Written Answers Nos. 214-238
214. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his views on the possibility of mandatory testing for sepsis in hospitals in the future in the event that the testing becomes faster and cheaper; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49732/18]
View answerThe National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) in the Department of Health has published a National Clinical Guideline on Sepsis ‘Sepsis Management, National Clinical Guideline No.6’ which was accredited by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Sepsis screening is considered in this guideline, which is available on the Department of Health website. This guideline is currently being updated. As part of this updating process, the most recent international peer-reviewed evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis will be reviewed.
Ireland was a co-sponsor for the International Resolution on Sepsis, agreed at the World Health Assembly in 2017, and has seen improvements in sepsis management in recent years.
A National Clinical Lead for sepsis has been appointed for Ireland. The HSE National Sepsis Programme produces an annual report on Sepsis outcomes, which is available on the HSE website. Information and resources on sepsis and sepsis screening in hospitals is also available on the HSE Sepsis programme website.
215. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018 to move on to the next Stage; when it will be signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49733/18]
View answerThe Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018 was initiated in the Seanad on 27 September 2018 and completed its passage through the House on the 7 November, 2018.
The Bill has been scheduled for Second Stage in the Dáil on Wednesday 5 December 2018 following which time it will be referred to the Select Committee on Health for debate, on a date to be scheduled by the Committee.
The Bill will be signed into law once passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
216. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the wait time for surgery once a patient is diagnosed with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49743/18]
View answerReducing waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures is a priority for the Government.
The HSE in accordance with the advice of the National Women and Infants Health Programme has confirmed that endometriosis is the medical term given following medical testing/diagnosis. The HSE can only provide figures and wait time for specific procedures and/or specialties and not for medical diagnosis.
The HSE further advises that it can only provide waiting times for specific surgical procedures that are used not only in the treatment of endometriosis but within the wider gynaecology specialty.
217. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the supports available to persons with long-term incontinence; and the number of patients in County Galway receiving support from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49756/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in the ongoing union recognition industrial dispute as a result of the failure of the HSE to recognise the PNA's right to negotiate on behalf of ambulance staff. [49805/18]
View answerThe union which is recognised by the HSE as representing ambulance grades is Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU). The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA), which is a non-Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) affiliated union, have negotiating rights for nurses working in psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA), which is affiliated with the PNA is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights for HSE ambulance staff. The HSE can only engage with recognised unions with negotiation rights. This approach is in keeping with Government policy. Indeed, the principle of engaging only with recognised trade unions has been acknowledged previously by the Labour Court in a dispute involving the PNA but with a different public sector employer.
Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, HSE ambulance staff who choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer should be aware that such membership is not facilitated by their employer. In light of all of the above, I do not believe it would be appropriate to intervene in this dispute.
219. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be called for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49837/18]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
220. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have not received their SFP and ANC payments for 2018, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49777/18]
View answerUnder the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme some 100,828 applicants hold eligible designated lands. The ANC Scheme is subject to a range of eligibility and compliance criteria such as .scheme each year having successfully fulfilled all scheme requirements. To date some 89,566 applicants have been paid a total of €215.7m under the 2018 ANC Scheme.
It is not possible, at this point, to accurately ascertain the number of applicants in particular counties who will be paid under the scheme. In particular, this is due to the fact that individual farmers who have yet to meet their stocking density requirements may or may not do so by the end of the year depending on their farming practice/decisions.
Under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme over 119,508 farmers have now been paid a total of more than €786m, and preparations are now well underway for the issuing on balancing payments from the start of December.
