Written Answers Nos. 1603-1621
1604. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason security personnel employed by a company (details supplied) do not have the authority to withhold persons who have committed a criminal act or behave in an anti-social way on the Luas as per the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30808/15]
View answerI have made inquiries from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who operate Luas under contract with Transdev. I understand that Transdev are considering a number of options to improve security on Luas including the practicalities, advantages and disadvantages of appointing security staff as Authorised Officers pursuant to section 66B of the Transport (Railway Infrastructure) Act 2001. I am informed that the matter of appointing security staff is still under consideration and, at this stage, a final decision has not yet been made.
1605. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the growing unapproved bed and breakfast sector that exists here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30818/15]
View answerUnder the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2011, Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions in relation to the registration and grading of tourist accommodation. Certain types of accommodation, such as hotels and guest houses are statutorily obliged to register, whereas other accommodation segments, such as B&Bs are not. In addition to statutory regulation, Fáilte Ireland also offers a quality assurance approval and listing system for other segments. This is voluntary and includes, among others, smaller self-catering schemes, Irish home B&Bs and historic houses with accommodation. Although Northern Ireland operates a system of mandatory registration for B&Bs, research and international benchmarking has established that the registration of B&Bs is not standard practice internationally. Countries that are recognised for having a quality B&B product, such as England, Scotland, Wales, France and New Zealand, do not require mandatory registration. For small, seasonal businesses in particular, the potential administrative burden and associated costs of mandatory registration could adversely impact on their viability.
As set out in the Government's recent Tourism Policy Statement, "People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025", it is timely to examine whether the rationale for the statutory regulatory framework still exists. The current Irish system of registration and classification may be too restrictive in that it may act as a barrier to innovation in the tourism sector.
The regulatory framework for any business sector is typically subject to ongoing evaluation, amendment, retrenchment or expansion. For the tourism industry, what is required is an overall regulatory framework that ensures the safety of visitors and employees, while providing a statutory foundation for private enterprise that is stable and equitable, and encourages the tourism industry to grow and innovate in order to meet the future needs of its customers. Fáilte Ireland will undertake regular reviews of the regulatory framework for the tourism sector to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will support measures across Government that reduce or streamline administrative processes associated with regulatory compliance.
1606. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to put speed ramps in place in an area (details supplied) in County Wexford particularly in view of complaints from residents regarding vehicles moving at high speed and endangering children and adults in the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30874/15]
View answerWhile my Department is responsible for the legislative basis and supporting guidelines in regard to traffic matters, implementation of traffic management measures, including traffic calming, is the responsibility of the relevant local road authority. Circular RSD 1/2014 on the Control of Vehicle Speeds in Housing Estates was issued by my Department to local authorities last October. That Circular highlighted existing national guidelines and measures available to local authorities to facilitate traffic calming and it proposed new measures to reduce speed limits in housing estates and residential areas. In addition, my Department issued new 'Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland ' to all local authorities earlier this year which also addressed the issue of speed limits on residential roads.
Among the initiatives covered by these guidelines was an increased emphasis on the use by local authorities of the special speed limit of 30 km/h in housing areas and the associated introduction of new signage in this regard. A sum of €2 million was provided in Budget 2015 in dedicated funding to support the proposed signage programme on public roads throughout the country and further funding will be allocated to local authorities in 2016 to support this programme.
If further measures are deemed necessary to reduce speeds in local communities, it is a matter for local authorities to assess what actions can best deliver safety improvements in such areas. The new Speed Limit Guidelines give detailed advice in this regard and where regulatory speed limits and signage prove insufficient in securing reduced speeds then such measures may need to be supplemented by engineering measures.
1608. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has conducted an analysis of the impact here of the recently introduced lorry road user levy in Northern Ireland; and his plans to regularise the position for Irish hauliers. [30965/15]
View answerThe UK HGV road user levy was introduced in 2014. This Government lobbied actively against the application of the charge to Northern Ireland, in co-operation with Stormont Ministers. Unfortunately the UK Minister for Transport chose to give only very minor exemptions to Northern Ireland from the road user charge.
The UK charge is a sliding scale, with rates ranging from st£1.70 to st£10 per day, or st£85 to st£1,000 per annum, depending on vehicle type and weight. My officials have been informed by their Northern Irish counterparts that Irish HGVs operators are generally paying between €280 and €640 per annum to access UK roads.
The road user change was introduced in Britain in April 2014, and its enforcement in Northern Ireland began in November 2014, with a fine of st£300 for Lorries without the appropriate permit. 30 Irish registered operators of goods vehicles were fined for non-compliance in the first three months of the new levy.
There has been no decline in the numbers of goods vehicles crossing the Border since the introduction of the road user levy. The numbers of trucks crossing the Border have increased as our economic recovery continues.
1609. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will invest in playing pitches in the Kinnegad area, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30997/15]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
Any organisation interested in applying for a grant under the next round of the Sports Capital Programme should register on OSCAR at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie (if not already registered). OSCAR is the portal on the Department's website which must be used by organisations to register, to apply for funding (when the Programme is open for applications) and to manage the drawdown of any grants allocated. It should be noted that in order to register on OSCAR a tax registration number from the Revenue Commissioners is required. The 2015 round of the programme is now closed and I hope to announce allocations in the near future. No date has been set for the next round of the Programme.
