Written Answers Nos. 1488-1508
1488. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review submissions made to the Committee of Public Accounts relevant to a company (details supplied); the way in which the company was treated by a company; if he will investigate the complaints made and the inaction of a company; if he will confirm the sales price of the property concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37432/17]
View answerThis matter relates to a sale transaction dispute with Shannon Development dating back to 2011. This began before the establishment of Shannon Group which now includes the former Shannon Development property portfolio within its subsidiary Shannon Commercial Enterprises.
I am aware of the process undertaken by the Public Accounts Committee in reviewing this dispute and the conclusions reached by them. I am also aware of the response provided by Shannon Commercial Enterprises on the issues raised by the Committee. However, this is a commercial matter in which I have no function.
1489. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of extra funding that was made available to Donegal County Council to enable repair work on roads, bridges and so on in the aftermath of flooding in County Donegal during the week of 22 August 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37783/17]
View answerThe 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 local authority'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.
Following the flooding, Donegal County Council undertook the necessary immediate remedial works on the road network before completing an assessment of the overall cost of repairing the damage. The Council wrote to my Department on 7th September outlining its assessment of the costs involved in repairing the road network. My Department is liaising with the Council and has asked the Council to provide a breakdown of estimated costs between this year and next year.
1490. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish citizens residing abroad must acquire the new public services card to renew a driving licence; if so, the location in which they can apply for a public services card while residing in another country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37868/17]
View answerUnder EU law, Member States may issue driving licences only to people whose normal residence is within their jurisdiction. When someone takes up residence abroad we therefore cannot issue or renew a driving licence for them.
The EU definition of 'normal residence' allows that a person may remaining normally resident in a country while temporarily living outside that country for a fixed period of work or study. In these case, Irish law currently allows people to apply by post rather than appearing in person at an office of the National Driver Licensing Service.
There is no requirement to produce a Public Services Card (PSC) as part of the driver licensing application process. However, under the Government's eGovernment strategy, a target of March 2018 has been set for the introduction of an online driving application system. When this is in place it will be necessary for those using the online system to register for a PSC in order to ensure validation of their identity. The postal option for people temporarily abroad will continue.
1491. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes being made to the role of the Coast Guard in view of the fact that search and rescue pilots on 24-hour duty will no longer be expected to undertake inter-hospital patient transfers; the alternative procedures being put in place to provide air transport for patient transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38259/17]
View answerThe provision of Air Ambulance/Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (AA/HEMS) is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive through the National Ambulance Service. The role of the Coast Guard in the provision of a HEMS service has been and will remain a secondary role to the primary SAR function and is provided on “as available” basis. Following a recent review by the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to arrangements for HEMS/AA, the Canadian Helicopter Corporation Ireland, the contractors for the Coast Guard Helicopter Service, were informed that such services must operate under Civil Air Transport rules (AA/HEMS) rules with effect from the 6th of Sept. This essentially imposes more restrictive rules in relation to rest times and rostering in carrying out this type of work as opposed to maritime SAR services which are provided within a 24 hour roster.
The Department of Health and NAS have been advised on the impact of these changes with regard to provision HEMS/air Ambulance services.
1492. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money Irish Rail has spent on the new seat reservation system; the improved customer service and value for money that has been brought about by this new system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36794/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1493. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for their practical driving tests as of 24 July 2017, by county; and the waiting times for same, in tabular form. [36862/17]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
1494. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for their practical driving tests in July 2015, by county: and the waiting time for same, in tabular form. [36863/17]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office is a reply has not been received within ten days.
1495. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi drivers are entitled to remove the Transport for Ireland taxi decal during periods when their vehicles are not used as taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36894/17]
View answer1496. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has the required permission from every taxi driver for the public display of information supplied on the Transport for Ireland online taxi application form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36895/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1495 and 1496 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle signage and all licencing requirements, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days.
1497. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, if the vacancies referred to have been filled; if not, the reason for the delay in the appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36896/17]
View answer1498. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 791 of 7 March 2017, the steps he will take to rectify the lack of balance (details supplied) on the Taxi Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1497 and 1498 together.
The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 provides that the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) shall consist of a Chairperson and 17 ordinary members. The 2013 Act also sets out requirements with regard to categories of representation.
Three of the four vacancies to which you referred have since been filled. These positions were under the 'special interest or expertise' category. The applications for these positions were submitted through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the positions were fulfilled in line with the new State Appointments Procedures.
In appointing members to the Committee, every effort is made, insofar as is practicable, to ensure that there is both rural and urban representation in the composition of the Committee in line with the 2013 Act.
Section 72 of that Act provides that appointments are for a period not exceeding 3 years. As the membership of the previous TAC expired on 31 July 2015, the existing TAC members have either been appointed or re-appointed until 31 July 2018.
