Written Answers Nos. 1029-1052
1029. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Lucan area of Dublin has been considered by the NTA as it makes final proposals for bus fleet acquisitions for 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46301/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the renewal of the bus fleet in respect of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this area, 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 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1031. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking in respect of the implementation of statutory instrument SI 413 of 2017 (details supplied) to amend the definition of commercial road haulage to exclude vehicles used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming and fishery purposes; if he will expand the exemptions contained therein to include vehicles used for agriculture, horticulture, forestry, farming and fishery purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46350/17]
View answerAs the deputy knows, I am absolutely committed to do everything I can as Minister to ensure road safety. That is why I am determined that Ireland complies with latest EU directives on testing vehicles for their roadworthiness – not just because of our obligations under EU law. However, it is important that we do that in a practical and enforceable way.
At my invitation, representative bodies from the agriculture and forestry sector met with officials of my Department on 1 November to discuss their concerns about proposed regulations to comply with an EU directive regarding testing the roadworthiness of T5 tractors - that is, those which can exceed 40 km/hr in speed.
Arising out of the range of issues that were identified by the various bodies in terms of how the regulations might impact on their members’ farms and businesses, I have asked my officials to re-examine the text of the regulations. Subject to legal advice and further engagement with the sector, I intend to bring forward alternative proposals as a matter of urgency.
In the meantime, I am looking at means to ensure that the current text does not take effect with any unintended consequences.
Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, requires, from 20 May 2018, the mandatory periodic testing of tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h (category T5), and which are used mainly on the public road for commercial road haulage purposes. There is however, no requirement on Member States to introduce compulsory testing for T5 tractors when being used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery purposes mainly on the terrain where such activity takes place.
T5 tractors owned/operated by farmers and agricultural contractors used solely for land based activities are entitled to an exemption from compulsory testing. In such cases the prime activity is land based (cutting silage, baling, spreading slurry etc.) and any haulage is incidental to the main activity – there is no distance limit in respect of the road journey that may be travelled in respect of such activities.
The RSA will be engaging with affected stakeholders to provide them with guidance in relation to the practical implementation of the new requirements prior to their introduction in May 2018.
1032. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contracts his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have with a company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries; the value of the contracts; the year in which the contracts were concluded; when the contracts will be up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46381/17]
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.
1033. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the value of retail spend to the economy from tourists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46395/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the CSO is the agency responsible for the provision of official statistics. Published national accounts data do not provide figures for the overall value of retail spend to the economy from tourists. However, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland produces estimates of the value of tourism to the Irish economy and those estimates indicate that retail expenditure by overseas tourists in Ireland in 2016 was in the region of €560 million.
1034. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocated by his Department for Tourism Ireland in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46396/17]
View answerThe breakdown of the total Exchequer provision for tourism services, including Tourism Ireland, from my Department's vote, is available in the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services, which is published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and available on that Department's website.
1035. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for a club (details supplied) which had its training pitches destroyed in the recent floods in Inishowen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46430/17]
View answerIn relation to sports clubs impacted by the recent Donegal flooding but whose damage is deemed to be outside the terms of the Irish Red Cross Scheme, I have previously advised that any such clubs should contact the Sports Capital Programme Division of my Department.
In this regard, a request for assistance has already been received from the club referred to by the Deputy and I have personally visited the site in the company of Minister Joe McHugh. I am aware of the challenges the club faces and am eager to assist in any way I can. In this regard, officials in my Department have already liaised with the club to assess their needs and a recommendation on what assistance should be provided is expected shortly.
1036. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date and costs of the partial construction of unfinished motorways (details supplied); if the proposed motorway service stations at these locations are due to go ahead; the date on which they will open; the cost-benefit analysis carried out; his views on their appropriateness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46437/17]
View answerAs 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 (TII) 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 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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1037. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide a pedestrian bridge from the Ashington estate, Dublin 7 across the Royal Canal towards Broombridge Luas station; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that for a person to access the station it requires a three kilometre detour for a journey that could be only a few hundred metres in length. [46440/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
Noting this, 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 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1038. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the options for improving rail services and investing in rail infrastructure outside the greater Dublin area in view of the commitment in the national low carbon transition and mitigation plan to improve rail services and to invest in rail infrastructure. [46442/17]
View answerBudget 2018 provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion to 2021. This increased funding for the period 2018-2021 will actively address the climate challenge and the transport commitments in the National Mitigation Plan. It will enable us to enhance the capacity and quality of the public transport network, including the rail network, across our cities to ensure that - as far as possible and practical - our increased transport demand is met by greener public transport.