The breakdown of BPS applications that are still being processed is given in the table below. It is important to note that these incomplete cases can be under query for a variety of reasons, such as over-claims, dual claims, queries on entitlements or inspected cases that require follow-up. In that regard I would remind farmers who have been contacted by the Department with queries to reply as quickly as possible so that the processing of their applications can be completed. Regular pay runs will continue and the focus is on getting payments out as promptly as possible.
|
County |
Number of eligible applicants still being processed |
|
CARLOW |
50 |
|
CAVAN |
89 |
|
CLARE |
70 |
|
CORK |
317 |
|
DONEGAL |
361 |
|
DUBLIN |
21 |
|
GALWAY |
304 |
|
KERRY |
217 |
|
KILDARE |
69 |
|
KILKENNY |
114 |
|
LAOIS |
53 |
|
LEITRIM |
69 |
|
LIMERICK |
101 |
|
LONGFORD |
52 |
|
LOUTH |
43 |
|
MAYO |
346 |
|
MEATH |
79 |
|
MONAGHAN |
57 |
|
OFFALY |
58 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
149 |
|
SLIGO |
145 |
|
TIPPERARY |
131 |
|
WATERFORD |
74 |
|
WESTMEATH |
66 |
|
WEXFORD |
125 |
|
WICKLOW |
74 |
221. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the basic farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [49778/18]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment Scheme application on 12th April 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The applications of the associated partners in this partnership were selected for a ground eligibility inspection and a remote sensing inspection. These inspections have been completed and the results have now been fully finalised. Payment due under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue to the nominated bank account of the partnership shortly.
222. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a basic farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied). [49780/18]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on 8th May 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection has been processed and a letter detailing the findings has issued to the person named. This notification outlines the options available at this stage, namely to accept the findings or to submit comments to my Department for consideration. On completion of this process, the inspection outcome will be finalised and any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible
223. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the ban on smoky fuels promised by his predecessor and the Taoiseach on a number of occasions in Dáil Éireann will be implemented; and the reason for the delay from the original timescale. [49613/18]
View answer224. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason for the delay in finalising the clean air strategy in view of the fact that it is now a year since his predecessor informed Dáil Éireann that he hoped to finalise the clean air strategy within the coming weeks; and when he expects to finalise it. [49614/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
The question of regulation of domestic solid fuel use will be addressed in the context of the Clean Air Strategy, which will provide the framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality and public health to meet current and future EU and international obligations. Comprehensive analysis of the replies received to the public consultation on the Strategy has been completed, and my officials have been engaging with other Departments, Agencies and stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the Environmental Protection Agency, in order to finalise the Strategy by the end of February 2019. A key focus of the current work is to ensure that there is maximum synergy between the Clean Air Strategy and the forthcoming National Air Pollution Control Programme mandated under the National Emission Ceilings Directive.
225. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he or his predecessor and his officials have implemented or directed the implementation of the recommendations and advices contained within a report (details supplied) regarding the review of the operation and management of the MANs, pricing of products and access arrangements relating to the MANs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49688/18]
View answer226. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will publish a report (details supplied) regarding pricing aspects and access to the metropolitan area networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49703/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
The Department has been engaging with the Management Services Entity (e-net) in relation to the implementation of the recommendations of the Report on Pricing and Access Arrangements for the MANs. It is intended to publish the report shortly.
227. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to address mobile phone coverage blackspots across the country and particularly in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49704/18]
View answerProviding telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations. The ComReg consumer helpline is accessible at consumerline@comreg.ie and I would urge consumers who feel they have not received an appropriate response from service providers to make contact with the Regulator.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, which contained 40 actions to alleviate some of the coverage deficits across the country. An Implementation Group is overseeing the implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. The Implementation Group meets on a quarterly basis and publishes quarterly progress reports on the implementation status of actions.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 published in February 2018, comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on the actions identified by the Taskforce. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the inaugural National Stakeholder Forum 2017, an additional 23 new measures were identified for delivery in 2018.
The Quarter 3 Progress Report for 2018 will be published shortly.
In terms of addressing mobile coverage blackspots, various initiatives are underway:
- The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Rural and Community Development have worked to achieve a greater consensus around site selection for telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.
- Both Departments also worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. This pilot exercise has been completed, with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to provide additional coverage on an economic basis.
