Written Answers Nos. 652-667
652. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of purchasing a hybrid bus versus the cost of purchasing a diesel bus for the Dublin Bus fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31949/18]
View answer653. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses that have been purchased for Dublin Bus in 2017 and 2018, and the number that is anticipated to be purchased in 2019. [31950/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including bus fleet acquisition for Dublin Bus.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
654. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided towards capital projects in counties Meath and Louth in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, by project name, location and cost in tabular form. [31997/18]
View answer655. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the applications submitted for funding and projects from Meath and Louth County Councils in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 for projects decided upon or in progress in tabular form. [32013/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 654 and 655 together.
The Sports Capital Programme as operated by my Department provides funding to voluntary, sporting and community organisations for the provision of sports and recreational facilities. Details of all applications and allocations under the Sports Capital Programme for the years in question are shown on a county basis on my Department’s website (www.dttas.ie).
For 2018, we have allocated €2.26m for the Interreg Programme which is run by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) for cross-border projects, one of which is the Carlingford Greenway. The division and allocation of this fund is the responsibility of the SEUPB.
In relation to national roads, the allocation of capital funding to local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I am, therefore, forwarding the Deputy’s Question to TII for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my Office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
In terms of regional and local roads, funding is allocated to local authorities for maintenance and renewal of the network on a programme basis. Funding under the main grant programmes is allocated on the basis of the road length in a local authority area. Each year local authorities are able to apply for grant funding for safety improvement works and for bridge rehabilitation works and this year applications were also invited for Community Involvement Schemes. A small number of specific and strategic regional and local road schemes are also funded. Details of applications for funding and funding provided in respect of counties Meath and Louth are set out in the following spread sheet.
|
Year |
Application Submitted Meath |
Application Submitted Louth |
Project decided upon or in progress |
Funding Awarded Meath for Capital Projects |
Funding Provided Louth for Capital Projects |
Location of Capital Project |
Capital Project Drawn Down |
|
2016
|
Royal Canal Greenway |
N/A |
In progress |
€1,971,000 |
N/A |
Royal Canal Greenway |
€458,812 |
|
2017
|
Royal Canal Greenway |
N/A |
In progress |
€2,463,014* |
N/A |
Royal Canal Greenway |
€2,463,013.98 |
|
2018
|
Royal Canal Greenway |
N/A |
In progress |
€111,000** |
N/A |
Royal Canal Greenway |
€111,000 |
*Revised figure includes €1,512,188 carryover from 2016
**Additional costs awarded to complete project
656. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for implementation of the statutory instrument for the minimum passing distance; and the reason for the delay of same. [32073/18]
View answerFollowing the submission of draft regulations to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, a number of complex legal and drafting issues were identified. My Department is currently giving consideration to the legal advice received and is engaging with the Attorney General’s Office to discuss solutions, with a view to implementing Regulations that are legally robust as soon as feasible.
657. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the CIÉ group has made funding available to the unions for independent legal advice regarding proposed changes to pension schemes. [32087/18]
View answerIssues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
658. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applications will be open for large-scale projects. [32090/18]
View answerThe National Development Plan (NDP) contains a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years. There is no funding provided for the programme in 2018. The amounts to be provided in 2019 and subsequently will be decided in the context of the annual estimates process.
In relation to the design of the scheme, my officials have been engaging with relevant stakeholders on the proposed terms and conditions of the new scheme. It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the Sports Capital Programme. At this stage, it is envisaged that the fund will be initially focused on the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities and all projects will need to be fully compliant with the Public Spending Code and EU State Aid regulations. The possibility of adopting a two stream approach to cover both projects nearing construction stage but also those at an earlier stage of planning is also being actively considered.
My officials expect to have the draft terms and conditions of the new scheme finalised shortly and an announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made once this work is complete.
659. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the national sports policy will be published. [32091/18]
View answerI anticipate publication of the new National Sports Policy by the end of July 2018.
660. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus shelter will be provided to Rochfortbridge. [32141/18]
View answer666. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he, Bus Éireann or CIÉ have for the Busáras site in Dublin 1; his views on its continued use as the national bus centre; the capital investment planned for the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 666 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport and as the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing or providing public transport in the State in relation to bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, bus stands and bus fleets.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
661. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions being taken to ensure sites owned by Irish Rail which are not required for railway operations are made available for housing and other development. [32178/18]
View answerThe acquisition, disposal or development of such property is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) in the first instance. Sections 13(1) and 13(3) of the Transport Act 1950 and section 11 of the Transport Act 1964 provide CIÉ with the statutory power to acquire, dispose or develop property subject to the consent of its Board.
While there is no statutory requirement for Ministerial consent, Section 8.22 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies states that the Chairperson of the Board should seek the approval of the relevant Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of any material acquisition or disposal of land, buildings or other material assets proposed by a State Body.
Section 8.23 of the Code also states that in addition to any specific guidelines which may apply to a particular State body, any acquisition or disposal of property must be conducted in accordance with Circular 17/2016 on Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property.
The Rebuilding Ireland Housing Land Map, a comprehensive mapping database of publicly owned lands in key areas, was developed with a view to identifying additional lands suitable for housing. The database is publicly available via the rebuildingireland.ie website. This mapping informed the preparation of the housing elements of the National Planning Framework which will see a more proactive approach being taken to strategic land management in future.
CIÉ actively participated in this initiative with the Housing Delivery Office in respect of potentially suitable sites under its ownership. CIÉ also support and encourage community initiatives which make use of vacant railway buildings for use by the community.
662. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.90 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32230/18]
View answerThe information is being collated in respect of employees in my Department and a response will issue as soon as possible. In relation to non-commercial agencies in receipt of funding from my Department, the Deputy's question has been referred to the relevant agencies for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to contact my private office if he has not received a reply within ten working days.
663. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the strategy in relation to the development of greenways will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32237/18]
View answerI plan to publish the Strategy in the coming weeks.
The Strategy will provide a framework for the development of Ireland's greenways ensuring the best possible return for State investment. Furthermore, the Strategy will determine the type of project that will be funded over the coming decade by my Department and will set out guidance and options for project promoters in relation to the challenges faced in delivering greenway infrastructure. It will also emphasise the need for early and wide consultation with all landowners.
Following the publication of the Strategy I will announce a funding call with a view to awarding funding for drawdown between 2019 and 2021 to the successful projects. I was pleased to secure additional funding for greenways last year bringing the total available for the period 2018 to 2021 to €55.9 million.
Given the increased interest in greenways in recent years I expect that there will be a strong response to this funding call. I would again urge local authorities and state agencies interested in applying for funding to progress their planning and design of greenways as far as possible in advance of the funding call and to clarify any land access issues following extensive consultation with landowners.
664. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the interaction his Department has had with Westmeath County Council in relation to the advancement of a project (details supplied); if he expects a positive outcome in relation to these talks and the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32245/18]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) as operated by my Department provides funding to voluntary and sporting organisations, and local authorities for the provision of sport and recreation facilities. The general terms and conditions of the SCP are available on my Department's website. Grants under the most recent round of the programme were announced at the end of last year and an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round of the programme will be made in the coming weeks.
In addition, the National Development Plan (NDP) contains a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years. It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the SCP. At this stage, it is envisaged that the fund will be initially focused on the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities and all projects will need to be fully compliant with the Public Spending Code and EU State Aid regulations. My officials hope to have the draft terms and conditions of the new scheme finalised shortly and an announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made once this work is complete.
I can confirm that Westmeath County Council has made general enquiries to my Department in relation to the project referred to by the Deputy including possible funding sources for the proposed work. When the new programmes are open for applications, it will obviously be open to the Council to apply for funding once the general terms and conditions of the schemes are met.
665. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on representations from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32251/18]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including, since 2012, management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the "Local Link" brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding Local Link services, including the issues referred to by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to advise my office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
667. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a review of train fares for Newbridge, Kildare and Athy rail commuters that remain outside the short-hop commuter zone will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32278/18]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for regulating fares charged by public transport operators. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask that the Deputy advise my office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