1610. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Luas construction works are not being carried out at night or on weekends. [31075/15]
View answerThe implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the Luas Cross City project, comes under the remit of the NTA.
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 10 working days.
1611. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed Macroom bypass (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31107/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), also known as the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1612. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) in County Cork, who had to terminate her employment with the former Department of Transport and Power in 1970 due to the marriage bar, may be entitled to a partial occupational pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31189/15]
View answerThis former employee's terms and conditions of employment were subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Regulation Act, 1956, under which regulation she was required to retire on marriage in March 1970. As an established officer who met the eligibility criteria, the officer received a marriage gratuity on resignation. On payment of the marriage gratuity, the person forfeited all entitlements to preserved superannuation benefits unless she was re-employed in a pensionable capacity in the civil service. As this person was not re-employed, she does not have any entitlement to an occupational pension.
1613. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason platform 10 in Heuston Station, Dublin 8 has been left out of proposals to open the Phoenix Park tunnel to commuter trains despite the long-standing policy to create modes of different public transport systems, and that the variety of services available at Heuston Station, Luas, Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and taxi, would not be available at the nearest other stations on the commuter routes going through the tunnel, namely Cherry Orchard and Drumcondra Stations; and the steps he will take to correct this omission. [31230/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport. Responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including train stations, is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). Therefore, 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 10 working days.
1614. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding inclusions in the map of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31255/15]
View answerWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism propositions such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1615. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an investigation by Bus Éireann into allegations of harassment and intimidation by a Bus Éireann bus driver of persons (detailed supplied) in County Galway was launched following the reporting of those allegations to Bus Éireann in December 2013; and if not, the reason why. [31281/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1616. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of road traffic accidents caused by old vehicles or where the age of the vehicle was a significant factor in the cause. [31355/15]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority has advised me as follows. Over the period 2007-2012, there were 1292 fatal collisions involving 1261 vehicles (cars, vans, taxis and goods vehicles). Of these, 40 vehicles had a defect.
The age of the vehicle is not recorded on the collision data collected by An Garda Síochána. However, where a vehicle registration number is available, the age of the vehicle can be derived.
Where the age of the vehicle was known, 39 vehicles involved in fatal collisions had a defect which may have contributed to the cause of the collision (2.5% of vehicles involved); 21 of these vehicles had a vehicle registration year in the range of 2000-2009; and the reminder (18) had a registration year prior to that. See the following table for further details of serious and minor injury collisions.
|
Vehicle Registration Year |
Number of vehicles in fatal collisions with defect, where age of vehicle was known |
Number of vehicles in serious injury collisions with defect, where age of vehicle was known |
Number of vehicles in minor injury collisions with defect, where age of vehicle was known |
|
2000-2009 |
21 |
16 |
109 |
|
Pre-2000* |
18 |
24 |
68 |
|
Total |
39 |
40 |
177 |
*Note: a small number of foreign registered vehicles are included in this category.
1617. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding national governing bodies in sport; the number of governing bodies that are in existence; if there is an analysis by sport, by gender, by region and so on; the number of governing bodies that exist for female sports; if there is specific criteria required to be met regarding same; the reason some female sports are recognised in their own right and others referred back to the relevant male governing body; the number of refusals that have been given in the past five years to applications from ladies representative associations; his views on these matter and the policy position regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31378/15]
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. This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting organisations as National Governing Bodies of sport and the allocation of funding to same.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
1618. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the extent of existing rail infrastructure at Dublin Airport, including all infrastructure originally built with the intention of accommodating rail transport; if he will indicate what this space is currently being used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31448/15]
View answerResponsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including rail infrastructure, is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
Therefore, 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 10 working days.
1619. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine an application by a sports club (details supplied) in County Kerry for a sports capital grant to develop an all-weather pitch at the complex as the club is totally inclusive in terms of the community's needs, caters equally for male and female sports and the current grounds are unable to cope with the demand all year round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31451/15]
View answerI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
1620. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the National Roads Authority and Iarnród Éireann regarding the urgency of remedial measures to eliminate the ongoing discomfort and potentially hazardous conditions for commuters at the level crossing at Minish, east of Killarney, County Kerry, on N72; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31465/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
I have previously explained to the House that issues relating to level-crossings on the rail network are a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. Exchequer funds are made available each year for investment in railway safety, asset renewal and maintenance. Since 2014 these funds are governed by the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) a requirement under EU rules. The works covered by this contract are prioritised by Iarnród Éireann based on appropriate risk assessments. Therefore works relating to level crossings may be funded under this contract if so prioritised.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for a direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please contact my private office.
1621. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a sports organisation (details supplied) is funded by his Department or an agency under his Department, that is the Irish Sports Council; if the organisation and individual competitor (details supplied) have been funded from normal funding or in preparation for the Winter Olympics 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31485/15]
View answerMy Department does not provide funding to sporting organisations or athletes directly. The 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 responsibility for the allocation of funding to sporting organisations and athletes.
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 10 days.
