Tuesday, 24 Jan 2017

Written Answers Nos. 581-601

National Digital Strategy

Questions (581)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

581. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the operation of the e-benefit programme; the total funding provided each year since 2008 by county; the sum allocated to each group per year; the new selection criteria for the 2017 digital skills for citizens grant scheme; the number of successful and unsuccessful applications by county in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3195/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department’s BenefIT Programme, which operated between 2008 and mid-2016, comprised of four consecutive schemes designed to address the basic digital literacy needs of citizens, thereby removing a key barrier to citizen engagement with the internet.  Under the BenefIT Programme, over 160,000 training places were provided to citizens in more than 600 locations nationwide, at a cost of €8.4m. The most recent programme, BenefIT 4, funded 22 community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to provide skills training, along with 23 pilot community-based projects with various objectives.

Financial information relating to the BenefIT Programme is held by the Department in respect of each organisation grant aided, and is not readily available at a County level. Relevant figures in respect of the years 2013 – 2016 are set out in the following Table, while details in relation to the years 2008 – 2012 are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

BenefIT Grantee	2013	2014	2015	2016
Age Action Ireland Ltd	€241,260	€215,400	€107,700	€107,700
An Cosan The Shanty Educational Project		€14,680	€7,340
Applied Behaviour Analysis in Local Education	€29,832	€13,560
Bailieborough Development Association		€5,450
Ballybrown Clarina Community Resource Centre		€4,500	€4,500
Ballyfermot IT Centre Social Economy	€107,346	€56,026	€95,906
Ballyhaunis Family Resource Centre		€5,725	€5,725
Ballyhoura Development Ltd			€32,500	€8,125
Bishop Birch Community Centre		€2,750
Bray Area Partnership (BAP)		€8,650
Camara		€11,778
Carlow Community Enterprise Centre	€26,196	€13,098	€13,098
Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd		€29,254
Carlow Rural Information Services Project		€14,990	€14,990
Claremorris Family Resource Centre		€5,000	€5,000
County Sligo Leader Partnership Co. Ltd.	€35,228	€15,997	€15,997	€15,997
Digital Hub Development Agency		€12,250	€12,250
Dublin City Council		€4,900
ECDL Ireland Ltd T/A ICS Skills	€174,240	€158,400	€158,400
Family Carers Ireland	€25,623	€29,846	€14,922
Family Support & Community Well Being		€4,000	€4,000
Fast Track INTO Information Technology Ltd (FIT)	€415,800	€210,116	€313,366	€189,000
Friends Galway		€12,500	€12,500
Irish Community Empowerment Group		€3,022
Irish Congress of Trade Unions	€94,481	€42,950	€128,851
Irish Internet Association	€74,800	€68,000	€17,000	€34,000
Irish Rural Link Co-operative Society	€108,900	€49,500	€74,250	€49,500.30
Irish Wheelchair Association	€25,766
Irish Work Study Institute Ltd T/A industrial Eng.	€28,110	€25,500
Kerry Flyer		€14,295	€14,295
Laois Partnership Company		€10,000
Louth and Meath Education and Training Board	€56,250	€28,125	€56,280
Meath Community Dev. Ltd T/A Meath Partnership	€15,758	€31,516
Muintir na Tíre		€13,500	€6,210
Ozanam House Resource Centre		€4,440	€4,440
South East Cork Area Development	€12,385
School Street Family Resource Centre		€1,251	€1,251
The Life Centre		€2,400	€1,200
The Woodland League		€8,000
Threshold Training Network		€7,120	€7,120
Walkinstown Assoc. T/A Walk With You	€31,680		€15,840
Waterford & Wexford Education & Training	€32,874	€29,864	€14,931	€10,717
Total Grants Paid	€1,536,528	€1,188,353	€1,159,862	€415,039.30

  On 18 November 2016, I issued an invitation to community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations to apply for grant assistance under the Digital Skills for Citizens Grant Scheme which replaced the BenefIT Programme. The scheme’s Statement of Requirements specified the relevant qualification and award criteria, and is available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie. In terms of eligibility, organisations had to meet the following minimum requirements:

- a minimum annual turnover of €100,000

- experience of having satisfactorily managed a project of a similar scale within the past 5 years.

