Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1773. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a bus stop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25075/16]
View answerBus Services
Questions (1773)
Written answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that Section 16 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, which commenced with effect from 1st February 2013, transferred responsibility for the location of bus stops from An Garda Síochána to the relevant Local Authority. Therefore, the issue raised by the Deputy is a matter coming under the remit of Kerry County Council.
Road Projects Status
Questions (1774)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1774. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25114/16]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 (including the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom) is a matter for the 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 don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
Cross-Border Projects
Questions (1775)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1775. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date on the Narrow Water Bridge, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25152/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Public Transport Initiatives
Questions (1776)
Róisín Shortall
Question:1776. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 21 July 2016, the status of the delivery of a bus rapid transit, BRT, service along the Swords/Dublin Airport route; if the planned BRT service for this route will only be developed in the context of the delivery of Metro North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25184/16]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The new Metro North Project is scheduled to commence construction in 2021 with a view to delivery in 2026/2027. When the decision was made to proceed with Metro North, the NTA was also asked to keep the interim public transport requirements of the Swords/Airport corridor over the next 10 years under review with a view to ensuring adequate capacity to meet demand and to address constraints arising along the corridor pending delivery of new Metro North.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 has addressed this point and indicates that it may be necessary to provide a higher level of public transport capacity along the corridor linking Swords and the Airport to the city centre in advance of new Metro North being delivered. It has indicated that this could take the form of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service or a BRT type service, or a conventional Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) type upgrade along the route or parts of the route and any final arrangement would be designed to be complementary to the new Metro North project. If it is determined that additional capacity is required on the corridor in advance of the delivery of new Meto North, an assessment of the various service options would be carried out to determine the appropriate approach.
Marine Tourism Promotion
Questions (1777)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the all-Ireland cruise strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25187/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland is the contracting authority in respect of the draft report to which the Deputy refers, entitled "Shared Strategy to Maximise the Economic Growth of Cruise Tourism across the Island of Ireland".
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a response within ten working days.
Rail Network
Questions (1778)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:1778. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a report prepared by a company (details supplied) on the rail system here has been received by his Department for consideration; when it is hoped to make this report available to the public; if he intends to comment on the content of the report and if so, when; if he will be making decisions based on the recommendations in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25189/16]
View answerWritten answers
The report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by Irish Rail. The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Irish Rail have undertaken a process to review the company's financial requirements and submitted a report to my Department in late August. The report referred to by the Deputy was included in the report submitted.
I intend to consider the report submitted by NTA and Irish Rail over the coming weeks and will address the issues raised by the Deputy following that process.
Olympic Council of Ireland
Questions (1779)
Noel Rock
Question:1779. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that the Olympic Council of Ireland has a constitution; and if he will provide a copy of this constitution. [25215/16]
View answerWritten answers
I have no responsibility in relation to constitutions of National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and my office does not hold copies of NGBs' constitutions.
I am aware that the Olympic Council of Ireland is listed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and is listed on the CRO's website. The OCI is a company limited by guarantee and has a constitution. The OCI's constitution and a range of other documents are available via the CRO website.
Disabled Drivers Permits
Questions (1780)
Imelda Munster
Question:1780. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports that exist for drivers and passengers who have a disability and who do not own a car that is tax exempt under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. [25235/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Parking Permit (also known as European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind. The permit is available to people as drivers or passengers. The primary legislation for the purposes of the EU parking permit defines a disabled person as a person with a permanent condition or disability that severely restricts their ability to walk.
The parking permit enables the driver or passenger to avail of an accessible parking bay on public streets and public car parks. Designated accessible parking bays are also identified in many private car parks and supermarkets. The parking permit can be iused by a disabled person in any vehicle in which he or she is traveling. This means that a disabled person who is being driven at different times by different people can bring the parking card with himself or herself and display it in the appropriate vehicle.
The provision for the disabled parking permit scheme is set down in Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 and SI 182/1997 Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997. The Permit is designed in accordance with EU legislation and is recognised in all EU states. The Permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. The scheme is administered for my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (www.ddai.ie) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (www.iwa.ie), and further information is available on their websites.
Tourism Project Funding
Questions (1781)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1781. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the southern trail into north County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25238/16]
View answerWritten answers
All capital funding for the purpose of greenway/cycleway infrastructure is committed to end 2016. On the basis of the commitment in the programme for Government that additional funding will be provided for the development of greenways, my Department is currently working on a new strategy for future investment in Greenways that will set out to identify principles and standards for future projects, an approach to route selection and a programme for development of greenway infrastructure.