- A focus group was established to provide guidance with respect to categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. The report of the focus group was published on my Department’s website on 31 August 2018. It is anticipated that the output of the focus group should influence the actions of the mobile network operators in their work to reduce mobile phone blackspots. It will also inform future policy in my Department with regards to priorities for mobile phone services.
- A working group has been established with the remit of investigating the feasibility of developing standardised policy for accessing and utilising State and publicly-owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.
- ComReg is delivering a composite national coverage map, which will, in tandem with its work on handset testing and activities to raise consumer awareness, allow people across Ireland to optimise the services available to them.
- ComReg has developed a licensing scheme which will enable households and businesses to use mobile phone repeaters to boost signals into their premises and bring immediate improvements in mobile coverage.
In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for 5G rollout, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.
All of these initiatives should help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas, including counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath.
228. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase the number of e-car public charging points in an area (details supplied) and across the country as a whole; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49705/18]
View answerThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. An interactive map showing the locations of charging points throughout Ireland is available at www.esb.ie/our-businesses/ecars/charge-point-map.
There are currently public chargers available at 7 locations in Dublin Bay North. This includes a fast charger in Circle K/Topaz Service Station, Clonshaugh Road, Cloghran, Dublin 17.
A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, involved examining how best to support the development of the electric vehicle charging. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focused on electric vehicles, is now complete and the progress report is available on my Department’s website. Arising out of the work of the Taskforce a support scheme is in place to support electric vehicle charging at home, the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. My Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.
I announced the successful projects under the first Call for Applications Assessment Stage under the Climate Action Fund today. I am delighted to approve funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars that will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. Further details on this project, and the other projects approved from the Fund today, are available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the national broadband plan to provide fibre to the home will be implemented without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49707/18]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland - regardless of how remote or rural - has access to high speed broadband. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment across Ireland; and a State intervention in those areas, mostly rural areas, where commercial companies are unlikely to invest.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. My priority is to bring the procurement process to a fair and impartial conclusion as quickly as possible. My Department will now conclude its assessment of the final tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018 and I will bring a recommendation to Government in the coming weeks on how to proceed.
230. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of Government cleaning contracts within his Department (details supplied). [49710/18]
View answerThe cleaning of my Department's offices are performed by a private cleaning company procured under the provisions of an Office of Government Procurement framework agreement. The terms and conditions of the employees of these companies do not come within my remit. My Department has no plans to insource the cleaning of my Department's offices.
231. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the €75 annual support for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence towards the cost of disposing of medical incontinence products will be introduced; the reason for the delay in introducing same since its announcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49757/18]
View answerMy Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75 support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
232. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will introduce legislation that would result in driving disqualifications for persons convicted of illegal dumping while using a vehicle; and if he will introduce legislation that will give judges the power to order the confiscation of vehicles used for illegal dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49759/18]
View answerIn respect of the confiscation of vehicles used for illegal dumping, there is scope under current waste legislation to seize vehicles involved in the carrying out of suspected unlawful waste activity and in the event of a successful prosecution to have such vehicles or equipment disposed of as the competent authority sees fit.
Under Section 14 of the Waste Management Act, an authorised person is allowed to halt and/or board a vehicle. Such a vehicle can be taken either by the original driver or by a driver employed by the enforcing authority to a designated place and be detained there. This power covers:
- The establishment of roadblocks on the public road;
- The questioning of drivers about the vehicle and its contents;
- The seizure of the vehicle when stopped at a roadblock;
- The taking of a vehicle found on an unauthorised waste site; and
- The detention of the vehicle.
The halting and taking of the vehicle is required to relate to any purpose connected with the Act. Hence, the authorised person must have a reason which stems from the requirements of the Act itself and the vehicle can be detained for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose under which it was seized.