Accordingly, the process to appoint new members will begin shortly and will take into account, insofar as is practicable, the requirements on diversity of membership under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
1499. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the disabled parking permit scheme and include autism as a basis for qualification for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36904/17]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland with a permanent disability, medical condition, severe mobility difficulties and to people who are registered blind. The medical criteria for issue of the permit are strict and only persons whose mobility is severely and permanently restricted qualify. These criteria were revised and clarified in my Department’s Review of the Disabled Parking Scheme in 2010. The review recommended revising the eligibility criteria for the disabled parking permit to focus on limitations on mobility rather than on diagnosis of particular medical condition or illness. This was in line with the original intention of the scheme.
The disabled parking scheme is operated on behalf of my Department by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), which are the two bodies empowered to issue disabled parking permits. As Minister, I have responsibility for the regulations under which the scheme operates.
I have no plans to review eligibility criteria at this time. However, should the key stakeholders, in particular the DDAI and/or the IWA, present a case for a further review of the scheme - or indeed specific aspects of it, I would be willing to give consideration to it.
1500. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason funding for the Kildare town traffic plan has been reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36920/17]
View answer1501. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the traffic plan development funding being made available for towns in south County Kildare. [36921/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1500 and 1501 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the administration of the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme. This rolling programme of measures facilitates investment in various QBCs, cycling/walking, safety and traffic management projects throughout the seven local authority areas in the Greater Dublin Area, including Kildare County Council.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for the STMG Programme, I have referred your question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to traffic management projects in Kildare. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1502. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work in his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36961/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of political staff employed in my Department in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017 is as outlined in the following table. Please note that my Department had both a Minister and Minister of State for each of the years in question.
The Deputy should also note that with effect from the 31st March 2016, on the instructions of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform, responsibility for Personal Assistants and Personal Secretaries was transferred to the Oireachtas.
|
Year |
Job Title |
Duty |
Salary |
|
2015 |
Personal Assistant x 2 |
Provide a role assigned by the Minister |
€43,715 to €56,060 |
|
Personal Secretary x 2 |
Provide a role assigned by the Minister |
€456.50 to €915.20 per week |
|
|
Special Adviser x 2 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental issues |
€79,401 to €91,624 (one pro bono) |
|
|
Press Adviser x 1 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental press issues |
€79,401 to €91,624 |
|
|
Civilian Driver x 4 |
Driving duties for the Minister |
€34,700 |
|
|
Year |
Job Title |
Duty |
Salary |
|
2016 |
Personal Assistant x 2 |
Provide a role assigned by the Minister |
€43,715 to €56,060 |
|
Personal Secretary x 2 |
Provide a role assigned by the Minister |
€456.50 to €915.20 per week |
|
|
Special Adviser x 1 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental issues |
€79,401 to €91,624 |
|
|
Press Adviser x 1 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental press issues |
€79,401 to €91,624 |
|
|
Civilian Driver x 3 |
Driving duties for the Minister |
€34,700 |
|
|
Seconded Public Servant x 1 |
Provide clerical assistance in Constituency office |
€26,756 to €43,889 |
|
|
Year |
Job Title |
Duty |
Salary |
|
2017 |
Special Adviser x 1 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental issues |
€81,767 to €94,624 |
|
Press Adviser x 1 |
Advise the Minister regarding political and departmental press issues |
€81,767 to €94,624 |
|
|
Civilian Driver x 3 (1 post covered by 2 work sharers) |
Driving duties for the Minister |
€35,700 |
|
|
Clerical x 1 (1 post covered by 2 work sharers) |
Provide clerical assistance in Constituency office |
€438.46 to €734.79 per week |
1503. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include a road (details supplied) in the capital investment plan for 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36964/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, while I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as a link road between Castlelough on the N71 and Lissivigeen on the N22) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland 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.
The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. Maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. In this context it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan (including the link road between Castlelough on the N71 and Lissivigeen on the N22) given the overall funding envelope available.
The Capital Review is now underway and while there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding and unfortunately, this means that only a limited number can be put forward for funding.
The final decisions on allocations are, however, matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.
Notwithstanding the above I have also referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please notify my Office.
1504. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger journeys undertaken on the DART in each of the years 2005 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017. [36996/17]
View answer1505. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger journeys undertaken on Irish Rail's northern commuter service for Dundalk and Drogheda to Dublin in each of the years 2005 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017. [36997/17]
View answer1506. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger journeys undertaken on Irish Rail's Dublin to Maynooth commuter service in each of the years 2005 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017. [36998/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1504 to 1506, inclusive, together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1507. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 242 of 10 May 2017, when a decision will be made on the priority ranking; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37016/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This also applies to the maintenance and management of national roads.
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.
1508. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37024/17]
View answerThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
