Written Answers Nos. 1005-1028
1005. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to consult with Bus Éireann regarding the 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Straffan to Dublin services in view of the fact that there is a demand for this service that Bus Éireann is not addressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45789/17]
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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1006. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding which may be allocated to the Narrow Water Bridge project under the capital plan the Government has committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45793/17]
View answerUnder the Fresh Start Agreement, the then Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). In this context, following on from consultation with stakeholders, I understand that an options paper has been under preparation.
As the proposed bridge is still at the options appraisal stage, specific funding has not been set aside for the project.
1007. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the external company undertaking an audit of his departmental website; the cost of the audit; the timeframe for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45868/17]
View answer1015. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the last time his Department's website was revamped or remodelled; the cost of same; if he or his Department officials have been consulted regarding creating one stand alone online Government portal website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46017/17]
View answer1016. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the investment in his Department’s website since 2011 including total associated costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46034/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1007, 1015 and 1016 together.
There has been no significant investment in my Department’s website since 2011 with a total expenditure of €3,500 over that period.
Officials within my Department are currently examining the website and its content within a framework of recent internal and external initiatives such as the Department’s Customer Service Action Plan 2017 - 2019, the Civil Service Renewal Plan and the Universal Design Toolkit for Customer Engagement in the Public Sector. One element of this examination for example is whether the content of the website subscribes to plain language best practice which improves citizens’ accessibility to information.
At a strategic level, my Department is working with relevant officials on the development of a Digital Service Gateway - a single digital point where citizens can easily access information about the Government services that are available to them. This work, which began at beginning of this year, is ongoing and will involve the rationalisation of existing Government websites and online services over time. I understand this project is being managed and developed by existing resources within the Civil Service.
1008. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the DART expansion to Hazelhatch and the LUAS to Lucan plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45873/17]
View answerThe 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 Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure in the GDA over the next two decades. The strategy 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 redesigned DART Underground Tunnel. The strategy also includes a number of proposals to further develop the light rail network in the GDA over the lifetime of the strategy. This includes the development of an east-west Luas line from Lucan to Dublin city centre.
Building on the Government’s budgetary framework set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 published in September 2015, the Government's recently announced Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion for 2018-2021. This includes funding for design and planning of DART services to Hazelhatch, work on the redesign of the tunnel and to enable acceleration of the initial stages of the DART Expansion programme, focussing on additional fleet and progress on electrification to Balbriggan and Maynooth. The capital envelope also provides funding to deliver additional light rail capacity on the existing Luas network with additional trams and longer trams.
The existing capital envelope for public transport for 2018-2021 does not include funding to complete electrification of the DART to Hazelhatch or for the development of a Luas line to Lucan. Further phases of the DART Expansion Programme and the light rail expansion projects included in the NTA transport strategy will be considered in the context of future investment plans, including the forthcoming 10 year Capital Plan.
1009. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the opening of the Kishogue train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45874/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) given the Authority's statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. 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.
1010. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address queries raised by persons (details supplied) regarding a club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45888/17]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. The Department's guide to making applications under the programme makes it clear the programme is only open to sporting organisations and projects of a sporting nature. To determine if a project is eligible for the programme, the Department uses the Council of Europe definition of sport:
“all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels.”
As playing bridge is not a physical activity it cannot be considered for funding.
Likewise the Revenue Commissioners' "Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies" is limited to sporting bodies and projects of a sporting nature.
The Sports Capital Programme is part funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery and this may be the Ministerial Lottery Fund referred to in the details supplied.
The club referred to may be eligible to apply for other grants available through the relevant Education and Training Board, Local Development Company or Local Authority.
1011. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to add additional services in towns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45914/17]
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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1012. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a capital sports grant application by a club (details supplied); when an announcement of funds allocated is expected under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45946/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to.
When the programme was launched, it was envisaged that €30m would be available which would have made the allocation of grants particularly challenging. Following the conclusion of the budget discussions and in order to allow as many worthwhile projects as possible to receive some funding, I am pleased that significant extra resources have been secured to allocate under this round.
The assessment of all the 2,320 applications is now nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to announce full details of the allocations in the coming weeks.
1013. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the provision of a defibrillator in each public building owned by his Department and agency under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45977/17]
View answerMy Department occupies twelve buildings throughout the Country which are in the main provided by the Office of Public Works. Each of those buildings has a defibrillator onsite and the average cost of the provision of each defibrillator is €1,500 per building.
In addition, the Irish Coast Guard has 55 Coastal Units throughout the country and each of those Units has a defibrillator onsite at an average cost of €1,560 per Unit.
The provision of defibrillators in agencies under the remit of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves, however I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to them for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1014. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the meetings of the strategic communications unit he or his Department officials attended; the date and location of each such meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46000/17]
View answerThere were two such meetings attended by officials from my Department.
One was held in my Department on the 17th August while the other was held in the Department of An Taoiseach on 17th October.
1017. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of departmental staff in his press office; the reporting relationship in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46051/17]
View answerThe Press Office has 3 staff -
- one Acting Assistant Principal (AP);
- one Executive Officer; and
- one Clerical Officer.
The Acting AP reports to a Principal Officer, who is Head of the Corporate Support and Communications Division.
