Written Answers Nos. 274-293
274. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44372/18]
View answerIs féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil mo Roinnse tiomanta do fhreagra a thabhairt i nGaeilge, le litir nó le ríomhphost, nuair a scríobhann custaiméir chuig mo Roinn i nGaeilge. Tá Aonad Gaeilge i bhfeidhm i mo Roinn chun aistriúcháin Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil nuair is gá.
Tá mo Roinn tiomanta ach go háirithe d'fheabhas a chur ar na seirbhísí Gaeilge a chuirtear ar fáil i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Tá dhá Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh ag an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara atá suite i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Maidir leis na baill foirne atá sa dá oifig sin: as an 15 bhall foirne atá ag obair sa dá oifig sin, tá 11 díobh ábalta gnó ar fad na Roinne a chur i gcrích i nGaeilge. Tá an ceathrar ball eile in ann comhrá a bheith acu i nGaeilge. Dá bhrí sin tá mo Roinn ábalta seirbhís iomlán a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge sna hoifigí dá cuid atá lonnaithe i gceantair Ghaeltachta.
Le súil is cumas na Gaeilge a choinneáil agus a fheabhsú sa dá Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh sin, tá mo Roinn tiomanta do dhul i mbun oibre ar an mbonn seo a leanas maidir le gach comórtas amach anseo i gceantair Ghaeltachta. Beidh riachtanais i dtaobh na Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla, riachtanais a bheidh ar chomhchéim, i gceist le haon chomórtas a bhaineann le poist a bheidh lonnaithe in oifig atá suite i gceantar Gaeltachta. Déanfaidh an Roinn gach iarracht a chinntiú go mbeidh gach duine a earcaítear amach anseo in oifigí i gCeantair Ghaeltachta inniúil sa Ghaeilge. Ní mór don Roinn fós an ceart atá aici post sa Ghaeltacht a thabhairt do dhuine nach bhfuil aon Ghaeilge aige a fhorchoimeád mura dtiocfaidh duine a bhfuil Gaeilge aige agus atá cuícháilithe chun cinn. Táthar ag súil nach mbeidh gá sin a dhéanamh ach caithfidh an Roinn a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann sí a cuid feidhmeanna sna Lárionaid Chuanta Iascaigh.
Ina theannta sin, le súil is a bheith ábalta é a chur ar chumas chustaiméirí atá ag iarraidh a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh i nGaeilge, tá sé phost aitheanta ag mo Roinn ina gcaithfidh na daoine sna poist sin cumas dátheangach a bheith acu. Tá ceithre cinn de na sé phost sin lonnaithe lasmuigh de na ceantair Ghaeltachta dá dtagraítear thuas. Ar ndóigh, tá baill foirne eile ar fud mo Roinne a bhfuil leibhéil éagsúla cumais acu maidir lena ngnó a dhéanamh i nGaeilge.
Féach an tábla thíos chun eolas a fháil maidir leis an bhfoireann a bhfuil cúrsaí Gaeilge tugtha i gcrích acu agus a bhfuil cáilíocht bainte amach acu in Inniúlacht na Gaeilge.
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Cúrsa |
Coláiste |
Rannpháirtithe |
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Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil |
Gaelchultúr Teoranta |
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2016 |
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Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil |
Gaelchultúr Teoranta |
1 |
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Cúrsa Gaeilge |
The Language Centre |
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2017 |
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Cúrsa Gaeilge |
FEICIM |
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2018 |
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Teastas i nGaeilge Ghairmiúil |
Gaelchultúr Teoranta |
3 |
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Teastas i nGaeilge Ghairmiúil |
Gaelchultúr Teoranta |
23 |
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Gaeilge (Meánleibhéal B1) |
The Language Centre |
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Teastas sa Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil Leibhéal 6 |
Gaelchultúr Teoranta |
1 |
275. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress he has made to date on implementing the recommendations on the way in which the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change arising from a Citizens' Assembly report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44016/18]
View answerThe report of the Citizens’ Assembly was submitted to the Houses of the Oireachtas in April of this year, and the Houses subsequently established the Joint Committee on Climate Action to further consider the recommendations and report by the end of January 2019. In the context of the consideration of each of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly, it is now a matter for the Joint Committee to consider whether and how each recommendation might be taken up by Government. In this context, the Committee is engaging with all relevant Government Departments on their respective policies in place and their position in response to the Citizens’ Assembly recommendations.
I was pleased to note that many of the recommendations adopted by the Citizens' Assembly are already being addressed through the implementation of National Development Plan, the National Mitigation Plan and the Energy White Paper. A number of these recommendations are within my own Department’s remit.
