Wednesday, 6 May 2015

Written Answers Nos. 570-592

Housing Adaptation Grant Data

Questions (570)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

570. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount of funding being made available to local authorities in 2015 under the housing adaptation grant scheme, the housing aid for older people scheme, the mobility aid grant scheme and the disabled persons grants scheme for council owned properties; if he will provide a breakdown of the total amount of funds requested and the amount of funds released by councils; the reason for the delay if funding has yet to be approved; and the expected time frame for these funds to be released, by county. [17854/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Exchequer funding of over €37 million was provided by my Department to local authorities in 2014 for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability. Combined with an additional 20% contribution by individual local authorities, there was an overall spend last year of €46.3 million in this area. I am pleased to confirm that the 2015 amount will increase by some 10% to give a combined spend of €50.5 million. The 2015 allocations are currently under consideration in my Department and will issue to local authorities very shortly.

My Department also provides funding to local authorities for various social housing supports to meet the needs of local authority tenants with a disability. Funding provided by my Department meets 90% of the cost of such works, with each local authority providing the remaining 10%. Exchequer funding of €8m was provided to local authorities in 2014 in this regard. The administration of the grants is a matter for individual local authorities. My Department has received proposals in relation to this scheme for 2015 from each local authority which are currently being examined with a view to allocating funding to each authority as soon as possible.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (571)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

571. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of recruitment to the public sector under the aegis of his Department since the partial lifting of the embargo on recruitment. [18251/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

As announced in Budget 2015, the moratorium and the Employment Control Framework for the Public Service have been lifted but recruitment/promotion will be subject to adherence to binding 3 year pay ceilings. Staffing resources must be managed within these overall ceilings. Detailed arrangements in terms of the local government sector and state agencies will be worked out between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

Where a local authority or a state agency identifies a critical post that it cannot fill by way of re-organisation or re-assignment it may revert to my Department seeking sanction to fill the post. My Department examines all staffing sanction requests on a case by case basis having due regard to the continued delivery of key services in the context of staffing and budgetary constraints. In considering sanction requests public safety, maintaining key front line services and economic considerations are given precedence.

Although my Department oversees the sanctioning of posts, recruitment to these posts is a matter for each local authority and state agency.

Inland Fisheries

Questions (572)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

572. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason a lake (details supplied) in County Cork was not restocked this year; the reason access to the lake and parking facilities remain closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17696/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Fisheries management necessarily requires that Inland Fisheries Ireland review and prioritise activities including consideration of the economic as well as social dividend of rearing and supplying fish for restocking.

The South Western River Basin District managed lakes programme was reviewed and within that context, I am advised that IFI have focussed resources on keeping four lakes (Barfinnihy, Shepperton, Bofinne, and Fada) open in 2015. The programme and the status of these lakes will also be subject to ongoing review.

IFI are also in the process of completing a full review of its fish husbandry operations with the intention of generating further cost efficiencies.

National Postcode System

Questions (573)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

573. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in view of the fact that in November 2013, before the postcode contract was finally signed, a European Commission procurement investigation team formally confirmed a breach of European Union procurement legislation to his Department, and that the team also indicated that other elements of the process did not comply with guidelines and best practice, requiring specific action by the Irish authorities to ensure that similar illegal criteria were not employed again, but the postcode contract was signed without review when his Department will respond, as required by the European Union investigation team; the way related interdepartmental communications can be improved in the event of similar investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17432/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

My Department received correspondence from the European Commission during 2012 in relation to a complaint regarding the procurement process for the National Postcode System and provided a full response to all clarifications requested. The case was fully examined by the European Commission which informed the Department in November 2013 that the file had been closed on the basis that the Commission could not establish any breach of EU public procurement law that would justify the opening of an infringement procedure.

In relation to future procurements, the Commission asked the Department to inform them of the measures put in place by the Irish authorities to avoid any possible misinterpretation of the language used in the pre-qualification questionnaire – the prelude to the postcode tendering process. My Department responded to the Commission in October 2014.

