Written Answers Nos. 460-477
460. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the required 24 hours notice that passengers with a disability must give to travel on an Irish Rail service; if so, the amount of time the notice will be reduced to; the timeframe for these changes to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40158/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail 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 under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
461. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are taxation incentives to encourage companies to get their employees to use electric vehicles as company cars as opposed to petrol or diesel vehicles; if not, if incentives are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40214/17]
View answerTax policy and the availability of incentives are a matter for the Minister for Finance in the first instance. To support the uptake of alternative technologies for Irish businesses, an Accelerated Capital Allowance (ACA) scheme is intended to stimulate businesses to buy more energy efficient products which include electric vehicles and their associated charging infrastructure. Under this scheme a 100% asset write down is permitted in the year of purchase enabling the full value of the tax relief benefit to be received promptly. SEAI currently administer the eligibility criteria for this scheme.
The Government is very supportive of the transition of the car fleet to zero emissions technology, especially electric vehicles (EVs). The Deputy may be aware that my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, have jointly convened an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Task Force to consider a full suite of potential measures to expedite the deployment of low carbon technologies under a commitment outlined in the "Programme for a Partnership Government".
The wide ranging work of the Taskforce has been divided between three working groups addressing: Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility; Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing; and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership.
Additional potential policy instruments being considered by the Taskforce include reduced charges or exemptions on toll roads for EVs; availability and focus of company car benefit-in-kind relief; EV public parking charges; the effectiveness of the current incentives in place; and the role of taxation in the accelerated deployment of low emission vehicles.
The Taskforce will also consider potential Government and public body leadership initiatives and opportunities, as means of further demonstrating support for LEV uptake.
An opportunity was provided in July for industry and user stakeholders to contribute their perspectives to the deliberations of the Task Force and further wider consultations will be also be undertaken later this year. Details of the progress of the Taskforce are made available on my Department’s website.
In addition, actions in support of the transition to LEVs were included in the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport: 2017-2030, which I published in May. The Framework aims to remove barriers to the uptake of LEVs by addressing such infrastructure requirements as EV charging points. The Framework sets an ambitious target that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero emissions (or zero emissions capable), reducing our dependence on the use of conventional fossil fuels for transport.
462. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has calculated indicative costings for the DART expansion project along lines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40218/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The NTA's Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the overall 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 original cost of the overall DART Expansion Programme (including the tunnel element) was estimated at €4 billion, of which €3 billion was in respect of the tunnel as originally designed.
The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned to provide a lower cost solution and work is underway on that at present.
Funding has been provided under the Government's present Capital Plan for work on the redesign of the tunnel and other elements of the DART Expansion Programme including for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and the design and planning of DART services to Maynooth and Hazelhatch.
463. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all procurement of new diesel powered rail rolling stock will be hybrid in line with the vision for the long term electrification of rail services and the policy on reducing urban air pollution. [40239/17]
View answerAs I outlined to the Deputy in my previous reply to Dáil Question No. 1418 on 26 July, this is a matter for Iarnród Éireann.
I understand that Iarnród Éireann has replied directly to the Deputy on this matter and the position is unchanged.
464. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all procurement of new rail rolling stock will provide for increased space for carriage of bicycles in line with the policy as set out in the national cycle policy framework. [40240/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Iarnród Eireann operates the heavy rail network and is responsible for assessing rolling stock requirements for the heavy rail network in conjunction with the National Transport Authority.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies in this regard, I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply on this issue. Please advise my office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
465. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to open the local authority swimming pool programme for new applications in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40241/17]
View answerThe Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.
In January of 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin.
There are four projects in the current programme and the priority in 2017 is on progressing these projects.
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently finalising a review of national sports policy which includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead.
466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to enforce the Road Traffic Act 2016 that gives effect to an agreement with the UK on mutual recognition of driver disqualifications which was signed in October 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40283/17]
View answerThe mutual recognition of driving disqualifications between Ireland and the UK came into effect on 1 August 2017. This new measure is underpinned by an International Agreement between Ireland and the UK.
Under the Ireland/UK Agreement, the driving disqualification is, in effect, transferred by the State which imposes it to the licence of the offender's "home" state, so the legal consequence of the offence committed follows the offender home.
In Ireland mutual recognition of driver disqualifications of a person normally resident in Ireland or holding an Irish driving licence who has been disqualified from driving in the UK for one of the very serious offences covered by the Agreement will be pursued by the Road Safety Authority who will apply to the relevant court in Ireland for a court order which will impose the disqualification in Ireland. Similarly the Road Safety Authority will notify the relevant UK authorities of persons normally resident in the UK or holding a UK driving licence who have been disqualified from driving in Ireland, and the relevant UK authorities will similarly pursue the disqualification in the UK.
Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications is an important road safety measure for both Ireland and the UK, and I know you will share my hope that it will be successful in helping to improve driver behaviour and in reducing deaths and injuries on our roads.
467. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for North-South harmonisation in relation to penalty points in the context of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40284/17]
View answerThere is no cross-Border mechanism at present for the mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland or any successful example of or framework for mutual recognition of penalty points between other jurisdictions in Europe.
A considerable amount of work has been done by my Department, involving my officials, the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, an Garda Síochána, the PSNI, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland, the Courts Service both here and in Northern Ireland, and the Road Safety Authority.
That work identified a number of major issues which would need to be resolved before a system for the mutual recognition of penalty points could go ahead between Ireland and Northern Ireland, including the standardisation of penalty points awarded for various road traffic offences, resolving issues regarding summons service, and the need to ensure equality of treatment for drivers in both jurisdictions. This work would require primary legislation in both jurisdictions, and is currently undergoing legal advice for the best way to overcome the obstacles.
As the mutual recognition of penalty points, when implemented, would be by way of a bi-lateral agreement between the relevant authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland (similar to the recently introduced bilateral Agreement between Ireland and the UK regarding mutual recognition of driving disqualifications), so there will be no impact from Brexit.
468. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if assistance will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40326/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to his previous PQ 32131/17 of 11 July, 2017. The position remains the same, i.e. Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels funding for sport through the relevant recognised National Governing Bodies of sport. Sport Ireland has no mechanism to allocate funding to organisations outside of this process.
Mountain biking is an off road discipline of Cycling Ireland, the National Governing Body for cycling. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in a matter that is proper to a National Governing Body.
There is no funding or grant aid available from my Department for the purpose outlined by the Deputy.
469. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding traffic calming lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40334/17]
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 operation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
470. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is in receipt of an application for funding for the Fingal Coastal Way from Fingal County Council and specifically for the Broadmeadow Way section between Malahide and Donabate; if he will grant the funding required for this coastal greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40336/17]
View answerI understand that no formal application for funding has been submitted by Fingal County Council for either the Fingal Coastal Way or the Broadmeadow Way. My Department is currently developing a Strategy for the Future Development of Greenways that will set out the criteria for awarding funding to projects such as this. I would expect to be in a position to announce a new round of funding once the Strategy has been finalised.
I would urge all local authorities to develop their planning and design of projects as much as possible in advance of a new round of funding, and to consult as widely as possible with all stakeholders including landowners alongside and adjacent to the proposed routes.
471. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the stage Transport Infrastructure Ireland's consideration of the provisions of a turning roundabout at a location (details supplied) is at to facilitate the provision of a bus route extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/17]
View answerThe 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 Quality Bus Corridors, cycling/walking, safety and traffic management projects throughout the seven local authority areas in the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for the STMG Programme, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply in relation to this matter. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
472. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to connect the green and red Luas lines on the south of the city; the research which has been carried out on this in the past; if he will recommence the investigation into such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40506/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades.
The strategy includes a number of proposals to further develop the light rail network in the GDA. These include Luas Cross City, which is scheduled to commence passenger services before the end of the year; New Metro North light rail link from the south city centre to Swords, via Dublin Airport; Capacity enhancements and upgrade to the Luas Green Line from the south city centre to Bride's Glen; Extension of the Luas Green Line to Bray; Extension of Luas Cross City to Finglas; Luas to Lucan; and Luas Red Line extension to Poolbeg.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
473. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost in 2018 if all Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas fares were halved. [40514/17]
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 you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
474. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to include the Ballybofey-Stranorlar bypass on the N15 in the new ten year capital plan; the timeframe for delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/17]
View answer475. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to include the upgrading of the N14 Lifford to Letterkenny road as part of the new ten-year capital plan; the timeframe for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40599/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (including the N14 and N15) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within ten working days.
476. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to undertake a comprehensive fire safety audit of all high risk buildings, including sports campuses, clubhouses, leisure centres, swimming pools and stadia, that are under the remit of his Department. [40603/17]
View answerFire Prevention systems are in place in all departmental premises and are maintained in accordance with statutory requirements under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003.
Risk Assessments which include an assessment of fire risk have been completed on all Departmental premises and are continually reviewed in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
The accommodation of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport is provided and controlled in the main by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is predominantly general office space which would not be considered to be a high risk environment from a fire safety perspective.
In relation to sports facilities, the only such facilities managed by the agencies under the remit of my Department, would be those for which Sport Ireland holds responsibility.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, he should contact my private office.
477. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to undertake a comprehensive fire safety audit of all high risk buildings, including train stations, bus stations and airports, that fall under the remit of his Department. [40604/17]
View answerFire Prevention systems are in place in all Departmental premises and are maintained in accordance with statutory requirements under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003.
Risk Assessments which include an assessment of fire risk have been completed on all Departmental premises and are continually reviewed in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport's accommodation is provided and controlled in the main by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is predominantly general office space which would not be considered to be a high risk environment from a fire safety perspective.
In relation to train stations, bus stations and airports, fire safety in such locations is managed by the agencies under the remit of my Department who hold responsibility for each of the three transport sectors mentioned.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, he should contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
