Written Answers Nos. 569-590
569. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Mallow driver test centre will remain open on a permanent basis, given that the most recent census states that County Cork has the second-highest population in the country, after County Dublin, but has only three driving test centres. [15544/16]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in the location of test centres. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
570. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has carried out a feasibility study into developing a heritage greenway along the River Boyne linking the heritage sites of Trim Castle, Bective Abbey, Tara, Donaghmore Round Tower, Slane Castle, Slane Hill, Newgrange, the Battle of the Boyne site and Drogheda. [13266/16]
View answerMeath County Council undertook a feasibility study in 2009 with funding provided from my Department's Smarter Travel programme to identify a preferred route for a cycleway linking the towns of Trim, Navan and Drogheda.
Consideration of the overall route for the cycleway took account of the needs of a range of users likely to avail of the facility. A number of route types were explored as part of the feasibility study including the construction of riverside paths, use of the existing towpath, use of local roads alongside the river and adjacent to railways. In identifying the route options, a number of previous planning policy studies and specific Boyne Navigation Studies were examined. Consultation was also held with a number of key stakeholders including various government bodies, departments within Meath County Council, An Taisce and local interest groups.
Based on the assessment of the route options, a preferred route alignment was identified along the banks of the River Boyne and Boyne Navigation Canal for the full extent of the route. In overall terms, the preferred cycleway route also sought to support the regeneration of the Boyne Navigation Canal. Shorter loop sections and some on-road sections were also identified to help maximise use of the routes and assist in the overall delivery of the project.
Phase 1 of the project between the Drogheda Ramparts and the entrance to the Oldbridge Estate was completed in 2014 with funding from my Department, Meath County Council and from the National Transport Authority. The National Transport Authority (NTA) are currently funding work to develop the design for Phase II of the cycleway between the Oldbridge Estate and the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre.
571. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of chief executive officers in semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department who are employed on Hay contracts and non-Hay contracts. [15680/16]
View answerHay contracts are generally understood as fixed term contracts with defined terms and conditions and are normally offered to CEOs of commercial State bodies. The Department has responsibility for sixteen commercial State bodies. Of these companies, the CEOs of eleven were appointed under Hay contracts while two were appointed under non-Hay contracts.
In the case of the remaining three commercial State bodies, CIE does not have a CEO position, Wicklow Port company does not currently have a CEO and Shannon Group plc will be appointing a CEO later this month.
The two non-Hay contracts arise in the cases of the CEO of New Ross Port Company who has combined duties of CEO and Harbour Master and the CEO of Drogheda Port Company who was appointed in 2001 on a non-Hay contract. A number of the CEOs in the commercial State companies that were appointed in accordance with Hay terms now have contracts of indefinite duration or annual roll-over contracts.
Contracts for CEOs or Heads of non-commercial State Bodies under the Department's remit are approved by the Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and are in line with Government policy on remuneration.
572. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the 13 cent State subsidy for each €1 in fares collected by Bus Éireann compares unfavourably with other EU 15 countries (details supplied); and the measures he proposes to improve the situation. [15691/16]
View answerSubsidy levels for public transport services vary across EU Member States. The calculation of subsidy levels and what constitutes subsidies varies considerably and can lead to confusion comparing statistics which are in actual fact made up of different elements.
In the case of Bus Éireann, the company operates three distinct businesses - PSO services; commercial Expressway services; and School Transport services; however, the PSO subsidy is only provided in respect of the PSO services and business and therefore the level of subsidy is a factor of subsidy provided against revenue collected on PSO services only.
On that basis the figure for Bus Éireann in 2014 is a €0.47 subsidy provided for every €1 in revenue collected, while the provisional figures for 2015 suggest a €0.43 subsidy. This indicates a subsidy level which is substantially higher than the Deputy is suggesting.
This highlights the difficulty in accurately comparing subsidy levels across the EU and while I acknowledge that there are EU Member States that do provide higher subsidy levels than our current provision, it is the case that any crude comparison must be subject to close scrutiny to avoid any distortion of fact.
573. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to open a significant proportion of Dublin Bus routes to tender and if he accepts that private companies will try to compete for these routes on the basis of poorer pay and conditions for their staff. [15692/16]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that the taxpayer provides our public transport system with funding of almost a quarter of a billion euro each year; this year the exact figure is €236.6m. Of course that figure solely relates to the provision of public transport services and does not include the considerable capital funding provided in terms of public transport infrastructure. I am obliged, and I believe that everyone in this House is similarly obliged, to ensure that the taxpayer is getting the best possible value for this significant expenditure of taxpayers' money.
What the Deputy refers to as "a significant portion of Dublin Bus routes" is actually just 10% of Dublin Bus' current PSO routes. The NTA has the statutory power to assess the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered PSO bus services and in line with those statutory powers it has initiated this process to determine the operators of these particular services. Experience gained across the European Union suggests that savings to the taxpayer can arise through using competitive tendering as the award mechanism.
