Written Answers Nos. 1570-1589
1570. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider allowing hearses and mourning cars drive in bus lanes when conveying bereaved family members to and from the church and to the graveyard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37778/17]
View answerBus lanes were created, at some expense to the public, to provide on-street priority to bus-based public transport. The goal is to make bus services faster and more reliable, thereby attracting more people onto public transport, and reducing congestion and pollution.
Since the introduction of bus lanes, there have been numerous and repeated requests to my Department to allow different classes of vehicle to have access to the lanes. My predecessors and I have always rejected these requests. The reason is that allowing further classes of vehicle to use the lanes would undermine their efficiency for the purpose for which they were created. In addition, granting any one such request would make it more difficult to argue for rejecting the others, and cause further damage to the efficiency of the lanes. I therefore have no plans to extend the use of bus lanes to any further vehicles at this time.
1571. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department directed the Road Safety Authority to accept the public services card as the only form of identity for those obtaining driving licences and sitting driving tests. [37793/17]
View answer1572. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if driving licences issued by the Road Safety Authority can be used to verify the identity of persons sitting the Road Safety Authority's driving test to obtain a driving licence issued by same. [37794/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1571 and 1572 together.
The Public Services Card (PSC) is not at present required as part of the application process for a driving licence or the application process for a driving test.
It is a matter of Government policy - and has been for a number of years under successive Governments - to aim for what is called the SAFE 2 - Standard Authentication Framework Environment level 2 - standard of ID verification for public services. This can be done in one of two ways. Either every Department and agency which provides services to the public can go through the ID verification process to SAFE 2 standard, or one form of ID verified to that standard can be used across a number of services. The latter is far more convenient to the public as well as for the agencies concerned. It also will support the strengthening of the fixed penalty and enforcement system by implementing the SAFE 2 standard for identity authentication.
The process of issuing a PSC involves verification to SAFE 2 standard. The legislation allowing what are called 'specified bodies' to require production of a PSC as part of application processes has been in place since 2005.
Under the Government's eGovernment strategy, there is a target of March 2018 for the introduction of an online system of application for driving licences. At that point, people who have obtained a PSC and therefore have had their ID verified to SAFE 2 standard will be able to apply for driving licences online using their public service identity.
I am not clear what the Deputy has in mind in referring to using a driving licence as ID for a driving test. By definition someone doing a test does not have a driving licence. A person presenting themselves for a driving test must produce their learner permit. This will have been issued by the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), and contains a photograph taken at an NDLS centre. In the future, the basis of ID verification behind the learner permit will be at SAFE 2 standard.
1573. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite the return of a document to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37805/17]
View answerMy Department’s office in Shannon will contact the individual concerned and will arrange for the transfer of vehicle ownership document to be completed.
1574. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 15 February 2017, when this grant will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37832/17]
View answerThe position remains as outlined in my previous reply to the Deputy as the Capital Plan Review has not been completed as yet.
1575. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase funding for the segregation of cycle lanes from motor vehicle traffic in view of the rise in cycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37858/17]
View answerFunding is allocated for cycling infrastructure and initiatives under a number of different programmes administered both directly by my Department and by the National Transport Authority.
Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area for the implementation of sustainable transport measures, including cycling and walking infrastructure. €19m has been allocated to this programme in 2017. A portion of these funds will be used for the further development of the cycle network in the Greater Dublin Area, with a portion also directed towards the provision of cycle parking. A further €9.1m has been allocated in 2017 to the Regional Cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, for works to help improve mobility in those cities. In addition, approximately €9m will be spent by my Department on Smarter Travel initiatives.
Increasing the numbers of people cycling in Ireland is a priority for me since I recognise the contribution this can make in terms of tackling congestion. I am also keenly aware of the significant health benefits that are yielded when people adopt a more active lifestyle.
As part of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, I am seeking to increase the level of funding available for the delivery of cycling infrastructure. The proposed BusConnects programme, once rolled out, will also provide a significant amount of segregated cycling infrastructure in the coming years.
1576. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official, the funding allocated to the Brexit unit, the cost to date and the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/17]
View answerWhile all relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit related work and consultations with stakeholders, overall responsibility for the preparation and coordination of the Department's response to Brexit has been assigned to the Head of Function of the Policy, Governance and EU Division.
Brexit issues relating to Tourism are managed by the Head of Function of the Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment Division. Both Heads of Functions are at Principal Officer level.
