Written Answers Nos. 585-599
585. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of providing an additional 30 DART carriages and 30 additional intercity rail carriages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4272/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and for overall funding in relation to public transport. Matters relating to the procurement of rail carriages are operational issues for Iarnród Eireann.
I have referred the Deputy's Question to Iarnród Eieann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
586. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations and legislation in place to govern the use of rickshaws on public roads in County Dublin and in other urban centres; and the action he has taken to ensure that rickshaws are licensed, taxed and adhere to proper road safety standards. [4325/16]
View answerRickshaws are covered by road traffic law. Pedal-powered rickshaws come within the definition of 'pedal cycles' and powered rickshaws are classified as 'mechanically propelled vehicles'. They, like all other road traffic, are obliged to obey road traffic law. The measures which I introduced in summer of 2015 to allow An Garda Síochána to issue fixed charge notices to cyclists also apply to pedal powered rickshaws and will provide an important tool for An Garda Síochána in enforcing the law.
At present there is no legislation in place to regulate the carriage of passengers by rickshaws. Rickshaws by their nature operate at a local level. Local authorities regulate many activities at local level through by-laws made under local government regulation. I understand that, in response to concerns (primarily of a health and safety nature), and following a consultation process with relevant stakeholders, Dublin City Council (DCC), has prepared draft by-laws under the Local Government Act 2001 to regulate the operation of rickshaws.
As I set out in my reply to Parliamentary Questions No. 481 and 483 of 19 January 2016, it is my understanding that DCC, subject to receipt of certain legal clarifications, intends to bring the draft by-laws, which would provide for a licensing regime for rickshaws, before the Strategic Policy Committee of the Council for its consideration.
587. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation of funding for regional and local roads in counties Cavan and Monaghan in each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4366/16]
View answerDetails of the regional and local road grant payments and allocations to local authorities, including Cavan and Monaghan, are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2016 regional and local road grant allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library.
588. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to address an issue raised by a person (details supplied) in County Cork about to the issuing of a driving licence here to persons who hold a full driving licence in another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4382/16]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. On this basis we have mutual recognition of driving licences with all other EU Member States. In the case of non-EU States, we can reach bilateral arrangements on exchange of licences. This is not a straightforward matter. It involves the licensing authorities in both jurisdictions comparing the two licensing regimes, so that both can be satisfied that the two are compatible. From the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority.
I am aware that some people have found themselves in the situation to which the Deputy refers. However, it has not been possible to reach agreement on mutual recognition of driving licences with the United States, given that US driver licensing operates at State rather than Federal level. This means that there are 50 different licensing regimes involved.
It is important to remember that the reason for having a driver licensing regime is public safety - we need to have a verifiable standard for people to meet in order to drive on our roads. In the case of other EU Member States, we know that licence-holders have been tested to the same standards which apply here.
The facility exists for people to drive as visitors for up to a year on their national licences. This is based on international conventions which date back to 1926.
589. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide supports for a company which was contracted by Córas Iompair Éireann to construct a garage to house and maintain a fleet which will allow the company to better serve the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4400/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and for overall funding in relation to public transport.
My Department does not operate any financial support schemes for the development of commercial facilities of this nature. Moreover, I have no role in contractual arrangements between the CIE Group and third party contractors.
590. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation of grants under the sports capital programme in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4418/16]
View answerDetails of Sports Capital Grants can be found on my Departments website at the following link www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-awards-new. There have been no SCP allocations to date in 2016.
591. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to urgently consider the request by the Ballybay and Clones municipal district of the urgent need to upgrade the R190 Ballybay to Cootehill Road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4421/16]
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.
As the Deputy is aware, I have agreed with Minister Howlin that funding of €106 million will be provided to assist in the repair of transport infrastructure damaged in the recent storms and floods and to take preventative measures, where appropriate. Local authorities have been asked to submit details of the work required in two tranches – the first within a week to facilitate early assessment and release of funding and the second when full details of additional works are available, for example, when bridges have been fully assessed.
592. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to explain how he arrived at the figure of €106 million for repairing flood damaged roads to be allocated to local authorities; the claims submitted for road repair funding, by local authority; the amount of funding he will allocate to each local authority; and the funding required for the repair of flood damaged national roads. [4473/16]
View answerIn the aftermath of the recent severe weather, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government took the lead in responding to the immediate needs of Local Authorities arising from the storms and flooding. That Department also sought submissions from Local Authorities setting out both the estimated short-term costs and the costs related to damage to infrastructure, including transport. The €106 million provision which I announced on 28 January to address the damage to transport infrastructure arising from the recent severe storms and flooding takes account of the preliminary returns from Local Authorities and other transport agencies.
