Thursday, 3 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos 156-180

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (156)

Pat Deering

Question:

156. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal regarding the non-valuation aspects of reactor schemes (details supplied) will be resolved. [33078/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Agriculture Appeals Office provides an independent appeals service in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 and the Agriculture Appeals Regulations. I am advised that an appeal was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office for the person concerned on 2 December 2015 in relation to non-valuation aspects of the On-Farm Valuation Scheme for TB and Brucellosis Reactors. An oral hearing was held on 25 May 2016 and the person named was notified in writing on 14 July 2016 that the appeal was partially allowed. Following that decision my Department requested a review of the Appeals Officer's decision. Under the provisions of the Appeals legislation, the independent review may only be performed by the Director of Agriculture Appeals. There are a number of appeals currently requiring independent review by the Director and I am informed that every effort is being made to ensure the expeditious finalisation of such reviews.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (157)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

157. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 25 October 2016, if he will clarify the testamentary documents included in this particular case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33094/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In Inheritance related cases where there is no will involved, the Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department requires a Grant of Representation for the deceased person in order to release payments outstanding.

Officials from the Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department have written to the legal personal representatives of the deceased applicant requesting the usual testamentary documents and bank account details to which the payments should be released. This information was requested in a letter issued to the solicitor administrating the estate on 4 May 2016. The requested information has not been received to date. My Department has now contacted the Solicitor again with a view to expediting the case. When all outstanding documentation is received the outstanding payments can issue to the estate of the deceased applicant.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (158)

Pat Breen

Question:

158. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 7 July 2016, when he will issue payment to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33122/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named commenced her AEOS contract on 1 May 2015. 2015 payments issued on 15 December 2015 and 17 December 2015.

Under EU Regulations, 2016 scheme year payments cannot issue before 16 October at the earliest. Comprehensive administrative checks including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must also be completed. In a similar timeframe to last year, 2016 scheme year payments will be processed once these checks are finalised.

Forestry Grants

Questions (159)

Pat Breen

Question:

159. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1548 of 16 September 2016, the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33126/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The appeal by the person named, under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, which was received in late July, is ongoing. The file is currently with an inspector for review. The Appellant will be notified of the final decision.

Fishing Industry Development

Questions (160)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

160. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to establish a sentinel fishery for the north west herring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33199/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2011, the Minister of the day asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries, including the North West stock. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. As a result 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management were received. It was very clear from this that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed.  Taking account as far as possible of the views of stakeholders, a draft policy document was  prepared and published for consultation.  49 submissions were received, again often conflicting and a further meeting with  those who had made submissions was held in February 2012 regarding the draft policy, again there was no consensus. 

Having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries, the Minister came to a decision setting down a detailed policy, which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks.  In order to provide for the needs of inshore herring fishers, which did not have the required track record under the policy, smaller vessels under 20m in length have access to an open herring  fishery in the North West of up to 5% of the Area 6A South adjusted quota.  

Periodic allocations are made available for operators covered by these arrangements. When there is a commercial  TAC set for the area, each month I would expect to receive recommendations from industry representatives at the Quota Management Advisory Committee in relation to the monthly amounts available to the small boat herring fisheries.

The International Council for the Exploration of the Seas - ICES recommended a Zero Total Allowable Catch in area 6A South in 2015 and initially in 2016. In order to provide for the collection of scientific data, the EU Council set a TAC of 1,630 tonnes for Area 6A South, involving an Irish quota of 1,482t.

A public consultation took place on a recommendation from the four Producer Organisations and the Inshore Fisheries Forum to provide for the necessary scientific data sampling.  Having considered all submissions made, I approved the industry recommendation.  Allocations made on this basis in 2016 are done on an exceptional basis for data collection purposes. If a non scientific TAC is set in future years the arrangements set down in the 2012 herring policy will continue to apply.

Departmental Funding

Questions (161)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide full details of the terms and conditions of the new loan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The sustained period of lower commodity prices has led to cash flow difficulties for farmers in several sectors. One of my priorities is to support the provision of lower-cost flexible finance so I was pleased to announce plans for a €150 million fund for 'Agri Cash Flow Support' as part of the recent Budget.

The provision of €11.1 million in EU funding for milk and other livestock farmers under the exceptional adjustment aid package, will be supplemented by €14 million in national funding from my Department. The €25 million total will enable the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to leverage a fund of €150 million, thereby maximising the support for farmers from the available public funding. The extra national funding will enable loans to be made available to non-livestock sectors, including tillage and horticulture, under “de minimis” State Aid provisions.