Recommendation 2 addresses the leadership role of the State in addressing climate change. My Department published a Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy in 2017 which provides for a coordinated, whole-of Government approach to meeting the Government’s target of improving its own energy efficiency by 33% by 2020 and thereby reducing the contribution of the public sector to Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions. The Strategy provides, inter alia, that public bodies are required to implement the Nearly Zero Energy Building standard two years in advance of the private sector and also provides a framework for investment in public building retrofits.
In relation to Recommendation 5, the Government launched, on 31 July, a grant- aided pilot micro generation scheme, targeting solar PV and domestic customers with self-generation. The pilot scheme also supports the use of battery storage for installations over a certain size. This is in line with industry best practice where installations are sized appropriately with the maximum amount of renewable electricity generated being consumed on site by the customer.
Recommendation 6 addresses community ownership of renewable energy projects. The new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme will provide for communities to develop their own renewable electricity projects and for developer-led projects to offer investment opportunities to local citizens and communities.
In relation to Recommendation 9, a strong package of measures to support the roll out of electric vehicles is now in place, supporting the NDP objective of having at least 500,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
While much progress has been made in relation to a number of the Assembly’s recommendations, the Government recognises that further consideration will need to be given to some of the report’s other proposals, including through the ongoing work of the Joint Committee on Climate Action. In light of this, I look forward to engaging with the Joint Committee on its work in the near future.
276. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he expects the national broadband plan to retain its current delivery trajectory once the contract is awarded. [44065/18]
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, more than 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. The NBP will be achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage with evaluation ongoing of the final tender received on 18 September. The Taoiseach has asked the independent process auditor to the NBP procurement to review the process. Mr. Smyth will submit a report to the Taoiseach and to me as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment within three weeks from 17 October. This review will take place in parallel with the evaluation being carried out by the Department’s procurement team on the final tender for the NBP State led intervention.
As part of the commercial investment element of the NBP, in April 2017, my Department signed a Commitment Agreement with Eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Data for Q2 2018 submitted by Eir to my Department indicates that the company had passed some 175,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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
277. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the provision of rural broadband for rural County Kildare (details supplied). [44066/18]
View answerThere is a total of 95 premises in the townlands of Kilkea Demesne, Kilkea Lodge Farm and Kilkea Upper and Lower. All of these premises are in the AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
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 procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage with evaluation ongoing of the final tender received on 18 September. The Taoiseach has asked Mr. Peter Smyth, the independent process auditor to the NBP procurement to review the process. Mr. Smyth will submit a report to the Taoiseach and to me as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. This review will take place in parallel to the evaluation being carried out by the Department’s procurement team on the final tender for the NBP State led intervention.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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.
278. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to ensure speedy roll out of the national broadband plan to the offshore islands; the steps he will take in the meantime due to the delay with the roll out of the plan to ensure that businesses on the islands have adequate broadband at a competitive price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44146/18]
View answerIn April 2017 my Department 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 National Broadband Plan (NBP). Premises on our offshore islands which fall within the AMBER area will be served under the State led Intervention. One of the elements of the Intervention Strategy in relation to the NBP requires any intervention network to be built on an open access, wholesale basis. This is aimed at providing a competitive service of similar speed, quality and cost to those in more urban areas, and for this level of service to be available to premises in the State intervention area, including to homes and businesses on islands.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage, with evaluation ongoing of the final tender submission received on 18 September. The Taoiseach has asked Mr. Peter Smyth, the independent process auditor to the NBP procurement to review the process. Mr. Smyth will submit a recommendation report to both the Taoiseach and to me as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and I Environment. This review will take place in parallel to the evaluation being carried out by the Department’s procurement team on the final tender.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, 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.
279. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cad iad na critéir i leith daonra a bhaineann leis an scéim de chuid An Post le hoifigí poist a dhúnadh i gceantair tuaithe; an ndeachaigh An Post i gcomhairle leis nó lena Roinn maidir leis na critéir sin; más rud é go ndeachaigh, ar aontaigh an Roinn leis an gcur chuige go mbeadh an cinneadh bunaithe ar dhaonra an bhaile ina bhfuil an oifig phoist suite seachas an ceantar a bhfuil sí ag freastal air; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44149/18]
View answerIn Aibreán i mbliana, d’fhógair An Post fís athnuaite do líonra na n-oifigí poist, a dhíríonn ar infhaighteacht na seirbhísí nua mar chuid de líonra athnuaite nuachóirithe. Tá an doiciméad straitéise gaolmhar, A New Vision for Post Office Services, le fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin An Post agus leagtar amach ann na critéir éagsúla a bheidh le breithniú ag An Post mar a bhaineann sé le haon chomhdhlúthú ar sheirbhísí oifigí poist. Fuair an fógra tacaíocht ó chomhaontú a tháinig An Post agus An Ceardchumann na Máistrí Poist air tar éis dian-chaibidlí a mhair roinnt míonna, agus a thacaigh 80% de bhallraíocht an cheardchumainn leis ina dhiaidh sin. Is ábhar oibríochtúil do lucht bainistíochta agus don Bhord An Post é seo, agus ní raibh feidhm agam féin ná ag m’oifigigh sa phróiseas seo dá bharr.
280. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 17 October 2018, if he will provide all correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44168/18]
View answerSuch a request can be made to the Department under the Freedom of Information legislation.
281. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44376/18]
View answerTá an Roinn Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil tiomanta chun seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil agus chun a hoibleagáidí reachtúla faoin Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 a chomhlíonadh. Chuige sin, tá na céimeanna seo a leanas tógtha ag an Roinn seo agamsa: 1. In Aibreán 2017, d’fhorbair agus d’fhoilsigh an Roinn a Plean Fórsa Oibre 2017-2019 a chuimsigh riachtanais shainaithinte sna réimsí gnó ar fud na Roinne mar a bhaineann siad le hinniúlacht sa Ghaeilge.
2. In 2018, forbraíodh agus foilsíodh Scéim Teanga na Roinne don tréimhse 2018-2021.
3. D’fhonn ranganna Gaeilge ag meánleibhéal agus ardleibhéal a chur ar fáil do bhaill foirne, oibríonn an tAonad Foghlama agus Forbartha le OneLearning, Seirbhís Chomhroinnte na Státseirbhíse um Fhoghlaim agus Fhorbairt. Is comhlacht oideachais é Gaelchultúr atá creidiúnaithe trí FETAC agus a chuireann na cúrsaí seo ar fáil thar ceann OneLearning.
4. Trínár ‘Scéim Tacaíochta Oideachais’, tacaíonn an Roinn le fostaithe ar mian leo dlús a chur lena bhforbairt ghairmiúil. Faoin scéim seo, is féidir le fostaithe iarratas a dhéanamh le réamh-mhaoiniú iomlán i gcomhair cúrsa ábhartha ag an dara nó tríú leibhéal.
5. In éineacht leis na bearta seo, téann Páirtithe Gnó na nAcmhainní Daonna i ngleic leis na Rannóga go rialta tríd an bpróiseas pleanála d’fhórsa oibre. Is cuid den phróiseas seo aon phost ainmnithe eile a d’fhéadfadh bheith ann a shainaithint, agus aon riachtanas Gaeilge a aithint.
282. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil cén céadatán den státseirbhís atá inniúil chun seirbhísí in a Roinn a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [44396/18]
View answerIs mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfostaítear 413 ball foirne sa Roinn seo agamsa faoi láthair. Tá ceathrar ball foirne, nó 1% den líon iomlán, sainaitheanta ag Rannán na nAcmhainní Daonna mar dhaoine a bhfuil dóthain inniúlachta acu sa Ghaeilge chun seirbhísí a chur ar fáil tríd an teanga. Ba cheart a thabhairt faoi deara, áfach, go mbaineann na huimhreacha seo leis na baill foirne siúd amháin a bhí ceaptha chuig ról ainmnithe Gaeilge, nó a earcaíodh ó phainéal Gaeilge de chuid PAS lena chinntiú go mbeadh an cumas ann chun seirbhísí a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Ní léiríonn siad an raon leathan líofachta atá ann i nGaeilge ag gach leibhéal den Roinn.
283. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal basis upon which an organisation (details supplied) clamps cars parked in its car park in Newcastlewest, County Limerick and charges a €90 release fee; if this amounts to illegal impounding of a person's car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44222/18]
View answerThe Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 came into full effect on 1st October 2017 and gave the National Transport Authority (NTA) responsibility for the regulation of vehicle clamping activities in both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping places throughout the State. I have therefore 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.
284. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the fleet of buses a company (details supplied) is using are State owned; if they are being leased to the company; if the fleet belongs to the company; the number of vehicles in the company's fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44041/18]
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.
285. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times his officials have considered funding for the north ring road completion in Cork city since 2016; and the measures he will take to alleviate traffic flows on major national roads on the northside of Cork city. [44062/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
However, I would like to explain that there are two separate road proposals to alleviate traffic congestion for the north Cork City area. These two options are outlined below:-
- Under the National Development Plan (NDP) there is a reference to a North Ring Road linking the N20 to Dunkettle. The Cork North Ring Road is a complementary scheme to the M20 and consideration of the North Ring Road can best be assessed as part of an overall transport strategy for the metropolitan Cork area which would include the examination of public transport and demand management options.
- The other option is the provision of a Cork Northern Distributor Road which is being considered under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).