In terms of pay and conditions, the NTA requires any transport operator who operates public transport services to act within the law, including relevant employment legislation. Consistent with this approach, the forthcoming tendering process conducted by the NTA will require any transport operator who is awarded a contract to comply with relevant employment legislation.
The NTA has completed the pre-qualification phase of the competition and expects to issue formal invitations to tender to qualified parties very shortly.
The process underway will allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money and quality and I look forward to the NTA's announcement as regards this competition, and the other two bus related competitions, later this year.
574. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the opposition of Dublin City Council's elected members to the concept of an eastern bypass in the city, as manifested at their recent meetings on the Dublin city development plan. [15693/16]
View answerUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the preparation of a Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, or GDA, is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2016-2035 which was published by the NTA in April this year sets out a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area over the next two decades and encompasses public transport, walking and cycling, as well as road projects.
The statutory objective of the Strategy is to provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA. This integrated approach toward development within the GDA seeks to rectify the mistakes of the past and fits within the overarching objective Government has in respect of the proposed National Planning Framework as outlined in our Programme for a Partnership Government.
As regards the Eastern Bypass Corridor, the Strategy, which was approved by my predecessor, indicates that the section of the proposed Eastern Bypass route from the Dublin Port Tunnel to the South Port area is included for delivery in the Strategy, and while the remainder of the route is not proposed for development during the Strategy period, the NTA has recommended the retention of a route corridor for the scheme to facilitate the possible future use of the corridor for transport provision. I understand that in proposing the continued protection of the Eastern Bypass route corridor, the NTA Strategy recognises the potential of the corridor to be used for public transport purposes in the future and does not limit the future use of this corridor to a road scheme.
575. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of vacancies on the board of the Port of Cork Company, including the process for filling vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15719/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently no vacancies on the Board of Port of Cork Company. The current members of the Board and the expiry date for their term of office is set out in the following table.
|
Name |
Category of Director |
Expiry |
Annual Fee (€) |
|
Port of Cork Company |
|
|
|
|
John Mullins |
Ministerial (Chairman) |
26.02.18 |
21,600 |
|
Noel Cregan |
Ministerial |
03.09.20 |
12,600 |
|
Brian Cantwell |
Ministerial |
05.12.16 |
12,600 |
|
Helen Boyle |
Ministerial |
04.12.17 |
12,600 |
|
Paul Mulvihill |
Ministerial |
05.12.16 |
12,600 |
|
Dominic McEvoy |
Ministerial |
05.12.17 |
12,600 |
|
David Doolan |
Employee (Elected) |
10.10.17 |
12,600 |
|
Brendan Keating |
CEO Ex-Officio |
|
|
576. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 882 of 31 May 2016, if he will introduce yearly set-fee parking discs to tax-abiding tradespersons for their commercial vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15741/16]
View answerFurther to my response to PQ No. 882 of 31 May 2016, parking fees are a matter for each Local Authority in their functional area and as set out in Pay Parking Bye-laws made by each Authority. I do not, therefore, intend to introduce fee parking discs to tradespeople for use with commercial vehicles in pay parking areas.
Loading bays are provided for the loading and unloading of goods vehicles for periods not exceeding 30 minutes. If a driver of a goods vehicle needs to park their vehicle, as opposed to loading or unloading it, they must use designated parking bays and pay the appropriate fee, just like all other road users.
The issuing of Car Club Vehicle Permits to Car Club Operators is a matter for Dublin City Council and is covered by the Dublin City Council Control of On-Street Car Clubs Bye-Laws 2013. These annual permits are in respect of the parking of such vehicles in specifically designated parking spaces. No other vehicle may legally park in such spaces.
577. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reinstate the local improvement scheme for non-county roads as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15744/16]
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.
578. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to publish the criteria his Department used to evaluate which roads building projects to include in its submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform capital review; how each of the major scheme indicative list and minor scheme indicative list projects scored numerically against each of these criteria; what stage one of the Galway bypass includes and excludes, specifically regarding the purchase of land and the construction work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15752/16]
View answerMy Department's submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in connection with the Capital Plan 2016-2021 identified 4 key priorities for capital investment:
- incrementally achieving steady state levels of investment in land transport;
- targeted measures to address bottlenecks and urban congestion;
- addressing key infrastructure gaps in sport, tourism, smarter travel and regional airports;
- commencing necessary planning and design for key transport infrastructure to 2030.
The indicative list of road projects included in the submission reflected these policy priorities rather than a numerical ranking.
The final proposed list of projects is as outlined in the Capital Plan 2016-2021, and as published in September 2015. The transport element of the plan provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks and urban congestion in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. In this context road projects included in the Capital Plan 2016-2021, including the proposed Galway Bypass, are subject to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Public Spending Code and this Department's updated Capital Appraisal Framework which sets out the requirements for expenditure appraisal and Value for Money requirements. An Bord Pleanála consent is also required for major projects.
As the implementation of individual national road projects is the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, I have referred your question regarding the current position in relation to the proposed Galway Bypass project to TII for direct reply.
579. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will introduce to address overcrowding on train carriages on the Dublin to Maynooth line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/16]
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.
580. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the pay claims by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann workers, given that they have not received a pay rise in eight years. [15871/16]
View answerI am aware that both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and the trade unions have been, and are currently engaged, in a number of processes facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court with a view to reaching agreement on different issues including pay. Those processes will I am sure take cognisance of the particular circumstances of each individual case.
Both companies are operating with an accumulated deficit which in 2014 totalled €47m across both companies. It should be noted also that Bus Éireann's Expressway services operate within a highly challenging environment with resultant continued negative impacts on its overall financial position. Any agreement reached will have to take into account what is affordable and sustainable given each company's circumstances. The issue can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the companies and their employees.
Of course the State can assist where needed through the WRC and Labour Court and I am glad that both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann and the trade unions are currently availing of the services of those bodies with a view to reaching agreement.
581. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he will take to support Waterford Airport following the ending by an airline (details supplied) of its Waterford to Luton service; his plans to extend the runway to accommodate larger aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/16]
View answerI understand that Waterford Airport is in detailed discussions with a number of airlines with a view to securing a replacement carrier to provide services on routes that have recently been lost.
Waterford Airport has received substantial Exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme that is administered by my Department. This Programme also supports the other three regional airports in Counties Donegal, Mayo and Kerry in the implementation of necessary safety and security related projects.
Over the past five years, Waterford Airport has received €9.6 million in operational and investment support from my Department and in April of this year, a further €157,500 in grant aid was approved for a number of security related projects, including new X-Ray equipment, at the Airport.
Development projects which are designed to expand capacity are a commercial matter for the airports themselves. In the case of the proposed runway extension at Waterford, I understand that the Airport authorities are pursuing local interests for funding in relation to that project.
582. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how Transport Infrastructure Ireland maintains the grass and embankments on the roads under its control. [15916/16]
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 the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
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.
583. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Phoenix Park tunnel link on the Kildare rail line will open and be operational; the new services to be provided, including a late evening option; when a new timetable will be available; if the service for passengers continuing to travel to Heuston Station rather than onwards through the tunnel will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15917/16]
View answerThe upgrade to the Phoenix Park Tunnel, which is being funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority, will see commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line have the option of direct trains to Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations.
I understand that services on the Kildare commuter line will be a mix of Kildare to Dublin Heuston and Kildare to Grand Canal Dock services, offering new connections to commuters. The works in question are well underway and it is envisaged that the new services will commence in Quarter 4, 2016.
Matters relating to scheduling and frequency of services on the Kildare route are a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in consultation with the National Transport Authority. Noting IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your letter to the company for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
584. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the trilogy of roads projects in the greater Naas area in County Kildare, specifically the Sallins bypass, widening the M7 to three lanes and the new motorway interchange at Osberstown; the status, progress and timeline for these projects for design, construction and delivery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/16]
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 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 regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
As you are aware the transport element of the Capital Plan 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 widening and the Sallins Bypass. Kildare County Council is responsible for the construction of the Osberstown Interchange.
In view of the lead role of TII, in conjunction with Kildare County Council, in relation to these projects I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. If a reply is not received within 10 working days please contact my office.
585. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a second bridge for Celbridge in County Kildare (details supplied); if he or the National Transport Authority plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15920/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including bridges) in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993-2015. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. Traffic management in its area is a matter for the local authority, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.
The assessment of options in relation to a new bridge at Celbridge is, therefore, a matter for consideration by Kildare County Council.
586. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project following the meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15936/16]
View answerUnder the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). The NSMC meeting scheduled for June 2016 was postponed but it is expected that the matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the Council.
587. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to reinstate the local improvement scheme in the interest of persons and businesses in rural areas of counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/16]
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.
588. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to increase funding for roads in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15981/16]
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, which are available in the Oireachtas Library, my predecessor announced 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. This brings the total regional and local road allocation for Cavan to €11,350,211 and for Monaghan to €12,313,432 for 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. 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.
589. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop the tourism sector equally across the country, in particular utilising natural assets, scenery and tours to national monuments and historic sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16003/16]
View answerTourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economy. CSO figures for 2015 show there were over 8.6 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 13.7% on 2014.
This growth in overseas visits has been accompanied by strong growth in overseas tourism revenue with spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding air fares or ferry charges) for 2015 increasing by 18.6% compared to 2014. This growth has continued into 2016 and the number of visits in the three month period of February to April was up 16% compared to the corresponding period in 2015.
In order to grow tourism nationally, the development of the sector is being progressed under the tourism brand experiences that have been developed by Fáilte Ireland, such as the "Wild Atlantic Way", "Ireland's Ancient East", and "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air". These geographically based propositions are brands of scale that have been developed for the purpose of promotion in international markets. They are also tailored to the most promising consumer segments in overseas source markets and designed to promote regional spread of visitors. In this regard, they utilise the natural and built assets of their region, such as scenery and historic sites to grow tourism in that region.
590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Ireland competes effectively with other jurisdictions as a conference location; if conference tourism will grow in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16004/16]
View answerThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of conference and business tourism is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
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.
