Written Answers Nos. 928-951
928. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if correspondence sent to him by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been received; if a reply has issued to the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45498/18]
View answerYes, I can confirm that the correspondence referred to has just recently been received, an acknowledgement has already issued and a full reply will issue very shortly.
929. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which a pedestrian and cycleway will open between the Dublin road and harbour and docks area in a town (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if Irish Rail has a role in this project in view of the fact the route includes an underpass of the DART and commuter line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45499/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including cycling and walking infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
930. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to resume the Tralee and Dingle light rail projects as a tourist attraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45501/18]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the light railway project on the Tralee to Blennerville section of the Tralee to Dingle railway line.
I can confirm to the Deputy that I have met with Fáilte Ireland, local project promoters and Kerry County Council to discuss the project.
In terms of potential supports that might possibly be available through Fáilte Ireland to assist the project, there is no applicable grant scheme open for applications at present and the specifics of future schemes and funding calls have yet to be determined. I understand, however, that Fáilte Ireland is planning to issue a second call under its Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects by the second Quarter of 2019. Should the owners or operators wish, they may contact Fáilte Ireland for further advice and information.
931. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the amended bus network redesign following submissions for BusConnects will be published; and if there will be an opportunity for further submissions on this matter. [45669/18]
View answer932. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process by which a person (details supplied) was selected as consultant on the BusConnects process; the tender process for this appointment; and the number of persons considered. [45670/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 931 and 932 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
933. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on previous plans to upgrade the N4 route which were shelved in 2011; and the amount of the work completed up to 2011 which will be of benefit to present plans to upgrade the road. [45671/18]
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.
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.
934. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his future plans to upgrade the R392 Mullingar to Ballymahon road which has experienced an increase in traffic volumes. [45672/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from a local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department is providing grant assistance to Longford County Council under the Specific Grant programme for various improvement works on the R392 at present.
935. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the length of time it takes for a development to go through all stages from road approval to road opening; and the way in which this compares with international standards. [45673/18]
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, construction and development stages 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.
936. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the board of the IAA is at its full compliment. [45674/18]
View answerThere are four director vacancies on the Board of the Irish Aviation Authority and there is a formal process underway to select suitable candidates to fill these vacancies, in accordance with the Guidelines for State Board Appointments.
937. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had engagement with the Minister for Justice and Equality or his officials regarding the establishment of a dedicated national transport police service; if he has consulted with national and regional transport bus and rail services regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45751/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to parliamentary question [no 45650/18].
938. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the resources available to Irish Rail in the context of onboard and in station security; the number of staff available to Irish Rail for security and preventing anti-social behaviour on its services and stations; the number of contracted security staff working within the Irish Rail system; the number of anti-social behaviour incidents reported to Irish Rail and An Garda Síochána in 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45752/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to parliamentary question [no 45650/18]. As I already stated the safety and security of passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are matters first and foremost for the individual public transport companies in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána.
The particular issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded your question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
939. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to establish park and ride facilities for Galway city as recommended in the Galway transport strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45768/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Galway Transport Strategy was developed by the relevant local authorities in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Strategy identified potential park and ride sites along the M6, N17 and to the west of the city.
Implementation of the Strategy is primarily a matter for the local authorities in line with their statutory roles and responsibilities.
However, the NTA does have a role in supporting implementation through its provision of funding to develop public transport infrastructure. Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have therefore forwarded your query to the NTA for direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
940. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the targets set in relation to reducing the carbon emissions of the transport sector in Galway city; the proposed immediate, intermediate and long-term steps in order to achieve these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45769/18]
View answerReducing carbon emissions is a national challenge and requires concerted efforts across the country. In this regard the National Mitigation Plan was published in 2017 and begins to set Ireland on a pathway towards decarbonisation with over 100 actions to reduce emissions from the electricity generation, built environment, agricultural and transport sectors.
Although Ireland's emission reduction targets are national in nature the transport sector will of course have to play a significant role in the mitigation effort. I am acutely aware of the specific challenges we face where travel demand is growing and fossil fuel use is firmly established. To address this challenge, emission reductions and energy efficiencies are being strongly pursued through four main channels.