My Department has now contacted local authorities and asked them to submit details of the work required in two tranches - the first within a week to facilitate early assessment and release of funding and the second when full details of additional works are available, for example, when bridges have been fully assessed. Local authorities have been advised that, in the first instance, priority will be given to works involving the repair of roads and bridges and drainage.
593. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the funding he has allocated as grants for regional and local roads to each local authority will be adequate to keep roads in a steady-state condition of maintenance; how much more fixed capital investment is required to keep roads in this steady-state condition, by local authority or in lieu of this nationally. [4474/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ 45749/15 of 17 December 2015 where I outlined the amount of steady state fixed-capital investment required to maintain the road network.
On 26 January, I announced details of the investment programme for 2016 for regional and local roads. As the Deputy is aware, the financial crisis resulted in major cutbacks in funding for regional and local roads and it is going to take some time to build up expenditure again. The 7 year transport Capital Plan does provide for the gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from the current relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works over the period of the plan.
As the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own-resources spending of local authorities, I am emphasising to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating own resources, including revenue from Local Property Tax receipts.
In addition to the State grant allocations already made to local authorities, funding of €106 million is being earmarked to assist in the repair of transport infrastructure damaged in the recent storms and floods and to take preventative measures, where appropriate. My Department will be liaising closely with local authorities on the work needed to deal with the damage.
594. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital funding Dublin Bus will require for the purchase of new buses, for fleet replacement and for increasing the number of buses in the fleet in the years 2017 to 2020; and the amount of the routine capital investment which is built into the fiscal space estimates for 2017 to 2020. [4475/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) including the renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) services operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. The NTA is also responsible for the development of QBCs and other bus priority measures in the GDA and in the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Under the Government's new Capital Plan 'Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021', the public transport programme included in the 7 year transport element of the Plan will reach €3.6bn. This will allow for overall investment of €2.6bn to be prioritised for essential 'steady state' maintenance and asset renewal of the public transport system including bus fleet replacement and capacity enhancement as well as the upgrading of bus corridors.
Multi-annual programmes are agreed and confirmed annually having regard to the annual estimates exercise.
595. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocated to the Irish Sports Council, to each of the constituent national governing bodies of sport and to the Women in Sport initiative in each of the years 2010 to 2016. [4476/16]
View answerCurrent Funding to the Irish Sports Council (including Dormant Accounts current funding in 2015):
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
€49.6m |
€46.8m |
€44.5m |
€43.4m |
€42.5m |
€44.3m |
Sport Ireland replaced the Irish Sports Council and the National Sport Campus Development Authority on 1 Oct 2015. This year, current funding of €50.968m is to be allocated to Sport Ireland, including Dormant Accounts current funding.
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of grant funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and to the Women in Sport Initiative. I have referred this part of the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of appointments to State boards, by name of appointee, date of appointment and appointment through a public application process or otherwise, from 7 March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/16]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
597. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will make the use of canals and waterways more accessible to boat owners and operators; and her views that these waterways are being utilised to the fullest, in terms of recreational and tourism potential. [44993/15]
View answerWaterways Ireland is a North South Implementation Body co-sponsored and co-funded by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. It is responsible for managing, maintaining, developing and promoting over 1000km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes.
Since its establishment in 2000, Waterways Ireland has been active in progressing the development of the recreational infrastructure of the waterways and this has resulted in major improvements that include the construction of new harbours, the provision of an additional 13km of public moorings, extended on-shore services and the creation of new waterway destinations. Registered boat numbers over this time have increased by more than 50% to a total of 14,690 in 2014.
More than €50m has been invested by Waterways Ireland in reopening the Royal Canal and work continues across the Royal, Grand and Barrow Canals to expand their use as invaluable outdoor recreational corridors through the development of Blueways. These are recreational trails on or beside water for walking, cycling, fishing, boating and canoeing. The development of Blueways creates new recreational opportunities for local communities as well as attracting visitors to rural areas where the waterways are an integral part of the community and local businesses. The first Blueway, which was developed on the North Shannon last year, attracted over 100,000 people in 2015.
Waterways Ireland is also engaged in works to restore the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, near Belturbet in Co. Cavan. This project has the potential to act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this border area. It will also provide a wonderful recreational facility for local communities and should act as a significant draw for tourists.
Waterways Ireland engages in a wide range of marketing and promotional activity for the inland waterways. For example, early in 2015, in support of the Irish Chartered Boat Rental Association, assistance with targeted marketing support was undertaken in key overseas markets in partnership with Fáilte Éireann and Tourism Ireland. Waterways Ireland also operates the Lakelands and Inland Waterways marketing programme in partnership with Fáilte Éireann and relevant local authorities.