My Department has received further correspondence on 13 April 2015 from the Commission. The Commission again stated they do not intend to re-open the procurement but have asked for further information on the measures that have been adopted by the Irish authorities in relation to the issue raised. My Department will be responding shortly to this correspondence, following consultation with the Office of Government Procurement.

Electricity Transmission Network

Questions (574)

Jack Wall

Question:

574. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Grid Link project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17497/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Deputy will be aware that the Independent Expert Panel (IEP) is overseeing the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on the Grid West and Grid Link projects. The EirGrid reports are required to be comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for the projects. They must also be complete, comparable (overhead line comparable against underground cable) and objective and include assessments of potential environmental impacts, technical efficacy and cost factors. In due course, after consideration of the reports, the IEP are to provide an opinion to me on both of them. Thereafter, EirGrid will publicly consult on each project. I have received the IEP's opinion on the Grid West project last week, on Wednesday the 29th April and I expect the opinion on the Grid Link project in quarter three, 2015.

EirGrid will publish the Grid West report for public consultation shortly. Similarly, EirGrid will publish the Grid Link report for public consultation once it has been considered and approved for publication by the IEP.

Once these steps have been completed, it will then be a matter for EirGrid, in consultation with the Commission for Energy Regulation, to make a decision on which option to pursue on each of the Grid Link and Grid West projects.

North-South Interconnector

Questions (575)

Brendan Smith

Question:

575. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will give urgent consideration to the contents of the motion passed by Monaghan County Council on the proposed North-South interconnector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17736/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

I have taken note of the Motion referred to by the Deputy in his Question.

In January 2014, an Independent Expert Panel (IEP) was established to oversee the integrity of the process being undertaken by EirGrid to report on comprehensive, route-specific studies of overhead and underground options for both the Grid Link (GL) and Grid West (GW) projects. While the North South Transmission Line project (N/S) is outside the IEP's Terms of Reference, the IEP did agree, on foot of a request by my predecessor, to provide an opinion on the compatibility of the methodologies, to be employed on the GL and GW projects with what had already been done on the N/S project up to and including 2 May 2014, being the date that the IEP decided to examine the N/S project.

Having considered and discussed all of the material, the Panel issued a statement on 1 July 2014, indicating its unanimous opinion that, in all material respects, what had already been done on the N/S project is compatible with the methodologies being employed on the GW and GL projects.

On 27 March 2015 EirGrid published a new independently peer reviewed draft Strategy which allows for the achievement of an optimal balance between the competing demands of publicly consulting on necessary network development, choosing the best emerging technology options for that development, and minimising new build. The draft strategy found that there remains a clear need for the North South transmission line, and that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.

Broadband Service Speeds

Questions (576)

Tom Fleming

Question:

576. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will investigate the deficient broadband coverage in Castleisland, County Kerry, in view of the fact that download speeds there and in other areas are exceedingly low; as there is a fibre facility in the town if this will be corrected in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17755/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016 as part of the National Broadband Plan. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 and represents 70% of the premises in Ireland. The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention and represents 30% of the premises in Ireland.

The map shows that high speed broadband services are to be delivered in Castleisland, County Kerry by the commercial telecommunications sector. I understand from eircom that its eFibre services are available to almost 800 premises in Castleisland since 30 April 2014 and that a further 200 homes and businesses will be able to avail of these services once their programme is complete.

The aim of the National Broadband Plan is to ensure that every premises, regardless of location, has access to high speed broadband delivered through commercial telecommunications investment, or through a state-funded intervention.

Data Protection

Questions (577)

Tom Fleming

Question:

577. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide clarification regarding data protection regulation to police any undesirable Facebook material and to protect specific targeted victims from unscrupulous users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17815/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Data Protection is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and I have no function in this area.

