Written Answers Nos. 742-66
742. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide details of the numbers of supernumerary positions in his Department, and those agencies, organisations or bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34138/15]
View answerMy Department has no supernumerary staff at present. In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for each body. My Department will ask the relevant bodies to supply the information directly to the Deputy.
743. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the public service broadcasting charge (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34417/15]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 1537 of 22 September 2015. The position remains unchanged.
744. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the estimated target spend under the national broadband plan; the breakdown in Exchequer funding and other sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/15]
View answer745. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the initial outlay planned in the infrastructure and capital investment 2016 to 2021 for the national broadband plan; if the original spending target for this plan will be reached; the additional spend that will be allocated, and the timescale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 744 and 745 together.
The proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) represents a very significant capital investment project for the State.
Section 7.5 of the draft intervention strategy which I published for public consultation in July last deals in some detail with issues related to project costs.
As I have previously stated, regardless of which ownership option is chosen, the exact amount of funding required will ultimately be determined by a competitive procurement process. It would not therefore be appropriate in advance to speculate on the potential cost. Bidders will be expected to meet the standards set out in the finalised strategy, at least cost to the Exchequer.
The State contribution towards the cost of delivery may be achieved through a combination of Exchequer and other sources, including the European Investment Bank. €75m is also committed under the European Regional Development Fund.
In advance of any such competitive tendering process, it is not the intention to indicate the overall estimated Exchequer funding parameters at this stage.
The €275 million allocated to the NBP in last week’s Capital Review is not the full cost of the programme. The contract will require the delivery of the full network by 2020, plus its operation for a much longer period – potentially up to 20 years. It is our intention to spread the payments for the project over the longer period to maximise service quality over the long term.
Therefore, State spending on the programme will go well beyond the period of the capital investment plan published last week.
The allocation of €275m provides the necessary critical initial stimulus that is required to ensure that the combination of private and state investment delivers high speed broadband to 85% of premises in Ireland by 2018 and 100% by 2020.
746. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland's call for the creation of a new fund, which would support public service broadcasts on independent radio stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34428/15]
View answerA proportion of the television licence fee monies is already being made available to commercial and community broadcasters through the Broadcasting Funding Scheme, which is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) under the Broadcasting Act 2009. The purpose of this Scheme, which covers both radio and television, is to encourage the inclusion of additional programming of a particular character in broadcasters programme schedules. The Scheme is open to independent producers and all ‘free to air’ commercial, community and public service broadcasters and is funded by way of 7% of net licence fee receipts. The current scheme, Sound & Vision III, was launched in February 2015 will run for a period of five years. Funding during the period is expected to be in the region of €70 million. I recognise that many local radio stations, both rural and urban, perform a very valuable function in the communities they serve and provide additional value, most particularly in the area of local reporting.
While I do not consider it possible to introduce a Public Service Broadcasting Charge within the lifetime of this Government, I believe that a wider debate needs to take place prior to the introduction of any such charge. This debate would provide an opportunity to examine how the additional value provided by local stations to the communities they serve might be treated in the future.
747. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when the outcome of the public consultation on Ireland's eel management plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34554/15]
View answerThe public consultation process on Ireland's Eel Management Plan was part of the 2015 review required in compliance with Article (9) of EU Council Regulation 1100/2007 and was recently completed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). I am advised by IFI that 25 submissions were received for consideration under the process and that the outcomes of the public consultation will be made available on the IFI website before the end of October.
748. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made specific inquiries with, or representations to, the board of directors of Bord na Móna, in relation to serious allegations of bullying and harassment within the company, along with allegations that internal systems are inadequate to deal with these allegations. [34636/15]
View answer749. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 22 September 2015, if he will confirm from whom he received assurances that there are appropriate systems in place to deal with any allegations of bullying in Bord na Móna; and if details of those systems were furnished to him for scrutiny, along with assurances as to their appropriateness. [34637/15]
View answer750. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to raise the matter of allegations of bullying and harassment within Bord na Móna, along with the adequacy, or otherwise, of internal systems to handle any such allegations; when he will meet the board of the company. [34638/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 748 to 750, inclusive, together.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational one for the Board and management of Bord na Móna, and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function. However, my predecessor previously enquired into concerns raised in relation to workplace matters in Bord na Móna. He was assured by the Board of Bord na Móna that there are appropriate systems in place to deal with such issues. Any employee who has concerns in this regard should bring it to the attention of the appropriate authorities in Bord na Móna.
751. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason for, and the details of, prior representations made to him regarding the introduction of a statutory instrument (details supplied) and copies of such correspondence on file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/15]
View answerI can confirm that I have not received representations on the issue since my appointment to this Department. In the absence of specific details in the Deputy's Question, I am not in a position to comment further on this matter, which appears to date back to the mid-1990s. If the Deputy provides me with further specific information, I will have the matter followed up.
752. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgrading of the Cork-to-Limerick N20 road will be facilitated in the upcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34151/15]
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 (such as the N20) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Earlier this week, the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were announced. Decisions on road projects included in the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to enhance the existing network through improving connections to seaports, to poorly served regions, to large-scale employment sites, and addressing critical safety issues. In framing the capital plan choices had to made given the overall funding envelope available and it was not possible to include a range of projects, including a project of the scale of the N20.
The Capital Plan Work does include projects targeted at removing critical bottlenecks subject to planning. Among the projects announced was the Mallow Relief Road and I understand the progression of that scheme would alleviate some of the current bottlenecks at Mallow.
753. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of second hand pre-2008 vehicles registered as a change of ownership since 1 January 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34184/15]
View answer754. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles registered from 2008 onwards registered as a change of ownership since 1 January 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34185/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 753 and 754 together.