Waterways Ireland has an ongoing programme to utilise disused built heritage assets for new recreational purposes. The 27th lock house in Tullamore, for example, is being developed by the local canoe club as a base to support its activities. New businesses providing recreational activities on the waterways are also supported by licensing the use of Waterways Ireland property to help them become established.
I can assure the Deputy that Waterways Ireland is intent on continuing to create opportunities to increase the use of these valuable public assets for all kinds of recreational and tourism activities and to this end it will continue to work in partnership with all relevant stakeholders, including local communities, to maximise the economic, social and recreational potential of the waterways.
598. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a decision on an application for a turf cutting cessation compensation grant in respect of bog designated as an natural heritage area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4460/16]
View answerAn application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question.
The qualifying criteria for the scheme are that:
- The claimant must have a legal interest in one of the 36 raised bog natural heritage areas - ownership or turbary right;
- The claimant must have been the owner or entitled to exercise turbary rights on the land in question on 25 May 2010;
- The turbary on the site must not be exhausted;
- The claimant must have been cutting turf on the land in question during the relevant five year period; and
- No turf cutting or associated activity is ongoing on the property.
My Department is examining the application in view of the qualifying criteria for the scheme. As part of my Department’s verification procedures, the applicant has been requested to forward information demonstrating his legal interest in the plot to which his application relates. I am advised that an inspection of this plot of bog is also to be undertaken.
Once this information is supplied, my Department will be in a position to process his application further.
599. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of appointments to State boards, by name of appointee, date of appointment and appointment through a public application process or otherwise, from 7 March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4611/16]
View answerDetails regarding appointments to State boards in bodies funded from my Department's Vote since the establishment of my Department on 2 June 2011 are provided in the Tables below.
In 2014, the Government approved new guidelines regarding the process to be used in making all appointments to State boards. Arrangements are currently in train under these procedures to fill vacancies on the boards of the National Concert Hall, the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Film Board, the Heritage Council, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Crawford Arts Gallery. Vacancies on the Arts Council and the National Archives Advisory Council will also arise during 2016.
It should be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North South Implementation Body, An Foras Teanga, are made by the North South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis.
The number of vacancies, as at 2 February 2016, on boards in bodies funded from my Department's Vote is set out below:
|
Boards |
Vacancies |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
4 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
14-16 |
|
Heritage Council |
14-16 |
|
Irish Film Board |
1 |
|
National Concert Hall |
9 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
8 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
5 |
Appointments to State boards from 2 June 2011 to 2 February 2016
2016
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Tim Scanlon Mary McCarthy Declan Moylan Denis Hickie |
All 31/01/2016 |
Yes |
|
Crawford Arts Gallery |
Mary Hegarty Susan McCarthy |
06/01/2016 06/01/2016 |
No - nominee Cork ETB. No - nominee Cork County Council. |
2015
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Carolyn Mullholland Stephen Kenna Vivienne Roche |
All 12/02/2015 |
No - nominees of the Royal Hibernian Academy |
|
National Library of Ireland |
Paul Shovlin Ciara Breathnach Bob Collins Maeve Conrick James Dorgan Jack Keyes Conor Kostick Susan Schreibman Jennifer Taaffe |
All 30/09/2015 |
Yes |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Kathleen James - Chakraborty Sandra Collins |
25/02/2015 31/07/2015 |
No - Trustee No - ex officio appointee |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Dermod Dwyer Mary Apied Penelope Kenny David Harvey |
All 23/10/2015 |
Yes |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
John Bowen |
06/12/2015 |
No. Re-appointed for 6 month period. |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Aindrias Ó Muineacháin Siobhán Seoighe |
10/02/2015 22/06/2015 |
