Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:517. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed upgrade of a train station (details supplied) in County Kildare. [49357/18]
View answerRailway Stations Upgrade
Questions (517, 518)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:518. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed upgrade of a train station (details supplied) in County Kildare. [49358/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 517 and 518 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network including upgrade of train stations, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please contact 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
Bus Services
Questions (519)
James Browne
Question:519. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the LocalLink bus service will consider providing competitive quotes for voluntary organisations seeking transport for group outings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49371/18]
View answerWritten 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for 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
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (520)
Eamon Scanlon
Question:520. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet formally with the chief executive of Bus Éireann before Christmas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49407/18]
View answerWritten answers
I do not currently have any plans to meet with the Chief Executive of Bus Éireann before Christmas.
Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
Questions (521)
Timmy Dooley
Question:521. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the fees paid and services rendered to a person (details supplied) in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49433/18]
View answerWritten answers
There has been no fees paid or services rendered to Mr. Peter Smyth or Peter Smyth Management Consultancy Ltd in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018.
My Department publishes information on all expenditure on external services, on a six monthly basis each year. Information from January to June 2018 is available at the following link: www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
Information for the second part of 2018 (July - December) will be published in early 2019.
Legislative Process
Questions (522)
Clare Daly
Question:522. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether a pre-legislative scrutiny arrangement of one hour and five minutes is adequate preparation for the aircraft noise (Dublin Airport) regulation Bill. [49465/18]
View answerWritten answers
In October this year, my officials appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Transport, Tourism and Sport and gave a full explanation of the requirements of EU Regulation 598/2014. They set how this EU Regulation would be provided for by primary legislation, and the reasons for that. They further elaborated on how the legislation would be closely interlinked with existing planning and development legislation. Any queries that Committee members had which were not addressed on the day, were provided for in follow up briefing.
Previous to that, I myself appeared before the Committee in July this year to answer questions with regard to this legislation. This involved a full and frank discussion with Committee members. Furthermore my officials have attended open briefing sessions with public representatives throughout the development of this legislation to keep Deputies updated and to hear any concerns they may have.
My Department has just finalised the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018 which will be published this week. I hope to commence Second Stage of the enactment process in the Dáil in the next couple of weeks and Committee Stage as soon as possible thereafter. I am sure there will be robust debate in relation to the contents of the Bill and this will help to further ensure that the final Act will be fair and transparent and will allow for the sustainable development of the airport while also addressing the concerns of local residents and businesses.
Road Network
Questions (523)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:523. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd 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. [49555/18]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to your Parliamentary Question (PQ), on behalf of local community members, regarding the Ardee N52 re-alignment (By-pass), and the cul-de-sac issue as outlined in your PQ and local resident correspondence.
While I have noted and recognised the concerns of the Community with regard to this road development, I wish to advise that, 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 construction 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 understand from TII that the issues raised by the local residents are under active consideration.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question, and the local resident's correspondence, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Climate Change Adaptation Plans
Questions (524)
Timmy Dooley
Question:524. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for the development of his Department's specific climate change targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49576/18]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware reducing carbon emissions is a national challenge and requires concerted action across all sectors. Our climate change targets are national and not sectoral in nature. For this reason a National Mitigation Plan was published in 2017 which begins to set Ireland on a pathway towards decarbonisation. The Plan contains over 100 actions, with defined timelines, that will help reduce emissions from across the whole of Government with specific emphasis on the electricity generation, built environment, agricultural and transport sectors.
The transport sector has a vital role to play in the national mitigation effort, particularly in addressing national non-traded emissions targets. I am acutely aware of the specific challenges we face in transport where travel demand is growing and fossil fuel use is firmly established. To address this challenge, we are strongly pursuing emission reductions and energy efficiencies in transport across four key strands.
Firstly, we are increasing investment in public and sustainable transport to support mode shift and accommodate growing travel demand. An efficient public transport sector is a key priority in meeting our climate change goals. The National Development Plan 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 investment and 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, including natural gas, biomethane, and hydrogen, 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 a further increase to 11% is likely 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 vehicle emissions can be decoupled from increased economic activity and population growth.
It is imperative that we continue to broaden our range of mitigation measures. To this end, in 2018, I launched a reduced EV tolling regime as well as a grant aimed at encouraging taxis and hackneys towards electrification. I was delighted to see the positive EV sales this year with over 6500 EVs now on Irish roads - nearly 40 of which are taxis/hackneys providing the opportunity for a wide range or passengers to experience an EV. My Department is also undertaking trials on alternatively fuelled buses to further inform future bus purchasing decisions.
