Written Answers Nos. 348-365
348. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, in addition to seeking funding from the Exchequer for financial supports for former eel fishermen who have been affected by the ban on eel fishing, he will also seek Exchequer funding for eel fishery owners who continue to pay annual rates even though eel fishing has been banned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18972/18]
View answerI am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that in order to commercially fish for eel it was a requirement for any person, including fishery owners, to hold a fishing licence. I am also advised that the majority of eel fishery owners were also licensed by IFI to fish for eel and, therefore, would be included in the proposed support scheme for former fishermen which my officials have advised to the European Commission.
The rateable value of fisheries is set by the Valuation Office on a statutory basis. It is a matter, in the first instance, for fishery owners to contact the Valuations Office as regards the possibility of amending the valuation in the light of current circumstances.
IFI advised that many eel fishery owners have not paid rates since the closure of fisheries in 2009 based on the European Commission's approval of Ireland's Eel Management Plan under EU regulation 1100/2007.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is statutorily obliged to collect rates based on rateable valuation established by the Valuation Office. However, it has no statutory function in relation to that issue nor any power to amend rateable valuations.
349. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for the roll-out of at least 30 megabits per second or 30 Mbps broadband to a location (details supplied) in County Donegal as part of the national broadband plan; if such areas with poor or no broadband coverage will be prioritised during the roll-out phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18975/18]
View answerThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, almost 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. Since this Government came into office almost 400,000 additional premises have access to high speed broadband. This will increase to nearly 8 out of 10 premises by the end of this year and by 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
In April 2017, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This Map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll-out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of this year as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017.
There are just over 101,000 premises in County Donegal. Nearly 34,000 (33%) fall within the AMBER area and will be covered under the State led Intervention. More than 56,000 (56%) of premises are in a BLUE area and are, or will be, covered by commercial providers, while approximately 11,000 (11%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment of high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by 2018.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is located in an AMBER area and therefore high speed broadband will be delivered via the State led intervention.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages. My Department will engage with the successful company on the most efficient roll-out of the network.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
350. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding and works are required to address a flooding problem at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18558/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County or City 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.
All grant funding available to my Department has been allocated for this year, including specific funding for drainage works.
As regards grants for improvement works, these grants were curtailed during the recession and while the current Capital Plan does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there continues to be limited scope for funding improvement projects under the Specific/Strategic Grant Programmes. Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under these Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis with the main focus on larger scale safety improvement and bridge rehabilitation projects. Such projects are subject to appraisal as required in the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Capital Appraisal Framework.
It is a matter for each local authority to assess its priorities and draw up a roadworks programme based on the State grant funding and own resources available to it. I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating their own resources.
351. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driver test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18561/18]
View answerThis 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.
352. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he met with and or had telephone conversations with persons from a college (details supplied) in respect of a sports capital grant application in 2017 and 2018; the topics discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18597/18]
View answerWith regard to the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP), I received numerous contacts from applicants and potential applicants in relation to their proposed projects. Many of these contacts were from applicants from within my constituency, including the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I also received numerous countrywide representations from Government and opposition deputies and as a result, met with a large number of applicants in response to their request for information about the SCP process. While many of these applicants received a grant offer, a number of the applicants who were in contact with me were ultimately deemed invalid.
As I have stated previously, I had no role in relation to the assessment of any individual application or appeal. A review of the 2017 SCP has now been published on my Department's website which contains full information on the assessment and appeal process including how allocation amounts were ultimately decided.
353. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he sought legal advice regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a college (details supplied) in 2017 and or 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18598/18]
View answerWhile the general terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) were drawn up in consultation with the Department's legal advisors in the Chief State Solicitor's Office, and advice was obtained from the Department’s Legal Adviser in relation to the proposed approach to the appeals process, legal advice was not sought in relation to any one grant application or any one appeal.
