Written Answers Nos. 1105-1124
1105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is permitted for drivers of coaches to perform tour guiding duties while also driving; if this area is regulated in terms of safety, working hours and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36123/18]
View answerThere is no law prohibiting drivers of tour coaches from performing guiding duties while driving.
As professional bus drivers, drivers of coaches are subject to the same safety requirements as all other such drivers, including in particular the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006, which lays down rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers of lorries and buses in order to improve working conditions and road safety.
1106. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA met with Cork County Council recently to discuss the road upgrade scheme for Lehenaghbeg-Lehenaghmore, County Cork; and if the NTA has taken a favourable view of this particular project. [36157/18]
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.
1107. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when successful applicants who applied for the sports capital grants 2018 will be notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36186/18]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. On the 30th August, Minister Ross and I announced that a new round of the programme was opening for applications with a total of €40m available. Applications can be made from Friday 7th September until Friday 19th October. All applications must be made online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie and organisations not already registered on the site must do so by Friday, 5 October.
The 2017 round of the programme attracted a record 2,320 applications. A number of new measures have been introduced for this round to make the process even more user-friendly including giving applicants the opportunity to submit corrected documentation. Prior to knowing the number of applications received under the new round it is not possible to say how long it will take to fully complete the assessment process.
1108. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of applications to have boats surveyed to assess their suitability to operate as passenger vessels received by the Marine Survey Office in 2017 and to date in 2018; the dates on which all applications were received by the office; the dates on which a determination was made in respect of same; in the case of outstanding applications the date on which a decision will issue; the average turnaround time for applications, that is, the length of time between applications first being received by the office and a decision issuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36187/18]
View answerIt is not possible in the timeframe to answer the Deputy's question as it would involve the individual inspection of approximately 800 surveys and associated records. For clarity, surveys carried out by the MSO can be very extensive, spanning several months for larger new-build vessels. Surveys are processes and are not single events and can involve a number of surveyors from the MSO specialising in different aspects. They include the owner, the crew and specialist companies such as shipyards representing the owner and ship designers.These surveys also include inspections under various statutory instruments which the MSO has responsibility for. While my Department is happy to assist the Deputy in this matter, it would be helpful to clarify whether the issue relates to a specific vessel survey. My Department will be in contact to seek further clarification on the scope of your question and hopefully avoid any unnecessary administrative costs in replying.
1109. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if national lottery funding will be made available to sports clubs in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36203/18]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. On the 30th August, Minister Ross and I announced that a new round of the programme was opening for applications with a total of €40m available. Applications can be made from Friday 7th September until Friday 19th October. All applications must be made online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie and organisations not already registered on the site must do so by Friday, 5 October.
1110. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures in place to deal with and to curb anti-social behaviour on the rail networks including Iarnród Éireann and Luas; his plans to introduce additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36217/18]
View answerThere were 45.5 million passenger journeys in 2017 on Iarnród Éireann, the vast majority of which occurred without incident.
The safety and security of passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on trains, are matters first and foremost for Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána. On the Luas, these are matters for the transport operator (Transdev) in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána.
I am, however, concerned to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff travelling and working on our rail network. Therefore, I recently wrote to Irish Rail and the Railway Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) to seek their views on the issue of anti-social behaviour on the rail network.
In its response, Irish Rail outlined a number of measures that the company has taken in an effort to safeguard the security of passengers and staff, particularly during this busy summer period. These measures have included the allocation of additional security and supervisory operatives, particularly at night and in certain areas, as well as more resources for centralised CCTV monitoring stations. The company also stated that it works closely with An Garda Síochána on anti-social behaviour in general and receives the full support of the Gardaí. The RSAC recommended the establishment of a dedicated unit of An Garda Síochána to police our rail network on occasions when the possibility of anti-social behaviour is high.
I have also written to the Minister for Justice to seek his views as to how we might best address the issue of anti-social behaviour on our transport system, in particular on the Irish Rail network. I have asked that the Minister consider this issue in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, given that the allocation of all Garda resources, including the manner in which Garda personnel are deployed, is solely a decision for the Garda Commissioner and his management team.
1111. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 15 May 2018, the name of all consultants and the fees paid or due to them by the NTA and TII, his Department or other public funding streams regarding the MetroLink project in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [36224/18]
View answer1112. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fees charged by consultants to the State including the NTA, TII, his Department and the other State agencies involved regarding BusConnects in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018. [36225/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1111 and 1112 together.
As the Deputy is aware from replies to previous PQs in this matter, the National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area including the development, planning and allocation of funding for BusConnects and for MetroLink working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. My Department has not incurred any direct consultancy costs in relation to either of these projects.