The pervasive use of social media, taken together with the rise of connected mobile devices, has led to a unique set of challenges for individuals and for Government. The issues are complex and delicate; a balance has to be struck between preserving freedom of speech and freedom of expression online, and protecting children and young people in particular from content that may be age inappropriate or harmful. Finding an appropriate model for governance of online content is an issue facing governments across the world.

In Ireland, the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group, which reported to Government last year, completed a comprehensive analysis of the situation. The Group made a series of recommendations and I will be bringing an implementation plan to Government shortly with detailed proposals to deal with online abuse and accessing of potentially harmful content.

Petroleum and Gas Exploration

Questions (578)

Joan Collins

Question:

578. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a company's failure to drill a well in County Fermanagh in 2014 (details supplied) invalidates its current application for a petroleum exploration licence, in view of the fact that it constitutes a failure to fulfil its work programme in violation of the terms of the licensing option, and section 13 of the licensing terms for offshore oil and gas exploration, development and production of 2007. [17835/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The holders of Licensing Option ON 11/3 agreed to provide my Department with data from a deep stratigraphic borehole which the company had planned to drill in Co. Fermanagh. This commitment was accepted as satisfying the requirement for shallow boreholes in the work programme for the Licensing Option. Provision of the data to my Department was contingent on the borehole actually being drilled, which in turn was dependent on the necessary permissions being granted by the relevant authorities. In the event that the planned borehole is drilled in the future then the agreed data should be provided to my Department.

In accordance with the rules governing the Licensing Option granted, the company exercised the right conferred upon it by the Option and submitted an application for a follow-on Exploration Licence prior to the expiry of the Licensing Option in February 2013. My Department has carried out a preliminary examination of this application. However no decision will be made on such an application pending the outcome of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Research Programme into the use of hydraulic fracturing.

It has been made clear to the company that no decisions will be taken on any application that proposed the use of hydraulic fracking in exploration drilling until the EPA Research Programme is complete and there has been time for the Government and other interested parties to consider its findings. The appropriate time for decision-making on the issue of hydraulic fracturing will be after there has been an adequate opportunity to reflect on the findings of the EPA research.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (579)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

579. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national broadband plan, with particular reference to counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17838/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies. The Plan has created a policy and regulatory environment that is helping to stimulate commercial investment.

The commercial telecommunications sector has responded by investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. It is providing high speed broadband to approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland, with services already rolled out to over 1m premises. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available. The Government will ensure that broadband is delivered to the remaining 30% of premises, through a State-funded intervention.

Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016 and represents 70% of the premises in Ireland. The AMBER areas show the target areas for the State intervention.

The website also provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including Longford and Westmeath. I understand that commercial high speed broadband services is already available to over 7,000 premises in Longford and over 20,000 in Westmeath. When commercial roll-out of high speed services in both counties is complete by the end of next year, a further 3,800 premises in Longford and 6,500 in Westmeath will have access to services.

The proposed State intervention will include a further 11,691 premises in Longford (52% of the total premises in the county) and some 17,814 premises in Westmeath (40% of the county's premises).

The map can be checked to establish the precise location of individual premises or residences. Any premise within the AMBER area will be included in the State’s intervention while any premise within the BLUE area will be serviced by commercial operators.

Intensive design and planning work is under way in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

I anticipate that the first homes and businesses will be connected in 2016 and connections will continue thereafter, with the intention of having all premises connected within a 5 year period.

A monthly update on commercial roll-out of high speed broadband and on the development of the State intervention programme is available on www.broadband.gov.ie.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (580)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

580. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way the Electricity Supply Board and Vodafone fibre network roll-out dovetails with the national broadband plan; if the nationwide plans of these companies to roll out this network is part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17839/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The National Broadband Plan is delivering high speed broadband to every home and business in Ireland regardless of its location. This is being achieved through a partnership between Government and commercial telecommunications companies.