In the case of vehicles registered in 2007 and earlier years, there were a total of 592,885 change of ownership declarations in the period 1 January to 30 September 2015. Some 125,804 of this number relate to changes to motor dealers who are required under law to become the registered owners of vehicles traded in or purchased by them. For vehicles registered in 2008 and subsequent years, there were a total of 292,697 change of ownership declarations in the same period and of these 141,462 relate to changes involving motor dealers.
755. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to modify the road traffic legislation, and in doing so, make it more understandable and readable for the citizens of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/15]
View answerCurrent road traffic legislation in Ireland is a complex of primary and secondary legislation, dating back to the Road Traffic Act 1961. In addition, some aspects of road traffic legislation - for example, driver licensing - also operate within a framework of EU legislation.
The Deputy refers to making it more understandable to citizens in general - in fact, it is widely acknowledged that the law in this area has become significantly complex over the years. The solution in this area, therefore, is to consolidate the Road Traffic Acts into a single piece of legislation. This was done in the 1961 Act, when road traffic legislation dating back to 1933 was consolidated into a single Act.
Given the numerous pieces of legislation that have been enacted since 1961, the Department plans to consolidate the acts. This is a significant undertaking and has been deferred on occasions as the legislative priorities to bring about improvements to road safety have overtaken it, e.g. drug and drink driving. The current legislative priority is the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill 2015 which will provide for roadside testing for drugs by An Garda Síochána among other matters. Once this Bill has been enacted, a timeframe for carrying out the consolidation project will then be considered.
756. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a customer service charter in place for commercial vehicle testing; if not, his plans to liaise with the Road Safety Authority with a view to developing such a charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34000/15]
View answer757. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received a response to queries directed to the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34001/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 756 and 757 together.
As the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have responsibility for the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
758. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a review for a certificate in professional competence in transport management courses has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34022/15]
View answerI will shortly introduce new criteria in order to open the market for entry as a training provider of the Certificate of Professional Competence in Transport Management. This is an interim measure pending completion of the full review of the programme that is currently underway in my Department.
759. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the 2015 sports capital grant allocations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34094/15]
View answerThe closing date for the receipt of applications under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme was 24 April and I expect to announce allocations shortly.
760. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the numbers of supernumerary positions in his Department and those agencies, organisations or bodies funded by his Department; the maximum period in each case that supernumerary positions have existed; the total cost in maintaining supernumerary positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34150/15]
View answerThere are no supernumerary positions in my Department. The matter of supernumerary positions in the agencies which receive exchequer funding under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves. However I have forwarded the Deputy's question to these agencies for their direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
761. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will institute a framework scheme facility and encourage the rehabilitation of disused railway, canal, and similar buildings in the ownership of agencies under the aegis of his Department for housing, cultural, heritage, community or similar uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34166/15]
View answerWhile my Department does not intend to institute a framework as mentioned by the Deputy, there are some agencies under the remit of my Department such as Iarnród Éireann who encourage the rehabilitation of disused property.
Disused railway lines can be formally abandoned under Statute and disposed of by CIE or in other cases services are discontinued by Iarnród Eireann but ownership is retained. In both cases if a viable alternative use is proposed for community or other appropriate use, CIE and Iarnród Eireann will endeavour to facilitate that use by means of a temporary licence to use the property, but always reserving the right to regain possession of the property if railway services become viable again in the future.
The Mullingar/Athlone closed line is a recent case in point where it has been incorporated into the Dublin to Galway Greenway in collaboration with Westmeath County Council . Other examples include the North Kerry line and Waterford/Dungarvan line.
762. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the N26 upgrade has been excluded from the capital programme 2016 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34175/15]
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 (such as the N26) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Decisions on road projects included in the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to enhance the existing network through improving connections to seaports, to poorly served regions, to large-scale employment sites, and addressing critical safety issues.
763. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in the western rail corridor from 2016 to 2020; if these plans include an expansion of the present line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34176/15]
View answerOver the lifetime of the new Capital Plan "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016 - 2021", the priority for heavy rail infrastructure is to provide the necessary funding for maintenance and renewal programmes to bring the level of funding on the network up to the required steady state level.
In an environment where funding remains constrained, it has not been possible to make exchequer funding funding available to reopen closed rail lines in the West, or anywhere else on the network. This does not however preclude a third party from providing finance for the development of a railway line or freight services.
The new Capital Plan includes a commitment that, in advance of the Mid-Term Review of the Plan, the Government will commission a feasibility study to examine options for expanding freight transport on the railways. The potential for investment in rail freight in the west can be considered in that context.
764. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital grants 2015 will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34177/15]
View answerThe closing date for the receipt of applications under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme was 24 April and I expect to announce allocations shortly.
765. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding has been allocated to capital projects in County Waterford under the first phase of funding for the Ireland's Ancient East initiative; if County Waterford projects have received funding under the first stage of branded signage for all counties within the region; the number of applications that were received from interested parties in County Waterford for this phase of funding; if County Waterford projects are being assessed for the next round of funding; when that funding will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34246/15]
View answerWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism attractions, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.
The allocation of funding to individual projects under the Ireland's Ancient East Capital Grants Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
766. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application has been received from Louth County Council or any other body regarding the opening, maintenance and running of Ardee Castle in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34269/15]
View answerWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism attractions, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.
While my Department has not received a funding application regarding Ardee Castle, Co Louth, Minister Ring has received a letter from a society in the town regarding the procedures for accessing capital funding under the Ireland's Ancient East Initiative and will shortly write to the group with appropriate advice.
