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Tuesday, 13 Nov 2018

Written Answers Nos. 482-498

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (482)

Niall Collins

Question:

482. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46586/18]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to Dáil question 153 of 6th November 2018 on the same matter. I am happy to report that this matter is now resolved.

Driver Test Data

Questions (483)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

483. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting driver tests by county; the average and longest wait time in each county; the number of persons who do not turn up for their driver tests each year; if new provisional licences are issued to drivers who do not turn up; the number of such cases that exist each year; the number of persons who achieve multiple licences in this manner; and his plans to close this loophole. [46478/18]

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Written answers

As driver testing comes under the responsibility of 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. In the meantime I would direct the Deputy to the relevant section of the RSA website at http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times/, which lists both the average and longest waiting time for every test centre in the country. This information is updated weekly.

The administration of driver licensing is also a matter for the Road Safety Authority and it would not be appropriate to stop those who have a genuine reason for not turning up for their test from renewing their learner permit. However, the new amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1961 to discourage unaccompanied learner driving is also likely to encourage repeat holders of learner permits to sit their driving test and thereafter obtain a full driving licence.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (484)

Micheál Martin

Question:

484. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy on the need for note taking when Ministers and-or Ministers of State meet business and other leaders; the way in which this policy is outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46499/18]

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Written answers

I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has a primary role in relation to provision of policy and guidance on records management and  has the power to make regulations on these matters under the National Archives Act 1986.

In relation to Ministerial meetings with business leaders, the Deputy will be aware that the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 places the obligation on the lobbyist to register details of relevant communications with Designated Public Officials including Ministers, where such communications come within the scope of the Act. The Act does not place any requirements on Ministers in relation to record keeping. However, the Guidance for Designated Public Officials as published on the Lobbying Regulator’s website recommends the maintenance of good record keeping practices.

There is not, however, at present, a department wide policy or direction on the need for officials to take notes in all meetings. My Department intends to review its record management arrangements in 2019 and will consider the development of a policy on record keeping practices as part of this review.” 

Dublin Bus

Questions (485)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

485. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Dublin Bus drivers who have transferred their services in the context of job role, pay and conditions to a company (details supplied); the way in which the company will honour the transferred staff's historical contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46519/18]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Bus Services

Questions (486)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

486. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 284 of 24 October 2018, the number of 2018 registered vehicles the NTA has acquired for use by a company (details supplied) and Dublin Bus in the context of fleet numbers; the number proposed for 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46523/18]

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Written answers

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 statutory responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including the purchase of bus fleet.

Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Rail Services Provision

Questions (487)

Jack Chambers

Question:

487. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the disruption caused to rail passengers by the recent changes (details supplied) on the Maynooth to Dublin city line; the reason the changes were made; the engagement that occurred with rail passengers prior to the changes; the steps being taken to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46531/18]

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Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Taxi Regulations

Questions (488)

Denis Naughten

Question:

488. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow increased capacity and to tackle rising insurance costs in the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46545/18]

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Written answers

The 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. 

The NTA is continuing with its efforts to increase the number of taxi, hackney and limousine (SPSV) drivers in Ireland. NTA reported at the end of October 2018 that there were 26,310 SPSV drivers licensed to provide hire and reward services nationwide. 2018 sees a reversal of the decline in numbers of drivers in the fleet experienced for many years, with October showing the eighth consecutive monthly increase in those numbers.

In the last year, there has been an increase of 59% per month in the average number of new SPSV Driver Licences granted. This increase is linked, in particular, with NTA bringing in changes to the SPSV Driver Entry Test, launching a national taxi driver a recruitment campaign earlier this year, and continuing to assist prospective drivers and licensed rental companies with grants towards the cost of wheelchair accessible vehicles

 As you may know, the pricing of insurance products is a commercial issue for insurance companies, based on an assessment of the risks that they are willing to accept. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. Following the publication of the Department of Finance Working Group's Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance last year, the Advisory Committee on SPSVs met with Insurance Ireland and both parties have agreed that there should be ongoing engagement between them. I believe that this will be an important channel to ensure that the concerns of taxi drivers can be articulated and addressed.

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Questions (489)

Dara Calleary

Question:

489. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for a first driver test in each driving test centre in County Mayo; the number of days in each week on which tests are being carried out in each centre; his plans to review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46555/18]

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Written answers

As 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.