Eligible organisations were assessed in terms of a published marking scheme in respect of the following headings:

- numbers of citizens to be trained, with a minimum threshold of 1,000

- detailed training proposal, and

- cost per trainee.

Overall, 29 applications were received in response to the competitive call for proposals, of which 22 organisations were eligible to be evaluated. The eligible applications comprised proposals to train a total of 68,108 citizens, at a cost of €5.87m per annum.  The financial allocation available to fund the scheme in 2017 amounted to some €2.2m.

Following the evaluation process carried out by my officials, 15 organisations were offered grant funding to provide classroom training, free of charge, to 25,761 citizens, with a geographic spread of training, across every County in the country.  Initial payments made in 2016 to the 15 successful organisations, in accordance with the funding arrangements and provisions of the respective grant agreements, are outlined in the following Table. Details of the training classes which are being made available under this tranche of grant funding will be published on my Department’s website as soon as schedules have been finalised. Financial records relating to the scheme will be held at both an organisation and county level.

Digital Skills for Citizens Scheme Grantee	Grant Amount paid in 2016
Age Action Ireland Ltd	€59,490
Ballyhoura Development Company Ltd	€27,000
County Sligo Leader Partnership Company Ltd	€27,600
ECDL Ireland Ltd	€27,000
Family Carers Ireland Ltd	€27,600
Fast Track INTO Information Technology Ltd (FIT)	€56,000
IE Domain Registry Ltd	€30,000
Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Ltd	€31,679.70
Meath Community Rural & Social Development Partnership Ltd	€25,500
(NCBI) National Council for the Blind Group	€30,000
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd	€59,500
South East Community Training & Education Centre Ltd	€25,500
St Catherine’s Community Services Centre Ltd	€25,500
The Cork Academy of Music Ltd	€24,000
Third Age Foundation Co. Ltd	€24,000

Road Projects

Questions (582)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

582. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be made available to Cork City Council in 2017 to construct a pedestrian crossing and associated traffic calming measures at a location (details supplied); and if so, the timeframe for same. [2592/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Cork City (including Stoneridge est, Blarney Road) is the statutory responsibility of Cork City Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

An application for grant assistance was received from Cork City Council. Today I announced the overall 2017 Regional and Local Road grant allocations and funding for this project is included in those allocations.

Bus Éireann Staff

Questions (583)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

583. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of senior anagement and executives of Bus Éireann that received severance packages from the company in each of the years 2008 to 2016; the total cost to Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2647/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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

Coast Guard Services

Questions (584)

Martin Ferris

Question:

584. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will enact statutory instrument legislation in order that the Irish Coast Guard can become a stand-alone primary response agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2720/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I have discussed calls to legislate for the Irish Coast Guard in the House on previous occasions.  The IRCG was established by Government Decision in 1990, initially as the Irish Marine Emergency Service, the name was later changed to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) in 2000, and the division was subsequently transferred from the Department of the Marine to the Department of Transport in 2006.

I am satisfied that the IRCG has sufficient powers as a division of my Department, to carry out its functions which are augmented by the various Merchant Shipping and Sea Pollution legislation which I have previously outlined in my response to PQ No. 677 on 15th November 2016.  These Government Decisions, the Irish Maritime Search and Rescue Framework and legislative provisions are aligned with the accepted provisions of international law (International Convention of the Safety of Life at Sea, International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue and the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea). This administrative and legal framework establishes the Search and Rescue function as a State function with the Irish Coast Guard designated as responsible for maritime Search and Rescue. It further defines the jurisdiction and legal authority of the Rescue Co-ordination Centres with relevant standards of the International Civlil Aviation Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation.

In light of the context set out above, it is my view that there is no need to place the IRCG on any additional statutory footing.

