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Thursday, 15 Feb 2018

Written Answers Nos. 250-258

Greenways Development

Questions (250)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

250. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planned timeframe for delivering the East Wall-Sandycove walking and cycling infrastructure greenway. [7884/18]

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Written answers

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). My Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the GDA for the implementation of sustainable transport projects including cycling and walking infrastructure.

The East Coast Trail, including the Sutton to Sandycove scheme of which the section between East Wall and Sandycove forms part, is a key element of the Greenway Network of the GDA Cycle Network Plan, as published by the NTA in 2014. 

Following design work and extensive public consultation on the Sandymount-Blackrock section of this scheme, which received almost 700 submissions from interested parties, I understand the NTA has re-examined certain elements of the scheme and now intends to discuss further with the two Councils involved, Dublin City Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, as well as with a dedicated committee that has been set up by the two Councils, to see what the appropriate next steps should be. A more definitive timeline for the project will be established subsequent to those discussions.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply with regard to this particular project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Road Projects Status

Questions (251)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

251. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the capital plan; if the east-west link road investment project has been considered as part of that plan; the costing for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2269/18]

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Written answers

Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West 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. As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.

This year I have given an allocation of €25,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to undertake a preliminary appraisal, in line with the current requirements in the Public Spending Code and the Capital Investment Framework, of the Cavan to Dundalk section of the route. The aim of this appraisal would be to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of appraisal and advanced for further consideration in relation to schemes for development post 2021.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (252)

Imelda Munster

Question:

252. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the National Transport Authority's consultation on rickshaws; when he expects a report based on this consultation to be published; when he expects to legislate to provide for the regulation of rickshaws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7821/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy refers, the National Transport Authority (NTA) undertook a public consultation on rickshaws in 2017. The NTA submitted a summary of the consultation, which concluded on 25 September 2017, to my Department in October 2017.

My Department is examining all potential and viable regulatory options for rickshaws from the perspective of proportionality, public safety and enforcement. The costs and benefits of each approach will be considered.

It is my intention to select a preferred approach for rickshaws in the coming weeks, with the summary of the consultation to be published and any corresponding legislative provisions to be developed shortly after the decision is made.

Traffic Management

Questions (253)

Robert Troy

Question:

253. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to relieve the level of traffic congestion in Dublin city; and the forward planning which will see a reduction in car usage in the city. [7823/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.

In 2015, Dublin City Council and the NTA jointly published the Dublin City Centre Transport Study which sets out the various measures proposed for Dublin's city centre to ensure the efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. Those two bodies, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and TII, are progressively implementing the measures set out in that document to enable the continued development and growth of the city. Over the last six months, changes have been made throughout the city centre to accommodate the introduction of new Luas services. The most significant changes were the introduction of the additional bus lanes along the North and South Quays last August. In addition, a host of other junction and traffic signal changes has been implemented. In the case of College Green - and in advance of a determination of a proposal for a civic plaza at College Green developed by City Council - the NTA, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, have proceeded to reduce bus vehicle volumes passing through the area, which would allow the junctions and signals to function more effectively. These parties continue to keep the situation under review.

As Minister for Transport I have secured increased funding for both public transport services and infrastructure in Budget 2018 which will allow us to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities including Dublin. This includes an 8% increase in funding for PSO services across the bus and rail networks in 2018 to support the delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable public transport services.

Following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for Ireland's public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. This substantial multi-annual envelope will allow investment in a number of key programmes to increase capacity on our public transport network, ease congestion and provide an alternative to private car use. This includes funding of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to fundamentally transform Dublin’s bus system, so that journeys for bus passengers will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable. Over €685 million capital investment will also be provided for additional rail infrastructure between now and 2021 to provide additional Luas capacity, improve mainline rail infrastructure and progress DART expansion and new Metro North.

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Questions (254)

Seán Fleming

Question:

254. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the scheduling of a driving test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7848/18]

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Written answers

This 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Railway Stations

Questions (255)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

255. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority does not have a role with regard to the provision of car parking spaces at railway stations outside the greater Dublin area and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; the body that has responsibility for funding and construction of additional car parking spaces at railway stations in areas outside of the NTA's remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7854/18]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area and for public transport infrastructure and services on a non statutory basis in the Regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Issues relating to the provision of car parking spaces at train stations on the heavy rail network outside of these cities are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann which receives exchequer funding for such works via the NTA.

Regional Road Network

Questions (256)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

256. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if each district electoral division in County Tipperary is allocated its share of the non-national road grant based on the number and length of the tertiary and local county roads in the district; the way in which the grant has been allocated in the past five years, by district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7858/18]

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Written answers

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

My Department allocates funding at local authority level and allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for the Council.

Tipperary County Council is best placed to advise the Deputy in relation to the rationale for the funding decisions taken within the County in the past five years.

Ports Facilities

Questions (257)

Robert Troy

Question:

257. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the size of Dublin Port; the amount of land in operational use; the amount of land used for storage; the amount of unused land; the number of staff directly employed there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7863/18]

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Written answers

The queries raised are a matter for Dublin Port Company 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Sport and Recreational Development

Questions (258)

Robert Troy

Question:

258. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will publish its sports policy. [7864/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, I launched a public consultation process for the new National Sports Policy in late 2016, which resulted in the receipt of 54 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders including Government Departments, National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and private individuals.

My Department and I have since examined these submissions in detail. In addition, my officials have held a number of bilateral meetings with relevant Government Departments and other key stakeholders during the drafting process in order to inform our decision making on the key challenges that confront the sector and the many complex issues that arise in relation to addressing those challenges.

This detailed evaluation work is nearing completion and I will be in a position to submit the draft Policy for the approval of my Government colleagues in the coming weeks. Once approved, the Policy paper will be published very shortly thereafter.

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