My Department continues to work with other Departments and Agencies to research and develop new sectoral and cross-sectoral measures on a whole of Government and least-cost basis to advance Ireland's decarbonisation policy pathway. The Department actively participates in the cross-Government climate structures and TRAM group, and three specific research projects to examine the role of behavioural change and the pathway to zero-emissions in the heavy duty vehicle sector are being co-funded by my Department to develop proactive, new and innovative tools to help reduce transport emissions.
Child and Family Agency Staff
Questions (525)
Tony McLoughlin
Question:525. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the new Tusla facility being developed in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim, will require new nursing staff; if so, the location in which persons can apply for these positions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48853/18]
View answerWritten answers
Youth Services Funding
Questions (526)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:526. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when an organisation (details supplied) will receive relevant funding to provide security for the service. [49004/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has commenced a process to identify service development needs for 2019 and to finalise the 2019 youth funding allocations. The primary purpose of this process is to ensure that youth services are sufficiently resourced to meet the needs of young people and particularly those who are at risk of drugs or alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities.
In this regard, officials within my Department are currently awaiting the return of completed funding renewal applications on behalf of youth projects throughout the country which are due to be submitted by 21 December 2018. On receipt of these completed renewal applications, my Department will be in a position to finalise the funding allocation which will be provided for each youth project in 2019, having regard to the overall budgetary position. Every effort will be made to complete this process as soon as possible and notify all youth services of their allocation at the earliest possible date.
Child and Family Agency Funding
Questions (527)
Catherine Martin
Question:527. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration is being given to providing funding to a service (details supplied) in order that the service can remain open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48846/18]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that I have already received numerous queries from members of the Oireachtas and from the management of the service in questions on this matter. My response to Priority Question 4 on 7 November, 2018, and written Question 25 from Deputy Boyd-Barrett on the same date, reflects the current position on the matter.
The provision of family support services is a matter for Tusla. Tusla has advised that it is currently compiling a Commissioning Plan for services in the Dublin South East/Wicklow area, which seeks to assign resources to areas of the greatest need, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Requests for funding from this organisation will be considered in this context. The planning process will help inform any future spending in the area based on evidenced needs. Tusla has invited the organisation to be involved in stakeholder consultations on the planning process early next year.
I have agreed to meet representatives of the organisation, along with Tusla officials, to discuss this matter shortly.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (528)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:528. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a comprehensive plan for Irish language provision in the early years sector as outlined in the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48888/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has engaged extensively with both the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills in agreeing a comprehensive set of actions to be implemented under the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022, launched by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in June 2018. This five year action plan sets out a range of agreed actions, with associated timeframes, to be implemented in support of the overarching 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030.
A significant area for action within this action plan relates to the early years, and my Department has committed to a range of actions in this regard in recognition of the importance of the role that early years settings can play in fostering Irish language proficiency and a revitalisation of the Irish language. The aim of these actions is to build on existing measures, supports and partnerships in the area of Irish-medium early years education and further improve supports and services.
An oversight group has been established by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to oversee the implementation of the actions contained within the five year plan, and my Department is represented on that group. The first meeting of that oversight group has already taken place. This group will monitor and report on the progress of the plan.
Furthermore, one of the actions contained within the plan relates specifically to the establishment of a national steering group, comprised of representatives from the relevant departments, agencies and stakeholders, to oversee the implementation of the actions relating to the early years sector. Arrangements are being made for the initial meeting of this group.
There is no commitment to publish a further, separate plan in relation to the early years sector, and I am confident that the implementation of the actions contained within the plan will be progressed and monitored through the channels as outlined above.
A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families was launched on 19th November, and this ambitious ten year plan contains two actions specifically aimed at supporting the development of the Irish language within the early years sector. An implementation plan for the actions contained within that Strategy will be published within six months.
HIQA Inspections
Questions (529)
Pat Buckley
Question:529. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the treatment of children at a unit (details supplied) in which HIQA recently noted a large number of significant events had taken place from January to June 2018 at the centre, including incidents of violence and aggression; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48935/18]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that a copy of all HIQA inspection reports conducted in relation to children's services are provided to me in advance of publication. This includes inspections of children's Special Care Units.
The HIQA inspection reports of Special Care Units show that the children who are detained by order of the High Court, for their own safety, are well cared for and that there are good relationships between children, carers, and families. The benefit of special care is made absolutely clear by a statement that one of the children made to the inspectors to the effect that it had saved their life.