Dublin Bus Fleet

Questions (585)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

585. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the Dublin Bus fleet now accessible by wheelchair users; the planned timeline to have 100% accessibility; the funding set aside for this; the routes that currently do not have 100% accessibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2583/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of my Department's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, Transport Access for All. The plan sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes and significant progress has been achieved in recent years.

Measures to provide for full accessibility are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. In this context my Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus fleet.  This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus fleet to be wheelchair accessible. In addition all Dublin Bus stops are fully accessible as they can be served by a wheelchair ramp with kneeling suspension on the bus. i.e. adjustable suspension that enables the bus to be lowered to the kerb.

Sports Facilities Provision

Questions (586)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

586. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on a boxing centre (details supplied). [2593/17]

Written answers

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

I understand that Cork County Boxing Board is interested in developing a boxing headquarters and centre of excellence in Knocknaheeny. It should be noted however, that there is currently no allocation towards this project.  Any proposal from the Cork County Boxing Board needs to consider issues such as ownership of the proposed site, funding required, planning permission etc. Once these issues are resolved, my officials can advise on how best to advance the proposal.

In relation to sports capital projects generally, as the Deputy will be aware, on 21 December last, Minister Ross and I announced that €30m is being made available under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country.

Applications are being accepted on my Department's dedicated online applications site (www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie) from yesterday the 23 January 2017 to the 24 February, 2017.  The guide to making an application is also available on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.

Tourism Project Funding

Questions (587)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

587. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide support to a project (details supplied). [2626/17]

Written answers

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

My Department's role in relation to tourism is concerned primarily with national policy, and it is not involved in the funding of individual events, or the administration of tourism-related funding programmes. These matters fall within the day-to-day responsibilities of Fáilte Ireland, which provides support for festivals, business tourism and cultural and sporting events, based upon applications received and the return to the economy and tourism industry from those events.

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 reply within ten working days.

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

Departmental Contracts

Questions (588)

Robert Troy

Question:

588. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 562 of 25 October 2016, the details of the discussions and the clear position his Department has taken with regard to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

These questions relate to the tax affairs of an individual person.  The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport would regard such details as confidential.

The position was outlined to the individual in a letter dated September 2013, at a meeting in October 2013, and then again in letters dated 8 December 2015, 15 December 2015, 18 December 2015 and 22 December 2015.  These letters stated that the Department always acted fairly and in good faith in dealing with the individual, that the position is clear and concluded.

Taxi Licences Renewals

Questions (589)

James Lawless

Question:

589. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to difficulties taxi drivers are experiencing in renewing their licences in certain circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2651/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including issues relating to 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.

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

Sport and Recreational Development

Questions (590)

Noel Rock

Question:

590. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will legislate to make it mandatory for all sports clubs to have a code of conduct for youth coaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2661/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The public consultation paper issued by my Department last November, in the context of the preparation of a new National Sports Policy, contained a specific section on coaching. Amongst the key questions highlighted for consideration was the means of how best to ensure that sports coaching is as effective as possible at all levels and that coaches are given the necessary support to work with a variety of people, including children, older people and people with disabilities.

I consider that the particular question of whether legislation should be introduced to make it mandatory for all sports clubs to have a code of conduct for youth coaches can best be considered as part of the overall process of concluding the new National Sports Policy.  I would welcome the view of Sport Ireland, the Government's agency with responsibility for overseeing sporting National Governing Bodies (NGBs), on the suggestion.

I should also highlight that the Child and Family Agency (TUSLA), under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children, and provides valuable guidelines in matters relating to child protection.  Sport Ireland liaises closely with TUSLA and the NGBs on child protection matters.

Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme

Questions (591)

Robert Troy

Question:

591. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the potential investment projects his Department put forward to the Department of Finance task force report for the European Fund for Strategic Investment. [2675/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I set out in the following table a list of projects put forward in 2014 as potential projects for EFSI funding by my Department.

The Department agreed the submission of the list to the Department of Finance. In doing so, it recognised that this was a technical list of potential projects and that inclusion on the list did not imply any commitment to State funding.

