Written Answers Nos. 693-711
693. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on making a regulation in order to provide for the recognition of mutual exchange of driving licences between Ireland and Alberta in Canada. [15453/15]
View answerFor some time now the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as the body responsible for driver licensing nationally, has been engaging with the authorities in Canada with a view to reaching agreements on mutual exchange of driving licences.
The process of reaching such agreements is a complex one, and involves detailed comparison of the two regimes by the driver licensing authorities on both sides in order to ensure that they are compatible.
In Canada, driver licensing operates at provincial rather than national level. As a result, the RSA has been engaging with individual provinces. A decision was made to prioritise agreement with Ontario, due to the large number of Irish residents there. Agreement was reached last year with Ontario, and an agreement with Manitoba is now being put in place. I understand from the RSA that the next agreement is likely to be with Newfoundland and Labrador.
The RSA informs me that they are making progress with Alberta, but it is not possible at this point to specify when an agreement will be in place.
694. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will visit County Louth and meet with tourism interests, and in particular if he will address the omissions regarding County Louth in the recent Fáilte Ireland Ancient East map; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15498/15]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of Ireland's Ancient East is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. The Department of Transport Tourism and Sport is not directly involved in its development or management. Ireland's Ancient East is an umbrella brand supported by four thematic pillars:
- Ancient Ireland,
- Early Christian Ireland,
- Medieval Ireland, and
- Anglo Ireland.
The area north of the River Boyne contains many sites and attractions that fit these themes. Many feature in the trade literature promoting the initiative. Carlingford's Mediaeval Fayre, Old Mellifont Abbey and the fantastic Proleek Dolmen are all specifically mentioned and will, of course, be promoted.
Areas north of the Boyne can take full advantage of the Ireland's Ancient East Initiative, which has the potential to welcome significant additional visitors to the area. It is essential, however, that communities become fully involved and make the most of the new initiative, as have communities up and down the Wild Atlantic Way.
695. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the concerns raised by DART drivers in relation to the November 2014 issue of the professional driving handbook, and in relation to safety concerns; the action he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15624/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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 reply within ten working days.
696. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an Australian driving licence can be exchanged under a mutual exchange agreement, notwithstanding the fact that it was obtained on the merits of the holder having a United States of America licence in Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15639/15]
View answerWhile Ireland has an arrangement in place with Australia for mutual exchange of driving licences, this agreement does not cover licences which were originally obtained as a result of exchange arrangements with third parties. When bilateral agreements on exchange of driving licences are reached with other jurisdictions, they are preceded by detailed examination of the two licensing systems in both jurisdictions by the respective licensing authorities. The purpose of this is to ensure that the two regimes are compatible.
The reason for such detail is to ensure that, when we arrive at an agreement, the people who will obtain licences as a result will have met standards to obtain a licence which are comparable to our own. We cannot vouch for the standards involved in obtaining third party licences, unless the third party country is one with which we also have exchange arrangements. As we do not have an exchange arrangement with the USA, we cannot exchange an Australian licence where it was granted in exchange for a US licence.
697. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that no mutual recognition agreement in relation to driving licences is in place with the United States of America; his plans to pursue such an agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15640/15]
View answerUnder EU legislation, Ireland has arrangements for mutual exchange of driving licences with all other Member States. In the case of non-EU States, we may reach bilateral agreements. Agreeing bilateral arrangements on exchange of driving licences is not a straightforward matter. It involves detailed study and comparison of the two licensing regimes by the licensing authorities in both jurisdictions, in order for both sides to be satisfied that the two regimes are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
We do not have mutual exchange of driving licences with the USA. The reason for this is that driver licensing in the US operates at State rather than federal level. There is therefore a wide variety of licensing systems with widely varying standards, and broad based mutual recognition is not possible. I therefore have no plans to pursue this matter.
698. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations that exist for sulky drivers; the age of those legally permitted to drive a sulky; the safety regulations for drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/15]
View answerDrivers of sulkies and other animal-drawn vehicles are obliged to comply with road traffic legislation, and are responsible for behaving in a safe manner, as are all road users. There is at present no licensing regime for drivers of animal-drawn vehicles comparable to the system of driver licensing for mechanically propelled vehicles.
It is my understanding that under the Control of Horses Act 1996, a local authority may declare an area within its territory to be a control area, and as such require that all horses in the area be licensed. A licence cannot be issued to a person under the age of 16.