The additional cost to the Policy, Governance and EU Division arising from Brexit activities, outside of staff costs, was estimated to be €50,000 in 2017, of which some €10,000 has been incurred to date. The need for additional funding will be kept under ongoing review.
1577. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff deployed full time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38015/17]
View answerBrexit has the potential to have serious adverse economic transport and tourism impacts and as a result has been identified as the main strategic risk facing the Department.
The Department in response has organised itself internally and while all relevant areas of the Department are actively engaged in Brexit-related work and consultation with stakeholders, overall responsibility for the preparation and coordination of its response to Brexit has been assigned to the Head of Function in the Policy, Governance and EU Division.
Brexit issues relating to Tourism are managed by the Head of Function of the Tourism Marketing Policy and Impact Assessment Division. Both Heads of Function are Principal Officers.
The support teams who deal with Brexit issues in addition to other duties are 3 staff in the Policy, Governance and EU Division and 3 staff on the tourism side.
The Management Board has, and will continue, to keep under review the Department's internal organisation and structures for Brexit to ensure that they remain robust in addressing the evolving Brexit situation.
1578. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by his Department in the 18 months to September 2017 in respect of construction projects; the way in which he monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms his Department employs to establish this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38031/17]
View answerThe construction of projects in the transport sector is the responsibility of a range of organisations including both non-commercial and commercial semi-state agencies. It is the responsibility of individual organisations (as sponsoring bodies) to operate within agreed budgets and to comply with this Department's Capital Appraisal Guidelines and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's (DPER) Public Spending Code. Procurement of projects must comply with DPER's procurement requirements and contracts must be in accordance with DPER's Public Works Contracts. Within this context it is the responsibility of Agencies to manage projects and ensure value for money including in relation to increases in anticipated costs over the life of projects. The Department does not separately monitor this aspect of agencies project management.
1579. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recent figures published by the CSO showing a 9% drop in the number of UK citizens visiting here; his plans to deal with the impact of Brexit and the fall in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/17]
View answerTrips to Ireland for the first seven months of 2017 were up by 3.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2016. The data also indicates that the number of visits from Britain for the first seven months of 2017 was down by -6.2% compared to the same period in 2016.
Since the UK voted to leave the EU, my department has been fully engaged in evaluating the ensuing risks for tourism and, together with the tourism agencies, working to address those risks. The department's analysis of the situation was greatly assisted by the All-Island sectorial meeting I hosted with the industry in January which examined the impact of Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector. From a departmental perspective, we will continue our work across Government to ensure that our concerns are high on the agenda. For tourism, the priorities include maintaining a liberalised aviation regime, preserving the common travel area, avoiding a hard border and retaining British-Irish visa agreements for third countries.
The tourism agencies are engaged in the operational aspects of preparing for Brexit and the impact of the fall in the value of sterling. I have referred the Deputy's question to both tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further details of the initiatives underway. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1580. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the DART expansion programme and the electrification of the Sligo line from Connolly to Maynooth together with removal of level crossings and re-signalling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38090/17]
View answer1583. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department's work with Iarnród Éireann regarding the electrification of the Maynooth line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38094/17]
View answer1602. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on securing funding under the mid-term capital review for the electrification of the Maynooth and Kildare rail lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38509/17]
View answer1612. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the comments attributed to the CEO of Irish Rail regarding pressure in capacity on the Maynooth line that the most sensible rail investment to prioritise is the upgrading of this route to DART standard; his views on whether this would benefit the commuter population using the line and pave the way for building more affordable housing easily accessible to Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38628/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1580, 1583, 1602 and 1612 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035' proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART underground tunnel.
The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present. Due to constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the current Capital Plan. Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel.
As I have previously informed the Deputy, I have sought additional funding for public transport in the context of the ongoing mid-term review of the Capital Plan. This includes increased funding to accelerate implementation of the DART Expansion Programme.
1581. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions his Department has taken in respect of the report published by Iarnród Éireann regarding the company’s funding shortfall and ability to invest and maintain its existing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38092/17]
View answerThe taxpayer makes a significant and recurring contribution each year to Iarnród Éireann. This contribution takes the form of both current, PSO funding and also capital funding under the IMMAC (infrastructure management multi-annual contract) and through the National Transport Authority. Last year this funding totalled almost €300m and increased funding will be provided to the Company again this year.
In August 2015 my Department published the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT) which outlined the funding pressures across both our rail and road networks and made a number of recommendations in respect of key priorities and principles for future investment.