Project name	Implementing agency	Description
Ringaskiddy Development	Port of Cork Company	Port Quay Infrastructure, Cruise Terminal,
Alexander Basin Redevlopment	Dublin Port Company	Redevelopment/reconfiguration of Alexandra Basin to accommodate larger ships and to provide for a substantial increase in port capacity.
Improvement of the access and hinterland connection of Foynes Port	Shannon Foynes Port Company	Reinstatement of the existing rail line to the port, improvement works to existing quay and jetty infrastructure and removal of internal transport bottlenecks within the port.
Port improvement works	Port of Waterford	New training walls and pilot facilities
Regional Port Development	Galway Port	reclaim and develop a new port adjacent to existing port. Port Quay Infrastructure, Cruise Terminal,
Regional Port Development	Drogheada	New training walls
Regional Port Development	Dun Laoire	Quay Infrastructure, Cruise Terminal
M7 Naas to New bridge Bypass Widening	NRA	Bottleneck on the N7 with 6 lanes at northern end & 8 lanes at southern end feeding into 4 lanes on Core Corridor
Sallins Bypass & Osberstown Interchange	Kildare County Council	New Interchange and bypass needed to address congestion and facilitate access to public transport at Sallins
N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange	NRA	New Interchange to address congestion on Core Corridor
Coonagh/Knockalisheen	Limerick Council	Road Link needed for urban regeneration
N22 Ballyvorney to Macroom	NRA	Road upgrade to main road link between Cork and Kerry
Moycullen Bypass	NRA	Bypass to address congestion on tourist route and business access to Galway
N5 Westport to Turlough	NRA	Road upgrade to link between Castlebar and Westport
N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin	NRA	Road upgrade to link with high accident record between Collooney and Castlebalwin
N59 Mulranny to Westport	NRA	Road upgrade needed on tourist route
N56 Dungloe to Glenties	NRA	Road upgrade needed on tourist route
Sligo East Garvogue link	Sligo Council	Road link needed for urban regeneration
N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy	NRA	Road Link on a core corridor to connect with a Tier 1 Port
N6 Galway City Outer By-Pass	NRA	Bypass to address congestion on tourist route and business access to Galway
A5 Derry to the Border	Transport Northern Ireland	Upgrade the A5 from Derry to the Border to dual carriageway standard
Project Hangar	Shannon Group plc	Construction of a c.6,751 square metre wide body hangar to facilitate the creation of jobs and development of the aviation cluster in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland.
Project Runway	Shannon Group plc	Full renewal of the Shannon Airport runway to maintain the airport's operating status and its position on the comprehensive Trans-European Transport Network.
Project Corporate	Shannon Group plc	Development of corporate-aviation and cargo terminal infrastructure in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland, as well as establishment of corporate aircraft register. Project is designed to leverage Free Zone status increase total EU MRO activity for corporate aircraft with associated benefits for employment, as well as facilitating cargo transhipment through EU and associated export processing.
Project Hangar II	Shannon Group plc	Construction of a second c.6,751 square metre wide body hangar to facilitate the creation of jobs and development of the aviation cluster in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland.
Project Office	Shannon Group plc	Construction of a number of fourth generation office blocks in the Shannon Free Zone, County Clare, Ireland. The blocks will be constructed to provide comparable office space to current non-EU offerings such as Dubai and to ensure Europe remains a leading player in global aviation.
Project Airport	Shannon Group plc	Refurbishment of Shannon Airport terminal building to safeguard the airport's ability to continue to operate as a part of the Trans-European Transport Network, implement the highest levels of energy efficiency and ensure a positive customer experience.
Project Hangar III	Shannon Group plc	Construction of a third c.6,751 square metre wide body hangar to facilitate the creation of jobs and development of the aviation cluster in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland.
New Parallel Runway at Dublin Airport	daa plc	New parallel runway (10/28) to the north of the existing 10/28 runway.
Swiftway BRT on Swords Airport Corridor	National Transport Authority	Scheme to meet short-medium term needs of Swords, Dublin Airport to City Centre corridor with 24 stops identified at key locations.
DART Underground	National Transport Authority	This project is made up of 2 elements – 1. The development of an underground tunnel (the DU project) between Docklands and Inchicore which will serve a number of key locations in the city centre with underground stations (previously known as the "Interconnector" tunnel) 2. A series of associated/related works including the City Centre Resignalling project (underway), Resignalling and electrification of the Maynooth line, Electrification to Drogheda, a new Centralised Traffic Control Centre (CTC), Elimination of level-crossings, the Kildare Route Project Phase 2, and the expansion of the DART fleet and associated depot facilities.
North Dublin Swords Airport Corridor Rail Link	National Transport Authority	Rail project on Swords/Airport corridor to meet long term needs of one of the fastest growing regions
Swiftway (BRT) Blanchardstown to UCD	National Transport Authority	Scheme will serve corridor between Blanchardstown and UCD including the City Centre with 34 stops identified at key locations.
Swiftway BRT Clongriffin to Tallaght	National Transport Authority	Scheme will serve the corridor linking Clongriffin, the City Centre and Tallaght, no. of stops to be finalised.
SUB -SET of DART U --DART Extension to Balbriggan	National Transport Authority	Part of the DART Underground Programme, which will contribute towards the removal of the bottleneck at Connolly station, including for the Enterprise cross-border train service.
SUB -SET of DART U -DART Extension to Maynooth	National Transport Authority	Part of the DART Underground Programme, involving the removal of Level-Crossings, Re-signalling & Electrification, it will have capacity & frequency benefits in and of itself.
SUB -SET of DART U -Central Traffic Control Centre	National Transport Authority	Part of DART U Programme -New Central Traffic Control Centre required to increase capacity and improve safety
LUAS extensions	National Transport Authority	To be decided. Possible routes include Lucan & Bray extensions.