Following concerns raised about unauthorised sulky racing on public roads in particular, I am proposing to address a gap that currently exists in the law regarding racing of horse drawn vehicles in the Road Traffic Bill 2015. Under the new proposals, it will be an offence to participate in an unauthorised race. This will apply to any kind of vehicle, including horse drawn vehicles. Such races will in future be permitted only subject to approval by the relevant local authority, in consultation with An Garda Síochána. It will be made an offence to participate in such an event where it has not received prior approval of the Local Authority.
699. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time and part-time counter staff available in the National Driver Licence Service centre in the Drogheda Southgate Shopping Centre in County Louth; the average waiting time for those attending personally but not booking online appointments; the number of applications dealt with on a quarterly basis, since the centre opened; the way this compares to other such centres nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15665/15]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred 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.
700. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the initiatives that have been supported and pursued to develop the sport of basketball in the past five years, both locally and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15727/15]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), including Basketball Ireland. As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
701. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total subvention provided to Córas Iompair Éireann for each of the past ten years, with a breakdown of the amount allocated to each of its companies, each year. [15820/15]
View answerSince 2010 there is no subvention paid directly by my Department for public transport services. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area. The total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention provided to CIE by both this Department and the NTA (since 2010) in the years 2005 to 2014 is as follows:
Schedule of Exchequer Subvention to CIÉ: 2005 to 2014
|
Year |
Iarnród Éireann €000 |
Bus Éireann €000 |
Bus Átha Cliath €000 |
Holding Company €000 |
TOTAL €000 |
|
2005 |
179,991 |
25,199 |
64,900 |
- |
270,090 |
|
2006 |
188,716 |
26,459 |
69,845 |
- |
285,020 |
|
2007 |
189,910 |
36,595 |
80,078 |
- |
306,583 |
|
2008 |
181,152 |
41,846 |
85,629 |
- |
308,627 |
|
2009 |
170,624 |
49,365 |
83,199 |
- |
303,188 |
|
2010 |
155,137 |
45,039 |
75,682 |
- |
275,858 |
|
2011 |
148,689 |
43,410 |
73,042 |
- |
265,141 |
|
2012 |
166,412 |
36,882 |
74,766 |
- |
278,060 |
|
2013 |
126,888 |
34,476 |
64,902 |
- |
226,266 |
|
2014 |
117,409* |
31,899 |
60,054 |
- |
209,362 |
*Included in this amount is €10.66 million paid to Iarnród Eireann under the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC).
702. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update report on the national famine commemoration in 2015; when and where the commemoration will be held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15161/15]
View answerThe 2015 Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday, 26th September, in Newry, County Down. In recognition of the fact that the Great Famine affected all parts of the island, the location of the annual Famine Commemoration has rotated in sequence between the four provinces since the first commemoration took place in Dublin in 2008. In 2011 the commemoration was held in Clones, Co. Monaghan, and with 2015 once again marking Ulster’s turn to host, it has been agreed, in consultation with the key stakeholders, to bring the Famine Commemoration to Northern Ireland.
The newly established Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will play the lead role in organising the commemoration and my Department, along with Northern Ireland’s Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, will work with the Council and other stakeholders to maximise the reach of the commemoration and its associated activities. I believe that the local community will bring a unique perspective to remembering one of the most significant periods in our shared history and I look forward to participating in the event in Newry in September.
703. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to extending the hedge cutting season, which closed at the end of February 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15742/15]
View answerSection 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife. Vegetation such as hedgerows and scrub is important as wildlife habitat and needs to be managed in the interests of both farming and biodiversity and therefore a review of the current legislation was initiated to ensure that it remains both effective and balanced. Stakeholders had been seeking an opportunity to input their views on the operation of section 40 of the Acts and I announced, last year, a consultation process which provided that opportunity, with a deadline of 9 January 2015 for the receipt of submissions.
I have established a Working Group, consisting of officials from my Department, to consider all submissions received by the deadline and to report back to me with a range of proposals.
Any changes to the closed period for cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation as provided for in section 40 of the Wildlife Acts would require amending legislation.
704. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad ionad atá scrúdaithe ag an Roinn maidir lena bhfeiliúnacht mar ionad d’imeachtaí agus do ranganna coláistí Gaeilge; cad iad na ciorruithe, más ann dóibh, atá curtha i bhfeidhm i ngach ionad acu faoi seach; cad é líon iomlán na scoláirí a bheidh ceadaithe i ngach ionad; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [15236/15]
View answerDírím aird an Teachta ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála Uimh. 283 den 5ú Márta 2015. Mar is eol don Teachta, iarradh ar na coláistí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht eolas a chur ar fáil do mo Roinn roimh dheireadh 2014 faoi na hionaid a bheadh in úsáid acu do chúrsaí 2015. Ó thús na bliana seo, tá cuairt tugtha ag innealtóir mo Roinne ar 59 de na hionaid sin agus tá sé beartaithe go dtabharfar cuairt ar na hionaid eile chomh luath agus is féidir. Bhí an cur chuige seo aontaithe le Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh (CONCOS) roimh ré.