In this regard, the four-year capital envelope will enable investment in a number of key programmes across our cities. This includes investment in a number of heavy rail projects such as the new rail Central Traffic Control Centre to improve national rail movements and continued investment in the maintenance and renewal of the national heavy rail network. Increased funding will also be provided for sustainable transport projects including the development of new urban cycling and walking routes and for traffic management, bus priority and other smarter travel projects to provide additional sustainable travel options to complement increased capacity and faster, higher quality public transport in our main cities.
I will be seeking to ensure that the forthcoming 10 year National Investment Plan to be published in the coming months will help further deliver on meeting our climate obligation by reducing emissions from the transport sector.
Finally, in relation to rail services, in Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO bus and rail services throughout the country. This means that in 2018 over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years.
1039. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new train sets that are in storage at Inchicore, Dublin 8; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46447/17]
View answerThe issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann 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.
1040. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since late September 2017, Irish Rail has had to halve the size of trains travelling to Longford in order to provide extra carriages on trains going to Drogheda; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that Irish Rail has stated that these problems stem from the lack of funding to provide sufficient carriages; his plans to make more funding available to Irish Rail for extra rolling stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46448/17]
View answer1068. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the known capacity constraints on rail services; the services and-or routes that cannot operate at full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46986/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1040 and 1068 together.
The taxpayer makes a very large and recurring contribution each year to Iarnród Éireann. This contribution takes the form of both current, PSO funding and also capital funding under what is known as the IMMAC (infrastructure management multi-annual contract). In 2017 funding under both the PSO and IMMAC programmes has cumulatively increased by over 17% when compared with 2016, bringing total funding to over €300 million.
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 over the period 2018-2021 including an investment of over €400 million next year. This represents a 30% increase over the original Capital Plan allocations for 2018-2021 and includes increased funding for the heavy rail network. In Budget 2018 I also secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO services throughout the country.
As the Deputy is aware, Iarnród Éireann 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 the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputies.
1041. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 14 October 2017, his views on whether this demonstrates a disagreement with the draft national planning framework, NPF (details supplied); his views on whether the national planning framework takes precedence over the National Transport Authority's transport strategy for the greater Dublin area 2016-2035; and if in the context of a disagreement between the plans, the NTA will have to revise its strategic plans to reflect NPF priorities, such as examining heavy rail access to Dublin airport. [46455/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Planning Framework (NPF) which was published for public consultation in September, includes the following key growth enabler for Dublin: “Improving access to Dublin Airport, to include improved public transport access, connections from the road network from the west and north and in the longer term, consideration of heavy rail access to facilitate direct services from the national rail network in the context of potential future electrification”.
The NPF recognises the statutory arrangements for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area under the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the transport planning policy set out in the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035. Indeed, the NPF includes a National Strategic Outcome to “Deliver the key public transport objectives of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 by investing in projects such as New Metro North, DART Expansion Programme, BusConnects in Dublin and key bus based projects in the other cities and towns”.
The NTA is required under legislation to review its transport strategy every six years following publication and it is a requirement that there be consistency between the transport strategy and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the GDA – thus ensuring that spatial planning and transport planning for the area are appropriately aligned.
I do not consider that there is any inconsistency arising between the draft NPF and the NTA’s Transport Strategy as the relevant NPF key growth enabler refers to longer term policy in relation to potential electrification of the heavy rail network. My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the NTA to ensure alignment between the National Planning Framework and the Transport Strategy for the GDA.
1042. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of the special advisers employed in his Department; the names of special advisers to junior Ministers in his Department; the annual salary of each adviser; if these persons were special advisers immediately prior to taking up their current role or immediately prior to the June 2017 Cabinet reshuffle; if so, the Minister to whom they were appointed; the date each special adviser was appointed with effect as stated in the Government order; the date of the Government order; if they received a salary for the period before the appointment order was signed in the case of special advisers whose appointment order date has an effect date earlier than the order date; if so, by whom they were paid; if a special adviser during a period later backdated by appointment order had access to confidential material and-or Cabinet papers; if they were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period; if any persons currently employed as special advisers have not yet been appointed by order since the Cabinet reshuffle of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46476/17]
View answerI appointed two Special Advisers when I took up office as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Following the Cabinet reshuffle in June 2017, I reappointed Aisling Dunne and Carol Hunt as my Special Advisers. The Government Order dated 26th July 2017 re-appointed them with effect from 15th June 2017. Their current salary scale is €81,767 to €100,333 per annum, which is in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on the staffing of Minister's Offices.