Road Projects Status

Questions (592)

Imelda Munster

Question:

592. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the funding, provision and commencement date for the port access northern cross route, in view of the daily gridlock and congestion in Drogheda currently and to cater for the projected increase of an additional population of 20,000 under the northern environs plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2743/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth County Council, 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.  My Department has no grant application on hand in relation to the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Port Access road.

Given the cutbacks in State funding for regional and local roads since the financial crisis, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. The bulk of the funding allocated under the Capital Plan published in 2015 is, therefore, earmarked for the maintenance and renewal of the road network with some limited investment in the new projects.

The Drogheda Port Access Northern Cross Route is not provided for in the Capital Plan.

Road Projects

Questions (593)

Imelda Munster

Question:

593. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available to local authorities in County Louth for the provision of road safety measures, including the provision of a mini roundabout and-or staggered junction at Leonard's Cross, Upper Mell, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

I understand from the Council that Leonard's Cross junction is located on a section of the R168 and its intersection with two local roads (Cement Road/Slane Road).  My Department contacted all local authorities (RW 12 of 2016) on 27 September 2016 inviting funding applications for Safety Improvement Works on regional and local roads in 2017 and Councils were asked to list proposed schemes in order of priority. While Louth County Council submitted a funding application under the Programme, the Leonards Cross junction was not among the priority projects listed.

It is a matter for the local authority to select, agree and prioritise the regional and local road works to be funded under its work programme.  The purpose of Exchequer grants is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes.

Traffic Management

Questions (594, 595)

Catherine Martin

Question:

594. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the circumstances under which a zebra crossing may be constructed; the requirements that must be adhered to in such cases; the number of such pedestrian crossings constructed in 2015 and 2016; the circumstances under which a pedestrian crossing made up of a yellow box may be constructed (details supplied); if such yellow box crossings require a person employed as a crossing guard when built near schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/17]

Catherine Martin

Question:

595. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a zebra crossing (details supplied) is in compliance with statutory guidelines on the construction of pedestrian crossings; the circumstances under which the crossing is permissible at this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2805/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together.

