Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:285. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has provided for specific improvement grants in budget 2017. [31215/16]
View answerRoads Maintenance Funding
Questions (285, 286)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:286. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sums granted by his Department for specific improvement grants in each of the years since 2014, including for the forthcoming year as announced under budget 2017. [31216/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, 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 Council.
In order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair in recent years regional and local road improvement schemes, including the Specific and Strategic Grants Schemes, have been curtailed. In this context my Department is not operating a general application process under these grant schemes at present.
As requested, the following table provides details of total payments made under the Specific Improvement Grants programme to local authorities in the period 2014-2016:
Total Specific Improvement Grant Paid
|
Year |
Total Specific Improvement Grant Paid
|
|
2014 |
15,694,924 |
|
2015 |
7,538,445 |
|
2016 |
5,801,715* |
* 2016 Allocation. Final payments for 2016 will not be known until early 2017
Where funding is being provided for Specific Grant type projects, it is primarily to meet existing commitments, address important safety issues and progress projects included in the Capital Investment Plan. While 2017 will see a welcome increase funding for regional and local roads, it will still take some years for funding to reach "steady state" levels and the main focus in 2017 will continue to be on maintenance and renewal. It is expected the 2017 allocations will be announced early in the new year.
It is open to Councils to fund road improvement projects from their own resources. The purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full cost of schemes.
Pilot Training Courses
Questions (287)
Noel Grealish
Question:287. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will conduct a review of the relevant rules here and discuss the concerns of a number of the professional bodies which, as stakeholders, have conveyed their concerns regarding the exploitation of many trainee pilots here to his Department on a number of occasions following the resolution of the European Parliament on social dumping in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31247/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the European Parliament resolution referred to in the question and the Irish Airline Pilots Association wrote to me in July this year outlining a range of concerns.
In relation to training and licensing of aircrew the National Aviation Policy (NAP) for Ireland published in August 2015 sets out a number of actions designed to continue the development of training and education to support the future demands of aviation in Ireland. The policy position contained in the NAP is to support the development of pilot training with a primary emphasis on the delivery of safe and competent pilots consistent with European standards of technical competence and quality control.
My Department continues to work with the Irish Aviation Authority, to ensure developments and rulemaking at EU level provide a consistent and effective regulatory regime for aviation safety, including in relation to pilot training and licensing.
Air Services Provision
Questions (288)
Clare Daly
Question:288. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had any contact with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the fact that it currently incentivises night flights in contrast to most other European airports where such activity is penalised by heavy financial charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31258/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, statutory responsibility for the management and operation of Dublin Airport rests with daa and as such any incentive schemes at the airport are an operational matter for the Company. I have forwarded your query to daa for their attention and direct reply to you. If you do not hear from daa within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
On 22 September 2016, I announced my plans to implement EU Regulation No. 598/2014 on the process to be followed when considering the introduction of noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports. A key element of the new regime is the designation of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the competent authority with the necessary powers to implement EU Regulation 598/2014 in Ireland.
In accordance with legislation currently in preparation in my Department, the IAA will be required to undertake a review of the noise situation at Dublin Airport immediately following commencement of this legislation. The IAA will be the only body empowered to make determinations on operating restrictions to apply at the airport.
The new regulatory regime for airport noise will be built on strong collaborative working arrangements between the IAA and other statutory bodies that have roles and expertise relating to noise management, in particular An Bord Pleanála, Fingal County Council and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Airport Development Projects
Questions (289, 290, 292)
Clare Daly
Question:289. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contact he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding the positioning and use of information from noise monitoring boxes in the areas around Dublin Airport; his views on whether such boxes are configured correctly; the way residents can ensure that such information is independently scrutinised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31259/16]
View answerClare Daly
Question:290. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contact he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority regarding noise insulation for properties affected by the new runway; the likely timescale for installation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31260/16]
View answerClare Daly
Question:292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration he has given to the provision of funding to community organisations in north County Dublin, who are impacted by the new runway at Dublin Airport in order that they can secure independent legal and environmental advice, including expertise from noise specialists, and in order that they can participate in the review of activities at Dublin Airport on a level playing field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 289, 290 and 292 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport.
I met with daa in June this year, during which I was briefed on their engagement with residents on the North Runway project and the various strands of work underway, including the discharging of pre-commencement planning conditions relating to noise mitigation measures, such as the voluntary insulation and house buyout scheme. I understand that engagement with local resident groups is continuing and that a community liaison group has been established. I will ask daa to provide you further details directly on the timelines involved on the noise insulation scheme.
There is no grant scheme available in my Department for the funding of community organisations to secure legal or environmental advice and it would not be appropriate for my Department to consider such requests. I recently published a policy statement about the new arrangements that I intend to put in place in relation to determining what operating restrictions are appropriate at Dublin Airport. These arrangements will ensure that the concerns of residents in the area are given due consideration. You can find more details on my Department's website at www.dttas.ie
Finally, my Department has had no contact in the past with daa regarding the positioning of noise monitoring boxes and the use of information garnered from them as this is an operational matter. However, in order to be of assistance, I have asked daa to provide more detailed information on this matter direct to you.
Appointments to State Boards
Questions (291)
Michael McGrath
Question:291. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures that apply to ministerial appointments to the board of commercial semi-State companies operating under his Department's remit; the way persons interested in forthcoming vacancies may register their interest or apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31266/16]
View answerWritten answers
Board appointments are generally made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on State Board Appointments. Under these Guidelines, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) advertises vacancies on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, is responsible for establishing Assessment Panels to assess all applications. Where a re-appointment is proposed the PAS process does not apply. I am currently considering means by which the appointment processes can be enhanced to ensure in so far as possible the best appointments are made.
Question No. 292 answered with Question No. 289.
Sports Capital Programme Administration
Questions (293)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:293. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the funds granted under the sports capital grants programme will be paid to a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31347/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Sports Capital Programme, grants can only be paid after all of the terms and conditions of the Programme are met and the application is approved. In the case of the club referred to by the Deputy, I understand that there are some outstanding legal matters which must be resolved. The club has been informed of this by my officials. In the event that the outstanding issues are resolved the grant application could be approved quite quickly.
Legislative Reviews
Questions (294)
Joan Burton
Question:294. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will undertake a full review of the rights of artists here including a thorough examination of existing copyright laws and the current Competition Act. [31296/16]
View answerWritten answers
In response to Parliamentary Question No. 659 put down by the Deputy for answer on 5 July 2016, I outlined my intention to seek Government approval for the General Scheme of a Bill in the copyright area. The main purpose of the proposed Bill is to respond to certain of the recommendations contained in a Report undertaken by the Copyright Review Committee entitled “Modernising Copyright” which was published in October 2013.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that in the interim, Government has approved the General Scheme of a Copyright Bill. The Bill is currently undergoing the formal drafting process with the Office of the Attorney General.
Artists who are employees in Ireland have the same rights as all other employees. In cases of self-employed artists, as with other self-employed workers, the application of competition law would only be a consideration if there are allegations of anti-competitive behaviour.
Departmental Agencies Funding
Questions (295)
Niall Collins
Question:295. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown between current and capital expenditure allocated for all State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2016 and 2017, including LEO offices, SFI, InterTradeIreland, IDA and EI, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31281/16]
View answerWritten answers
A total of €858.5 million gross has been provided for use by my Department next year as per the 2017 Expenditure Report which was published on 11 October 2016. This compares to a provision of €800.47 million in the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume.
The 2017 Expenditure Report sets out the Capital expenditure allocation for my Department next year at €555 million. This compares to €503 million as provided for in the 2016 Revised Estimates Volume. The Current expenditure allocation for 2017 envisaged is €304 million. This compares to €297.4 million in 2016. The Current funding covers Pay, Pensions and Non-Pay across the Department, its Offices and Agencies.
The distribution of all Capital and Current funding for next year across the 39 subheads of my Department’s Vote will be finalised during the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) exercise in the weeks ahead. This is an extensive process which will be undertaken by my officials in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The 2017 REV is expected to be concluded during November. Therefore it is not yet possible to provide the specific breakdown and comparison of 2017 related funding across my Department, Offices and its Agencies with the 2016 allocations.
Public Sector Staff Data
Questions (296)
Niall Collins
Question:296. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the total number of additional staff to be taken on in her Department and in all individual State agencies and bodies under her aegis in 2017; the total cost of hiring additional staff in her Department and in each individual State agency and body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31282/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and our Agencies keep our staffing requirements under review both on an ongoing basis and as part of workforce planning. In addition, any plan to recruit additional staff in 2017 for my Department or any of the Agencies that operate under its aegis, is dependent on the level of funding available. In this regard, the distribution of funding for next year across the 39 subheads of my Department’s Vote will be finalised during the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process in the weeks ahead and the individual pay budgets that will be available to the Department itself and to each Agency will be concluded in that context. As per the 2017 Expenditure Report published on 11 October 2016, the Current Expenditure ceiling envisaged for next year is €304 million, up from €297.4 million in 2016. “Current” funding covers Pay, Pensions and Non-Pay across the Department, its Offices and Agencies and the Pay ceiling envisaged at this stage for 2017 amounts to €160.7 million compared to €155.06 million in 2016.
The 2017 REV process will be undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is expected to be concluded during November. My Department is not, therefore, in a position to provide an estimate of additional staffing numbers and their respective costs at this point.
Grocery Industry Regulation
Questions (297)
Niall Collins
Question:297. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she is taking to ensure consumers do not suffer due to an ongoing dispute between Irish retailers and a supplier (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31283/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Grocery Goods Regulations (S.I. No. 35 of 2016) which came into effect on 30 April 2016. These Regulations regulate certain practices in the grocery goods sector. It is important to ensure that there is a balance in the relationship between the various players in the grocery goods sector and that Ireland continues to have a robust retail sector, particularly given its importance to the national economy. The regulation of certain practices in the grocery goods sector is intended to achieve such a balance taking into account the interests of all stakeholders in the sector including the interests of consumers. However, negotiations on price are a matter for the contracting parties as is the case in any commercial relationship.
The CCPC is an independent statutory body responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection and competition law and I, as Minister, have no direct role in such matters. Any allegations of breaches of the legislation should be referred directly to the CCPC.