Written Answers Nos. 531-549
531. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be provided on the funding status of phase 4 of the Royal Canal greenway; the requirements that need to be undertaken in order for this section to proceed to planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13863/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. In Budget 2018 I have secured over €110 million which is being allocated to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, and in the cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018-2021. This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure.
I am not, however, involved in the day-to-day delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure. This falls to the National Transport Authority who have advised that works under phase 4 of the Royal Canal Greenway project are included in this year’s programme of works.
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.
532. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names and titles of the persons who made up the membership of the appeals board that made the decisions to grant funding recently on appeal for some sports capital applications; the number of times the appeals board met; the number of times his Department officials communicated with the appeals board; when and the way in which this happened; the previous period in which funding applications were allowed and funded on appeal; the criteria for allowing appeals; if all applicants were notified that they could appeal; if all applications were assessed equally for appeal; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13912/18]
View answerThe appeals system for the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) was introduced to address concerns regarding cases where Department officials may have made errors in the original decisions to deem applications to be invalid. Previously, there was no appeals system in place for the rounds of the SCP prior to the 2017 round.
The introduction of the appeals process also ensures that the SCP now accords with the Department’s Customer Action Plan which commits to maintaining "a formalised, well publicised, accessible, transparent and simple to use system of appeal/review for customers who are dissatisfied with decisions in relation to service”.
Additionally, the 2017 round of the SCP was the first round of the programme under which every valid local application received an offer of funding. Consequently, the decision to make an application invalid certainly cost the applicants a grant offer. Accordingly, in the interests of equity and fairness, an appeals system was introduced for the 2017 round and will be available for all future rounds of the SCP.
Regarding the appeal process, each appeal submitted was assessed by an official not involved in the original assessment of that application. All decisions on appeal were also reviewed by at least two more senior officials. No external appeals board was established.
A total of 149 appeals were submitted and of these, 35 were upheld. Appeals were accepted where the appellant demonstrated that the Department erred in its decision to make the application invalid, or where it was agreed that the Department's own guide to making an application was not sufficiently clear, or where it was felt the original decision involved an overly strict interpretation of the SCP terms and conditions.
All organisations that submitted an invalid or partially invalid application were contacted offering them the opportunity to submit an appeal and all of the appellants have now been informed of the results of the appeal process.
In relation to future rounds of the SCP, my Department is now undertaking a general review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This work is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. I expect this review to be complete shortly and an announcement regarding the next round of the SCP will be made at that stage. All applicants under the 2017 round of the programme that remain invalid have been informed that they will be given the opportunity of simply submitting corrected documentation when the next round of the programme opens without the requirement of submitting a full new application.
533. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital allocation for his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2023; the areas in which this spend will be made in each of these years; the particular projects and particular areas of investment involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13977/18]
View answerThe Capital Allocation for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2018 to 2022 can be found in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027.
http://www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040/
The plan also discusses the key projects and programmes that will be our focus over the coming years.
Capital Allocation
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
1,327 |
1,643 |
2,058 |
2,526 |
2,405 |
In my Budget Speech 2018, I have listed the priorities and programmes within my Department for 2018 and provided information on how the Capital allocations will be spent.
http://www.dttas.ie/speeches/2017/minister-ross-budget-2018-speech
As set out in the Government's recently published National Development Plan, as part of the annual Estimates process, the multi-annual capital allocations will be reviewed and extended annually on a rolling basis to cover the coming 5 year period. This will provide Government with an annual opportunity to review the allocations in light of any implementation issues arising and/or new priorities which may emerge as the National Development Plan is implemented. The NDP also commits to a full mid-term review of the National Development Plan in 2022, to allow Government to take stock of progress in terms of delivery of the planned projects and programmes, and to allow Government to review and reaffirm its investment priorities. The review will be carried out in order to prepare and publish a new updated 10-year plan for public capital investment in 2023, covering the period 2023 to 2032.
534. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no buses serve the IFSC area from Dublin 15; if new bus routes serving the IFSC area from Dublin 15 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13990/18]
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 (NTA) is the statutory body with responsibility for overseeing the delivery of bus services 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.
535. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there is no taxi suitability test centre (details supplied) resulting in enforced costs on those travelling to other centres to complete the test; his plans to reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14085/18]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The NTA currently contract Applus Car Testing Ireland Limited to provide a nationwide network of twelve dedicated centres for SPSV suitability inspections.
Given the Authority's role in this regard, and in order to be of assistance, I have referred your question to the NTA for their direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
536. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if accommodation will be made available for families of deceased taxi plate owners (details supplied); if there is discretion for individual cases; if the NTA will undertake a publicity campaign to highlight the importance of this form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14105/18]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
As the Deputy may be aware, section 15 of this 2013 Act (as amended) provides for the transfer of a SPSV licence in the event of death. Accordingly, a person that has been nominated by the licence holder, before his or her death, can apply to the NTA to continue to operate the SPSV licence.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in these matters, I have referred your question to the Authority for their consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
537. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade a road (details supplied) to regional road status within County Donegal; if this road will form a strategic part of the local infrastructure in a post-Brexit scenario; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14106/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for the classification of roads as either National or Regional under the Roads Act, 1993. I am empowered under Section 10 of the 1993 Act to classify any public road as a national or regional road and periodic reviews are undertaken in that regard. A public road, other than one classified by me as a national road or a regional road, is a local road. Road classification needs to follow appropriate and logical criteria and have regard to existing legislative provisions. Careful consideration of such proposals is, therefore, required.
Should a person or Donegal County Council wish to raise road reclassification issues relating to a particular road, it can do so by writing to the Roads Division of my Department enclosing the following information:
- Road number and name of road or section of road in question including relevant townlands/junctions.
- Reason for reclassification request.
- Map(s) indicating current road classification.
- Map(s) indicating requested road classification.
Any such matters so raised can then be considered as part of the road classification process.
538. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 10 May 2017, in the context of this litigation being completed, if he will request that this documentation to be furnished to the residents without delay. [14119/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the daa has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport, including the North Runway project.
I am advised that the the legal proceedings in question are not, in fact, completed. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further on issues to which these proceedings relate. When the litigation is concluded, I will of course be happy to arrange at that point for the provision of any information that is appropriate to release.
539. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the marking system in respect of an application for a sports capital grant by a centre (details supplied) will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14126/18]
View answerThe full scoring system and assessment procedure for the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is available on my Departments website at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-scoring-system-and-assessment-procedures/assessment-manual-2017-scp.pdf.
In assessing all applications under the programme, my Department relies on information supplied by applicants. The marks obtained by all applicants under the criteria "level of socio-economic disadvantage" were based on the Pobal Deprivation Index and determined solely by the coordinates supplied by the organisation in their application.
540. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to publish the promised review of the national sports policy; his plans to reintroduce the local authority swimming pool programme as part of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14186/18]
View answerAs I have previously outlined to the Deputy, it is my expectation that the new National Sports Policy will be published shortly, most likely in Quarter 2 of this year, following its consideration by Government within the next few weeks.
Insofar as the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) is concerned, the position remains that 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, the upcoming National Sports Policy will include a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities, including swimming pools, in the years ahead.
541. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the design work will commence on the electrification of the Kildare rail line to Hazelhatch, County Kildare; when planning approval will be sought; the likely cost of the project; the likely date for commencement of construction and completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14187/18]
View answerAs 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. As outlined in the recently published 'National Development Plan 2018-2027: Project Ireland 2040' (NDP), the DART Expansion Programme is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART Network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected over the period of the plan.
