Written Answers Nos. 212-218
212. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to engage in exploratory discussions with the Road Safety Authority, the Minister for Finance and Insurance Ireland regarding the possibility of car insurers working with the Road Safety Authority to encourage the use of dashcams, on driver safety grounds, by offering discounts on insurance premia to drivers who install dashcams in their cars. [13918/16]
View answerIn-vehicle cameras or dashcams may have a usefulness regarding providing evidence in the event of an insurance claim, and insurance companies in some countries may provide discounts if such cameras have been installed in a vehicle. However, I have no role in determining discounts in the motor insurance industry and the matter of applying discounts for the use of dashcams in vehicles is a matter for individual insurers and for the insurance industry.
Regarding the Road Safety Authority's role in encouraging the use of dashcams, I have referred this Parliamentary Question to them. If you have not received a response within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
213. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will make a decision on a submission for additional storm damage funding by Galway County Council, given the urgent need for it so that essential repairs can be carried out on roads damaged in floods in Galway West in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13932/16]
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.
In February, Galway County Council was allocated €6m in the 1st tranche of the Severe Weather funding, which was enabled by the additional funding secured by my predecessor. On Friday last the 27th May, in the 2nd tranche of the Severe Weather funding, a further €400,000 was allocated to Galway County Council.
214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to reinstate the local improvement scheme, including if he proposes to allocate specific funding to local authorities in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13933/16]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place. This Scheme provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation in 2016, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant) for LIS should they wish to do so. In addition Councils can also provide monies from their own resources towards LIS.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, on an annual basis. A major objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements, and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide additional funding for necessary upgrading and repair on the road network, given the deteriorating condition of many non-national roads, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13934/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority.
In addition to the 2016 regional and local road allocations announced in January this year, my predecessor announced a further €85m in additional funding for regional and local roads in February this year as part of the Tranche 1 funding to local authorities to remedy damage caused by severe weather. On 27 May I approved a further allocation under Tranche 2 of the severe weather funding to local authorities as notified through Circular RW 9/2016. All available funding for 2016 has now been allocated.
When allocating grant funding my Department has emphasised that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential and that full consideration needs to be given to utilising the Local Property Tax to boost own resources expenditure on regional and local road maintenance and renewal.
216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13958/16]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. It is part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Irish Tug of War Association has been funded under previous rounds of the Programme. However, the Programme cannot assist with the running costs of sports clubs and organisations, including the cost of attending competitions.
Any sports club or organisation interested in applying under any future rounds of the programme should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this online portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and supporting high performance. It also has responsibility for the allocation of current expenditure funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). I will bring the Deputy's raising of this matter, and the funding challenges that the club faces, to the attention of Sport Ireland.
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulatory changes or otherwise he is proposing and the implications of these for hauliers in respect of 39-tonne five-axle rigid heavy goods vehicles; the dates involved; if the implications are retrospective or if vehicles registered before a deadline will be exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13988/16]
View answerI am currently examining this issue in light of a number of factors, for example, the overarching need to secure a significant decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage and related costs to the public finances and I hope to reach a conclusion in the coming weeks.
218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation why she did not appoint a Minister of State with specific responsibility for science and research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13985/16]
View answerThe Government recently appointed two Ministers of State to my Department. John Halligan T.D. serves in my Department as Minister of State with special responsibility for Training and Skills. Pat Breen T.D. serves as Minister of State with special responsibility for Enterprise and Small Business.
Research and development, science and innovation are important priority areas for my Department, and it is my intention to assign these specific areas of policy to Minister of State Halligan. The functions in relation to the research and development, science and innovation aspect of Minister of State Halligan’s portfolio will be similar to those of his predecessor.