This fund will support highly flexible loans for up to six years, for amounts up to €150,000, at an interest rate of 2.95%, which will represent a significant saving to farmers when compared with other forms of finance currently available. The loan fund is part of a “three pillar strategy” in response to income volatility that I announced in the recent Budget, along with additional tax measures and farm payments.

Further details of the loan fund will be provided shortly but it is expected that it will be operational as soon as possible. The SBCI will make an open call for lending institutions to participate and I have spoken to the main banks to encourage them to make this facility available to their customers. Normal lending assessment criteria will apply although the loans will be ‘unsecured’ in nature, thereby facilitating a more straightforward application process.

Beef Data and Genomics Programme

Questions (162)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in the beef data genomics scheme that have completed a beef carbon navigator, on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33229/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the deputy is set out in the following table. I have extended the deadline for the completion of the carbon navigators by one month to 30 November to enable all participants to complete the navigator in order that payment can issue to them in December, subject to all other requirements having been met.

County	Carbon Navigators Completed
Carlow	190
Cavan	810
Clare	1238
Cork	1393
Donegal	1090
Dublin	17
Galway	2018
Kerry	926
Kildare	243
Kilkenny	428
Laois	483
Leitrim	761
Limerick	509
Longford	439
Louth	186
Mayo	1679
Meath	371
Monaghan	650
Offaly	430
Roscommon	1155
Sligo	795
Tipperary	683
Waterford	316
Westmeath	547
Wexford	459
Wicklow	318
Total	18134

Knowledge Transfer Programme

Questions (163)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

163. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have applied to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 to date, in each of the beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry sectors; the targeted number of groups formed; the number of groups finalised to date; the reason for extending the deadline for participation in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33230/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Knowledge Transfer Programme is included in Ireland's Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020.  While the RDP envisages the training of 27,000 farmers over the period to 2020, no specific target was set in relation to the number of groups to be formed. 20,252 farmer applications have now been registered for the scheme.  These are broken down between the sectors in the following table:

-	Total	Beef	Dairy	Sheep	Tillage	Poultry	Equine
Number of Participants Applied	20,252	10,072	4,258	4,310	885	248	479

To date, 1,112 Knowledge Transfer Groups have been approved with a small number deemed ineligible. Staff in my Department are currently liaising with facilitators to finalise outstanding groups and to process a number of query and appeal cases.

Groups will run for a 3 year period from June, 2016.  In common with other measures under the RDP, monitoring of targets and associated budgets is ongoing over the life of the Programme, in conjunction with the annual estimates process.

The deadline for registration was extended to 14 July in order to allow further time for facilitators to finalise arrangements for their groups.

Knowledge Transfer Programme

Questions (164)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

164. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds allocated to the knowledge transfer group scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020; the total amount of spend on an annual basis to date in tabular form; the total amount allocated for 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33231/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Knowledge Transfer Programme has a funding allocation within the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 of €100m for the duration of  the programming period.  Year 1 of the scheme runs from 1 June, 2016 to 31 May, 2017 with payments commencing thereafter.  Accordingly, while there is no allocation in 2016 as payments will not issue until the completion of Year 1, the allocation for 2017 is €25m.

2016 allocation	2017 allocation
€0	€25,000,000

In common with other measures under the RDP, monitoring of targets and associated budgets is ongoing over the life of the Programme, in conjunction with the annual estimates process.

TAMS Funding

Questions (165)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

165. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount allocated to the TAMS scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014 to 2020; the total amount of spend on an annual basis to date, in tabular form; the total amount allocated for 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33232/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) is a demand led scheme. The suite of six measures under TAMS II was launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and is co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The total funds allocated under the Programme period is €395m. The total allocation for 2016 is €35.8m and for 2017 is €50m.

The TAMS II online payment claims system has been available for the submission of payment claims since July 2016. 325 TAMS II payment claims have been received to date and payment has issued in 53 cases. The payment claims submitted are being processed, however a large number of them have minor issues that need to be resolved before payment can be made. Department officials are in direct contact with individual farmers to progress claims towards early payment.

