Written Answers Nos. 1800 - 1826
1800. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to a national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25612/16]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. 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.
1801. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the conversion of Irish driver licences in British Columbia in Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25645/16]
View answerFor some time now the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as the body responsible for driver licensing nationally, has been engaging with the authorities in Canada with a view to reaching agreements on mutual exchange of driving licences.
The process of reaching such agreements is a complex one, and involves detailed comparison of the two regimes by the driver licensing authorities on both sides in order to ensure that they are compatible. In Canada, driver licensing operates at provincial rather than national level.
As a result, the RSA has been engaging with individual provinces. A decision was made to prioritise agreement with Ontario, due to the large number of Irish residents there. To date, agreement has been reached with Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland & Labrador.
The RSA has advised that that they are currently making progress with British Columbia, but it is not possible at this point to specify when an agreement will be in place.
1802. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of recent reports, that football clubs (details supplied) will be ground sharing a redeveloped Dalymount Park under the management of Dublin City Council in the near future, the type of funding his Department envisaged or ring-fenced for the project; his views on the overall project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/16]
View answerThe previous Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport indicated the Government's commitment to support Dublin City Council in the proposed redevelopment of Dalymount Park. I understand that Dublin City Council is currently in discussions with the clubs referred to by the Deputy in order to finalise tenancy arrangements for the facility. While no financial allocation has been made to date, any future application for funding received from Dublin City Council will be fully considered by me. My Department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council in this regard.
1803. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to investigate the possibility of planning an additional slip lane at the roundabout at Lakeview, Midleton to facilitate traffic exiting the R630 Whitegate and travelling onto the N20 eastwards. [25696/16]
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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
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.
1805. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Dodder greenway project will go ahead; the start and completion dates for the different parts of the project; if funding from the National Transport Authority is available or if there have been any delays in this matter; if he will clarify the commitment of his Department to this project; and if he will confirm that funding is available and advise on any delays foreseen. [25747/16]
View answer1827. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a funding shortfall for cycling infrastructure projects in the Dublin area; his views on the NTA proposal to request Dublin City Council to postpone design work on the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city centre cycleway and the delay in the Royal Canal cycleway phase 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/16]
View answer1828. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding which was withdrawn by the NTA from cycling infrastructure and provided for Luas cross city and city centre traffic management works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/16]
View answer1829. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for and expedite the completion of a number of cycling infrastructure projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26059/16]
View answer1831. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA has provided him with a new start date for the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, phase four of the Royal Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city scheme, the Drury Street cycle parking project and the Heuston to Chapelizod greenway, which have all been suspended by the NTA. [26061/16]
View answer1839. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the National Transport Authority regarding the decision to postpone funding support for the design phase of the Dodder greenway and the design of new cycling routes along the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and the Liffey quays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1805, 1827 to 1829, inclusive, and 1831 and 1839 together.
The National Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the GDA for the implementation of sustainable transport projects such as cycling/walking infrastructure, Quality Bus Corridors, safety, integration and traffic management projects throughout the region. Funding of €23.2m has been allocated to this Programme in 2016. Of this total, I understand that NTA has allocated €14.7m to Dublin City Council to progress 37 different projects including the cycling projects mentioned by the Deputies.
The STMG funding programme is completely separate from the LUAS Cross City Project and I can confirm that funding has not been diverted from the STMG programme to the Luas Cross City project which is being constructed within budget and which is on target for the commencement of passenger services at the end of 2017.
However, I am advised by the NTA that with the technical resource requirements available to the Council, not all the desired projects can be progressed simultaneously. The NTA and Dublin City Council have therefore decided to prioritise the works associated with LUAS Cross City plus a slightly reduced number of other sustainable transport schemes and to pause a small number of other projects (including those mentioned by the Deputies) all of which are at the design stage only. Works will resume at the earliest possible date.
1806. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if persons who drive cars registered in the North have to pay higher toll and toll penalty rates than persons who drive cars registered in the South; and if so, the reason for this anomaly. [25750/16]
View answer1807. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by persons who do not have accounts with road tolling companies and who therefore cannot make toll payments by 8 p.m. the day following their journey, as required on the M50; and the remedies that exist in this case to allow motorists to avoid large fines in cases where they are genuinely unable to pay the toll within the required time limit. [25751/16]
View answer1808. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Exchequer receives a portion of the fines charged by private tolling companies. [25752/16]
View answer1809. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the companies that are currently in the Irish tolling market and which collect tolls and fines on roads here. [25753/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1806 to 1809, inclusive, together.
As 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 road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
All information on companies that are currently in the Irish tolling market and which collect tolls and fines on roads here is publicly available at www.etoll.ie in the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matters to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1810. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that taxi drivers have been experiencing with taxi licences when they choose to use their names in Irish where they previously may have used the English version of their names; and if the National Transport Authority recognises both Irish and English versions of names for licensing purposes. [25754/16]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
1811. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and detail of CIÉ bus routes that have been deemed to be wheelchair accessible by Bus Éireann. [25775/16]
View answerMy Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the Greater Dublin Area and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.