Ach na hoibreacha riachtanacha atá sonraithe ag mo Roinn a bheith déanta ar na hionaid, ní fheictear do mo Roinn go mbeidh gá le mórán ciorruithe agus go mbeifear in ann an líon céanna foghlaimeoirí a cheadú sna hionaid - a bheag nó a mhór - agus a bhí ceadaithe anuraidh. Ní miste a nótáil go bhfuil an cur chuige seo idir lámha ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le sláinte agus sábháilteacht na scoláirí sna coláistí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a chinntiú.
705. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to re-introduce the built heritage jobs leverage scheme in 2015; when the scheme will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15253/15]
View answerIn 2014 my Department was provided with a special allocation of €5 million from Capital Stimulus funding for a new Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme to assist with works to safeguard structures, in private and civic ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
This scheme was administered directly through the local authorities and sought to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople. My Department's allocation of €5 million leveraged a further €10 million in private funding, which led to a total of €15 million being invested in 540 historic structures across the country. Information provided by the local authorities indicates that 175 jobs were created as a result of this scheme.
The operation of a similar scheme in the future would be contingent on dedicated funding being made available to my Department.
706. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has received an application for funding from a group (details supplied) in County Donegal; if she will be in a position to grant funding to this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15255/15]
View answerMy Department is currently operating a Structures at Risk Fund to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund, which has an allocation of €624,000 in 2015, is administered through the local authorities and encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The fund, which is now closed, was open to two applications per local authority. My Department did not receive any formal application under the Structures at Risk Fund 2015 from the relevant local authority for funding for the group referred to by the Deputy.
Given the many competing priorities for funding built heritage, resources are not currently available from my Department to consider funding this group at present. My Department’s built heritage capital budget is fully allocated for 2015 and is focused on the Structures at Risk Fund and the conservation and presentation of the State’s heritage portfolio, which is managed by the Office of Public Works. Officials in my Department are available to advise and assist local authorities on the continued reuse and regeneration of historic areas, where applicable.
707. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will set up an immediate task force to work with all concerned parties, farmers, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, BirdWatch Ireland, and any other groups that have an interest, to create a management plan for the maintenance of all upland areas, not only in Killarney in County Kerry but throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15376/15]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders on uplands issues, including farming and forestry interests, Government Departments and agencies, as well as NGOs. My Department is neither mandated nor resourced at this time to embark on the development of a national plan for uplands areas.
708. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the conservation of the declining snipe bird species and the rare jack snipe species, particularly in the context of the Carrigower Bog in County Wicklow, a nationally important habitat for snipe and jack snipe; her views on any obligations in planning law to protect the habitats of these birds; any planned legislative improvements in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15387/15]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
709. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views of reports that hares are extinct on Dublin's North Bull Island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15669/15]
View answerThe Irish Hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) is found throughout the country. It is classified as a “protected species” under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012, as well as being listed in Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). Under Article 17 of the Directive, Member States are obliged to report to the European Commission on the status of listed habitats and species every six years. Each species is assessed according to its range across Ireland, the population, the quality of its habitat and its future prospects. The Irish Hare was given a favourable conservation status in the Report entitled “The Status of European Union Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland”, which was submitted to the Commission in 2013. A copy of the report is available on the website of my Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service at www.npws.ie.
The Bull Island is monitored regularly by officers of my Department, but, despite these efforts and those of local landowners, the hare population has remained at very low levels for the past 20 years.
710. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of retired public service pensions in payment in each year, from 2008 to 2014, under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16047/15]
View answer711. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total value of public sector pensions in payment; the average public sector pension in 2014, under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16058/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 710 and 711 together.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht was established in June 2011 and pensions due to staff who have retired are paid by the Paymaster-General. As such pensions are not a charge on the Vote of my Department, it does not hold information in relation to such pensions.
The numbers of public service pensions paid by bodies operating under the aegis of my Department at the end of 2011 and at the end of each year since then are shown in the following table.
|
Year: |
Number of pensions paid at 31 December |
|
2011 |
259 |
|
2012 |
290 |
|
2013 |
305 |
|
2014 |
332 |
I am advised that the annual value of such pensions being paid as at 31 December 2014 was €6,528,415, giving an average annual pension of €19,664.