As both officers were reappointed to the roles previously held, they remained on the payroll between the effective date of their reappointment and the date of the Government Order and were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period.
Minister of State Griffin has no Special Advisers appointed to him.
1043. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a club (details supplied) will be awarded sports capital funding in the current round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46511/17]
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.
1044. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if sports capital funding will be awarded to a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46514/17]
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.
1045. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of occasions on which he has visited Brussels since his appointment; the purpose of each visit; and the meetings that occurred during each visit. [46517/17]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister, I have travelled to Brussels on one occasion in order to attend the Transport Council. This was in December 2016. I am currently planning on attending Transport Council in Brussels again next month.
The main reason for travelling to Brussels is for EU related business, in particular to attend Transport Councils or to meet with my Ministerial counterparts from other Member States or members of the European Commission or European Parliament. However, there are opportunities outside of Brussels to do likewise.
I have attended Transport Councils in Luxemburg on two occasions, in June 2016 and June 2017, where I had the opportunity to meet with my Ministerial colleagues and with Commissioner Bulc.
Over the past few months, I have met separately with a number of my Ministerial counterparts and other EU related persons on a range of transport matters.
For example, I had the pleasure of welcoming the EU North Sea – Mediterranean TEN-T Corridor Coordinator Prof Péter Balázs to Dublin in April where we discussed issues relating to TEN-T and the implications of Brexit.
In May, I met with the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Johansson, in Stockholm on road safety and Brexit matters, and also met with the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Chris Grayling, in London for detailed discussions on Brexit.
In June, I met with members of the Welsh Assembly’s External Affairs Committee on matters to do with Ports and Irish-Wales connectivity in the context of Brexit.
In September 2017, I had a phone conference with Ken Skates AM Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure, National Assembly for Wales on Brexit related matters. Also during September, I met with Deirdre Clune, MEP, on a range of transport matters.
More recently in October 2017, I welcomed Commissioner Bulc on her visit to Dublin to undertake a range of meetings on transport and Brexit matters.
1046. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority has not yet published the results of the heavy rail census that was taken in November 2016; when the results will be published; and if there is a date for the taking of a similar census in 2017. [46518/17]
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.
1047. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if new restrictions have been introduced on the transport of animals; and if so, the reason therefor. [46521/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I have no function in restricting the transportation of animals.
1048. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the east-west link road; his views on whether there is a need for such a vital piece of infrastructure from east to west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46545/17]
View answerAs I explained to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 36252/17, proposals to deliver an upgraded route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. The latter would involve a route that passes through Northern Ireland. As also indicated previously, the estimated cost of the Dundalk to Cavan section is in excess of €150 million.
Looking ahead to the proposed 10 ten year plan, it would be premature to take a view on the prioritisation of individual schemes. As all capital projects are subject to appraisal in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department’s Capital Appraisal Framework, I do not envisage at this point a set list of projects being included for consideration but instead suitable major and minor road projects being advanced within the overall capital funding envelope, once project appraisal and planning work is satisfactorily completed. In this context there continues to be many competing demands for available resources both within the transport sector and across other economic sectors.
1049. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if road funding will be increased for counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46583/17]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The transport element of the Capital Plan is based on a gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from a relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works.
Overall allocations over the next few years will reflect the current and capital funding available to my Department. It is expected that regional and local road allocations for 2018 will be notified to local authorities in January 2018.
It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising investment in roads infrastructure when allocating own resources. I expect local authorities to bear this in mind during their 2018 budget setting process.
As regards funding for national roads in Cavan and Monaghan, within the budget available to it, allocations to individual local authorities are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to TII for reply. If you have not received a reply within 10 working days please advise my office.
1050. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request a meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to discuss issues in counties Cavan and Monaghan with this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46586/17]
View answerAs 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 (TII) 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 TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's request for a meeting to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
1051. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if secure bicycle parking at the Broombridge Luas station will be provided; if there will be 24-hour secure bicycle parking at the station; his plans for a bus service to bring persons from the Navan Road, Dublin 7, area to the stop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46663/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority 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.
1052. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority holds a list of transport companies that have been licensed by it for the transport of persons to and from major events such as concerts and festivals. [46693/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger services under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. 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 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
