Written Answers Nos. 176 - 181
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when works are due to commence on the extension of the commuter rail service, as set out in the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39737/15]
View answerThe new Capital Plan under which there is a seven year funding envelope for transport from 2016-2022 will see a number of enhancements to commuter rail services. Works on the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel will be completed next year. Together with the completion of resignalling works between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock in 2016, the project will allow regular commuter trains operate through the Phoenix Park Tunnel for the first time, and increasing the number of train services which can operate on the line between Connolly and Grand Canal Dock. Services on the Kildare commuter line will be a mix of Kildare to Dublin Heuston and Kildare to Grand Canal Dock services, offering new more direct connections to commuters. These new services will commence in Autumn 2016.
The National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are actively examining a proposal to increase the DART frequency to 10 minutes in the peak commencing early in 2016 to improve the service to customers and that the necessary funding issues involved are being considered at present.
In the longer term, the Capital Plan will also see the commencement of the first phase of a multi-phase DART expansion programme, with the extension of the DART line to Balbriggan and with design and planning to progress for expansion of DART services to Maynooth in the west and Hazelhatch in the south west. The Dart Underground Project, which remains a key element of integrated transport for the GDA over the longer term, will be redesigned to provide a lower cost technical solution, whilst retaining the required rail connectivity.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when necessary upgrade works will commence on the M7 Naas to Newbridge-Osberstown Interchange and Sallins bypass in County Kildare, as announced in the recent capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39738/15]
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 (including the N7) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland. TII, (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kildare County Council. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
As you are aware, the transport element of the Capital Plan 2015-2022 provides that work will commence on several roads projects which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road including the M7 Naas-Newbridge road widening scheme.
In this context, TII will be drawing up an implementation programme in relation to the projects included in the 7 year Capital Plan taking into account annual budget allocations. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once that programme is in place.
178. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State funding for Galway Airport; for Sligo Airport; and the programmes under which funding was provided, for example, capital expenditure, operation expenditure, public service obligation funding, between 2000 and 2012, in tabular form. [39742/15]
View answerExchequer support was provided under the Regional Airports Programme to Galway and Sligo airports through the Operational Expenditure Subvention Scheme (OPEX) and the Capital Expenditure Grants Scheme (CAPEX). Exchequer support was also provided through a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Galway and Dublin and Sligo and Dublin, which was paid directly to the operating airlines.
Expenditure under these three Schemes for the years 2000 to 2012 is set out in the following table:
Amount of funding for Galway and Sligo Airport between 2000 and 2012 (€'000)
|
OPEX (€'000) |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Galway |
0 |
2,309 |
1,799 |
962 |
1,200 |
859 |
678 |
280 |
280 |
230 |
230 |
254 |
159 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
387 |
395 |
313 |
0 |
9 |
231 |
255 |
255 |
280 |
230 |
254 |
126 |
|
Total |
0 |
2,696 |
2,194 |
1,275 |
1,200 |
868 |
909 |
535 |
535 |
510 |
460 |
508 |
285 |
|
CAPEX (€'000) |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Galway |
0 |
222 |
90 |
454 |
1,050 |
674 |
0 |
692 |
1,276 |
945 |
728 |
288 |
259 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
238 |
0 |
85 |
113 |
304 |
124 |
56 |
9 |
239 |
470 |
181 |
0 |
|
Total |
0 |
460 |
90 |
539 |
1,163 |
978 |
124 |
748 |
1,285 |
1,184 |
1,198 |
469 |
259 |
|
PSO* (€'000) |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Galway |
0 |
2,190 |
3,356 |
3,287 |
3,297 |
3,004 |
2,977 |
4,774 |
5,634 |
5,105 |
4,600 |
3,999 |
1,364 |
|
Sligo/ Donegal |
0 |
4,145 |
5,736 |
5,473 |
5,246 |
5,235 |
5,051 |
4,890 |
4,800 |
4,818 |
2,681 |
2,725 |
874 |
*Note: For the years 2003 to 2011 inclusive, the Sligo/Dublin PSO route was operated together with the Donegal/Dublin PSO route under a single contract. The figures in the PSO Table above for each of these years is the total contract cost of operating both of these routes.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of any discussions that have taken place with Maynooth College in County Kildare or the local authority in regard to the future provision of swimming pool facilities, in lieu of those previously available at Maynooth College, or elsewhere, in the area; if he has received submissions from the local authority in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39760/15]
View answerUnder 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.
As the Deputy is aware I met with Kildare County Council and a number of public representatives, including Deputy Durkan, in mid July. It was agreed that Kildare County Council would write to my Department on the matter but no submission has yet been received.
180. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of capital investment projects and grants under way or approved for funding by her Department, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39650/15]
View answerDetails of the annual funding allocation to my Department at subhead level are published in the annual Revised Estimates Volume. Through these subheads, my Department administers and delivers a wide range of programmes and measures, descriptions of which are available on its website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/. Expenditure under these programme areas is recorded and accounted for on a national basis and it is not possible to give a regional or county-by-county breakdown of that expenditure. For example, a number of my Department’s programmes are delivered through agencies and other intermediary bodies that operate across county boundaries and in respect of which there is no detailed breakdown on a county basis held by my Department. Groups and organisations that receive grants directly from my Department are not typically constituted on a single-county basis.
In view of this and because of the wide range of my Department’s schemes and programmes, and the large volumes of payments and grants involved, it is not possible to provide the information sought. However, if the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or grant, I will endeavour to provide him with relevant information in that regard.
181. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department is availing of the JobBridge scheme; if so, the number of personnel recruited, and the type of duties being undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39683/15]
View answerI am advised that my Department has not availed of the JobsBridge scheme to date.