The installation of pedestrian crossings on regional and local roads is a matter for local authorities, and on national roads, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

While guidance on their use is set out in both the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG) and the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), the legal requirements for pedestrian crossings are set out in the Traffic Signs Manual, all of which are accessible on my Department's website at www.dttas.ie.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport does not maintain records on the number of zebra crossings constructed by local authorities.

Under Section 96 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 Local Authorities may, with the consent of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, make arrangements for the employment of crossing guards (school wardens) near schools but they are not obliged to do so.

Road Safety Authority Reports

Questions (596)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

596. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the full Road Safety Authority report on disqualified drivers which it produced based on a survey of the national vehicle and driver file in August 2016; the full figures revealed from this survey; the main figures which led to the finding that banned drivers are responsible for the deaths of between 11 and 14 persons yearly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am aware of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) research indicating that there may be as many as 8,000 disqualified drivers on our roads, and that a number of them have been responsible for fatal or major collisions in recent years.  My Department has been advised by the RSA that this research was not the subject of a formal report, and the RSA research included the use of data provided by the National Vehicle and Driver File to the RSA.

I would point out that under new powers provided to the Gardaí under the Road Traffic Act 2014, the Gardaí (since June 2015) can now arrest drivers who are detected driving while disqualified.  Such drivers, following conviction in court, face a maximum fine of €5,000 and/or six months' imprisonment. The Gardaí can also detain, remove and store the vehicle used by such a driver under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.  Furthermore, non-surrendering of a licence is an offence.

I intend to introduce legislation to allow for the publication of the names of drivers who are disqualified following a conviction in court as this has the potential to be an effective tool in dealing with the issue of drivers continuing to drive following a disqualification.

As regards enforcement of road traffic laws, I very much welcome the assurance provided by An Garda Siochana at a Special meeting of the Ministerial Committee on road safety, which I held on 12th January, that there will be an increase of 10% in the traffic corps during 2017 resulting in more check points and greater enforcement of traffic law and that road safety enforcement is a priority in the Garda Policing Plan for 2017.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Questions (597)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

597. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will next meet the CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland; the issues that will be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2879/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

My last formal meeting with the CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Mr. Michael Nolan, was on Monday the 8th of August 2016.  A further meeting with the CEO is not planned at this time. My Department is in regular contact with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and will continue to be so.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (598, 599)

Dara Calleary

Question:

598. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Secretaries General in his Department; the annual pay of each Secretary General within his Department at 1 January 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2916/17]

Dara Calleary

Question:

599. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of assistant secretary generals in his Department; the annual pay of each assistant secretary general within his Department at 1 January 2017; the expected change in that pay as a consequence of the provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2932/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.

There is one Secretary General and five Assistant Secretaries General in my Department.  The relevant pay scales for these Officers are as follows:

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Secretary General level II (PPC)	€ 185,350
Assistant Secretary	€ 119,572	€ 124,917	€ 130,706	€ 136,496
Assistant Secretary (PPC)	€ 125,761	€ 131,385	€ 137,481	€ 143,535

 The determination of salary rates for public servants, including any changes arising from the Lansdowne Road Agreement or any National Agreement is a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  In this regard I understand a circular setting out the revised salary rates applicable from 1st April 2017 to general Civil Service grades, including Secretaries General and Assistant Secretaries General, is currently in preparation and will be issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in due course.

Driver Licences

Questions (600)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

600. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process required by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, for An Garda Síochána to establish the validity of a driving licence number; the number of inquiries received by the RSA from the Garda on driving licence numbers in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the average amount of time it takes the RSA to respond to the Garda with the required information in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2975/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The processing of requests by An Garda Síochána to the Road Safety Authority is a matter for that organisation.  Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.  Please advise 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.

Driver Licences

Questions (601)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

601. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons per annum that have informed the Road Safety Authority, RSA, of a change of address or other change of details to their ten-year driving licence since the RSA took over responsibility for driving licences in 2013 administered through the National Driver Licence Service; the process involved, including the length of time it takes for the replacement licence to be provided by the RSA to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2976/17]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The processing of driving licence replacement requests following a change of address or other change of details is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.  Please advise 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.