Expenditure to date on TAMS II is as set out as follows:

Expenditure in 2014-20 Programme on TAMS II	2014 (€m)	2015 (€m)	2016 (€m)
Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme	€0.000	€0.000	€0.007
Dairy Equipment Scheme II	€0.000	€0.000	€0.227
Low Emission Slurry Spreading	€0.000	€0.000	€0.190
Organic Capital Investment Scheme	€0.000	€0.000	€0.005
Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme	€0.000	€0.000	€0.262
Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme	€0.000	€0.000	€0.000
Expenditure in 2014-20 Programme on TAMS I
Dairy Equipment	€ 8.576	€ 19.038	€ 1.285
Sheep Handling	€ 0.773	€ 2.450	€ 0.818
Farm Safety	€ 0.000	€ 3.131	€ 1.706
Rainwater Harvesting	€0.019	€ 0.024	€ 0.034
Loose Housing Sows	€ 7.089	€ 0.187	€ 0.000
Totals	€16.457	€24.83	€4.534

Fisheries Protection

Questions (166)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

166. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of regulations surrounding extending public and private commercial salmon fisheries for inland areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33198/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations, made pursuant to Sections 69 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, provide for the management of Ireland's wild salmon and sea trout fishery by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Specifically, the Regulations provide for the quotas of fish that can be harvested by commercial fishing engines and rod and line from those rivers identified in the Schedule to the Regulations.

The Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations are revised on an annual basis, taking account of advice from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Standing Scientific Committee for Salmon (SSCS) and any submissions received from the 30 day public consultation.

I will be commencing the 30 day public consultation for the 2017 Regulations later this month in order to facilitate a suite of new secondary legislation regulating Ireland’s wild salmon and sea trout fishery being in place for 1 January 2017.

In 2006 the Government affirmed its commitment to manage the wild salmon fishery in line with the scientific advice from 2007 onwards in the interests of conservation of stocks. International best practice for the management of Atlantic Salmon requires the adoption of the precautionary approach and the cessation of indiscriminate mixed stock fisheries.  Since 2007, the harvest of salmon, by commercial and recreational (angling) means, has been restricted to those stocks of rivers that are meeting their conservation limits.

The individual river management strategy is based on the fact that each of Ireland’s salmon rivers has its own unique stock of salmon which migrates to sea as juveniles and returns to the same river in adulthood to spawn and create the next generation of fish exclusive to that river. Fisheries are only considered in rivers where the estimated returns are above the conservation limit for the river.

The SSCS is a statutorily independent committee comprised of scientists from IFI, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Loughs Agency, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (Northern Ireland), and other State bodies and third level institutions.  The SSCS provides independent advice to IFI as regards the annual individual stock assessments for Ireland’s wild salmon rivers.  This independent scientific advice underpins the management decisions and advice of IFI as regards all aspects of the angling and commercial season for salmon on an individual river basis.

The model and processes used by the SSCS are recognised internationally as best practice. Delegations from a number of countries have visited IFI and the SSCS to examine and seek to learn from the Irish approach to Salmon management. The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) also recognises Ireland as a leader in this area.

The commercial (draftnet and snapnet) season commences in May each year and conservation measures for the fishery (including the determination of the number of licences available) will be introduced in advance of the season under the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order and associated bye-laws.

National Broadband Plan Implementation

Questions (167)

Dara Calleary

Question:

167. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the roll-out of rural broadband in an area (details supplied) in County Mayo. [33066/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to deliver high speed services to every city, town, village and individual premises in Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment by the telecommunications sector and through a State intervention in those areas where commercial investment has not  been fully demonstrated. The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the delivery of the NBP as a matter of priority.  The  formal procurement process for the State Intervention commenced in December 2015. The High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie shows the extent of the State Intervention area:

- The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have previously indicated plans to deliver high speed broadband services. 

- The areas marked AMBER on the High Speed Broadband Map represent the target areas for the State Intervention which are the subject of the current procurement process.

The townlands of Newtownwhite and Ballysakerry in County Mayo fall within the AMBER area and therefore will be part of the State Intervention procurement process.  Individuals can check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by scrolling through the map online or entering their Eircode. The Department also has a dedicated mailbox and anyone with a query in relation to the Map should email the Department, quoting their Eircode, to [e-mail].   

The Department is now in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies to roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State Intervention Area comprising over 750,000 premises including over 50,000 premises in County Mayo, covering 100,000 km of road network and 96% of the land area of Ireland. Since bidders were invited to participate in dialogue with the Department, there have been approximately 150 hours of meetings, with considerable more interaction to follow over the coming months. In the course of this dialogue, the three bidders have indicated that they are proposing a predominantly fibre-to-the-home solution.  Householders and businesses may potentially get speeds not just of 30 Mbps but up to 1000 Mbps with businesses potentially availing of symmetrical upload and download speeds.  

Earlier this year, before I came into office, the Department announced that it would be June 2017 before contract(s) were awarded under the NBP. The bidders in the process have recently indicated that they may need more time to conclude the procurement process. The timing of each stage of the procurement continues to be dependent on a range of factors including the complexities that may be encountered by the procurement team, and bidders, during the procurement process. Bidders need adequate time to prepare detailed proposals and their final formal bids and get the relevant shareholder and funding approvals at key stages of the process. It is also important to ensure that risks in this multi-million euro procurement are carefully managed. I do not propose to comment any further at this juncture, given that discussions are ongoing in the procurement process. I can assure the Deputy however, that the procurement process is being intensively managed, to ensure an outcome that delivers a future proofed network that serves homes and businesses across Ireland, for at least 25 years. The Government considers the NBP to be one of the most significant investments in rural Ireland for decades, and one which will transform society, akin to rural electrification in the last century. 

During the Department's extensive stakeholder consultations in 2015, telecommunications service providers indicated that it could take 3-5 years to roll out a network of the scale envisaged under the NBP. It is however open to bidder(s) to suggest more aggressive timescales as part of their bids.

As part of the competitive process, the Department will engage with winning bidder(s) on the best roll-out strategy, in order to target areas of particularly poor service, business needs and-or high demand. This will need to be balanced with the most efficient network roll-out plan. A prioritisation programme will be put in place in this regard, in consultation with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. A detailed roll-out plan for the network will be published once contract(s) are in place.

The Programme for Government also commits to measures to assist in the roll-out of the network once a contract is awarded. In this regard, Minister Humphreys is leading on the establishment of two regional action groups, working with Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Offices and other relevant agencies to help accelerate the broadband network build in rural Ireland, once a contract(s) has been awarded.

Electricity Generation

Questions (168)

John Brassil

Question:

168. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will intervene to ensure the future of a power plant (details supplied) is protected in view of an announcement by a company that indicates future closure of the plant in years to come; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33107/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

At the outset I want to say that any loss of jobs and the impact on individuals, households and local communities is  a source of real regret.

Tarbert power station, like all such plants, has a physical and operational design life. The power station is a Heavy Fuel Station that commenced operations in 1969 under the ownership of the ESB and was originally scheduled to close in 2010 due to its advanced age, inefficiency and its use of a heavily polluting fuel. Before its closure, it was purchased by Endesa who sought and were granted planning permission to develop and build a modern and efficient electricity power plant fuelled by gas. That company subsequently sold the plant to SSE.

In the liberalised energy market, it is a commercial decision for the company to take in regard to the future of the plant. I am advised that the company, SSE, has stated that the redundancies are required to ensure the plant's continued competitiveness and help safeguard the continued operation of Tarbert Power Plant.  

Motor Industry

Questions (169)

John Brassil

Question:

169. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the policy regarding private car rental companies which operate here; if these companies are required to use cars taxed and registered in Ireland, or if they can use vehicles taxed and registered in Northern Ireland and England; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33123/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The policy regarding the operation of private car rental companies in the State is not a function of my Department.

Waste Tyre Disposal

Questions (170)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

170. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the commencement date for a new end-of-life waste tyre compliance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33142/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

On 1 November 2015, Repak ELT were appointed to operate an interim compliance scheme for waste tyres with a view to a full compliance scheme being developed.  The main focus of this interim arrangement has been gathering data.  A Tyres Working Group was established to advise me in the development of a full compliance scheme.  This Group, which is chaired by my Department, consists of representatives of national agencies and industry stakeholders.  The Group has engaged in discussions with stakeholders on a range of issues including permitting requirements, the agricultural and haulage sectors and end of waste criteria for tyres.  I expect that the Tyres Working Group will meet in the coming weeks to further discuss these matters and, at that stage, I will be in a position to make the remaining decisions regarding the operation of a full compliance scheme for tyres. I expect the new scheme to be in place early in 2017.

Energy Conservation

Questions (171)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

171. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to a previous parliamentary question the reason for the delay in replacing existing local authority public lighting sodium lamps with high-efficiency LED units to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33234/16]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Further to my reply to the Deputy in April, I am pleased to report that progress on this issue continues to be made through the National Public Lighting Steering Group. This group is chaired by the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) and includes representatives from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and my Department.

Preparation for the physical upgrading of public lighting assets is underway across a number of work-streams. It is necessary to have a standardised and up to date inventory of these assets, and I understand Local Authorities are well advanced on this task. Good progress has also been made on the critical issue of the technical specifications for these upgrades by the CCMA, TII and ESB Networks. This work is allowing the CCMA to proceed with designing a national procurement of energy efficiency upgrades.

The action to which the Deputy refers was part of an earlier, exploratory, phase of the strategy to upgrade public lighting.  The strategy has now evolved from this regional project to a coordinated national approach. Such an approach is necessary to develop optimal technical solutions, achieve economies of scale in procurement and ensure that, as one of the largest users of energy in the public sector, Local Authorities make their contribution to the achievement of the target on the public sector to improve its energy efficiency by 33% by 2020.

Airport Development Projects

Questions (172)

Clare Daly

Question:

172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he proposes in relation to the small number of home owners whose properties are marginally outside the voluntary buy-out area, whose lives will be severely negatively impacted by the development of the new runway, from the perspective of broadening the terms of the scheme and ensuring that these persons are considered for inclusion. [33201/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project which I have welcomed as an essential piece of infrastructure that is in the national interest.

I understand that daa are continuing to engage with local communities on the North Runway project and have held a number of meetings with representative groups and individuals since the company announced that it was proceeding with the North Runway project in April 2016. In addition, daa is engaging with relevant stakeholders on mitigation measures, including voluntary home sound insulation and dwelling purchase schemes which are required as part of the 2007 planning permission for the North Runway project.

Since the management of these schemes is a matter for daa, in consultation with Fingal County Council, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to daa for their attention and direct reply. If you do not hear from daa within 10 working days, please contact my private office.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Ports Development

Questions (173)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

173. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the due diligence into Dún Laoghaire harbour has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33072/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Harbours Act 2015 provides the legislative basis for one of the key recommendations in National Ports Policy, namely that governance of the five Ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures. Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as a Port of Regional Significance, is designated under the policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has procured consultants to conduct the due diligence of the port company.  While the procurement and management of the due diligence process is a matter for the Council, I understand that the process is almost complete.

I also understand that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have established two transitional teams which are working on the practical issues associated with the transfer.

When the due diligence process is completed, I expect that substantial progress will be made towards finalising the preparations for transfer and the timing of the transfer.

Harbour Authorities Expenditure

Questions (174)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has reviewed the anomalies in the finances of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company subject to his meeting with the stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33073/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I recently met with the Deputy and a number of representatives from the Dún Laoghaire area at their request to discuss issues in connection with Dún Laoghaire Harbour, including possible future developments at the Harbour.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is a commercial state company that operates under the Harbours Acts. The company has a statutory mandate to take all proper measures for the management, control, operation and development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour and is required to conduct its business in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The company is statutorily independent and is not in receipt of any State funding. As Minister, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations or management of the company.

A full annual audit of the 2015 company accounts was undertaken by the company's external auditor and no anomalies were noted. The company's audited annual accounts were then laid before the Oireachtas and made publically available.

I expect to receive the 2016 unaudited annual accounts, which cover the full calendar year of 2016, in early 2017. The final accounts, when received, will then be forwarded to my Department's Financial Advisor for assessment and any issues arising will be followed up. The final annual accounts will then be submitted to Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in Summer 2017.

Separately, I understand from the Deputy that matters raised by his delegation at our recent meeting are being investigated by the appropriate authorities.

Industrial Disputes

Questions (175)

Bríd Smith

Question:

175. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the situation in Irish Rail and Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33102/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issues in both companies are separate and must be treated as such by all relevant stakeholders.

I am aware that the Labour Court has been asked to consider issues relating to pay in Bus Éireann and aspects of certain working conditions in Iarnród Éireann, while other issues have formed part of previous discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission.

I have been consistently clear since assuming office that issues relating to pay and conditions in any particular State owned company under my Department's aegis are a matter for discussion and agreement between the employer and the employees.

In addition to the above, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Irish Rail recently submitted the 2016 Rail Review to me.  This Review examines the funding parameters required to support our rail network now and into the future, as well as identifying potential for future growth. I have already stated that I will bring the report to cabinet and then immediately arrange for its publication and commencement of a publication process to be conducted by the National Transport Authority. I intend to do so next week.

The Deputy is also no doubt aware that Bus Éireann's Expressway service is loss-making and that the company has engaged consultants to independently review the options available to it as it seeks to address these losses. That process is on-going.  The Company has previously indicated its desire to discuss the Expressway issue with trade unions and I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through open, constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (176)

Bríd Smith

Question:

176. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the budget allocation for his Department; if it is sufficient to expand the public transport system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33103/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

In light of the many competing priorities within Government and current financial constraints I was pleased that my Department secured additional funding in Budget 2017.  I am particularly pleased that funding for the land transport programme will increase next year by €90m to €1.46 billion with a significant portion of this increase for capital and current spending on public transport.

There are a significant number of projects underway and planned to increase capacity on our public transport network.  In the near future projects such as the reopening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel, Luas Cross City and 10 minute DART will help manage the increasing demand on the light rail and heavy rail networks in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).  The Luas Cross City project will commence operation before the end of 2017 and will provide for an estimated 10 million additional journeys per annum on the Luas network. Other projects that are being progressed that will improve capacity on the rail network in Dublin and nationally include the City Centre Re-signalling Programme and the construction of a new Central Traffic Control Centre for the commuter and intercity rail network.    

Funding is also being provided under the Government's Capital Plan for replacement and expansion of the PSO fleet in the Dublin region and in Bus Éireann, and for the development or upgrading of QBCs in both the GDA and in the regional cities.  As the Deputy will be aware, a mid-term review of the Capital Plan is planned to be carried out next year and I will be making the case for increased funding for public transport in that context to cope with increasing demand for public transport as the economy continues to improve and to encourage people to get out of their cars and onto public transport and more sustainable forms of transport.

Road Projects Status

Questions (177)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland or the local authority to notify businesses at a location (details supplied) of a lengthy road closure; the timeframe for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33105/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

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 N2) 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.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Sports Capital Programme Administration

Questions (178)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

178. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to launch the 2016 sports capital grants; and the amount that will be available for it. [33130/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.  The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Following the conclusion of the 2017 Estimates discussions, a total of €52m has been provided for sports capital projects. This will meet all existing commitments under previous rounds of the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, and also allow for a new round of the of the Sports Capital Programme. In this regard, the new round will be open for applications by January at the latest. Based on previous rounds of the programme, the assessment process takes a number of months to complete so I expect that actual grant allocations will be made some time during Summer 2017.  We will be announcing more comprehensive details of the new round shortly.

Tourism Data

Questions (179)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

179. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tourists who visited counties Sligo and Leitrim each year since 2011; the benefits the Wild Atlantic Way could bring to these counties into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33135/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Research shows that there is low awareness of Ireland's county boundaries among potential overseas visitors, indicating that expenditure on marketing an individual county to consumers in overseas markets would be unlikely to provide an adequate return on investment.  The tourism agencies are instead developing and promoting tourism propositions of scale (e.g. the Wild Atlantic Way), capable of achieving international impact and securing consumer attention.

The collection and publication of official statistics is a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which is under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach.  Official overseas visitor statistics can be found in the Tourism and Travel section of the CSO website but are not available at county-level.

  Fáilte Ireland publishes its own estimates of overseas and domestic visit numbers and revenue by county. The most recent published statistics go up to 2015 and are available in the Research section of the Fáilte Ireland website at www.failteireland.ie. However, it should be noted that, due to the small sample sizes which breaking out counties leads to, these figures are based on three-year rolling averages, not a given year. 

My role, as the Minister with responsibility for tourism, is to develop national tourism policy which is then implemented by the tourism agencies - Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.  Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of regional tourism and Tourism Ireland has responsibility for the overseas promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourism destination.  On the subject of the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way for Sligo and Leitrim in the future, this is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Sports Capital Programme Data

Questions (180)

Tony McLoughlin

Question:

180. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocations counties Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal can expect to receive under the new sports capital funding programme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33136/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.  The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Following the conclusion of the 2017 Estimates discussions, a total of €52m has been provided for sports capital projects. This will meet all existing commitments under previous rounds of the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, and also allow for a new round of the of the Sports Capital Programme. In this regard, the new round will be open for applications by January at the latest. Based on previous rounds of the programme, the assessment process takes a number of months to complete so I expect that actual grant allocations will be made some time during Summer 2017. Obviously it is not possible to indicate how much will be allocated to any county at this stage as this will depend on the overall level of applications received.  We will be announcing more comprehensive details of the new round shortly.