Firstly, we are increasing investment in the public and sustainable transport to support modal shift and accommodate growing travel demand. An efficient public transport sector is a key priority in meeting our climate change goals. The NDP has committed €8.6 billion to public transport over the next 10 years to 2027. Improving public transport services and infrastructure is central to providing an alternative to the private car: not only to reduce congestion and emissions but also to enable the transport sector to cater, in an environmentally sustainable way, for the increasing demands associated with growing population and employment. Major projects planned include: BusConnects, which will transform the bus network in our cities with new and expanded bus routes, greatly improved bus access, designated segregated cycle lanes and park and ride facilities; investment in the DART Expansion Programme; and the MetroLink. We also have multi-annual urban Cycling and Walking Infrastructure investment underway for our main cities.
Secondly, we are encouraging a transition away from fossil fuels. In the 'National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland' I firmly outlined my ambition that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland would be zero-emission capable. To support this ambition and a Programme for Partnership Government commitment, an interdepartmental Low-Emitting Vehicles (LEV) Taskforce was jointly convened by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Phase 1 of the Taskforce considered a range of measures and options to accelerate the deployment of EVs. Arising from their recommendations further generous incentives for EVs were announced as part of Budgets 2018 and 2019 aimed at assisting all drivers in purchasing hybrid or electric cars, including significant toll reductions. Phase 1 of the LEV Taskforce is now complete and the LEV Taskforce Progress Report is available on my Department's website. Phase 2 has begun its work and will consider the options available to Government to support the deployment of other alternative fuels, namely natural gas, biomethane, hydrogen, and synthetic/paraffinic fuels, with a particular emphasis on the heavy duty vehicle sector.
Thirdly, the Biofuels Obligation Scheme plays a major role in decarbonising the road transport sector in Ireland. The penetration of biofuels as a share of road transport energy has increased significantly over recent years from a share of 4 % in 2010 to 8% (by volume) from 2017. It is intended that the biofuel obligation scheme will be incrementally increased on a sustainable basis to help meet the renewable transport target of 10% by 2020 as set under the Renewable Energy Directive. The obligation rate will increase to 10% by volume from 1 January 2019; and again to 11% by volume from 1 January 2020.
Finally, an important role will be played by more efficient standards for vehicles. Ireland continues to push strongly for better EU vehicles standards, seeking greater ambition in regulations that ensure vehicles registered in Europe are increasingly more efficient and less emitting. It is through better technology and improved efficiency that carbon emissions generated by vehicles can be decoupled from increased economic activity and population growth.
The Deputy specifically references reduction of transport emissions in Galway city, where Galway County Council and Galway City Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA), have developed the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS): an Integrated Transport Strategy for Galway City and Environs. The NTA is also working closely with Galway on the transport elements of the Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs), Regional, Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES) and aligning these with metropolitan transport strategies. The integration of land-use and transportation is essential in creating sustainable city living. The alignment of settlement and land-use patterns with an integrated transportation strategy can provide opportunities to reduce car dependency and allow for greater investment in alternative means of travel including public transport, walking and cycling. It also delivers considerable benefits in terms of reduced congestion, reduced emissions, enhanced health and well-being and has benefits for the public realm.
941. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action being taken to address the dangerous junction at a location (details supplied) which is classified as a high accident prone zone; if his attention has been drawn to the safety issues at this junction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45778/18]
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. This also includes the provision of potential safety improvement works on national roads
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
942. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a check will be carried out on an application by a group (details supplied) under the sports capital programme; the reason the application was rejected; if his attention has been drawn to the concern of the group in respect of the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45794/18]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy made an application under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP). The application was deemed invalid due to incorrect or insufficient supporting documentation and the organisation was given full details in this regard. All invalid applicants under the 2017 round of the SCP were invited to appeal this decision if they felt that the Department had erred in making their application invalid. The club in question did not appeal the Department's decision.
Furthermore, in March 2018 the club along with all other invalid applicants were informed that they would be able to correct their 2017 application for consideration under the 2018 SCP without the need to submit a complete new application. On 7 September, when the 2018 programme opened for applications, the organisation was invited to either correct their 2017 application or to make a new application. The 2018 round of the SCP closed for applications on Friday 19th October and I understand that no application was submitted by the club.
943. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the possibility of increasing the budget for the rural transport programme by 10% has been investigated; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45838/18]
View answerThe total allocation in 2018 to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), which now operates under the "Local Link" brand, is almost €15 million.
This is the confirmed RTP allocation for this year, and any percentage increases over whatever timeframe, using whatever basis, may be calculated from it. However, as I have previously advised the House, I would caution that whatever calculations the Deputy might use, such figures would only be speculative. Future funding levels for the programme will be subject to the annual Estimate and Budgetary processes.
I would also like to point out that funding of €4.5m to meet the cost of the introduction of new regular rural services into the Local Link network has been allocated from the Public Service Obligation (PSO)budget, bringing the total funding for Local Link services this year to €19.5m which represents a significant increase on the 2017 RTP allocation of €14.4m. This significantly increased funding for Local Link services will continue in 2019.
944. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if €100,000 in funding will be included in his final budget preparations for the roll out of the just a-minute-card (details supplied). [45841/18]
View answerI understand that the Just A Minute (JAM) Card was developed in Northern Ireland and is used across a wide range of services there, including public transport. The JAM Card was originally developed for those with learning disabilities and difficulties but can be used by anyone with a communication barrier.
I am aware that the promoters of the JAM Card have met with a range of organisations in Ireland, including individual transport companies, with a view to its introduction in this jurisdiction, following its success in Northern Ireland. My Department attended a meeting with the promoters as recently as 25th October. I understand that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has also met the promoters recently.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded 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.
945. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of spot checks on capital projects in each of the past four years under the sports capital programme; the number of those checked by year that raised concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45861/18]
View answerSpot-checks in relation to the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) are carried out in accordance with the relevant Department of Finance Guidelines and are carried out by the Finance Unit of my Department. Checks are undertaken in respect of payments made in the previous year so visits undertaken in 2017 related to payments made in 2016. The checks are primarily designed to ensure that the work undertaken by grantees is consistent with that indicated in the grant award, ensure that payments were paid correctly and in a timely manner, and that appropriate insurance is in place for grant aided facilities. The inspections are also used to obtain feedback from grantees on the Sports Capital Programme.
In relation to the inspections carried out in the last four years, the information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Year of Spot-check inspection |
Number of checks (on payments from previous year) |
Number of concerns raised |
|
2014 |
11 |
3 |
|
2015 |
13 |
0 |
|
2016 |
14 |
3 |
|
2017 |
19 |
0 |
In relation to issues of concern, most were of a minor nature and included lack of adequate insurance on the day of the inspection, lack of appropriate disabled access and a delay in installing material funded by the Department. Following subsequent liaison with the grantees in question, in all of these minor cases the matters were resolved to the satisfaction of the Department.
One case related to the lack of evidence of payment to the contractors. This case was examined under the Department's procedures for dealing with cases of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the SCP. Upon conclusion of this examination, the club was banned from making future applications for a period of 24 months and the matter was passed on to the Gardaí for their attention and appropriate action.
946. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the allocation in 2019 to North-South bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45904/18]
View answerTourism Ireland is jointly funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland. The breakdown of the 2019 exchequer provision for tourism services by subhead will be available in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services which will be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
947. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount his Department has spent in 2018 on carrying out commissions of investigations and State inquiries as recommended by the Independent Review Mechanism and State tribunals; the number and name of these investigations; the individual costs in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45917/18]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that no monies have been spent in 2018 by my Department on carrying out commissions of investigations or State inquiries.
948. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason she has changed the criteria of eligibility for the ECCE scheme recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44734/18]
View answerThe number of entry points reverted to one at the beginning of September 2018. One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help to streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. It also makes it easier for parents to secure places on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE) for their children.
This policy change, along with the reduction of the minimum age requirement to 2 years and 8 months, has ensured that from September 2018, all children will be eligible for a full two programme years on the ECCE programme. This measure adds to previous enhancement of the programme and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from the original 38 weeks to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years) delivering on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children and families.