County Councils nomination Yes |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Joe McDonagh Pól Callaghan Seán Micheál Ó Domhnaill Deirdre Kirwan Marcas MacRuairí Gráinne McElwain Blathnaid Ní Chofaigh Seán Ó hArgáin Éamonn Ó Gribín Seán Ó Coisdealbha Therese Ruane Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire |
All 13/12/2015 |
Appointments made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott Freddie Kettyle Allen Mc Adam Wiliam Leathem Val O’Kelly Hilary Singleton Ida Fisher Lee Reynolds |
All 13/12/2015 |
Appointments made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction |
2014
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
1. John O'Brien 2. Suzanne McDougald 3. Mary Keane 4. Margaret Glynn 5. Mary Daly 6. Mick O'Dea |
26/06/2014 26/06/2014 02/07/2014 02/07/2014 03/2014 14/10/2014 |
1 - No 2, 3 & 4 - Yes 5 & 6 - No (ex-officio appointees) |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Catherine Fahy |
March 2014 |
No - ex-offico appointee |
|
Arts Council |
1. Sheila Pratschke 2. Joan Sheehy 3. Miriam Dunne 4. Monica Spencer 5. Éimear O Connor (re-appointed) 6. Brian Maguire |
All Appointed 28/01/2014 |
1-4 Yes 5 & 6 No |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Jane Dillon Byrne Sheila M O'Regan John McNulty |
30/05/2014 12/09/2014 12/09/2014 |
No |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
Anne Doherty |
19/09/2014 |
No - ex-officio appointee |
|
National Concert Hall |
1. Gerry Kearney 2. Maura McGrath 3. Barney Whelan 4. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin 5. Rebecca Gageby |
1 to 4 - 15/04/2014 5. 16/04/2014 |
No |
2013
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Bernie Brennan |
Dec-13 |
No - Ex-Officio Appointee |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
1. Eamonn Ceannt 2. Brian McGing |
24/11/2013 11/2013 |
1 Yes 2 No - Taoiseach's nominee |
|
Arts Council |
John McAuliffe |
31/10/2013 |
Yes |
|
Heritage Council |
Conor Newman |
18/07/2013 |
Yes |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Ms Emma Goltz |
21/11/2013 |
Yes |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
Joanne Rothwell Deirdre McMahon Máire Mac Conghail Raymond Refaussé |
All 01/05/2013 |
No |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
1. Declan Moylan 2. John Bowen 3. Úna Feely 4. Sheila Maguire 5. Tim Brosnan 6. Jim Corr 7. Declan Moylan 8. Noel O'Keeffe |
1. 01/09/2013 2 to 8 05/12/2013 |
1. Yes 2 to 8. No-Reappointment |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Daithí Alcorn |
16/08/2013 |
County Council nomination |
2012
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Declan Downey |
09/04/2012 |
Yes |
|
Heritage Council |
1. Fidelma Mullane 2. Catherine Heaney 3.Ciara Breathnach 4. Kieran O'Conor 5. Michael Parsons 6. Ted Creedon |
All 25/01/2012 |
1-4 No 5 & 6 Yes |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
Paul Rouse Mary McAuliffe |
Both 03/2/2012 |
No |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
1. Anna Ní Ghallachair 2. Dairíona Nic Con Iomaire 3. Pádraig Ó hAinifín 4. Fiachra Ó Céilleachair 5. Eunan Mac Cuinneagáin 6. Seán Ó Cuireán 7. Micheál Ó Scanaill 8. Cathal Seoighe 9. Séamus Cosaí Mac Gearailt 10. Seosamh ó Laoi 11. Ian Mac Aindriú |
All 20/11/2012 |
1-3 No 4-7 Yes 8-11 County Council nominations |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Éamonn Ó Gribín |
20/04/2012 |
Appointment made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction |
2011
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
Fred Krehbiel |
08/06/2011 |
No |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
Patricia Donlon |
21/11/2011 |
Yes |
|
Arts Council |
Éimear O Connor Cíarán Walsh Mark O Regan John Fanning |
13/09/2011 13/09/2011 13/09/2011 07/10/2011 |
Yes Yes Yes No |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
1. John Bowen 2. Úna Feely 3. Sheila Maguire 4. Tim Brosnan 5. Jim Corr 6. Declan Moylan 7. Noel O'Keeffe |
All 06/12/2011 |
No (reappointments) |
|
National Concert Hall |
1. Kieran Tobin 2. Dearbhla Collins 3. John McGrane 4. Laurie Cearr 5. Gina Menzies 6. Bruce Arnold 7. Margaret Ryan 8. Ray Bates 9. Pat Heneghan 10. Rachel Holstead 11. Patricia Slavin 12. Deborah Kelleher 13. Alma Hynes 14. Artemis Kent 15. Peter McEvoy |
1. 30/08/2011 2-15 11/07/2011 |
1-12 - Yes 13-15 - No |
2011 contd.
|
Board |
Name of appointee |
Date of appointment |
Through publicly advertised process yes/no |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Liam Ó Maolmhichíl Eoghan Mac Cormaic Pól Callaghan Colm Cavanagh Áine Ní Chiaráin Bríd Ní Chonghóile Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Seosamh Mac Donnchadha Tomás Mac Eochagáin Marcus Mac Ruairí Seán Mícheál Ó Dómhnaill Dónal Ó hAiniféin Therese Ruane Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin |
All 13/12/2011 |
Appointments made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction |
|
Ulster-Scots Agency |
Tom Scott Tony Crooks Ida Fisher William Leathem Val O’Kelly Hilary Singleton Sharon Treacy-Dunne Trevor Wilson |
All 13/12/2011 |
Appointments made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction |
