Written Answers Nos. 1590-1609
1590. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 399 of 12 July 2017, the progress which has been made to date to increase the Garda traffic corps by 10% during 2017 as set out by An Garda Síochána as a priority in the Garda policing plan 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38182/17]
View answerI set out my understanding of the broad position regarding the planned increase in enforcement by An Garda Síochána in 2017 in my answer to Question No. 399. In 2017 I have increased the frequency of meetings of the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety, which includes senior representatives of An Garda Síochána, and I have been assured at the most recent meeting of that Committee in July that An Garda Síochána is using every available resource, in close co-operation with the Road Safety Authority, to reduce the number of fatal and serious injuries on our roads. As of last Friday (8 September 2017) the number of fatalities on our roads was down by 24 on the same period last year and this I believe is a tribute to the work of the entire spectrum of road safety stakeholders, including my own Department, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána.
However, the Deputy will appreciate that the issues raised by him as regards specific enforcement levels by An Garda Síochána including the exact current levels of the Garda Traffic Corps and the detailed implementation of Garda policing plans for 2017 are matters which fall within the area of responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Deputy may wish to raise the matter directly with my colleague accordingly.
1591. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the enhanced services to be provided by the new bus operator in Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38193/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
1592. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the chairperson and board positions for each body and organisation under his remit that remain to be filled; the length of time that each vacancy has existed; when he expects to fill each vacant position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38194/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link: State Boards.
1593. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made regarding the establishment of a motor insurance database; when this database will be fully functioning and operational; the agency or Department which will have responsibility for its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/17]
View answerThe Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) will have ownership of the motor insurance database and will have responsibility for its operation.
The motor insurance database referred to is known as the Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) insurance database. The project is to be completed in stages and Phase 1 relating to privately owned motor vehicles is currently under way. Phase 1 will provide insured and uninsured vehicle lists to An Garda Síochána based on vehicle licence plate number and insurer name. This will include providing a list of uninsured vehicles that can be loaded into the An Garda Síochána Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. This phase has commenced initial testing with An Garda Síochána. I hope that this will assist An Garda Síochána to tackle the level of uninsured driving and so will help to reduce the cost of uninsured driving on the premiums of ordinary motorists.
Phase 2 includes the capturing of driver licence numbers and has an expected date for its completion of Quarter 3 2020, with at that stage a target of 100% of driver licence numbers to be made available for the MTPL database for privately owned motor vehicles, which makes up in the region of 92% of insured vehicles. This Phase will provide a more complete picture of insurance status, for example, not just on whether insurance is in place on the vehicle but also regarding who is insured to drive the vehicle.
While I would like to see the said timelines improved upon I acknowledge the commitment of the insurance industry to deliver the MTPL insurance database project as soon as possible. In tandem with the efforts of the insurance industry, my Department will do everything possible to support the efforts of the insurance industry including as necessary through road traffic legislative measures to support the efforts of the industry in developing the database.
1594. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific actions being taken to arrest the continuing decline in UK visitor numbers here in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38217/17]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the boards and management of the tourism agencies. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
1595. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which NTA plans to overhaul services in large provincial centres will affect bus services in County Louth. [38256/17]
View answer1596. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA has met with Louth County Council to consult with it in advance of plans to overhaul services in large provincial centres. [38257/17]
View answer1597. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA plans to seek funding from local authorities such as Louth County Council as part of its development plans to overhaul services in large provincial centres. [38258/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1595 to 1597, inclusive, together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
1598. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual percentage of non-commercial State sponsored bodies staff under the remit of his Department who were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38368/17]
View answer1599. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual percentage of public service staff who were women under the remit of his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38391/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1598 and 1599 together.
The information requested by the Deputy pertaining to my Department is outlined in the following table:
|
Year |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (as at end August) |
|
% Women |
50.4% |
49.0% |
47.1% |
47.4% |
48.4% |
49.0% |
49.7% |
47.9% |
The position regarding the non-Commercial State Sponsored bodies under the remit of this Department is a matter for their direct response. I have asked the Bodies to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the Bodies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
1600. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for upgrade or maintenance for each regional airport over each of the past ten years. [38494/17]
View answerMy Department's funding of regional airports is under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019. This Programme provides for Exchequer support towards safety and security related projects and activities at the four regional airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK), Kerry and Waterford under four separate Schemes:
- Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Grant Scheme;
- Operational Expenditure (OPEX) Grant Scheme;
- Public Policy Remit* Capital Expenditure (PPR-C) Grant Scheme; and
- Public Policy Remit* Operational Expenditure (PPR-O) Grant Scheme.
*Public Policy Remit (PPR) Schemes, introduced in 2015, cover projects and operations at airports which are generally obligatory under national or international aviation requirements and which involve costs for the airports that generate no economic return (e.g. ATC, fire services, security services, etc.).
Details of Exchequer support to the four regional airports under the above Schemes in the period 2006 - 2016 are set out in the following tables:
|
CAPEX (Capital Grants ) |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Donegal |
€231,290 |
€0 |
€431,759 |
€339,474 |
€0 |
€2,111,313 |
|
Galway |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€222,944 |
|
Kerry |
€181,440 |
€0 |
€133,156 |
€740,958 |
€1,633,946 |
€399,348 |
|
Knock |
€1,201,045 |
€0 |
€1,925,413 |
€2,013,023 |
€699,007 |
€233,282 |
|
Sligo |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€237,531 |
|
Waterford |
€0 |
€43,839 |
€533,210 |
€361,686 |
€1,333,830 |
€795,582 |
|
Derry |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€345,590 |
€751,322 |
|
Total |
€1,613,775 |
€43,839 |
€3,023,538 |
€3,455,141 |
€4,012,373 |
€4,751,322 |
table cont.
|
CAPEX (Capital Grants ) |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|
Donegal |
€353,500 |
€33,536 |
€992,610 |
€299,524 |
€49,490 |
|
Galway |
€90,000 |
€453,624 |
€1,049,692 |
€673,892 |
€0 |
|
Kerry |
€0 |
€45,000 |
€334,393 |
€189,074 |
€98,107 |
|
Knock |
€823,344 |
€3,874,018 |
€4,626,956 |
€699,465 |
€529,365 |
|
Sligo |
€0 |
€84,989 |
€112,580 |
€303,911 |
€124,000 |
|
Waterford |
€23,381 |
€223,606 |
€1,907,729 |
€1,174,487 |
€0 |
|
Derry |
€133,698 |
€2,507,008 |
€5,059,011 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€1,423,923 |
€7,221,781 |
€14,082,971 |
€3,340,353 |
€800,962 |
|
OPEX (Operational Expenditure Support) |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|
Donegal |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€111,417 |
€42,630 |
|
Galway |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€2,309,191 |
|
Kerry |
€0 |
€0 |
€507,224 |
€436,918 |
€550,000 |
€950,000 |
|
Knock |
€0 |
€0 |
€548,600 |
€654,576 |
€589,644 |
€431,907 |
|
Sligo |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€386,535 |
|
Waterford |
€594,493 |
€756,825 |
€1,038,784 |
€1,121,399 |
€1,232,964 |
€1,272,071 |
|
Total |
€594,493 |
€756,825 |
€2,094,608 |
€2,212,893 |
€2,484,025 |
€5,392,334 |
table cont.
|
OPEX (Operational Expenditure Support) |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|
Donegal |
€277,692 |
€131,000 |
€0 |
€44,000 |
€64,600 |
|
Galway |
€1,799,339 |
€962,000 |
€1,200,000 |
€859,000 |
€677,848 |
|
Kerry |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Knock |
€760,948 |
€445,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Sligo |
€394,839 |
€313,000 |
€0 |
€9,000 |
€231,200 |
|
Waterford |
€1,584,458 |
€1,494,000 |
€1,540,000 |
€1,352,000 |
€687,685 |
|
Total |
€4,817,276 |
€3,345,000 |
€2,740,000 |
€2,264,000 |
€1,661,333 |
|
PPR-Capital (2015 - 2019) |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|
Donegal |
€220,022 |
€398,995 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kerry |
€129,262 |
€402,783 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Knock (IWAK) |
€764,609 |
€564,622 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€18,381 |
€732,286 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€1,132,274 |
€2,098,686 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
PPR-Operational (2015 - 2019) |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|
Donegal |
€356,597 |
€226,059 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Kerry |
€626,855 |
€311,260 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Knock (IWAK) |
€967,765 |
€598,349 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€425,722 |
€382,205 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Total |
€2,376,939 |
€1,517,873 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
1601. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of tenders received by the National Transport Authority in relation to the operation of a public bus service on route 139, Naas to Blanchardstown, by the closing date of 30 August 2017; when the assessment of the tenders will be completed and the contract awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38507/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
1603. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct the TII to engage with a person (details supplied) regarding a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38519/17]
View answerAs 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (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.
1604. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving test examiners who have been appointed in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38521/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1605. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving test examiners who are employed. [38522/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1606. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving text examiners his Department plans to employ in the next year. [38523/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1607. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department’s contribution to non-national road schemes in Dublin South-West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38585/17]
View answerIn relation to regional and local roads in Dublin, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on regional and local roads are funded from the relevant local authorities' own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts the four Dublin Councils became self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories from 2015. Provision was made in the Capital Plan for the upgrade of roads in the vicinity of Grange Castle Business Park and the Department is providing grant assistance for that strategic scheme at present.
Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities and allocations for 2017 are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment and allocation booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.
1608. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sports capital funding to organisations (details supplied) and other sports by project, in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017; the largest allocation given; the number of projects; the amount per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38587/17]
View answerDetails of all allocations and payments made under the sports capital programme are available on the Department's website: http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. Payments information for 2017 will be published in early 2018.
1609. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sports capital funding by county in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38588/17]
View answerDetails of all allocations and payments made under the sports capital programme are available on the Department's website at: http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