In light of its responsibilities, I have referred the Deputy's questions again to the NTA for a direct reply in the matter. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1113. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason his Department does not include funding for preventative safety measures being developed under a non-national safety scheme or low cost accident scheme in areas which have increased risk of accidents occurring due to new development; the other funding schemes available for councils to develop pedestrian crossings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36242/18]
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 the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
Applications for funding under the Department's Safety Improvement Scheme are invited on an annual basis for funding in the subsequent year. Councils are made aware of the conditions in relation to applications for funding and are advised that preference will be given to proposals in the cost range €2,000 to €30,000 and that proposals in higher cost ranges, (i.e. €30,000 to €250,000) may be considered if the benefit to cost ratio is promising. While preference is given to locations with a collision history, in some situations consideration will be given to locations where a hazard can be clearly demonstrated.
Local authorities are asked to submit applications for funding in order of priority and in this context it is up to individual local authorities to prioritise schemes accordingly.
It is also open to Councils to develop pedestrian crossings from their Discretionary grant or from their own resources.
As regards the impact of new developments, it is for the relevant planning authority to consider planning applications and to decide what conditions should be attached to a planning approval, including traffic management measures where appropriate.
1114. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the toll charged for using the N4 Sligo to Dublin is the highest toll charge here despite the fact the motorway status road only covers the distance from Mullingar to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36246/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. For regional and local roads it is a matter for each respective local authority.
More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads as well as regional and local roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) and each local authority (for regional and local roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
Noting the above, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.
1115. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of RSA officers operating in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Roscommon who are tasked with specifically tackling unlicensed road transport operators; the number of investigations undertaken and convictions obtained with regard to unlicensed road transport operations in the north west; the efforts made in this region to combat unlicensed road hauliers and the customers who obtain their services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36248/18]
View answerThese are matters for the Road Safety Authority and 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.
1116. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on Dublin Bus not issuing change refunds from 21 September 2018; his views on whether the rights of commuters are being vindicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/18]
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) has statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, including fares and ticketing.
As the Deputy is aware passengers may still pay with cash and are advised to have the exact fare when boarding. Currently over 70% of fare payments are made by Leap card, which is generally at least 20% cheaper for passengers and is far more efficient than a cash fare.
As part of the BusConnects programme the NTA are proposing a move to cashless operations on buses. By moving to a cashless system under the BusConnects programme, this will bring greater efficiencies, reduce journey times and improve the passenger journey experience for commuters.To make way for this, BusConnects will incorporate the latest developments in account-based ticketing technology, potentially allowing use of credit/debit cards or mobile devices as a convenient means of payment. This will also allow integration with other transport payments such as parking facilities and bicycle hire.
1117. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the revised traffic signs manual will be amended; the date on which the signs will be erected showing Ireland West Airport Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/18]
View answerThe Traffic Signs Manual (TSM) constitutes a Ministerial Direction to road authorities under section 95(16) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and is available from my Department's website.
The TSM stipulates the traffic signs to be used on Irish roads, their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which each sign should be used and the rules for positioning them.
Work towards updating the Manual is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be completed during 2018.
The erection of traffic signs is a matter for the relevant road authority.
1118. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the positions in his Department and the organisations under its aegis that have arrangements in place for lo-call numbers or 1800, 1850 and 1890 telephone numbers for members of the public to contact his Department or organisations under its aegis; the number of these that are completely free to call for persons who use mobile telephones and may incur major bills telephoning such organisations; if the situation will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36406/18]
View answerMy Department currently has two Lo-Call numbers which can be found on the Department's Website.
Neither of these numbers are free to either landline or mobile users; the cost of mobile calls to the department are determined by the service provider not the department.
My Department does not currently use 1800,1850 or 1890 numbers.
My Department is currently investing in newer telephony technologies and as part of this we will be reviewing all published telephone numbers.
If as a result of this review the published numbers change, the Department's website will be updated to reflect these changes.
The telephone contact services of the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department are a day-to-day operational issue for these agencies and I have no function in that regard.
1119. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Fáilte Ireland plans to open a new tourist information office in Malahide and-or Howth County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36417/18]
View answerThe management of the Tourist Information Office network is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1120. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting driver tests; and the number who have been allocated a test date. [36494/18]
View answer1121. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting a driver test date by county; the average waiting time; and the longest expected waiting time in tabular form. [36495/18]
View answer1122. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who have been allocated a driver test date by county; the average waiting time; and the longest expected waiting time in tabular form. [36496/18]
View answer1123. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver instructors recruited in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of instructors who have retired or left their posts in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36497/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1120 to 1123, inclusive, together.
The Deputy's questions are a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the questions to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1124. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative provisions required to implement and enforce variable speed limits on the M50; when this legislation will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36535/18]
View answerTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has proposed the introduction of variable speed limits on our motorways, particularly the M50, in the interests of both safety and traffic management.
My officials are currently examining this proposal with a view to identifying any legislative changes which may be needed, and if it transpires that primary legislation is indeed required, provision will be made in the current Road Traffic Bill which is under preparation in my Department.