The upper age limit for the ECCE programme remains the same (i.e. a child is not eligible if they will be 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.) The upper age limit for the ECCE programme was set in consultation with the Department of Education and Skills. It ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers and limits the age range of children beginning primary school. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in children beginning primary school education is considered generally to be in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.
My Department does its best to ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly. As stated above, the Department of Education and Skills informed the policy which these rules support.
949. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding supports available for the development of early years sessional childcare facilities, including capital grants; the supports available for the development of facilities that offer full-time childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44735/18]
View answerMy Department's annual capital offering for childcare has supported the development of full-time and sessional childcare services in terms of capacity, maintenance and quality.
The total Capital allocation for Early Years in 2018 was €6.86m. From a budget of €6.36m, the 2018 Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital Programmes achieved the following:
- 85 applications approved for the creation of 1,950 new early years places: 697 0-3 places, 1,253 ECCE places;
- 57 Essential maintenance and repair projects funded for community early years services;
- 157 Natural outdoor play areas built in early years services;
- 45 applications approved for the creation of 807 new school age childcare places;
- 54 Essential maintenance and repair projects funded for community school age childcare services.
Work is on-going on the 2018 Capital Programmes and final reporting has not been completed. Therefore, the above figures are provisional, subject to decommitals and contract refusals.
In 2017, the total capital outturn for the Early Years and School Age Childcare Capital Programmes was €11.757m . These programmes achieved the following:
- 93 applications funded for the creation of 2,357 new early years places: 610 0-3 places, 1,747 ECCE places;
- 130 Building improvements and maintenance projects funded for community early years services;
- 452 Natural outdoor play areas built in early years services;
- 114 grants approved for building new school age childcare services, creating 3,390 new school age childcare places
- 112 grants approved for expanding existing school age childcare services, creating 1,934 new school age childcare places;
- 263 Improvement of existing school age childcare services projects funded.
My Department also offers a total of €0.5m under the Childminding Development Grant (€0.25m) and the Parent & Toddler Grant (€0.25m) annually.
The total capital budget for Early Years in 2019 has been confirmed at €8.86m. The details of 2019's Capital offering are currently in development and an announcement on these will issue to all childcare providers once they have been finalised.
It is intended that this funding will be used to support necessary improvements to childcare infrastructure and to support childcare providers in preparation for the launch of the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
950. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an application by a person (details supplied) will be examined for entry to the ECCE scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44738/18]
View answerSince September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months are eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. This measure refines developments introduced in 2016 and increases the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a previous average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years) delivering fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
This new measure will address the previous situation with regard to multiple entry points whereby there was a broad fluctuation in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of (between 61 and 88 weeks depending on the date of birth of the child) and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children. The situation where there was more than one entry point created a perception of inequality to some parents when they considered the variance in the number of weeks of ECCE provision, dependant on their entry point.
It must be noted that age limits have been used to determine eligibility since the inception of the ECCE programme in 2010. These rules are a necessary component of any Government scheme and ensure that Exchequer funding is used for its intended purpose.
The upper age limit for the ECCE programme was set in consultation with the Department of Education and Skills. It ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers and limits the age range of children beginning primary school. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in children beginning primary school education is considered generally to be in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.
Some children will not be able to commence their ECCE in September of the programme year as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in the following September and continue for a further year from September of the next programme year. Parents of children born around this time of the year may prefer for their children to start school at age 4 rather than 5 and may therefore choose to avail of one year of ECCE only. However, it is important to note that this is a parental choice and that the overall policy change has ensured that two programme years are available to all children.
My Department does its best to ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly. An essential component of the ECCE programme rules is an eligibility start date to ensure that the programme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.
951. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she, her departmental officials and-or her ministerial predecessors have met companies and an organisation (details supplied) and-or representatives of same in the past three years to date; if so, if a schedule of those meetings and the associated minutes will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44770/18]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that neither I nor my Department officials have had meetings with the organisation concerned or with representatives of that organisation. Also, there are no records in my Department to indicate that any of my predecessors met with the organisation.
