Written Answers Nos. 269 - 278
269. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if a company (details supplied), which was awarded the postcode oversight contract in 2014 has, at this point, assessed the proposed Eircode postcode as fit for purpose, as required under that contract and, if so, the criteria used for that assessment; if the assessment will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25438/15]
View answerThe design of the Eircode followed a public procurement process. During that process a range of options for the postcode structure were evaluated. That evaluation process, together with stakeholder engagement which preceded the procurement, helped inform the format of the Eircode design.
In accordance with the terms of the contract for the development and implementation of the project, a more detailed design report, including the criteria which informed the detailed design, was prepared by Capita, the Postcode contractor. In order to ensure that contractual obligations had been satisfied, the design report was reviewed by the company referred to in the Question who were awarded the contract, following a procurement process, to provide technical advice and support services to my Department in the implementation phase of the project. Following that review, the final Eircode design was approved by Government in April, 2014.
270. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department uses any system software for the auto deletion of e-mail messages; if so, his Department's guidelines on the use of such a system; and the length of time e-mails are stored before they are auto deleted. [25187/15]
View answerMy Department currently does not use any system software for the auto-deletion of email messages.
271. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has further updates on a proposal (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25216/15]
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 local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects, such as the Macroom Bypass is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
272. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to publish the recently submitted Road Safety Authority report on national car test regulations for vintage vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25326/15]
View answerThe review by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of the arrangements in relation to the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles will be examined by my officials for submission of recommendations to me which I will consider in due course. However, given the pressures of other work in my Department, this matter will be dealt with later in 2015. It is my intention to publish the RSA's review following the conclusion of those deliberations.
273. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost of introducing a living wage or minimum-threshold gross salary of €11.45 per hour in his Department and the bodies under his aegis. [25360/15]
View answerThe remuneration of staff in my Department is as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. There are currently 5 staff in my Department who earn less than €11.45 gross per hour. The additional cost of introducing a minimum wage threshold of €11.45 is estimated at €18,000 per annum.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested regarding staff employed in those bodies. If he does not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days will he please advise my private office.
274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the completion of the railway from Navan in County Meath to Dublin. [25371/15]
View answerThe development of the Dunboyne to Navan Rail link together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the financial situation.
This project will now be reviewed in the context of the Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area covering the priorities for the next 20 years which is currently under preparation by the National Transport Authority. The NTA advise me that they expect to publish the draft strategy for consultation later this summer. Interested parties will then be able to give their views on all proposals.
275. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence regarding a football club (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25406/15]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by the Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding to sports bodies. The ISC does not provide direct funding for sports organisations but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of sport, in this case the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). I would suggest that the club contact the FAI directly in this regard.
The Sports Capital Programme which is also run by the Department is responsible for the distribution of grants for capital projects and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. The 2015 round of the SCP is closed for applications. Details on the SCP can be found on the Department's website www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
276. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish drivers who have received an international driving permit in each of the past four years; the costs associated in awarding these permits; the most popular countries for which Irish drivers have obtained an international driving permit; his views on the security features in the international driving permit; if he is satisfied with the corresponding use of international driving permits here by non-European Union drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25419/15]
View answerThe International Driving Permit (IDP) is issued in Ireland by the Automobile Association (AA), and my Department is not involved in operational details. I have therefore referred the Deputy's request for figures relating to the IDP to the AA for direct reply.
In relation to the security issue, the IDP is not a driving licence but, in essence, a translation of an individual's national licence into an internationally recognised format. The format itself is determined by international agreement going back to the 1920s, and individual countries cannot therefore change it. As the IDP is not a licence, when a person travels using an IDP, they can be required to produce their own national licence as well.
Similarly, it is a matter of long-standing international conventions that visitors can drive here for up to a year on their national licence. These do not necessarily have to be accompanied by an IDP, but the IDP can be of assistance to An Garda Síochána, particularly in cases where the national licence is in an unfamiliar language or script.
277. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the public bus service to and from Kentstown in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25421/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days will he please advise my private office.
278. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department is using drones to monitor activity on bogs. [25236/15]
View answerThe Department has not used unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor activity on bogs.