The Cork Northern Distributor Road will be appraised first and after that consideration will be given to the need for the proposed North Ring Road. Any question of funding will be evaluated in the context of those appraisals.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
286. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cycling programmes and geographic locations that have been allocated funding under budget 2019, in tabular form. [44063/18]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that over the period 2018 to 2021 I have secured significantly improved funding allocations which will benefit both cycling and walking.
Funding for cycling and walking is provided by my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA), which in turn works with relevant local authorities as required to fund, develop and deliver specific projects.
These improved allocations over the 2018 to 2021 period include:
- €750million as part of the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will inter alia deliver around 200kilometres of segregated cycling lanes where possible;
- €110million specifically dedicated to other cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135million for sustainable urban transport measures; and
- €53million over the period 2019 to 2021 to support the development of new Greenways in more rural areas, in line with the recently published Greenways Strategy.
As can be seen from the above, these are multi-annual capital expenditure programmes which will positively assist with the better development and provision of cycling and walking infrastructure across the State.
In addition to these infrastructure measures, my Department also provides funding to the NTA in relation to behavioural change programmes and to Cycle Right which delivers cycle training in primary schools.
Details of individual projects/programmes for 2019 are a matter for the NTA and relevant local authorities and I have therefore forwarded I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
287. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with officials from Cork city or county councils in relation to congestion on the N20, N71 and N40 roads in the past six months. [44064/18]
View answerIn the last six months I have had one such meeting. On 21 June 2018, I met with Cork County Council to discuss the issue of funding for local and regional roads in Cork.
288. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative provisions that apply to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of those staying in caravan and camping parks; and his views on whether this legislative framework is adequate, in particular the Fáilte Ireland approved caravan and camping parks registration and renewal of registration regulations under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 to 2003. [44083/18]
View answer289. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct Fáilte Ireland to use its powers under relevant legislation, including the Fáilte Ireland approved caravan and camping parks registration and renewal of registration Regulations under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939 to 2003, to review the regulations to strengthen the safety regulations in view of a recent tragedy in County Galway due to bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44084/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions regarding the registration and grading of tourist accommodation. In accordance with the legislation, certain categories of accommodation (such as caravan and camping parks) are statutorily obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland and comply with approved regulations. In addition to the statutory systems, Fáilte Ireland also offers a voluntary quality assurance approval and listing system for other accommodation providers under the Welcome Standard. However, it is important to note that these regulations and the Welcome Standard approval mainly relate to the quality of the product and the level of service.
With specific regard to health and safety standards, regardless of whether or not they are registered or listed with Fáilte Ireland, accommodation providers must comply with the relevant statutory requirements, as enforced by a range of bodies including local authorities and the Health Service Executive. Neither my Department nor the tourism agencies are responsible for legislating for, regulating or enforcing compliance with health and safety standards.
290. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the scheduled arrival time and the actual arrival time of all evening train services serving Mullingar in the past two months in tabular form; if the delays experienced are considered normal for this time of year; the effect of recent timetable changes to the train schedules and arrival times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44087/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded your question to the company for direct reply.
291. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44145/18]
View answerAs this 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.
292. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of local area hackney licences active by county; his plans to review the rules and legislation pertaining to these licences in view of the need for good public service vehicle availability in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44148/18]
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. Furthermore, under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Local Area Hackney) Regulations 2013, the NTA is responsible for the granting and renewing of local area hackney licences.
The NTA is currently conducting a review of the position on local area hackneys as part of the development of a strategic framework for the SPSV industry.
In order to be of assistance, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
293. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation to cycling projected in 2019; and the percentage this represents of all land transport funding. [44196/18]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that over the period 2018 to 2021 I have secured significantly improved funding allocations which will benefit both cycling and walking.
Funding for cycling and walking is provided by my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA), which in turn works with relevant local authorities as required to fund, develop and deliver specific projects.
These improved allocations over the 2018 to 2021 period include:
- €750million as part of the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will inter alia deliver around 200kilometres of segregated cycling lanes where possible;
- €110million specifically dedicated to other cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135million for sustainable urban transport measures; and
- €53million over the period 2019 to 2021 to support the development of new Greenways in more rural areas, in line with the recently published Greenways Strategy.
As can be seen from the above, these are multi-annual capital expenditure programmes with individual allocations and draw-downs in any given year potentially misleading as to the cumulative allocation and impact over the four year period.
In terms of the percentage allocated to active travel measures, the Deputy is aware that the totality of land transport funding includes measures such as PSO funding which have no direct or likely equivalent within active travel and would also include measures such as regional and local road maintenance, which would be of indirect benefit to cycling also.
In addition to these infrastructure measures, my Department also provides funding to the NTA in relation to behavioural change programmes and to Cycle Right which delivers cycle training in primary schools.
I believe the measures I have described above and the funding I have secured to underpin them, will positively assist with the better development and provision of cycling and walking infrastructure across the State.