In relation to rail, the SFILT recommended the development of a new rail policy and last year the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann published the Rail Review Report 2016 on which the NTA held a public consultation. Over 300 submissions were received by the NTA and the authority is preparing a report of those submissions.
In advance of that, no decisions have been taken regarding matters such as the future of individual rail lines or investment in the company and its relevant infrastructure.
As noted within the Rail Review Report, its analysis predates the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is obvious that, once agreed by Government, the approach which that Framework adopts toward land-use planning and settlement patterns for the country will have significant impacts on the potential of rail and other transport infrastructure and services into the future. I look forward to the finalisation and adoption by Government in the coming months of the new National Planning Framework, which I believe will form an important context for my consideration of issues raised by the Rail Review Report and any recommendations I will bring to Government.
1582. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department’s work with local authorities and transport providers on the bus rapid transport scheme in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38093/17]
View answer1613. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA plans to create new bus connections between the new Luas terminus in Broombridge and the surrounding communities in Navan Road, Ashtown, Cabra and Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38629/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1582 and 1613 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) launched the BusConnects initiative in May which proposes a radical transformation of the bus system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The proposed measures includes the development of a network of ‘next generation’ bus corridors, three bus rapid transit routes, and a complete redesign of the network to be accompanied by a network of bus-based park and ride sites at strategic locations. As I have previously informed the Deputy, I have sought additional funding for public transport investment in the ongoing mid-term review of the Capital Plan to support this initiative.
Given the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to the bus network redesign process. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1584. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the applications received for the current round of sports capital grants; when he expects a decision to be made regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38109/17]
View answerA list of all applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme is available on the Department’s website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-applications-received.
All of the 2,320 applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in the coming weeks.
1585. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications his Department has received from Cork city and county under the sports capital grant, by application and the amounts sought for each application, including those made by local authorities. [38132/17]
View answerDetails of all applications submitted under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme, including the details sought by the Deputy have been published on the Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-applications-received.
1586. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications his Department has received from Cork City Council and Cork County Council under the sports capital grant, by application and the amounts sought for each application. [38133/17]
View answerA list of all applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme, including the information sought by the Deputy, is available on the Department’s website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-applications-received.
1587. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or bodies and agencies under the remit of his Department plan to make services or payments dependent on the mandatory use and production of the public services card; if so, the services and payments which will now be dependent on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38154/17]
View answerIt is envisioned that the future Driver & Vehicle Online portals including new Online Change of Vehicle Ownership services will use the MyGovID functionality for authenticating users who access the online systems in line with government policy but these have not been fully defined or scoped so there is no definite decision or timescales in relation to implementation.
As for agencies under the remit of my Department, this is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded your question them for direct response to you. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please don't hesitate to contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
1588. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress he has made with the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Garda Commissioner and the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners in establishing a multi-agency approach in order to ascertain if there are additional legislative or other solutions which can assist in dealing with the use of scrambler and quad bikes more comprehensively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38174/17]
View answerI am not aware of a multi-agency approach to tackle the use of scrambler and quad bikes. However, I must point out that there is already comprehensive legislation in place governing the use of scrambler bikes, quad bikes and similar small vehicles in a public place, with enforcement being entirely a matter for an Garda Síochána. The use of such vehicles in other areas, such as parks and on private land, is beyond the remit of my Department.
However, it should be noted that an Garda Síochána does not have any legislative power to deal with scrambler bikes being driven on private land. Local authorities have the power to introduce by-laws to prohibit the use of vehicles in areas under their control, eg parks. The Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs has similar powers to control off-road vehicles in certain areas, eg the unauthorised use of off-road vehicles is prohibited in certain national parks.
1589. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Lucan swimming pool project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38181/17]
View answerIn January of 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
My Department wrote to SDCC in April 2016 advising the Council to undertake the Preliminary Report stage (which includes the Feasibility Study, Appointment of Consultants for Preliminary Proposals and Design Brief). Documentation in this regard was received from SDCC in July 2016. Following examination by my Department's technical advisor and my officials, SDCC was given approval in October 2016 to appoint the recommended design team and proceed to the design brief. In April of this year, the detailed drawings were received by my Department and referred to my Department's technical advisor for consideration. Following clarification of some technical queries, my Department issued approval to the technical design element of the Preliminary Report on the 5th July. This approval allows the Council to have the detailed contract documents prepared and therefore has allowed SDCC to proceed to the Part 8 planning process. My Department is continuing to liaise with SDCC in relation to some other outstanding documentation.