A provisional allocation has been made to the organisation in question under the 2017 round of the SCP. As is the norm for all grants under the SCP, prior to formal allocation stage, all grantees will be required to give a legal guarantee confirming, inter alia, that the facility will be kept in sporting use and will remain available to any relevant sports club involved in the application. Any other legal requirements are checked at this formal allocation stage and liaison with the CSSO is undertaken as necessary. No payments are made to any grant under the SCP until all relevant legal requirements are met.
354. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish a report (details supplied) that recommends significant changes to reduce the chances of certain clubs and or schools from receiving funding. [18599/18]
View answerAfter every recent round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) a review was undertaken by the Sports Capital Programmes Division of my Department with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls.
The review of the 2017 SCP was published on my Department's website on the 18th April and can be viewed at
www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-2017-review/review-2017-sports-capital-programme.pdf.
The 2017 Review highlights many positive aspects of the 2017 round of the programme including the simplified application process, the greater transparency in terms of how allocations were decided and the introduction of an appeals process for invalid applications. Areas requiring improvement are also identified however, in particular the need for greater clarity in the Department's own guide to making an application. The Review also suggests a number of measures aimed at further prioritising applications from disadvantaged areas and all proposals in this regard will be fully considered prior to the next round of the programme opening for applications.
Separately, a full Value For Money Review of the Sports Capital Programme is underway which is being led by the Department's Strategic Research and Analysis unit, with oversight from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Provisional findings from this Value For Money Review are expected later this year. A comprehensive Sports Policy paper is also being finalised and future rounds of the SCP will reflect that policy's relevant provisions.
355. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of written notifications sent by the Road Safety Authority in 2015 to learner drivers for the offence of driving while unaccompanied informing them of the number of penalty points being added to their learner permit; the number of those notices that confirmed that the fixed charge notices was paid within the time limit; the number of notices that confirmed conviction in court of the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18630/18]
View answer356. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of written notifications sent by the Road Safety Authority in 2016 to learner drivers for the offence of driving while unaccompanied informing them of the number of penalty points being added to their learner permit; the number of those notices that confirmed that the fixed charge notices was paid within the time limit; the number of notices that confirmed conviction in court of the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18631/18]
View answer357. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of written notifications sent by the Road Safety Authority in 2017 to learner drivers for the offence of driving while unaccompanied informing them of the number of penalty points being added to their learner permit; the number of those notices that confirmed that the fixed charge notices was paid within the time limit; the number of notices that confirmed conviction in court of the offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18632/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 to 357, inclusive, together.
These statistics are within the remit of the Road Safety Authority, and I have forwarded this Parliamentary Question to them for direct reply. Please contact my office if a reply has not been received within 10 working days.
358. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of applications for sports capital funding in 2018; and when the scheme will open for applications. [18653/18]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme attracted a record 2,320 applications. In November and December last, Minister Ross and I announced €60m in allocations to a record 1,800 projects under the 2017 round. A review of the 2017 round of the programme has now been finalised and published on my Department's website (www.dttas.ie). This review highlights aspects of the 2017 round of the SCP that worked well but also suggests some further improvements which should be considered prior to the next round of the programme opening for applications. Work has now commenced on designing the terms and conditions of the new round and an announcement in relation to the timing of it is expected in the coming weeks.
359. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding funding from the TEN-T programme for the Dunboyne to Navan rail line. [18722/18]
View answerThe Navan Rail Link Project, currently part of the TEN-T comprehensive network, was originally included under the Transport 21 Initiative and was to be developed in two Phases. Phase 1, which comprised the Dunboyne Rail Line project and involved the reopening of 7.5km of a railway line running off the Maynooth line, at Clonsilla, to the M3 interchange at Pace near Dunboyne, was opened in September 2010 with Park and Ride facilities for 1200 at Pace and for 300 at Dunboyne. Phase 1 was completed in 2013 with the opening of Hansfield Station. Exchequer funding of €160 million was approved for Phase 1. No TEN-T funding was received for the Navan Rail Link Project.
The plan for Phase 2 involved the extension of the Dunboyne Line between Clonsilla and M3 Parkway Station, onwards to north Navan. This development together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the economic and fiscal crisis.