The initial sequencing of investment under the NDP will focus on delivery of non-underground tunnel elements of the Programme using the recently opened rail link and existing connector tunnel under the Phoenix Park (which has provided the option for Kildare commuters to access the city centre stations of Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse). This sequencing and focus includes buying additional fleet for the DART network and measures such as re-signalling, junction and station changes to provide expanded services. The next step will be to provide fast, high-frequency electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Line, Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line, Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line, while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. It will also include new stations to provide interchange with bus, LUAS and Metro networks.
The significant benefit to using the recently opened rail link and existing connector tunnel under the Phoenix Park and the proposed sequence of investment is that it will enable additional passenger services to be put in place much earlier using existing infrastructure with some enhancements. This integrated rail network will provide a core, high-capacity transit system for the region and will deliver a very substantial increase in peak-hour capacity on all lines from Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch as well as Drogheda and Greystones. The route for the remaining element of the overall DART Expansion Programme, the DART Undeground Tunnel, will be established and protected to allow for its future delivery.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the Authority for further information on the issues raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
542. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the upgrade of the traffic safety works to be carried out on the N5 at the village of Termonbarry, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14190/18]
View answer543. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the upgrade of the traffic safety works to be carried out on the N5 at the junction of Scramogue, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14191/18]
View answer544. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the upgrade of the traffic safety works to be carried out on the N5 at the village of Tulsk, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14192/18]
View answer545. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the upgrade of the traffic safety works to be carried out on the N5 at the village of Frenchpark, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14193/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 542 to 545, inclusive, together.
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 questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
546. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the capital allocation for her Department in each of the years 2019 to 2023; the areas in which this will be spent in each of these years; and the details of particular projects and areas of investment. [13786/18]
View answerThe National Development Plan sets out the Government`s capital investment priorities that will underpin the new National Planning Framework. My Department has been allocated €156 million in capital expenditure over the period 2018-2022 under the Plan as set out in the following table. The Deputy might note that the provisions for my Department in the years post-2022 will be allocated through the annual Estimates process as the rolling five-year multi-annual ceilings are updated.
PLAN
|
Year/s |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Capital Allocations (€ million) |
28 |
32 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
It is not possible at this time to identify specific projects that will be funded under the Plan but the resources will support continued investment in the following areas:
- Childcare, to ensure quality and supply of sufficient childcare places
- Youth services that support and target disadvantaged young people and improve their employability
- Tusla, through the continued development of ICT and standards of accommodation, and
- Oberstown Children Detention Campus through the provision of safe and secure places.
In addition to this, the Plan also contains a commitment to provide an additional €250 million to support the implementation of a 10 year, cross-Government Early Years Strategy to be published in 2018. One of the core objectives of this strategy will be to increase the proportion of children who have access to high quality, early years care and education. Officials in my Department are currently examining possibilities for a multi-annual capital programme for childcare as well as research on existing capital holdings and future capital needs for the sector, at national and local level. Once gathered, this data will be used to inform large-scale, targeted capital investments in childcare.
547. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children at risk cases which Tusla has categorised as founded and unfounded for each of the past 12 months in tabular form; and if this information is not available, the reason these figures are not recorded. [13794/18]
View answerReferrals to Tusla's Child Protection and Welfare services are categorised as either Welfare or Protection referrals. Table 1 provides a breakdown of referrals by type from Q1 2016 to Q3 2017. Data is provided quarterly in arrears. The figures in Table 1 are published in Tusla's Q4 report for 2017.
Table 1.
|
Referrals by Type |
|||||||
|
|
Q1 2016 |
Q2 2016 |
Q3 2016 |
Q4 2016 |
Q1 2017 |
Q2 2017 |
Q3 2017 |
|
Welfare |
6,754 |
7,229 |
7,145 |
7,184 |
8,171 |
9,264 |
7,732 |
|
Abuse |
4,552 |
5,035 |
4,587 |
4,913 |
5,458 |
4,999 |
4,766 |
|
Total |
11,306 |
11,264 |
11,732 |
12,097 |
13,629 |
14,263 |
12,498 |
When a referral is received, a preliminary enquiry is carried out. This can include verifying the details provided by the referrer, the details of the child, and establishing whether the child has been referred to social services previously. The information is weighed to determine whether it meets the threshold for further assessment.