I understand that Kerry County Council has actively engaged with my Department in the implementation of the smarter travel agenda and have been awarded funding for the development of cycling in Kerry under both the Active Travel Towns and National Cycle Networks funding calls. Both of these programmes aim to provide the necessary infrastructure and supporting behavioural change measures required to enable communities to safety lead more active lifestyles.
It is of course a matter for Kerry County Council itself to progress plans for the Kerry section of the Great Southern Trail (GST) and for Limerick County Council to do the same for the Limerick side of the GST. This would enable them to be well positioned to apply for funding under any future funding calls.
Questions Nos. 1782 to 1788, inclusive, withdrawn.
Haulage Industry Regulation
Questions (1789)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:1789. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the guidelines in relation to haulage licences; the waiting time from application to issue of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25308/16]
View answerWritten answers
Road Haulage Operator Licences are issued under Section 2 of the Road Traffic and Transport Act 2006 and are valid for up to five years.
In order to be granted a Road Haulage Operator Licence, an applicant must satisfy a number of requirements including: having an establishment in the State; good repute; professional competence; and financial standing. A licence is granted on the basis that the applicant has demonstrated compliance with the licensing requirements.
Processing of a licence application cannot be completed until all the necessary information has been received and examined by the Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of my Department. It is the responsibility of the applicant to satisfactorily address any issues that may arise in the application process. Regulation (EC) No. 1071/2009 allows a period of up to three months for the competent authority, that is, my Department, to complete the examination of a licence application. In duly justified cases, this period may be extended by one additional month. The majority of properly completed licence applications are processed in a considerably shorter time, on average within 10 working days. However, where there are issues in an application that need to be clarified and examined, the full period provided under legislation may be availed of, as required, in advance of arriving at a decision on a licence application.
Question No. 1790 answered with Question No. 1734.
Sports Capital Programme Applications Data
Questions (1791)
Gerry Adams
Question:1791. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of sports capital grant applications received and funding awarded, by county, for each of the years 2011 to 2016, in tabular form. [25321/16]
View answerWritten answers
Details of all of the applications made under the 2012, 2014 and 2015 rounds of the Sports Capital Programme in addition to all of the allocations made in the years from 2011 to 2015 are detailed on a county basis on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
Question No. 1792 answered with Question No. 1734.
Traffic Calming Measures
Questions (1793)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1793. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be prioritised for a road (details supplied) in County Kerry to ease traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25398/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress this scheme through the approval process. My Department has allocated a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council this year to fund planning work related to the project. It is expected that grants for next year will be announced early in 2017.
Bus Éireann Services
Questions (1794)
Pearse Doherty
Question:1794. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to correspondence which he received relating to safety concerns on a bus route (details supplied), the measures being taken to investigate these claims and to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25401/16]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. I have also sent the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (1795)
Pearse Doherty
Question:1795. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the landlords that his Department or bodies under his aegis paid rent to in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25424/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement of office (and other) accommodation required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and accordingly the arrangement of lease terms and rents where appropriate is a matter for that Office.
Road Projects Status
Questions (1796)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1796. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the finishing of the Dingle relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25434/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. It is a matter for Kerry County Council to progress this scheme through the approval process. My Department has allocated a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council this year to fund planning work related to the project. It is expected that grants for next year will be announced early in 2017.
Swimming Pool Programme Funding
Questions (1797)
Paul Murphy
Question:1797. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the allocation of funding to South Dublin County Council to allow for repair works to be carried out on the swimming pool of Tallaght Leisure Centre in order to allow the full 25 metre pool be used; his views on the regular repair works that have been required; if he will review the widespread practice of local authorities outsourcing management and repair of pools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25449/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provided funding of €3.8m towards the original construction cost of the swimming pool in question. A further grant of €136,800 was provided in 2011 under the Energy Upgrade and Enhanced Disabled Access initiative and €6,826 was allocated under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme towards athletic equipment.
My Department has not provided funding for any repair work and does not operate a scheme for such expenditure. The management and maintenance of Local Authority swimming pools are matters for the relevant local authority within the policy framework set out by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
Question No. 1798 answered with Question No. 1734.
Road Projects Status
Questions (1799)
John Brassil
Question:1799. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that €4 million funding is provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to fund for phase 4 of the Dingle relief road in quarter 4 of 2016 or at the latest by quarter 1 of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25589/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Capital Plan 2016-2021 provides that a number of schemes targeting bottlenecks in the road network will be progressed subject to necessary approvals. Among those schemes is the Dingle Relief Road. My Department has allocated a grant of €50,000 to Kerry County Council this year to fund planning work related to the project. It is expected that grants for next year will be announced early in 2017.