Written Answers Nos. 1658-1669
1658. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the €7 million investment programme for public transport announced in May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32091/15]
View answerThe development of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) comes under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA also manages the Regional Cities and Accessibility Grants public transport programmes on behalf of the Department.
Under the Stimulus Package announced by the Government in May 2014, €7 million was allocated to the NTA for a variety of public transport projects both in the GDA and throughout the country. The purpose of the funding, which was part of the Government’s overall €200 million stimulus package, was to create employment and boost the public transport system.
In July of this year, I announced an additional €100 million investment programme for the transport, tourism and sport sectors for 2015 bringing my Department's overall capital envelope for the current year to €1.07 billion. Of this additional €100 million, €60 million was allocated to public transport to help address the significant under investment in public transport during the economic downturn.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply to provide more detail on the specific projects to which this funding has been allocated. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1659. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address economic hardship caused in relation to taxi drivers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32111/15]
View answerThe Dublin City Centre Transport Study was undertaken jointly by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA). The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
1660. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the regional roads network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32120/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils such as both Cork and Kerry County Council in their own resources spending this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
The current financial realities are such that the budgets proposed for my Department for 2016 and 2017 indicate that capital funding will continue to be very tight, and the ability to increase allocations or progress new projects is limited. It is, of course, open to Cork and Kerry to fund such projects from their own resources.
1661. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of public funds spent to subsidise the national tourist guide training programme from October 2013 to April 2014; if the funds were paid in by Fáilte Ireland out of its own budget or ring-fenced by his Department and so on; and the breakdown of various costs in relation to the course. [32138/15]
View answerMy Department's tourism services budget is voted for use by the tourism agencies. The specific matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
1662. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost to the State of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide transport services, for example, motorway toll operators, public transport such as Veolia or Luas and private bus companies. [32164/15]
View answerAs Minister, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership projects, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the National Roads Authority) in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007. The contracts for the privately operated schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the Public Private Partnership concessionaires concerned. In respect of public transport services, the allocation and payment of the subvention to all public transport operators is decided by the National Transport Authority in accordance with their PSO contracts with the companies. Approximately €7.5 million is provided annually to the airline operating the Donegal to Dublin and Kerry to Dublin air services.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1663. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application for sports capital funding by a sports club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32165/15]
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.
1664. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applications for taxi licences will be accepted from applicants who have regular automobiles that are not converted for wheelchair usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32202/15]
View answerFrom a policy perspective, there is a clear and demonstrable need to favour the issuing of licences to wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) rather than for standard taxis or hackneys. The number of WAVs in the small public service vehicle fleet was 928 in June this year. This represents just over 4% of the total fleet and a reduction of 42% from a peak of 1,600 WAVs in 2008. This compares very poorly by comparison with other jurisdictions. London has a 100% wheelchair accessible taxi fleet while 47% of the Scottish taxi fleet is wheelchair accessible. The effect of the low proportion of WAVs in the overall small public service fleet has translated into major difficulties for wheelchair users to obtain transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has introduced a number of initiatives to address the shortfall in WAVs including the introduction of new regulations permitting smaller vehicles to be used as wheelchair accessible taxis and a grant scheme to assist in the purchase of suitable vehicles.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA to provide some further detail on taxi licensing and the steps being taken to address the shortfall in WAVs. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
1665. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement an initiative (details supplied) to encourage walking and the use of public transport systems. [32207/15]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the promotion and development of sustainable transport modes including walking in the Greater Dublin Area. Accordingly, I have forwarded the deputy's question to the NTA for direct response to him. If he has not received a response within 10 working days, he should contact my private office.
1666. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the operation of community involvement schemes in counties Galway and Mayo; his plans to retain or expand the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32222/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In February this year, my Department announced the €294 million investment programme for regional and local roads. These grants are mainly focused on the maintenance of the existing road network and it is open to Councils to prioritise their works programmes each year. Following completion of the Community Involvement pilot scheme in 2014, the position is that local authorities can set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement and Restoration Maintenance grants for Community Involvement schemes if they so wish.
The Local Improvements Scheme provides funding for road and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge. However, the maintenance and improvement of these roads is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. The Local Improvements Scheme was reinstated in 2013 with no separate allocation. In 2015, local authorities may use up to 15% of their Discretionary Grant towards local improvement schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes is set at 20%.
A further €24 million (Stimulus) under Restoration Improvement was allocated to local authorities in July 2015 and local authorities were permitted to use up to 20% of this additional allocation for CIS and up to 10% for the Local Improvements Scheme if they wish to do so.
1667. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage the implementation of the regulation of vehicle immobilisation legislation has reached in terms of implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32250/15]
View answerMy Department is in contact with the NTA concerning the necessary arrangements and resources to implement the requirements of the Act. The Act will be commenced when those arrangements and resources are in place. I am not in a position to fix a date at present.
1668. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the issue of the regulation of bed and breakfasts, the measures in place to recognise the operators who register, given the importance of registration in ensuring standards and in maintaining the good reputation of tourist accommodation here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/15]
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. In accordance with the legislation, certain types of accommodation, such as hotels and guesthouses 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.
B&Bs that go through the voluntary quality assurance approval process and are listed with Fáilte Ireland have access to the marketing supports offered through Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and can avail of the various training and business skills initiatives. Furthermore, listed B&Bs have the added advantage that they are considered to meet local authority food preparation licensing requirements. Customers of listed properties have the assurance of external approval by Fáilte Ireland and they can channel complaints through Fáilte Ireland in the event of a negative experience.
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. 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.