I would further direct the Deputy to the relevant section of the RSA website at http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times/, which lists the average waiting times at every test centre in the country, including those in Ballina and Castlebar.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Public Service Obligation Data

Questions (490)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

490. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of subvention granted to a company (details supplied) in the context of operating the public service obligation routes it operates on; the percentage amount that the company is due to return to the NTA by way of dividend from fares collected on a yearly basis for the duration of its contract; if there are optional extensions built into the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46605/18]

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Written answers

The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) along with all issues relating to individual contracts with transport operators including Go Ahead. As is normal, the allocations to transport operators are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Sports Capital Programme

Questions (491)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

491. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a capital sports grant will issue to a club (details supplied); the measures the club must take in order to expedite the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46626/18]

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Written answers

It is a requirement for larger Sports Capital Programme grants that the State's investment is protected and that facilities continue to be used for the purposes for which grants are made. The State endeavours to ensure that this is the case by placing charges on the facilities that it has funded. Before formal approval of the grant referred to by the Deputy can issue and payment made, the Department must receive confirmation from the Chief State Solicitor's Office that the legal formalities are complete. The Chief State Solicitor's Office have confirmed that they wrote to the club's Solicitor on the 8th of November 2018 in relation to the outstanding required documentation. Once the legal formalities are complete, there will be no undue delay from my Department's perspective in relation to processing any grant drawdown requests from the club.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland Projects

Questions (492)

Catherine Martin

Question:

492. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a copy of the terms of reference for the feasibility assessment of possible routes for the potential N3 to N4 link road project being carried out by the NTA and TII will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46675/18]

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Written answers

As 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. I understand that the feasibility report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by TII.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Road Safety Authority

Questions (493)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

493. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the health and safety concerns that led to the closure of Road Safety Authority, RSA, motorcycle testing at the Tipperary driving test centre with immediate effect and which applicants were notified of by letter in August 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46676/18]

View answer

Written answers

As 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 ten days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Cycling Facilities Provision

Questions (494)

Catherine Martin

Question:

494. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local authorities and other road designers are required to implement the national cycle manual on all roads other than motorways; and if those roads have been identified in the greater Dublin area cycle network plan. [46691/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has inter alia statutory responsibility for the provision of cycling infrastructure in relation to cycling facilities and schemes to promote cycling.

In line with that statutory responsibility, the NTA prepared the National Cycle Manual in order to guide planners and engineers in their work in so far as it relates to cycling. The NTA requires cycling infrastructure proposals in receipt of funding under an NTA scheme to adhere to the Manual's specifications.

Separately, the Deputy may also be aware of the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) which was jointly published by my Department and the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in 2013. Preparation and publication of DMURS was one of the actions recommended within the National Cycle Policy Framework.

DMURS complements the National Cycle Manual and integrates elements of the Manual within DMURS requirements. Use of DMURS is mandatory for both the design of new urban roads and street schemes as well as in instances where significant upgrades are being designed.

The Deputy might wish to know that in relation to Greenways and rural cycling infrastructure, local authorities receiving funding from my Department are instructed to follow TII Standard DN-GEO-03047 where applicable and to notify my Department where any deviations to the standard are necessary.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter generally, and in relation to the development of the GDA Cycle Network Plan specifically, 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Road Network

Questions (495)

Jack Chambers

Question:

495. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the weight restrictions on roads that previously had a 3 tonne weight restriction and but have recently increased to 3.5 tonnes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46703/18]

View answer

Written answers

As the deputy will be aware the establishment of weight restrictions on local roads is a matter for local authorities and in this case Fingal County Council are the authority responsible. Enforcement is a matter for the Garda Síochána.

National Transport Authority

Questions (496)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

496. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the sanctions in place if the charter is not adhered to in view of the fact that Bus Éireann's customer charter states that it will operate a minimum of 98% of scheduled departures [46720/18]

View answer

Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Cycling Policy

Questions (497)

Robert Troy

Question:

497. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the development of an enhanced cycling infrastructure in terms of the creation of a national cycling office; and if there are no plans for the creation of a national cycling office, the reason therefor. [46781/18]

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Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my previous reply to Parliamentary Question Number 472 dated 26 June 2018 on this matter. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. As the Deputy may be aware that over the period 2018 to 2021 I have secured significantly improved funding allocations which will benefit both cycling and walking.

These improved allocations over the 2018 to 2021 period include:

- €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;

- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures; and

- €750 million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes where possible.

We also have €53 million 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 Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which was rolled out in January 2017 and expected to train approximately 20,000 primary school students this year.

In the context of the work underway reviewing Public Transport Policy as committed to in the Programme for Government, my Department is considering the effectiveness of institutional arrangements in this area into the future, including those that apply to cycling, and having regard to the importance of ensuring strong outcomes with the budgetary increases that have been secured for the provision of enhanced cycling infrastructure and through training programmes.

Road Traffic Legislation

Questions (498)

Robert Troy

Question:

498. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the statutory instrument for the minimum passing distance. [46782/18]

View answer

Written answers

As I have indicated before, the Attorney General has raised issues in relation to the proposed legislation on a minimum passing distance. Currently, my Department is engaging with the Attorney General's Office with a view to implementing alternative solutions which are legally robust. I expect this legislation to be in place before the end of the year.

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