Written Answers Nos. 521-539
521. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to his Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; if it is behind or ahead of profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39380/18]
View answerMy Department does not allocate a specific budget for communications, press and public relations. We have a dedicated Press Office who have spent €12,927 to date in 2018.
Other Divisions within my Department may spend some of their admin budget allocations on these categories and the details of such expenditure can be accessed on my Department's website. We publish the details of all expenditure on external services every six months.
The first six months of 2018 covering the period from January to June has been recently published and can be accessed at the following link:
www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
522. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sanctions in place for the contractors of the M7 road upgrade if the upgrade is not completed by the initial date; and the date given by the contractors. [39485/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
523. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the same scoring mechanism as used in 2017 will be used when allocating funding under the sports capital programme 2018; if the 2018 programme will also allocate funding to all eligible applications in line with the process in the previous round of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39498/18]
View answerWhile the scoring system for the 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) will not be identical to that which applied under the 2017 round, the key factors considered in terms of assessing applications have not changed. The guide to making an application as published on my Department's website contains a specific section on how the Department assesses applications. In this regard the key considerations used to determine the score awarded to each application are as follows:-
- The likelihood of increasing participation and/or improving performance.
- Whether the proposed facilities will be shared with other users.
- The level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area.
- The technical merits of the proposed project.
- The level of funding being provided towards the project by the applicant.
- The level of SCP funding received in the last ten years by the applicant.
The closing date for applications under the 2018 round of the SCP is Friday 19th October. All applicants are advised that the assessment process is competitive and that simply meeting the minimum criteria under the headings above does not guarantee funding. While it is highly likely that the level of demand for grants will exceed the funding available, prior to knowing the number of applications received and commencing the assessment process, it is not possible to state the percentage of applicants likely to receive a grant.
524. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a company (details supplied) has been able to recruit its full complement of drivers to date; if the Dublin routes it has been awarded are being run to schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39512/18]
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.
525. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual number of electronic tag users in 2014 to 2017; the number of electronic tag uses on all tolls in the same period; the domestic and EU legislation pertaining to the regulation of electronic tags on toll roads with respect to the charging of fees; and the regulation of fees between cash payments and electronic tags for road tolls availed of by users. [39526/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.
For the purposes of the regulation of electronic tags on toll roads with respect to the charging of fees; and the regulation of fees between cash payments and electronic tags for road tolls availed of by users, there is a range of domestic and EU legislation that applies. In particular: -
- The Roads Act 1993, Part V as amended sets out powers to charge tolls (including the apparatus as considered necessary) as well as powers for the issue, inspection and collection of tickets, tokens, vouchers, permits, receipts and other forms of authorisation or payment for the use of a toll road. Such powers can be subject to Regulation, Guidelines or Direction by me.
- In relation to EU legislation provisions exist for a number of specific purposes and are set out in the EETS Directive on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community (2004/52/EC, transposed by regulation 2005 SI 757/2005); EETS Decision on the definition of the European Electronic Toll Service and its technical elements (2009/750/EC) and the Eurovignette Directive 1999/62/EC (as amended) on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructure.
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 operational aspects of the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.
526. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39535/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, this Action relates to arresting and reversing the decline in passenger numbers and increasing connectivity by air into and out of Cork Airport. I can confirm that after many years of declining passenger numbers, Cork Airport returned to growth in 2016, when passenger numbers grew by 8% to more than 2.23m. Since then passengers numbers have continued to grow with an increase of 3.5% during 2017, to 2.31m and an increase of 4% for the first half of this year over the same period in 2017.
New destinations from Cork Airport since 2017 include Reykjavik, Newquay, Verona, Zurich, Boston/Providence, Paris CDG and Lisbon. It is also understood that Ryanair has announced five routes commencing in 2019 from Cork to London Luton, Poznan in Poland, Budapest, Malta and Naples.
While it was disappointing that the Norwegian service to Boston/Providence, which commenced in July 2017, did not operate during winter 2018, it is good to see that the service is to return to Cork for summer 2019.
This turnaround in passenger numbers at Cork Airport is as a result of a number of initiatives which were put in place in recent years to encourage stakeholders in the region to work together and with airport management on improving the product on offer and thereby supporting services at the Airport. Indeed, in recent days the Airport's success has been recognised at the World Routes Conference in China where Cork won the prestigious World Routes 2018 Marketing Award, a global accolade recognising excellence in aviation marketing for airports in its category. It is good to see such a positive payback arising from the efforts of all concerned.
However, in order for that trend to continue, it is vital that stakeholder support is maintained, as airline services will only continue if used by the travelling public.
527. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39536/18]
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 operation of individual national roads including motorways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
However, I understand from TII that, with the exception of a short section of the Kildare Town By-pass together with the on-going works on the M7 Naas to Newbridge Upgrade Scheme, works have been completed on the installation of ducting on the M7 and M8.
Ducting on a section of the Kildare Town By-Pass scheme remains to be completed due to complications arising from the presence of a tanking membrane beneath the motorway, which will necessitate ducting being installed along the fence line.
Ducting is also being installed as part of the M7 Naas to Newbridge Upgrade Scheme which it is envisaged will be completed in 2019.
When completed, the works in question will facilitate telecoms operators in deploying infrastructure to expand their networks including between Dublin and Cork.
528. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of each seminar held on Project Ireland 2040 up to and including September 2018 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39591/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, earlier this year Government launched Project Ireland 2040 which sets out Government's ambition for the long-term development of Ireland.
As part of Project Ireland 2040, Government published a ten year National Development Plan which provides a strategic framework for public capital investment of almost €116 billion over the next ten years. Of that €116 billion approximately €25 billion will be spent across the transport, tourism and sport sectors.
In June of this year Dublin Port Company hosted an event at which I announced details of the planned expenditure across the various sectors. As is standard practice for my Department, details of any expenditure incurred are published as a matter of routine on my Department's website
www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
529. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is planned to cancel existing direct bus services into Dublin city in view of the decision to have a comprehensive review of bus services in various parts of Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39595/18]
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 responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the BusConnects project.
The BusConnects project plans to increase bus services across Dublin by 27% and also increase by 30% the number of people living within 400 metres of a bus service operating every 15 minutes or less. These substantial increases in service mean better opportunities for Dubliners to get to jobs, travel to school or college or spend time with friends and family.
As the Deputy is aware, the NTA - supported by Dublin Bus - has just carried out a full public consultation on the BusConnects proposals relating to the network design, and this involved providing local brochures, local information sessions organised at various locations around the city, digital imaging of the network, on-line surveys and consultation with user groups.
Included among those local information sessions was one in the Dún Laoghaire area. All area-specific issues raised and submissions received during the network design public consultation process will be examined by the NTA now that the consultation period is over. The NTA expect to publish a revised network design proposal early next year and any reconfigurations to the proposal will be subject to further consultation.
530. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs associated with the BusConnects project (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39613/18]
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 responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the BusConnects project.
As the Deputy is aware, the NTA - supported by Dublin Bus - has just carried out a full public consultation on the BusConnects proposals relating to the network design, and this involved providing local brochures, local face-to-face events organised at various locations around the city, digital imaging of the network, on-line surveys and consultation with user groups. That public consultation process closed on 28th September.
Given their responsibility with regards to this matter, I have forwarded your request to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
531. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018, by month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39647/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy can be found on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
The first six months of expenditure (January to June 2018) on external services was published recently and it is anticipated that the second six months (July - December 2018) will be published in the first quarter of 2019.
532. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a meeting has been organised with a group (details supplied); the date of the meeting; the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39658/18]
View answerI am aware of this request and I wish to inform the Deputy that all meeting requests received are considered in line with normal procedure.
533. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be taken on the application submitted on behalf of Waterford Airport, Waterford City and County Council and other interested investors to extend the runway at Waterford Airport; if the necessary extra capital will be provided to facilitate this extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39673/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, scheduled air services at Waterford Airport ceased in June 2016.
In December 2017, having failed to secure scheduled services, Waterford Airport sought funding from the Department in order to guarantee a continuation of services for the Coast Guard in 2018. The Department agreed to pay €375,000 in January this year to safeguard these services for the first six months of 2018 but also to allow time for appropriate consideration of the future options at Waterford Airport.
In light of the situation, my Department procured the services of independent consultants, Ernst & Young (EY) to conduct this review. The runway extension proposal, to which the Deputy refers, was received during the review process and was duly incorporated into the consideration of options by EY. The proposal from Waterford Airport is dependent on securing the necessary finance from private investors, local authorities as well as significant capital funding support from the Exchequer.
I brought the EY Review to this morning's Cabinet meeting for the information of Government at this stage. I have also sought some additional information and assurances from the airport in respect of potential investors and jet carriers. When I have fully considered the EY Review, along with any additional information provided by Waterford Airport, I have undertaken to revert to Government with a Memorandum for decision on the matter.
534. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of funding of a bypass for Clane, County Kildare; the discussions he has held with the local authority involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39715/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare 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 local authority. In this context no funding application has been received by the Department in relation to the Clane bypass.
The economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board and this has resulted in some grant programmes being curtailed, including the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair and this remains the position.
Kildare County Council has been allocated over €29.5m in 2018. It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and it is open to Kildare County Council to fund work on this road from its own resources.
535. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA will instruct its tendered bus shelter advertising company to provide shelters to Bus Éireann bus stops; if repair and completion works will be conducted to a bus shelter that was never completed at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39749/18]
View answer536. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated by the NTA for a dedicated bus shelter in Grange, County Sligo; the reason no shelter was developed at IT Sligo despite funding being announced for this project in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39750/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
As 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 responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus shelters.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
537. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if capacity issues on the M4 have been investigated; if so, the results of such investigations; if widening works for this section of the motorway are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39853/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
538. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the delivery of new or refurbished carriages on the rail lines serving Maynooth and Sallins; when new carriages are expected; the steps he is taking to ensure the safety of passengers using these services in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39854/18]
View answer539. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the delivery of the proposed electrification of the rail lines serving Maynooth and Sallins; his plans for improvements in services for commuters on the existing rail lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39855/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 539 together.
As 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 responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the DART Expansion and capacity enhancement projects referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy is aware that the National Development Plan provides for the electrification of the Kildare Line (to Celbridge/Hazelhatch) and the Maynooth Line as part of the DART Expansion Programme. In addition the NDP also provides for the refurbishment of existing stock and the purchase of new stock in the context of increased capacity and services.
In light of the role of the NTA in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for further response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
