Written Answers Nos. 755-769
755. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make funding available in 2016 from dormant sports capital grant accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20654/16]
View answerDormant Accounts Funding of €4.5 million has been provided through my Department's Vote in 2016 for sports measures. Of this allocation, €798,000 is capital funding. Overall responsibility for the Dormant Accounts Fund is under the remit of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2016 includes a number of sports measures and an investment package of almost €1.5 million in Dormant Accounts current funding for sport was announced on 7 July. The allocation of the remaining €3 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for sports measures, including the capital allocation, will be announced over the coming months.
757. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of positions on the boards of bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of vacant positions; when each vacancy occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20692/16]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link
www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
I have not made any appointments to Boards under the remit of my Department since taking up Office but I am currently considering a number of appointments.
758. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his efforts to establish a boxing centre of excellence on Knocknaheeny Avenue, Knocknaheeny, Cork; and if the funding is available for same. [20764/16]
View answerI understand that Cork County Boxing Board is interested in developing a boxing headquarters and centre of excellence in Knocknaheeny, Cork. There is no allocation towards this project. I would suggest that Cork County Boxing Board would submit a proposal regarding the project to the Department, to include details such as ownership of the site, funding, planning permission, costings etc. My officials would then be in a position to advise regarding how best to advance the proposal.
759. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that there is inadequate road signage at the Glen of the Downs turn-off for the woods and walk in County Wicklow, which is a hazard for motorists; the action he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20766/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
760. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cars over ten years old subjected to a national car test in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date. [20820/16]
View answerThe subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
761. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Wild Atlantic Way passports will be made available at post points on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20826/16]
View answerMy Department's role in tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not involved in the management of individual tourism projects, such as the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Wild Atlantic Way Passport initiative was developed by Fáilte Ireland and An Post to increase visitor dwell time and encourage greater exploration and immersion in the many experiences available along the west coast route. The passport provides visitors to the west with a recorded souvenir of their journey along some or all of the 188 Discovery Points on the world's longest coastal touring route.
The Wild Atlantic Way Passport can be purchased at 124 selected post offices along the Wild Atlantic Way route as well as at the GPO and the St Andrew's Street post offices in Dublin. A different stamp has been designed for each of the 188 Discovery Points located along the Wild Atlantic Way. The question of increasing the number of sales locations for the passport is a matter for consideration by Fáilte Ireland and An Post.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
762. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of the Indecon report on the regulation of air transport in Dublin; his views on the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/16]
View answerFollowing an open tender competition, Indecon Economic consultants were appointed to undertake the Review of the Regulatory Regime for Airport Charges in Ireland at a cost of €125,470 excluding VAT.
Given that this report is now the subject of a public consultation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on its recommendations at this point. Once this consultation phase is complete by 29 July, I along with my Department, will consider all of the submissions received along with the recommendations of the report with the intention of finalising and publishing a policy on airport charges regulation by the end of the year.
763. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to request the Irish Amateur Boxing Association to clarify the rules applying to whether a chief official can act as a judge at boxing competitions; the protocol in place for complaints of a breach of the rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21017/16]
View answerAll National Governing Bodies of Sport, including the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures and competition rules for their sports. I have no role in relation to these matters and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene.
The Deputy may wish to contact the IABA directly for clarification on its competition rules and protocols. The IABA can be contacted at 01 4533371 or by email to info@iaba.ie.
764. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 633 of 5 July 2016, the funding Meath County Council has applied for in respect of the proposed spine road R150 Laytown to Bettystown, County Meath, for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21056/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Meath is the statutory responsibility of Meath 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 Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Prior to the completion of the Part V111 planning approval process for the Bettystown to Laytown Spine road, my Department made provision for a 2016 allocation of €50,000 for the project in the January grant allocations. Meath County Council subsequently submitted a revised total project application for €4.38 million and my Department is liaising with the Council in relation to the project, including the cost estimate and the timescale for implementation. All available grant funding for 2016 has now been allocated.
765. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in his new role as Minister he intends to revisit the decision to remove the derogation of 42-tonne weight for five-axle vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21082/16]
View answerThe derogation permitting a maximum weight laden limit of 42 tonnes for 5 axle (2 axle tractor unit towing a 3 axle semi-trailer) articulated vehicles expired on 30 June last.
Under the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), the upper weight limit for these vehicles was set at 40 tonnes with a derogation, which was incorporated in those Regulations, to permit such vehicles to continue to operate up to 42 tonnes until the end of 2008. Since 2008 the derogation was extended seven times affording the industry an extensive period of time to adapt to its eventual ending.
The original motive behind granting this derogation was to allow the haulage industry time, from 2003 onwards, to renew their then existing fleet of 2 axle tractor units with more road friendly 3 axle ones. This was aimed at securing a significant decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the time given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed. I have no proposals to revisit this decision.
766. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a driving test centre in the Dublin 15 area given the population, demand and the young demographic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21083/16]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
767. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the rural bus service will be extended to Crecora, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21087/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department.
I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
768. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the Castletownmoor wind farm in County Meath that is in the pre-planning stage; if flight paths for training purposes or otherwise will be affected by the project, which contains 25 turbines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/16]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible for air navigation and air traffic management in Ireland, as provided for under the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993. I have referred the Deputy's question to the IAA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
769. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland will fund a project (details supplied). [21131/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
