Thomas Byrne
Question:330. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus service will be provided through the NTA (details supplied). [44773/17]
View answerNational Transport Authority
Questions (330)
Written answers
The 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.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (331)
Imelda Munster
Question:331. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the additional capital spend allocated to his Department in budget 2018 will be spent. [44826/17]
View answerWritten answers
Full details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National Planning Framework. My Department will also take that into account when setting infrastructure investment priorities over the coming years.
In relation to 2018 in particular I would refer the deputy to my statement to the Dáil on Thursday, 12 October, where I outlined my view of what our current priorities for investment are.
I have also published further details on the 12% year on year increase in the budget for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. These details are available at:
http://www.dttas.ie/press-releases/2017/ministers-welcome-12-increase-dttas-budget-2018.
The Deputy may also wish to note that 2018's allocation forms part of a four year capital allocation. I have published details of our priority investments that form part of that allocation in a separate speech which is available at
http://www.dttas.ie/speeches/2017/minister-ross-budget-2018-speech.
I would ask the Deputy to note that the information detailed in that speech covers the years between the year 2018 and the year 2021. I think that the Deputy will get a greater appreciation for our ambition for these projects and programmes if the detail is viewed in that context.
Public Transport Data
Questions (332)
Mick Wallace
Question:332. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses in the CIÉ fleet that run on fossil fuels; the number that run on electricity; the number of hybrid buses; the number of buses purchased in the past six years, by power source; the number of buses that will be added to the fleet up to 2020, by power source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44833/17]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, I am strongly committed to facilitating the uptake of low-emission technologies in the public transport sector. My Department published the National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland in May to support the deployment of alternative fuels for transport in Ireland and assist in removing any barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low emissions vehicles (LEVs).
My Department has also established a Green Public Transport Fund to support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector. The fund will support pilot demonstrations of emerging low emission technologies, particularly for buses.
In suitable urban areas I am committed to meeting increasing travel demand through enhanced public transport capacity and encouraging more ‘active travel’ journeys – cycling and walking – and, within the context of the Government's budgetary policy and competing expenditure needs, I am working to be able to invest more in such infrastructure and services over time.
Outside urban areas - where dependence on private car travel is strongest and where systems of public transport and active travel offer less realistic potential to addressing travel needs effectively and efficiently - a different response is needed, and here alternative fuels and technologies currently offer the most feasible and cost-effective solution.
Decarbonising transport will require a significant step-change in how we travel but it is clear that a movement towards more sustainable technologies in the public transport fleet has already begun. In the Greater Dublin Area, the Bus Connects program includes a commitment to transition towards a new bus fleet using low-emission vehicle technologies. It is anticipated that by 2023, half of the bus fleet (approximately 500 buses) will be converted to low-emission vehicles, with plans for full conversion by 2030.
The data sought by the Deputy is a matter for Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the companies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.
Swimming Pool Programme
Questions (333)
John Lahart
Question:333. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding remedial works that need to be undertaken at swimming pools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44866/17]
View answerWritten answers
The 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. General remedial works in swimming pools are a matter for the relevant local authority in the first instance. My Department has not received any correspondence from South Dublin County Council regarding the pools referred to by the Deputy.
There are four swimming pool projects in the current LASPP and the priority in 2018 will be on progressing these projects.
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently finalising a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead. It is expected that the new sports policy will be published before the end of the year.
Driver Licences
Questions (334)
Niamh Smyth
Question:334. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the driving licence for persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44875/17]
View answerWritten answers
This is an issue which falls only partly within my remit.
Fees for a driving licence application are set in Regulations for which I am responsible, and the Regulations state that fee is waived in the case of applicants over 70 years of age.
The requirement to have tests for medical fitness for older applicants has been in place since 1964. It is a prudent measure and reflects wide-spread international practice. Age-related deteriorations can impact on people's ability to drive, often without the person themselves being fully aware of it.
The cost of medical tests is unfortunately not within my remit.
Question No. 335 answered with Question No. 322.
Rail Network Expansion
Questions (336)
Darragh O'Brien
Question:336. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans to construct DART underground; if the €3 billion in funding will be allocated in the upcoming mid-term capital review; if a public private partnership model is to be used; the expected timeframe for planning and construction, respectively, to commence and be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44878/17]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) 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. The NTA is currently examining this issue and I understand that these deliberations will be completed soon.
Bus Services
Questions (337, 339)
Peter Burke
Question:337. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine the operation of a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44884/17]
View answerPeter Burke
Question:339. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44886/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 339 together.
The 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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Dublin Bus Services
Questions (338)
Peter Burke
Question:338. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the linkages between Dublin Airport and Dublin Bus are sufficiently strong, in view of the lack of presence by Dublin Bus staff or information at the airport advising of services to and from the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44885/17]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for 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 reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Question No. 339 answered with Question No. 337.
Traffic Management
Questions (340)
James Lawless
Question:340. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for recent changes in lane alignment and reduced priority status for traffic approaching the Red Cow interchange from County Kildare into Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44903/17]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
Vehicle Registration
Questions (341)
Tom Neville
Question:341. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the criteria of measuring modified category N1 vehicles in view of the fact the current measurement method is causing disparity between vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44915/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed that the NSAI, who have statutory responsibility for the classification and certification of modified new and unregistered vehicles, have ceased such measurement activities as they relate to used vehicles. The vires that supports the work of the NSAI comes within the scope of type approval legislation, specifically EC Directive 2007/46/EC. The definitions and criteria set out in Annex II of that Directive were subsequently amended by Regulation (EU) No. 678/2011 and relate to new vehicles only. In recognition of the absence of vires to address the criteria for used vehicles, my Department is currently engaged with a number of key stakeholders, including Revenue and the Road Safety Authority, to determine what legislative supports might be required and how such requirements might be provided for.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Questions (342, 343)
Catherine Murphy
Question:342. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation of funding from his Department to local authorities specifically for roads over the past three years to date in 2017, by amount granted to each local authority; the purpose of the funding such as construction, road maintenance and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44919/17]
View answerCatherine Murphy
Question:343. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation of funding from his Department to local authorities specifically for roads, by amount granted to each local authority; the purpose of the funding such as construction, road maintenance and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44921/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.
Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library.
The tables included in the payment and allocation booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Training Grant (TG): The Training Grant assists in the provision of training of persons engaged in maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis with a particular focus on:
- Major bridge rehabilitation works which are outside the scope of the normal bridge rehabilitation programme;
- Critical safety improvement works which are outside the scope of the normal safety improvement programme;
- Projects which would have a significant and quantifiable economic impact, particularly as regards employment and on industrial, tourism, agricultural, rural development and urban regeneration.
As regards national roads, within its annual budget, allocations to individual local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.