1018. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the protocol for attendance by staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants, to continuing professional development programmes and courses; the number of staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants, in his Department who participated in such programmes on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by his Department for persons who participated in these courses; the providers of all such courses; the subject areas of all courses and programmes provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46068/17]
View answerI am advised that the Department delivers training and development requirements identified by staff and their managers through the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS). Having such requirements identified in line with the business needs and objectives of the Department is a key component of supporting the continuous professional development of all Departmental staff.
This includes the continuous professional development required for staff engaged in specialised and technical areas of the Department, e.g. the Irish Coast Guard. The detailed information relating the numbers of staff supported, training providers etc. is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as quickly as possible.
1019. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public relations companies or agencies the services of which his Department used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017; and the costs incurred to date in 2017. [46085/17]
View answerRecords of external expenditure such as this are available on my Department's website at the following link: External Expenditure. Details for 2017 will be published in the coming days.
1020. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to ensure that grant-aided organisations are spending their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to organisations funded by his Department; if so, the action he has taken; if his Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46102/17]
View answerMy Department provides funding under a range of different programmes to various bodies. All funding provided by the Department is paid and monitored in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
My Department’s Corporate Governance Framework (which was updated in February 2017) provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the corporate governance arrangements that exist and operate within the Department and is available to view on my Department’s website.
The Framework details the audit, assurance and compliance arrangements which are in place between the Department and those agencies and organisations it funds. As detailed in the Framework, there are a number of key sources of assurance with regard to ensuring compliance and these include issues such as internal Departmental audit of processes and procedures, external audit such as that conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General, risk management and the quality assurance process as detailed in the Public Spending Code.
I am not aware of any particular concerns such as those highlighted by the Deputy nor has my Department issued any new procedures recently regarding the use of credit cards.
1021. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of all planning and research work under wayfor the impact of the result of Brexit negotiations in his Department or related State agencies; if this analysis is intended for publication; the expected completion and publication date respectively of this research, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46128/17]
View answerAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.
Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government‘s contingency planning.
Brexit is a key strategic risk for my Department and there are ongoing consultations and meetings between my officials, other Government Departments and agencies, and other public and private key stakeholders in order to continue to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit, and to identify opportunities arising.
My Department is represented on all relevant cross-Departmental coordination structures referred to above, and an internal Departmental Committee on Brexit meets on a monthly basis to oversee the Department's analyses and planning as the negotiations progress. There has been wide engagement with sectorial stakeholders.
My Department is continuing to examine a number of possible scenarios relating to the impact of Brexit on Ireland, including a “no-deal” scenario, and this work will evolve as the negotiations progress. The response plans that will emerge from this will identify actions and funding that may be required in response to threats from Brexit.
A number of Brexit-related research studies have been carried out on behalf of transport and tourism agencies and organisations in relation to Brexit. This is a matter for the agencies themselves and I have passed this to the agencies for direct response.
My Department, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), is commencing a study into the use of the UK Land bridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK Land bridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on Land bridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. I expect this piece of research to be completed in Q1 of 2018. My Department is also looking at the possibility of commissioning Brexit-related studies under the EU’s Structural Reform Support Programme 2017.
The matter and timing of publication of the sectorial response plans and other related research will be considered as the Department’s contingency planning progresses.
1022. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the development of public transport infrastructure for the Donabate Portrane peninsula, County Dublin to support the growing population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46181/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area and the NTA's ‘Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035’ provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the region over the next two decades.
Noting this, 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.
1023. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be provided in 2018 to improve facilities at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46198/17]
View answer1030. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be provided in 2018 to improve facilities at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1023 and 1030 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing or providing public transport in the State in relation to bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred 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.
1024. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if ticket sale figures for rail passengers are based solely on sales at the booking office and do not include tickets sold at the vending machines outside stations. [46228/17]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forward the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1025. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of insuring an electric car. [46231/17]
View answerInsurance companies are private companies and therefore the provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for such companies. Costs of cover are normally based on an assessment of the risks insurance companies are willing to accept, adequate provisioning to meet those risks and are considered on a case by case basis.
1026. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way his Department has used the moneys the State received from the sale of its stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46290/17]
View answerThe Exchequer received €335 million in September 2015 for its 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus.
The previous Government invested the proceeds in a new ‘Connectivity fund’ as a sub-portfolio of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The Minister for Finance sought Oireachtas approval for the proceeds to be paid into this fund in accordance with Section 46(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act, 2014. This further investment strengthened ISIF’s capacity to support economic investment.
The connectivity fund is designed to support projects which enhance Ireland’s physical, virtual or energy connectivity. The management and control of the fund is a matter for the NTMA.
1027. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the substantial cuts imposed on members of the IASS pension scheme in advance of the sale of the State's stake in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46291/17]
View answerThe IASS pension scheme is the subject of on-going legal proceedings and it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the issue.
1028. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will announce the 2017 sports capital grant allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46300/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. When the programme was launched, it was envisaged that €30m would be available which would have made the allocation of grants particularly challenging. Following the conclusion of the budget discussions and in order to allow as many worthwhile projects as possible to receive some funding, I am pleased that significant extra resources have been secured to allocate under this round. The assessment of all the 2,320 applications is now nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to announce full details of the allocations in the coming weeks.