I am advised that wheelchair accessible services are operated on four Bus Eireann routes - Navan/Dublin Airport/Dublin City University, Waterford/Cork, Galway/Athlone and Galway to Ballina. The NTA is also progressing the installation of wheelchair accessible bus stops across the Bus Éireann network with the Dublin-Donegal and Dublin-Letterkenny routes (routes 30 and 32 respectively) being progressed this year.
1812. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average amount of time that persons have to wait between applying for a driving test and being allocated a date for the test, by county, in tabular form. [25776/16]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred your 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.
1813. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he is taking to ensure roads in Dublin and elsewhere here are a safe environment for all road users and which encourage greater levels of health and well-being, in view of the recent deaths of cyclists; his plans to meet the Government's target of 10% of journeys by bicycle by 2020; and the way in which he is contributing to and funding measures that will incentivise significantly improved health in the broader populace. [25844/16]
View answer1816. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to improve safety for cyclists on roads; if his attention has been drawn to the dangers posed for cyclists by truck drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25883/16]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 1813 and 1816 together.
An increase in people engaging in cycling as a means of active travel is one of the key aims of the National Physical Activity Plan published in early 2016. Participation in physical activity such as cycling has significant health benefits and helps combat sedentary behaviour amongst all age groups.
In all areas of transport the highest priority for my Department is safety. Both my Department and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are engaged in promoting awareness of the Rules of the Road and safe practice on our roads for all road users. This includes promoting awareness of cyclists and other vulnerable road users among motorists including drivers of heavy commercial vehicles, as well as promoting safe cycling practice among cyclists.
The current Road Safety Strategy, running from 2013 to 2020, contains a number of measures to ensure greater safety in cycling. These include promoting the use of personal protection equipment and high visibility clothing, the provision of which is heavily funded by the RSA, and developing a standardised road safety cycling proficiency training programme for schools.
My Department is funding the development and roll-out of "Cycle Right", a new national cycling training standard through which cyclists will increase their safe journeying on the road network. I expect that Cycle Right will roll out nationally from January 2017.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are prioritised and funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants and my Department also operates a road safety Improvement grant programme to address safety hazards.
In the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) the National Transport Authority (NTA), together with the relevant local authorities, are responsible for the planning and delivery of cycling infrastructure. Funding of approximately €37m has been allocated by the NTA for investment in cycling/walking projects, QBCs, safety integration and traffic management projects in 2016 covering the GDA and also the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
1814. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts his Department and agencies under its remit have made to use Eircode when communicating with households via An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25878/16]
View answerMy Department's primary interest in the project relates to the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) which contains data, including address particulars in respect of the 2.59 million licensed vehicles and 2.74 million driving licence holders in the country. The NVDF system has been fully enabled for vehicle records to process Eircodes with an estimated 40% of the vehicle database populated with an Eircode. The driving licence elements are currently been implemented and are expected to be delivered by the end of Q4 2016.
The NVDF system issues 10 million postal items annually, all of which have been modified to use Eircodes. In addition the NVDF processes in the order of 10,000 addresses updates daily and procedures have been put in place for the public to update their Eircode in the relevant systems such as Online Motor Tax. The NVDF will benefit from the National Post Code (Eircode) System by increasing postal delivery accuracy which is important in ensuring that key postal items such as Motor Tax disks and Penalty Point notices get delivered to the correct address.
In relation to the agencies under my Department's remit, this is a matter for the agencies themselves and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, he should contact my private office.
1815. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposed date for the opening of the Phoenix Park tunnel; and the expected number of passengers who will use this facility. [25882/16]
View answerThe National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and capital funding of €13.7m has been provided by the NTA for the redevelopment of the Phoenix Park Tunnel.
The Deputy will be aware that Iarnrod Eireann has recently published a draft timetable for the new Phoenix Park Tunnel services on its website (www.irishrail.ie) for customer comment and review. The public consultation will continue until Monday 19th September. Consultation periods on proposed timetable changes such as this have become a very welcome feature in recent years and allow interested parties an opportunity to provide feedback to the company prior to timetable finalisation. Comments received will be considered by Iarnród Éireann prior to finalisation of the timetable and the company will then engage with the National Transport Authority in order to determine an appropriate date for commencement of services. I hope that we will see services commence before the end of the year.
The Phoenix Park tunnel line will see new services operate from Newbridge and Hazelhatch to Grand Canal Dock, via the tunnel, Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse Stations. The new services will deliver new direct rail services from one of the country's busiest commuter belts to the IFSC, South City Centre and Grand Canal Dock area and will encourage more commuters to switch to rail.
1818. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the next ports capital grant allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25953/16]
View answerIn March 2013 a new National Ports Policy was published which is available from my Department's website. This document outlines a roadmap for the sector's future development. With regard to future investment, there is no Exchequer funding available for port infrastructure development. This is settled Government policy, as is stated in the National Ports Policy, the individual port companies must fund development proposals themselves without recourse to the Exchequer with funding to be sourced from a mixture of a company's own reserves, bank debt and/or potential other sources, or for example, EU funding.
The trans-European transport network (TEN-T) is the master plan for a comprehensive transport infrastructure development throughout the European Union. Subject to certain criteria, EU funding is available for Core and Comprehensive TEN-T ports in Ireland through the EU funding instrument Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). CEF for Transport aims at supporting investments in building new transport infrastructure in Europe or rehabilitating and upgrading the existing one.
Co-funding under the CEF is delivered in the form of grants allocated following competitive calls for proposals. Irish port companies have been successful in obtaining approx. €43m of co funding under CEF towards their development projects since 2013. It is expected that the next call will be open for new applications by the first week in October this year.
Additionally the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is an initiative launched jointly by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the European Commission to help overcome the current investment gap in the EU by mobilising private financing for strategic investments. Dublin Port successfully secured €100m in loan financing from the EIB in 2015 and a number of other port companies have been in talks with the European Investment Bank exploring financing options.
1819. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress he and his Department are making in the establishment of a properly functioning motor insurance database with the insurance industry here to show who is insured and who is not; the meetings he has held with the insurance industry on this issue; the issues delaying the establishment of such a database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25954/16]
View answerMy Department has raised with the insurance industry on a number of occasions over the last two years, including at meetings with the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland and Insurance Ireland, the issue of a properly functioning motor insurance database. In addition, the issue has been discussed by my Department with An Garda Síochána at regular meetings since 2015, following which a provision was included in the Road Traffic Bill 2016 specifying in greater detail the information to be provided by the insurance industry to An Garda Síochána, to my Department and to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, with the database being the appropriate mechanism to deliver the required information.
Further discussions have taken place with the insurance industry during 2016 regarding the database most recently a meeting between my Department, An Garda Síochána, Department of Justice & Equality, and Department of Finance with Insurance Ireland and the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland on Wednesday 14 September 2016 with a further meeting planned for later this month. My Department understands from discussion with the industry that the industry hopes to have the database ready for use by An Garda Síochána, my Department and by the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland early in 2017.
1820. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will instigate a full review of public transport policy as proposed in the programme for Government; the format this review will take; when he expects to publish the review findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25955/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to instigate a full review of public transport policy to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy.
Across Government there are currently a number of important work programmes already underway which will have a significant influence on the development of public transport policy in the coming years. Officials are finalising a National Mitigation Plan and a Climate Change Adaption Plan for the Transport Sector while consultations are continuing on the development of a new National Planning Framework.
In terms of the proposed review of public transport policy, I intend to consider how best to address this commitment toward the end of the year and will take cognisance of progress in other relevant areas such as those I have mentioned.
1821. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a road (details supplied) in County Kerry will be recategorised as a national road in view of the fact that it is the main artery between two Kerry towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25964/16]
View answerSection 10 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Roads Act 2007, provides for the classification of national, regional and local roads and periodic reviews are undertaken in that regard.
While I am not aware of a request from Kerry County Council for a reclassification of the R563, the matter referenced can be considered as part of a wider road classification process currently on-going.
1822. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the future and status of Nifti, the rural transport operator in Fingal, in view of invitations being sent for a rural transport day organised by Flexibus on 4 November 2016 regarding rural transport in areas; and the source of funding for this event. [25983/16]
View answer1823. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate for State-funded transport co-ordination units funded from public rural transport schemes to train drivers to bring persons to hospitals for a fixed fee, where passengers are free travel pass holders and therefore exempt from payment on rural transport services, and where commercial operators are providing a service in the area which this scheme could displace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25984/16]
View answer1824. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with governance of rural transport schemes, in view of problems highlighted over lack of oversight and governance in the charity sector; if audits have turned up any irregularities or concerns that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1822 to 1824, inclusive, together.
The 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.
1825. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the maximum allowable fee for releasing a clamp from a vehicle in a private car park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25988/16]
View answerCurrently, there is no statutory regulation of clamping activities on private land.
However, following commencement, under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 it will be the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to regulate clamping activities wherever they take place.
The NTA will determine the maximum clamp release fee that may be charged in private car parking areas, where clamping is operated as a means of parking control. The Authority may set different charges for different places, different circumstances or different times of the day.
The NTA requires a period to make and prepare the necessary regulations provided for under the Act as well as ensure appropriate training and administrative supports are in place to allow for commencement of regulatory activities. This very necessary preparatory work is well under way.
1826. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to proposed changes or the removal of Bus Éireann services from Galway county, in particular Ballinasloe to Athlone IT. [26014/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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.