It is a fact that children are detained for their safety in order to provide the care they need. It is used only where a young person's behaviour poses a real and substantial risk of harm to their life, health, safety, development or welfare.
New regulations were put in place earlier this year. These place special care on a full statutory footing for the first time. The legislation sets a clear time limited and short term period for the use of special care.
Staff working in special care are trained in a range of behaviour management techniques and in de-escalation. As far as possible, staff use the least restrictive practices they can to keep the children safe. However, situations can arise where there is a risk of significant harm to self or to others and, in line with policy, may need the assistance of the Gardaí.
The inspection report to which the Deputy refers includes a Compliance Plan, which was developed by the unit and provided to HIQA. The Plan lays out the actions that will be taken by the unit, its staff or management to address identified areas of non-compliance. I can confirm that the Compliance Plan developed as part of the inspection process included measures to improve the management of challenging or aggressive behaviour, and to reinforce positive behaviours. The plan included a commitment to review all future incidents of aggressive behaviour at staff meetings, and to identify learnings from each incident.
Childcare Services Data
Questions (530)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:530. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the registered community crèche facilities that are operational here; and the location of each. [48944/18]
View answerWritten answers
After seeking clarification from the Deputy's office, I understand that this question refers to the number of community services in the state. The number of community services in contract with my Department to run at least one childcare funding programme is 1175. A breakdown of these services by county is listed in the table.
|
County: |
Number of Community Services: |
|
Carlow |
17 |
|
Cavan |
26 |
|
Clare |
31 |
|
Cork |
136 |
|
Donegal |
73 |
|
Dublin |
233 |
|
Galway |
84 |
|
Kerry |
57 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
24 |
|
Laois |
18 |
|
Leitrim |
20 |
|
Limerick |
54 |
|
Longford |
14 |
|
Louth |
19 |
|
Mayo |
57 |
|
Meath |
20 |
|
Monaghan |
34 |
|
Offaly |
19 |
|
Roscommon |
25 |
|
Sligo |
30 |
|
Tipperary |
45 |
|
Waterford |
38 |
|
Westmeath |
22 |
|
Wexford |
45 |
|
Wicklow |
22 |
Childcare Services Funding
Questions (531)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:531. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount that will be allocated to the capital grant scheme for childcare providers. [48945/18]
View answerWritten answers
In Budget 2019 I secured €8.68m in base-line capital expenditure for early years and school age childcare programmes, representing an increase of €2m on the 2018 capital programme.
While the specifics of the 2019 capital programme are still under discussion between officials in my department and colleagues in Pobal, it is expected that there will be a focus on building capacity and quality as well as other capital initiatives to support the transition to the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
Once this process is completed, an announcement will issue to childcare providers in the coming weeks to inform them of the general guidelines for the programmes, as well as a timeline for their delivery.
Departmental Operations
Questions (532)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:532. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the parenting unit that is to be established within her Department; the date by which this unit will be established; and the amount of funding that will be allocated to it. [48947/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs 2015 High Level Policy on Parenting and Family Support highlighted the critical importance of parenting on children’s lives in influencing social, emotional, and physical outcomes. While explicit support for parents has been reflected across Irish Government policy for decades, the increasing focus on parenting has developed in a somewhat fragmented way across Government Departments and State Agencies.
The Department established a dedicated Parenting Support Policy Unit on November 5th to lead the important work of co-ordinating policy direction and activity throughout the sector, as well as mapping, streamlining and advancing existing supports. As the work of the unit will be focused on co-ordination and collaboration across Government and State Agencies, the unit does not currently require a specific funding allocation.
Commissions of Investigation Expenditure
Questions (533)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:533. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount that has been spent on the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters in each year since its establishment. [49069/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters was established by Government on 17th February 2015 (S.I. No. 57 of 2015).
Since it's establishment expenditure of approximately €7.47 has been incurred (to end October) to support salaries, fees and other operational costs relating to the work of the independent Commission and its engagement with former residents and other witnesses.
|
Year |
Commission Expenditure |
|
2018 |
€1.87 (to end October) |
|
2017 |
€2.1 |
|
2016 |
€2 |
|
2015 |
€1.5 |
In addition, my Department has also directly incurred costs of approximately €1.67m to end October in supporting this work and responding to its reports to date. This also includes the processes I have commenced to complement the Commission's work by facilitating former residents of these institutions to directly engage on the issues of concern to them and their families.