A key element of the National Broadband Plan is the creation of a policy and regulatory environment that helps stimulate commercial investment. In 2014, the Oireachtas passed legislation introduced by my Department, which has enabled ESB to enter the telecommunications market using its extensive electricity distribution network. Following the enactment of the legislation, the two shareholding Ministers - the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - consented to ESB entering into a Joint Venture with Vodafone Ireland. The two companies have since announced plans to deliver fibre-to-the-home services to 500,000 homes and businesses in 50 towns across Ireland, with the possibility of a further expansion of this €450m investment programme.

The commercial telecommunications sector has responded by investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services. It is providing high speed broadband to approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland, which includes services to be rolled out by ESB/Vodafone. Services have already been rolled out by commercial operators to over 1m premises. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available. The Government will ensure that broadband is delivered to the remaining 30% of premises, through a State-funded intervention.

Working closely with industry, last November I published a national high speed coverage map which provides detail of every premises that will have access to high speed broadband from commercial operators by the end of 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The areas marked BLUE represent the premises that will have access to commercial high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER parts of the map show the target areas for the State intervention.

Intensive design and planning work is under way in my Department to produce a detailed intervention strategy for the AMBER area. Following a public consultation process on the draft Intervention Strategy this summer, I hope to move to formal procurement phase towards the end of this year in order to select a preferred bidder or bidders.

In delivering this combination of commercial and State-led investment in high speed broadband, my Department continues to engage intensively with all commercial operators, including ESB/Vodafone. Details of our engagement with industry are provided in monthly updates on the Department's mapping website www.broadband.gov.ie

Alternative Energy Projects

Questions (581)

Tom Fleming

Question:

581. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources at what stage is the research programme regarding the feasibility study of wave energy off the western seaboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17863/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Wave energy is still at the research, development and demonstration stage globally, and while promising experimental devices have been developed, further work is required to bring wave energy technology to commercial viability.

Policy action across a range of areas is required to support developers in bringing ocean energy devices from prototype to full scale commerciality. This action is being taken in the context of the implementation of the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) 2014, which sets out Government policy in relation to the sustainable development of Ireland’s abundant offshore renewable energy resource. A copy of the OREDP is available on my Department's website at www.decnr.gov.ie.

In terms of marine testing facilities in Irish waters, there is one existing wave test site in Galway Bay in operation. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute have established this test site which facilitates the open sea deployment of scaled prototypes of Wave Energy Converters during early stages of the development of the concept. SEAI has also been taking forward the development of a full scale grid connected wave test site off Annagh Head, County Mayo. This site is not yet operational.

Exchequer support for ocean research, development and demonstration has been provided to the sector in recent years and is being increased under the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan. In total, my Department has allocated €26.3 million for ocean energy for the period 2013 to 2016. This supports, inter alia, the Prototype Development Fund operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland which provides grant aid for the development of prototype ocean energy devices.

Natural Gas Grid

Questions (582)

Tom Fleming

Question:

582. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to extend the national gas pipeline to County Kerry, in view of the fact it would be an enormous benefit to have another source of energy for domestic and commercial purposes at a competitive cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17864/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the assessment and licensing of prospective operators who wish to develop and/or operate a gas distribution system within the State under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. I have no statutory function in relation to the connection of towns to the gas pipeline network.

In 2006, the CER approved a Gas Connections Policy which enabled assessment of the feasibility of connecting new towns to the gas network. In order for any town to be connected to the gas network, certain economic criteria need to be satisfied.

The policy provides that the construction and operating costs of connecting a town, or group of towns, to the network are recovered through the consumption of gas and the associated network charges. The distance of a town from the gas network is the major factor determining the costs of building a gas pipeline. The anticipated industrial or commercial gas usage in the town largely determines the revenue from gas network charges which must balance the connection costs. Uneconomic gas pipeline projects would unfairly increase energy costs for all gas consumers.

Gaslink has completed three comprehensive studies to assess nearly 80 towns for connections to the gas network with the result that more than twenty new towns have been connected in recent years.

