Pat Deering
Question:588. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the moneys drawn down for the community involvement schemes, compared to the original allocation, by county. [39279/15]
View answerCommunity Involvement Scheme
Questions (588)
Written answers
The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. The allocation and payment booklets for regional and local roads in 2013 and 2014 are available in the Dáil Library.
It was decided that there would be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme has reverted to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish. Local authorities were notified of the above in Circular RW 2/2015 which issued to local authorities on 3 February 2015.
In addition to the funding provided to local authorities at the start of the year, a further €24 million (Stimulus) was allocated to local authorities in July 2015 under the Restoration Improvement Programme and local authorities were allowed to use up to 20% of their additional Restoration Improvement Grant towards CIS should they wish to do so.
When 2015 outputs are sought by my Department local authorities will be asked to provide information on CIS.
Swimming Pool Programme Applications
Questions (589)
Anthony Lawlor
Question:589. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reopen the opportunity for local authorities to apply for funding for municipal swimming pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39299/15]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme grant aid to a maximum of €3.8 million is provided to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000. Since 2000, 58 projects have or are being dealt with under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme of which 50 have been completed and the other 8 projects are at various stages of the Programme.
I wish to commence the process of opening a new limited round of swimming pool allocations and I have asked my departmental officials to report back to me on this proposal as soon as possible.
Road Safety Authority
Questions (590)
Seán Kyne
Question:590. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Road Safety Authority plans new regulations regarding farm trailers for transporting livestock being pulled by a jeep or tractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39300/15]
View answerWritten answers
From 1st January 2016, revised regulatory standards come into force for new and existing agricultural vehicles in a number of key safety areas including: braking; lighting and visibility; weights, dimensions and coupling; as well as plating and speed rating. These standards are being introduced following a comprehensive review, including a public consultation undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which examined the current legislation, policy and practice relating to the use of agricultural vehicles on public roads.
The majority of correctly maintained tractors already in use comply with the revised standards. However, due to varying construction standards, some may need remedial work carried out if they are intended to be used at laden weights exceeding 19 tonnes or travelling at speeds exceeding 40km/h.
I understand the RSA has made a number of resource materials available detailing the new regulatory requirements on their website www.rsa.ie, including an information booklet entitled "Revised Standards for Agricultural Vehicles" and accompanying videos which contains practical advice on achieving compliance with the revised standards.
Greenways Funding
Questions (591)
Jim Daly
Question:591. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the extension of an existing walkway (details supplied) in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/15]
View answerWritten answers
While the proposed walkway-cycleway has merit it is a matter for Cork County Council (CCC), in the first instance, to develop a project outline and if funding is required submit an application to my Department under whatever funding programme is in place at that time.
I know that CCC are developing and progressing plans for a number of greenways at present. As the Deputy will appreciate given limited resources, both at local authority and national level, only those projects which have the best chance of securing funding are submitted to my Department.
Planning and land ownership issues have proven to be obstacles in progressing a number of greenway around the country and can be time consuming to resolve. In the event of CCC supporting this proposal and working with you and your constituent to put in place the statutory requirements necessary my Department would in turn be supportive of exploring the extension of the Walks Scheme to encourage landowner participation.
Sports Capital Programme Expenditure
Questions (592)
Michael McGrath
Question:592. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has been asked for details of the financial support pledged at national level for the Páirc Uí Chaoimh redevelopment in Cork; the nature of the details that have been requested; his understanding of the nature of the review at the European Union; the expected timeframe for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39316/15]
View answerWritten answers
Exchequer funding of €30 million in support of the Cork GAA Páirc Uí Chaoimh Redevelopment was agreed by the Government and announced as part of a package of stimulus measures in May 2014.
The European Commission has informed the Department that a notification to the Commission for State Aid clearance is required in respect of grant aid for the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
This notification will take the form of Annexe I to Regulation (EC) No 794/2004 as amended, together with supplementary material specifically requested by the Commission. This supplementary material will cover matters outlined in the General Block Exemption Regulation (Reg 651/2014) including the nature and scope of the project, the amount of aid and its percentage of the overall costs. Other information sought includes the planned operation and use of the stadium, attendance figures, participation figures etc.
I can assure the Deputy that the Department is working very closely with Cork GAA to ensure that this material is compiled and the notification submitted to the Commission, as quickly as possible.
Land Acquisition
Questions (593)
Michael McGrath
Question:593. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided for the construction of a planned new road (details supplied) in County Cork. [39326/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department gave a commitment in 2010 to contribute a maximum of €3.7 million of the estimated land acquisition costs of €7.4 million related to the proposed Carrigaline Western Relief Road or 50% of the cost, whichever is the lesser, and this commitment is being honoured.
To date €2.05 million has been paid to Cork County Council in respect of the Carrigaline Western Relief Road. An allocation of €1.65 million is being given this year which represents the balance of the outstanding commitment.
Due to the constrained budget available to my Department for roads, it has been necessary to curtail the Strategic Roads Grants Scheme for the moment. There is, therefore, no commitment in place to provide grant funding towards the cost of construction for this project.
It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement the resources of Councils. It is, therefore, open to Cork County Council to fund this project from its own resources.
Sports Capital Programme Eligibility
Questions (594)
Willie O'Dea
Question:594. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the sports capital grant application submitted by a school (details supplied) in County Limerick was deemed invalid due to a missing date on a page from the tender submitted; if this is the case, the reason the applicant was not permitted an opportunity to amend same before a decision was made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39327/15]
View answerWritten answers
When the 2015 Programme was advertised, the Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department's minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding. The Guide advised applicants that the Department would not discuss applications, "once submitted, with you or anyone on your behalf by phone, email or face to face until allocations have been announced". Applicants are also advised that applications cannot be edited or added to in any way after they have been submitted.
Applications were deemed invalid primarily for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied,
- Insufficient evidence of planning permission, planning application, or exemption from planning,
- Insufficient quotations/estimates submitted,
- Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format.
All applicants have been informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed to be invalid.