Written Answers Nos. 499-515
499. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter in regard to truck weight (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46814/18]
View answerUnder the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 5 of 2003), the upper weight limit for 5 axle (2 axle tractor unit towing a 3 axle semi-trailer) articulated vehicle is 40 tonnes, provided that the tractor unit is equipped with an air suspension system or an equivalent system on the driving axle, ABS brakes and a plate complying with the requirements of the Regulations.
A 6 axle (3 axle tractor unit towing a 3 axle semi-trailer) articulated vehicle can operate over 40 tonnes under the following conditions:
1. A maximum laden weight of 44 tonnes (5.5 tonnes/metre) for a 3-axle tractor unit with twin tyres, air suspension or an equivalent suspension on each driving axle and ABS brakes, in combination with a 3-axle semi-trailer that has air suspension or an equivalent suspension and ABS brakes. The vehicle combination must also be fitted with plates complying with the requirements of the Regulations.
2. Since 1st April 2013 a 3-axle tractor unit towing a 3-axle semi-trailer may operate at a gross combination weight of 46 tonnes (5.75 tonnes/metre). However, in addition to satisfying the requirements of point (1) above; they must also satisfy the following additional criteria in order to be allowed to operate as part of a 46 tonne combination:
1. Tractor units and semi-trailers already in service on 1st April 2013 require Electronic Braking Systems (EBS). Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) are not sufficient;
2. New tractor units first registered on or after 1st April 2013 in addition to requiring EBS need Vehicle Stability Function (VSF) which is more commonly known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC); and
3. Semi-trailers first licensed on or after 1st April 2013 in addition to requiring EBS require roll stability control.
500. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to waive the cost of a driver test in cases in which an applicant needs to repeat this test and needs the licence for work or study purposes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46820/18]
View answerWhile I appreciate that the process of obtaining a driving licence has a cost, I believe that this cost is not particularly high when measured against the cost to the authorities of providing such a service. The driving test is the means to determine the competency of a driver and to test his or her ability to operate a vehicle and manoeuvre it safely on our roads. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to offer a reduced fee to a driver if they have failed to meet the criteria and have to take the test again.
501. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if emergency calls to the Irish Coast Guard are recorded; the chronology setting out the sequence of events involving the Irish Coast Guard relating to an incident (details supplied); and if all recordings and documents in connection with the incident will be made available to the family. [46981/18]
View answerThis tragic incident is under investigation by An Garda Síochána and the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. The IRCG is assisting with these investigations. While these investigations are on-going, I am not in a position to comment further on this incident other than to express my sympathy to the families in question.
502. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of senior positions held by both men and women, respectively, in his Department. [47007/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table and is the position as of 31.10.2018.
|
Grade |
Male |
Female |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
13 |
8 |
|
Assistant Principal |
28 |
36 |
|
Professional & Technical (Principal Officer) |
16 |
1 |
|
Professional & Technical (Assistant Principal) |
41 |
2 |
503. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on recent reports regarding emission levels from diesel vehicle imports from the United Kingdom; if these imports meet Ireland's standards on particulate and other noxious emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47029/18]
View answerThe number of imported cars in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, under EU legislation there are provisions to permit the free movement of goods between Member States. This free movement allows European citizens greater consumer choice. Construction standards for vehicles are also set at EU level and on an EU-wide basis.
Without commenting on the emissions profile of any individual imported vehicle or class of vehicles; the progressive ‘dieselisation’ of our national car fleet over the past decade and its impact on air quality is a matter for concern. There are a range of incentives in place, many of which were introduced by this Government, to encourage consumers to transition away from all conventionally fuelled vehicles towards lower-emitting alternatives.
Furthermore, the Minister for Finance announced in Budget 2019 that from 1st January 2019 a new 1% surcharge on VRT will be levied on all newly registered diesel cars, including those imported into Ireland.
Furthermore, there is an important role to be played by improving efficiency standards for vehicles at European level. Ireland continues to push strongly for better EU vehicle 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.
504. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the frequency of the southbound Dundalk train between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. in view of the fact that changes to the DART timetable have had a knock-on effect on the commuter line and have increased the journey time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47052/18]
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, nor decisions on the scheduling and timetabling of services.
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.
505. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if national guidelines will be provided for the installation of cattle grids on roads in view of safety concerns raised by some local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47059/18]
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.
I understand that TII provide a Standards Construction Detail (CC-SCD-02755) for a Cattle Grid to be used on a local road as part of a National Road scheme. The SCD is available on the TII Publications website at http://tiipublications.ie/library/CC-SCD-02755-01.pdf.
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.
506. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of constructing park and ride facilities (details supplied). [47083/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area and undertakes a support role for the relevant local authorities, on a non-statutory basis, in the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
507. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of conducting feasibility studies for transport projects (details supplied). [47084/18]
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 development and implementation of all public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and bus infrastructure in other cities.
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.
508. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of Bus Éireann's financial losses in 2017; and the accumulated deficit of the company. [47135/18]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is contained in the Financial Statements of Bus Éireann which are published annually. According to the company's most recently published financial statements, the company incurred a deficit of €23.7 million in that year, and the accumulated losses as at 31 December 2017 were €46.1 million.
509. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of Iarnród Éireann's financial losses in 2017; and the accumulated deficit of this company. [47136/18]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is contained in the Financial Statements of Iarnród Éireann which are published annually. According to the company's most recently published financial statements, the company incurred a deficit of €1.1 million in 2017, which was lower than the deficit of €2.9 million that was incurred in the previous year. The continued recovery of our national economy has resulted in increased passenger journeys and consequent growth in passenger revenue for Irish Rail. The company’s accumulated deficit as at 31 December 2017 was €154.2 million.
510. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering changes to the National Transport Authority's route licensing powers. [47137/18]
View answerAs previously explained to the Deputy in my reply to PQ Ref No 43816/18 on 23 October 2018, the licensing of public bus passenger services is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. The NTA has completed a formal review of Part 2 of the 2009 Act which is under consideration by my Department.
Following that review I have published a proposal as part of the General Scheme of the Railway Safety Amendment Bill which brings certain commercial school bus services back within the scope of the regulatory framework applied by the NTA for private operators. No decisions have yet been taken regarding any further changes to the NTA's route licensing powers.
511. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1305 of 2 May 2017, if his officials have completed their review of the requirement to undergo a programme of 12 essential driver training lessons to examine whether a more limited programme can be tailored for persons with full licences from non-exchange countries, particularly those persons who have previously held a full Irish driver's licence; his plans to publish this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47173/18]
View answerI am happy to be able to tell the Deputy that I have signed regulations into effect to deal with this matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, people who take up residence in this jurisdiction and who have a driving licence which is not eligible for exchange for an Irish licence are required to go through the driver learning process in order to obtain an Irish driving licence. The reason for this is public safety - where licences are exchangeable, it is because we are satisfied that they are based on testing to a standard comparable to our own, either because they are EU driving licences or because they are licences issued by a jurisdiction with which we have an agreement on licence exchange based on detailed study which shows that the two regimes are comparable.
I am aware that many who take up residence here with non-exchange driving licences find this system lengthy, costly, and frustrating. The principal source of both cost and time is the requirement to undertake 12 Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons. Following discussions with the Road Safety Authority and with my colleague Minister Ciaran Cannon, Minister for the Diaspora, I decided that people in this situation should be offered a reduced EDT of only 6 lessons. I have now signed into law the necessary regulations. As there will need to be a lead-in time for the RSA and driving instructors, the new measures will come into effect from 21 January 2019.
512. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [46485/18]
View answerIt is generally the practice of my Department, in the case of meetings involving myself and third parties, for officials to attend and minute same.
There are no Ministers of State in my Department.
513. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) cannot access community childcare subvention and community childcare subvention plus schemes; the steps that can be taken to alleviate the person's situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46537/18]
View answerThe Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Programmes provide support for parents/guardians on a low income to avail of reduced childcare costs at participating privately owned childcare services and at community not-for-profit childcare services.
The eligibility of the applying parent/guardian is determined by their status with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). The level of the subvention is determined by the parent’s DEASP status and also by the level of childcare required. If a parent/guardian or child has a medical card this is also an eligibility criteria.
Please see the table attached which outlines the eligibility criteria and level of subvention for the CCS and CCSP schemes.
If the person named is in receipt of any of the DEASP payments listed in the table below and does not have a medical card, this may qualify them for childcare subvention under Band B of the CCS/CCSP schemes, this would mean a subsidy of up to €70 per week off their childcare costs.
If the person named were eligible for a medical card, then this along with the relevant DEASP payment may qualify them for Band A which would mean a subsidy of up to €145 per week off their childcare costs.
In the specific case raised by the Deputy, the individual in question does not currently meet these criteria. In the event that the person's circumstances change and she meets the requirements as set out she should again contact her chosen provider who can process an application on her behalf. Individuals might also contact their local City and County Childcare Committee who will be able to assist in matters of childcare scheme eligibility.
514. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of baby boxes being delivered to parents under the national early years strategy announced in April 2018. [46587/18]
View answerA Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families has recently been approved by Government and will be published on 19th November. The Strategy sets out a vision for early childhood and a roadmap for the coming decade.
One of the actions in the Strategy is to pilot the introduction of baby boxes and Dormant Accounts funding has been secured for this project.
Baby boxes will contain a range of practical and useful items and information resources to support the transition to and early stages of parenthood. The project will pilot and test the design, items for inclusion, procurement, registration and distribution of Baby Boxes in a selected geographic area. The pilot phase of the project will also include the development of accompanying information resources and training of staff involved in roll out.
It is anticipated that the pilot will allow for approximately 5,000 baby boxes to be developed and delivered.
There will be a significant emphasis in the pilot on evaluation of impact of the measure with a view to determining whether it is suitable for wider roll out.
515. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a request from a service provider (details supplied) to meet with her has been received; if so, if this request will be facilitated; when a response will be issued to the provider; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46593/18]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that a request was received to meet with the service provider referred to. However, following consideration of the request, it was my view that the subject was more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Health. Accordingly, my Office wrote back to the service provider and suggested that they contact Minister Harris.