Listowel, Killarney and Tralee were assessed under its New Towns Analysis Phase 3 report, published in 2010. However, the Gaslink review found that these towns did not qualify for connection on economic grounds.

As the successor to Gaslink, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) will continue to review the towns which did not qualify for connection in 2010 as well as other towns. The key factor which would qualify a town or group of towns in any future review would be a significant increase in demand for natural gas, usually as a result of the addition of a new large industrial or commercial facility.

The CER is currently consulting on a submission received by it from GNI on revisions to CER's existing connections policy, as mentioned above.

Alternative Energy Projects

Questions (583)

Tom Fleming

Question:

583. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission a study to investigate the potential for solar energy; when he anticipates that the infrastructure for this invaluable resource will be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17866/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar (including photovoltaic) and small scale hydro has been carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration, and will be taken into consideration in preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be finalised in September this year.

The SEAI has funded a number of solar projects through its Research, Demonstration and Development Programme. In addition, the ESB is focussed on the potential opportunities which solar photovoltaic presents and is also collaborating in research to understand the technological progress in this area and to evaluate further opportunities as the technology develops and costs reduce.

Alternative Energy Projects

Questions (584)

Tom Fleming

Question:

584. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commission a study to investigate the feasibility of biomass as a raw material for the Moneypoint Electricity Supply Board plant in County Clare as part of measures to reduce dependency on imported oil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17878/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The choice of fuel used in the plant at Moneypoint is ultimately a matter for the operator and I have no role or function in this regard. No studies have been undertaken by my Department on the potential or otherwise of converting the plant to use biomass. Furthermore, I understand that there are a number of important issues that would demand further consideration before biomass could be used at Moneypoint. These include the following:

- the conversion of Moneypoint to biomass would require significant levels of capital investment by the operator;

- support tariffs substantially higher than those available for wind, which has been the most cost effective renewable technology in the Irish electricity market, would also be required which could lead to increased electricity prices;

- substantially more biomass than is available domestically would be required with large amounts of the resource having to be imported leading to uncertainty in terms of security of supply. The sustainability of transporting large amounts of imported biomass would also be a cause for concern;

- the commitment of substantial amounts of biomass to Moneypoint would divert scarce biomass away from the renewable heat sector, where biomass can be used more efficiently and where fewer alternative technologies exist.

Alternative Energy Projects

Questions (585)

Tom Fleming

Question:

585. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Government's policy regarding micro turbines; the provisions that are being made to connect the output of these micro turbines to the national grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17884/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Renewable Electricity Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) schemes are the principal means of supporting renewable electricity generators for renewable energy exported to the grid. These schemes support electricity generated from a range of renewable sources, including small scale hydro, biomass and wind. Based around Power Purchase Agreements between generators and electricity suppliers, REFIT schemes assure a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15 year period. Small scale renewable generation is eligible to apply for support under the REFIT schemes.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) provides a range of supports to business and homeowners in relation to the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

In the context of the forthcoming energy policy paper, my Department is considering matters relating to Ireland's fuel mix, including the role of microgeneration. Analysis of the potential of microgeneration technologies such as small scale wind, solar (including photovoltaic) and small scale hydro, has been carried out by the SEAI. The SEAI's findings, along with responses to the recent consultation on the Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, will inform future policy on the provision of any market support for microgeneration. The views will be taken into consideration in preparation of the White Paper on Energy which will be finalised in September this year.

Given the emerging policy context and the requirements of the EU target market for electricity, my Department is also beginning the process of developing a new support scheme for electricity, to be available from 2016 onwards. A key component of this will be consideration of the available technologies, their cost effectiveness and the level of support required. The scheme will be subject to State Aid clearance and the initial public consultation on the new scheme will commence shortly.

