers. Vintage agricultural tractors were not within its scope and there are no plans to subject them to compulsory roadworthiness testing.
My Department received the RSA's review findings and proposals a number of weeks ago. They will be examined by my officials with a view to submitting recommendations to me which I will consider in due course.
