Written Answers Nos. 628-637
628. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Oylegate-Enniscorthy bypass; the stage it is at and the projected timeline for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14589/16]
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 the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant Council (in this case Wexford 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 question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
629. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce rail fares or to incentivise the public to avail of rail transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14612/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Irish Rail 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.
630. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to electrify public transport services; his plans to reduce the carbon intensity of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14613/16]
View answerMeasures being considered to reduce the carbon intensity of transport to form Ireland's transport sectorial GHG emissions mitigation plan will be wide-ranging and will focus on modal shift, switching to alternative fuels and behavioural change. Public transport projects and investment will form part of this multifaceted response to mitigation from the transport sector.
To date, considerable progress has been achieved through measures aimed at promoting improved technologies and changing travel behaviour. With regard to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, a range of energy efficiency measures, including eco-driving, bus and network priority programmes and fleet replacement, have delivered significant fuel savings. Irish Rail has also introduced a range of measures, including train configuration changes and traction control software on the DART network.
The DART electric rail system has been in operation from Greystones to Howth and Portmarnock since 1983,and was extended to Malahide in 2000. A further expansion of the DART is planned as far as Balbriggan on the Northern line, Maynooth on the Sligo Line and Hazelhatch on the Kildare line. We are also committed to the further development of electric fuelled public transport, particularly along the high demand routes in the GDA, e.g. the completion of the Luas Cross City project expanding the electrified LUAS network and planning for new Metro North, construction of which is due to commence in 2021.
631. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that the transport sector achieves its 2020 emissions reductions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14614/16]
View answerIn order for Ireland to effectively and equitably contribute to the EU emissions reduction commitments, an ambitious low-carbon development strategy is being developed. My Department is working closely with the new Department of Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources (DCCCNR), the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Agriculture to prepare this National Mitigation Plan.
The Plan will reflect the overall aims of the National Policy Position on climate action and low carbon development, published in April 2014 which envisages that its development will be guided by a long-term vision of low carbon transition. Specific focus is being placed on the sectorial areas of electricity generation, the built environment, agriculture and transport. The responsibility for emissions reduction is, of course, a collective one and Ireland's 2020 emission reduction targets are national and not sectorial in nature. When all sectorial inputs have been co-ordinated, the draft mitigation plan will be available for extensive public consultation before being submitted for approval to Government.
Transport will of course have to play a significant role on the national mitigation effort. The measures under consideration for transport will be wide-ranging and will focus on modal shift, movement to alternative fuels and targeted behavioural change. To date, considerable progress has been achieved through measures aimed at promoting improved technologies and changing travel behaviour.
To better inform and contextualise the preparation of the transport sectorial elements of the Plan and contribute to key policy considerations within the transport sector, my Department undertook a wide-ranging consultation exercise early in 2014. Work is well underway on developing various measures considered therein and proposed in responses with a view to agreeing a cross sectorial approach that prioritises the steps to be taken.
See the link for details.
http://worksmart.department.irl/ePQ/_layouts/15/FormServer.aspx?XmlLocation=/ePQ/Parliamentary%20Questions/14614%20-%202016-06-08.xml&Source=/_layouts/SignOut.aspx&DefaultItemOpen=1.
632. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a local improvement scheme and a community involvement scheme in 2016, if he intends to have separate budgets for them; and the timeframe for the potential allocation. [14618/16]
View answerThe regional and local road grants were allocated to local authorities in January 2016 (additional severe weather funding was subsequently provided). All available funding has now been allocated.
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) remains in place this year. 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 Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) also remains in place in 2016 on the basis that local authorities may set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement and Restoration Maintenance grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Community Improvement Schemes and 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 CIS and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.
633. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider adding Haroldstown dolmen in County Carlow to the list of sites that can be viewed in Ireland's Ancient East. [14619/16]
View answerAs Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, my responsibility in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of Ireland's Ancient East is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. My Department is not directly involved in its development or promotion.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
634. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason pigeon racing is not recognised as a sport here, given the popularity of pigeon racing and the positive aspects of keeping pigeons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14643/16]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport in Ireland. This includes responsibility for the recognition of sporting bodies as National Governing Bodies of sport. I have no role in the recognition process.
I have referred 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.
635. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will allocate capital funding for both the upgrading of the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin and the eastern bridge in Sligo town to Sligo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14660/16]
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 national 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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the N4 to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
Regarding the Eastern Garavogue Bridge in Sligo which is included in the Capital Plan, I have provided an allocation of €300,000 to Sligo County Council in the current year to enable the Council to continue with land acquisition and planning works.
636. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to Tipperary County Council for the urgent and full rehabilitation of the bridge in Ardfinnan village, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14709/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Tipperary (including Ardfinnan Bridge on the R665) is the statutory responsibility of Tipperary 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 local authority.
In January this year, my predecessor announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations, including an allocation of €15.9 million for Tipperary County Council. Grants for remedial works on bridges are made under my Department's Bridge Rehabilitation Grant scheme. Local authorities submit a list of bridges in order of priority for consideration for funding. Ardfinnan Bridge was placed some way down the list in Tipperary County Council's application. Taking into account the overall amount of funding available a grant allocation of €60,000 was made in respect of Ardfinnan Bridge with a view to facilitating progress on initial remedial works at this bridge.
It is a matter for the local authority to select, prioritise and agree its regional and local road work programme each year. The purpose of Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of all schemes.
637. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will provide funding for the Bonagee link road connecting the business park road to the Dry Arch roundabout to address the serious and ongoing traffic gridlock in Letterkenny, County Donegal. [14714/16]
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 national 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.