As regards the physical connection of a microgenerator to the electricity network, interested parties should contact ESB Networks. Details are available at:

http://www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/en/generator-connections/micro_gen_connections.jsp.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (586)

Seán Kyne

Question:

586. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address persistent flooding at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17190/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and  funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads (including signage), is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Rural Transport Programme

Questions (587)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

587. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the rural transport programme; if he will discuss the direct benefit to the rural economy for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Rural Transport Programme (RTP) was established to address social exclusion in rural areas arising from unmet public transport needs. The RTP entails the provision of some 230,000 services annually and around 1.7m passenger journeys. The Government has committed to maintaining service levels under the Programme.

In April 2012 responsibility for managing the RTP was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA). This role for the NTA, coupled with its national remit for securing the provision of public transport passenger services, enables the development of better links between local and rural transport services, and scheduled bus and rail services.

The delivery arrangements for the RTP are undergoing a restructuring process which is being managed by the NTA with a view to reducing administrative costs and maximising spend on the provision of services. The purpose of the restructuring is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure that maximises integration with other State transport services and by making the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to maintain and extend the RTP with other local transport services and the recommendations of a Value for Money Review of the RTP published in 2012.

Rail Network Maintenance

Questions (588)

Seán Fleming

Question:

588. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a train station (details supplied) in County Laois will be bypassed; the future plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17211/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am committed to supporting a well-funded public transport system into the future and I ensured that PSO funding for bus and rail services was maintained at current levels in the last Budget, the first time this has happened since 2008. The current PSO contract between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Irish Rail sets out the services and service levels to be provided, including services on the Limerick to Ballybrophy line, in return for the payment of a public subsidy. I am informed by my officials that the total passenger journeys on the line in 2014 was 23,692.

At the end of 2014 I brought forward a Supplementary Estimate which included additional new funding in the public transport capital investment programme of €101 million to ensure the public transport sector is better placed to address the demands of our economic recovery. A large portion of that amount was targeted at the renewal investment required in the rail network.  Irish Rail has also benefitted from increasing passenger numbers with over 1 million additional journeys in 2014. While this increase is welcome, Irish Rail must continue to improve their services and marketing to attract even more people to use its services.

The draft Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport recommends the development of a new rail policy, intended to have regard to social and environmental considerations addressed by rail as well as the economic and investment context established in that report.

Given the significant funding requirements, it is important that rail users and policy makers are consulted on how best to ensure that rail services continue to meet the needs of users and the contribution of rail to an efficient and effective public transport system generally.  A public consultation on the role of rail is under preparation and I expect that this consultation will commence shortly.

Road Projects

Questions (589)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

589. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the boost that it could have provided to the region, and in view of the serious levels of deprivation that exist in Gort and Tuam in County Galway, his views that it is regrettable that so few local persons have been employed on the construction of the M17 and M18 Gort to Tuam motorway; the action he will take to rectify this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17253/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As 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.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Road Projects

Questions (590)

Colm Keaveney

Question:

590. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the already high levels of economic deprivation that exist in Gort, County Galway, and the fears of the local business community, which has worked hard to provide employment, that the single junction planned for the town will make it less attractive for passing trade along the motorway, if consideration will be given to an alteration for the plan to provide for a second junction for Gort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17254/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As 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.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Road Safety

Questions (591)

Joe Carey

Question:

591. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the studies (details supplied) with respect to hydration while driving; his plans to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17276/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am aware that the University of Loughborough has undertaken a study on the impact of dehydration on safe driving. Studies such as this are useful in the overall context of road safety and the findings of these studies will be kept under review in the development of road safety policy.

Aer Lingus Sale

Questions (592)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

592. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17429/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As outlined in my statement on the matter on 24 February last, both IAG and Aer Lingus have made positive statements about overall employment prospects at Aer Lingus in the context of IAG proposed offer for Aer Lingus. IAG has also indicated that there would be some rationalisa­tion as a result of Aer Lingus being part of IAG.

The overall employment prospects and the timeframe within which net additional employment would be created are among the issues on which Government has sought clarity before making a decision on the matter. 

There has been useful engagement on the issues by both sides. IAG has provided further details on the issues of concern to Government and discussions are progressing.