Written Answers Nos. 700-713
700. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will implement a public service obligation bus route from the west of Galway city to the major employment sites on the east of the city such as at Parkmore and Ballybrit, given the positive impact such a service will have on traffic flows and the success of shuttle bus services for other sectors such as health care which are already operating. [45833/15]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
701. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 23 September 2015, if he has concluded his consideration of the report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector; and the next steps in achieving the overall objective of the report. [45834/15]
View answerAs explained in my previous response on 23rd September 2015 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the licensing of the Bus and Coach sector under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Having received the finalised report on Transitioning to a Wheelchair Accessible Licensed Bus Sector from the NTA, my Department has been considering the recommendations of the report but I understand from the NTA that it is continuing discussions with operators in the sector on technical and funding aspects of the issue.
702. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be a sports capital programme in 2016. [45851/15]
View answerWith over €133m allocated to over 2,600 projects since 2011, the focus of the Sports Capital Programme is now on the drawdown of existing grants. No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.
703. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport details of the blueways including how they were established and how they are performing; the advice he has for those wishing to establish new blueways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45864/15]
View answer711. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the Castlemaine Harbour area from Inch via Keel, Castlemaine, Killorglin, Cromane, Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh in County Kerry as suitable for the development of a blueway; the advice he would have to develop this concept further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45917/15]
View answer712. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the Brandon Bay area from Brandon via Cloghane, Stradbally, Castlegregory and the Maharees in County Kerry as suitable for the development of a blueway; the advice he would have to develop this concept further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45918/15]
View answer713. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the Tralee Bay area of County Kerry as suitable for the development of a blueway; the advice he would have to develop this concept further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45919/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 703 and 711 to 713, inclusive, together.
A Blueway is a network of "free water trails" at individual sites selected to make it possible to experience a variety of water based activities in a safe and controlled environment, have open access and selected in accordance with criteria determined by the National Governing Bodies and other quality standards. It is not possible for me to comment on the suitability of individual locations but my Department is fully supportive of the development of blueways and recognise the benefits of these initiatives to local economies. However, it is a matter for interested parties to develop any proposal with the relevant local authority and National Governing Bodies, in the first instance, and then to work with Sport Ireland and or Failte Ireland as appropriate to develop any such proposal.
The Royal and Shannon Blueways - on the Shannon River and Royal Canal - were developed by a number of partners with the lead agency, Waterways Ireland. In May 2014 a coastal blueway was launched in South Galway and North Mayo following development of the concept by a committee drawn from interested parties including Galway and Mayo County Councils and National Governing Bodies for Watersports.
The National Trails Office, which is operated by Sport Ireland, has responsibility for the development of a standard for Blueways and for verification of compliance with the standard through a trail registration and inspection process. The National Trials Office is available to provide advice where the development of a Blueway is proposed.
704. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to previous parliamentary questions, when he will make a decision on whether there will be a sports capital programme in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45872/15]
View answerWith over €133m allocated to over 2,600 projects since 2011, the focus of the Sports Capital Programme is now on the drawdown of existing grants. No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.
705. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the necessary emergency funding to restore vehicular access to a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45881/15]
View answerAs outlined in my reply to Question Nos. 625 and 639, references 45140/15 and 44863/15, of 15 December, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry is the statutory responsibility of Kerry County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
I understand that Kerry County Council has examined a number of options concerning road access at Rossbeigh and that officials from my Department have met with an official from Kerry County Council in relation to possible options. Funding for regional and local roads continues to be constrained and the proposal from the Council will be considered in the context of the overall 2016 budget available to my Department. I expect to announce the 2016 allocations for regional and local roads early in the new year.
706. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of investment in the N71 Kenmare to Glengarriff road in County Kerry, including improvements under this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45890/15]
View answer707. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of investment in the N70 Tralee to Ring of Kerry road, including details of improvements under this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45891/15]
View answer708. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of investment in the N72, including improvements under this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45892/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 706 to 708, inclusive, together.
As 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 national road projects, including the N70, N71 and N72 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Kerry 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
709. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of investment in the N86 Tralee to Daingean Uí Chúis road, including improvements under this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45893/15]
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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
710. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of investment in improved safety on the main Castleisland to Killarney road in County Kerry, including improvements under this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45894/15]
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 N22 and N23) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