The Government’s recently published National Development Plan confirms a number of key investment priorities including not only protecting investments already made but also considerable investment in public transport modes including Bus, Rail, Luas, Metro, Cycling and Walking, next generation ticketing systems, customer information systems, transition to low emission fleets all to deliver a much expanded comprehensive public transport network that would match travel demand, alleviate congestion and deliver a range of benefits over the next decade.
The NDP also recognises that over the period of the plan it will be very important to examine the role the interurban rail network can play in enhancing regional connectivity. In this regard the NDP notes that the NTA is required to review its Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy before the end of 2021. This review will include a reappraisal of the extension of the Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Dunshauglin and Navan taking into account the scale of new and planned development along the route and will allow for its consideration during the NDP Mid Term Review.
Also looking ahead, the European Commission, in reviewing the implementation of the TEN-T core network by end 2023 and in consultation with Member States, will evaluate whether the core network should be modified to take into account developments in transport flows and national investment planning.
360. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his review of transport and traffic challenges in Dublin city will be published. [18764/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Dublin City Centre Transport Study, published jointly by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2015 recognised that a rebalancing of the available road space would be required on various streets to facilitate the introduction of additional capacity for public transport, cycling and walking. Through a multi-agency approach by NTA, DCC, and TII working in conjunction with the various Public Transport Operators, the measures set out in the 2015 Study (including the College Green Plaza proposal, developed by Dublin City Council, and currently being considered by An Bord Pleanála) are being progressed so as to ensure that Dublin City transport system is capable of operating efficiently and reliably, with consistent journey times, and that it is facilitating the City's continued development and growth.
The NTA's "Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035" provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. The measures proposed in the strategy are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region and also will be subject to a number of influencing factors including funding availability.
On the issue of funding availability, 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. The National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, confirms a number of key investment priorities. These will be delivered progressively and steadily over the short, medium and long term, to deliver a comprehensive public transport network to match transport demand, alleviate congestion and deliver a range of benefits over the next decade.
In line with legislation, the NTA Strategy will be supported and given effect through a series of sequential shorter-term implementation plans that will set out the investment priorities and proposals over a six year period. Now that the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework are published, the NTA are in a position to finalise a draft Integrated Implementation Plan for the next 6 year period. I understand that a consultation process on the proposed draft Plan will be commenced later this year after which the Draft Plan will be submitted for my approval.
361. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18819/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
362. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation of 2017 sports capital programme funding by county; the allocation by county compared with the distribution on a per capita basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18820/18]
View answer363. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications received for the 2017 sports capital programme by county; the number of valid and invalid applications, respectively, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18821/18]
View answer364. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of 2017 sports capital grants awarded compared with the valid applications, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18822/18]
View answer367. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of maximum 2017 sports capital grant awards, that is, €150,000, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/18]
View answer369. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of 2017 sports capital grant appeals received by county; the number that were successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18961/18]
View answer370. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount sought by applicants under the 2017 sports capital programme in comparison with the amount allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18962/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, 367, 369 and 370 together.
All of the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the 2017 Sports Capital Programme is published on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme
In relation to this published data, the following should be noted:
1. Under the 2017 SCP, all valid local applications received a grant offer.
2. The 35 allocations made on foot of appeals (which included 5 allocations that were increased as a result of appeals) were calculated on the same basis as the original allocations but these were not allocated to counties on a per capita basis.
3. A fund of €4m was set aside for national and regional projects. Given the nature and distribution of these projects, this funding could not be distributed to counties on a per capita basis (some counties had no national/regional applications).
4. Under the 2017 round of the SCP, the maximum possible grant for a local project was €150,000 and for a national/regional project, the maximum possible grant was €200,000.
365. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of proposals to create a coastal touring route along the south eastern seaboard; if a decision has been made by Fáilte Ireland on the naming or branding of this proposition; and if the process will be open to submissions from interested parties in due course. [18831/18]
View answerI am very supportive of efforts to develop this route and I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and asked them to provide him with further information and reply directly to him.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