If the threshold is met, the referral may proceed to an initial assessment by an allocated child protection social worker. An initial assessment involves meeting with the child and family, and information is gathered on the needs and risks relating to the child, to determine what actions can be taken to provide the best outcome for the child.
Table 2 outlines the number of referrals where a preliminary enquiry proceeded to initial assessment. Figures are provided quarterly in arrears, and subject to ongoing validation.
|
Percentage of preliminary enquiries and initial assessments carried out |
|||||||
|
|
Q1 2016 |
Q2 2016 |
Q3 2016 |
Q4 2016 |
Q1 2017 |
Q2 2017 |
Q3 2017 |
|
Preliminary Enquiry Completed |
99% |
98% |
97% |
98% |
98% |
97% |
98% |
|
Initial Assessment Completed |
46% |
43% |
41% |
43% |
40% |
34% |
36% |
Following the initial assessment the case may be determined to need further action from a child protection service, but may be referred to family support or other appropriate services. Where the assessment identifies a child protection need the social worker will continue working with the child and family to support a safe outcome for the child.
Summary data from Tusla for Q4 2017 reported outcomes following an initial assessment as 49% no further action from child protection, 11% child protection response, 24% further child protection assessment, 2% admission to care and 24% child welfare/family conference action.
548. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of retrospective reports of child sexual violence Tusla has categorised as founded and unfounded for each of the past 12 months in tabular form; and if this information is not available, the reason these figures are not recorded. [13795/18]
View answerA historical or retrospective allegation is where an adult discloses abuse experienced in childhood. It is my understanding that the majority of these disclosures concern sexual abuse. This is a very complex and worrying situation.
It is important to note that all child protection referrals which allege current or past criminal activity are referred to An Garda Síochána. Tusla's focus is to assess retrospective or historical allegations to determine any indication of current risk to children. In cases of an urgent risk to a child, the disclosure is acted upon immediately.
In order to proceed with an assessment of current risk an adult may pose to children, Tusla is dependent on the person making an allegation engaging directly with them, and being prepared for their identity to be shared with the alleged abuser.
Tusla has a limited role where there is no evidence of a current risk to children. In relation to the adult making the disclosure of abuse, Tusla may assist them in accessing HSE counselling services.
Tusla publish their performance and activity data monthly, and quarterly in arrears.
Table 1 lays out the number of cases of retrospective abuse allocated and waiting allocation for January - December 2017. It should be noted that the December figure is a draft figure based on returns from 14.5 of 17 areas.
|
- |
Jan’17 |
Feb’17 |
Mar’17 |
Apr’17 |
May’17 |
Jun’17 |
Jul’17 |
Aug’17 |
Sep’17 |
Oct’17 |
Nov’17 |
Dec’17 |
|
Allocated |
1,114 |
1,144 |
1,141 |
1,264 |
1,292 |
1,326 |
1,370 |
1,397 |
1,377 |
1,443 |
1,473 |
1,259 |
|
Waiting Allocation |
871 |
841 |
754 |
661 |
590 |
572 |
579 |
561 |
501 |
479 |
436 |
394 |
|
Open Cases |
1,985 |
1,985 |
1,895 |
1,925 |
1,882 |
1,898 |
1,949 |
1,958 |
1,878 |
1,922 |
1,909 |
1,653 |
|
Referrals |
93 |
122 |
139 |
83 |
141 |
90 |
99 |
118 |
103 |
105 |
125 |
128 |
|
Total |
3970 |
4092 |
3929 |
3933 |
3905 |
3886 |
1949 |
4034 |
3859 |
3949 |
3943 |
3434 |
549. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when capital funding for renovation works will be made available to a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13812/18]
View answerThe organisation to which the Deputy refers is in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. It is not funded under the Family Resource Centre Programme, which is administered by Tusla. I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy's query with regard to the issue of capital funding.