Section 61 of the Waste Management Act concerns the detention and forfeiture of certain vehicles and equipment. The Section provides for the following:
- On application from a local authority or the EPA for a prosecution under the Act on indictment, a Judge may require a defendant to enter into a bond of an amount equal to the value of any vehicle or equipment owned by the defendant that it is alleged was used in the commission of the offence under the Act;
- In the event of a defendant failing to comply with such an order, a Judge may make further order authorising the local authority or the EPA to detain any vehicle or equipment pending the determination of the proceedings concerned;
- If a person is convicted on indictment for the offence the Court may order the forfeiture to the local authority or the EPA of any vehicle or equipment owned by the defendant that was used in the commission of the offence or the amount of the bond if applicable;
- A local authority or the Agency may deal with or dispose as it thinks fit of any such vehicle or equipment, or the amount of the bond if applicable.
The question of the introduction of driving disqualifications is within the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
233. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent in each local authority area over the past three years to combat or prevent illegal dumping; the nature of the programmes or schemes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49760/18]
View answer234. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent by each local authority over the past three years to alleviate the effects of illegal dumping, such as, pollution of lands or water courses and so on and the removal of dumped material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49761/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.
Enforcement actions against illegal waste activity are a matter for the Local Authorities and the Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While this Department does not compile statistics in relation to complaints made, information is available through the Local Government Management Agency www.lgcsb.ie/en/publications/?keyword=&Categories=LocalAuthoritySectorReports and also on the EPA’s website www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/enforcement/performanceframework/focusonlocalauthorityenvironmentalenforcement2014-2016performancereport.html. The total cost of illegal dumping is not collated by my Department as it includes local authority enforcement, disposal and legal costs, and also involves costs for other State agencies, such as An Garda Síochána.
The commitment to supporting waste enforcement activities on the ground is demonstrated through the continued annual investment of €7.4 million by my Department in the network of 150 local authority waste enforcement officers, increased resources for the Environmental Protection Agency with an allocation of €34.8 million this year and the further development of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority (WERLA) Offices with an annual budget in excess of €1 million.
In recognition of the impact of illegal dumping on communities across the country, my Department has developed an Anti-Dumping Initiative to identify high risk or problem areas, develop appropriate enforcement responses and carry out clean-up operations in partnership with local authorities and community organisations. My Department has also provided €3.3 million to support the national anti-dumping initiative in the past two years.
Further details of the funding provided is available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/waste/enforcement/anti-dumping-initiative/Pages/default.aspx. The initiative was overseen by the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) and each of the 31 local authorities participated. Over 400 projects were funded and included
- clean-up operations - removing over 2,500 tonnes of waste;
- awareness campaigns – social media campaigns, leaflets;
- preventative measures – installation of signage and fencing;
- surveillance operations – CCTV, drone and trail surveillance;
- SMART enforcement equipment and resources for waste enforcement officers.
235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he plans to implement to deal with issues in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49816/18]
View answerAs I outlined in the Dáil on 27 November in response to the Micro Generation Support Scheme Bill, I am supportive in principle of providing a route to market for citizens and communities to generate their own renewable energy and receive a fair and efficient price for doing so. This very much aligns with energy policy as set out in the Energy White Paper 2015, the new Renewable Energy Directive and the Clean Energy Package which entitles renewable self-consumers to receive remuneration for excess electricity exported to the grid.
Recognising the well-meaning ambition behind the drafting of the Bill, Government agreed not to oppose it at second stage. However it will be necessary for the Government to develop its own legislative proposals to fully transpose the terms of the EU Directive.
Significant work has already been carried out to date in this area by my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) working with industry stakeholders, including the Micro Renewable Energy Federation (MREF). A pilot microgeneration scheme opened in July 2018, providing a grant for solar PV installation and batter storage which is administered by the SEAI. I am advised that over 3,000 applicants have expressed an interest to date and approximately 100 rebate claims are in process for payment by the Authority. Full scheme details are on the SEAI website at: www.seai.ie.
Government has already assessed micro generation in the economic appraisal for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme. The evidence shows that to support it through a market support tariff would be hugely expensive. Although popular with consumers, micro-generation policy is complex and involves balancing a number of policy objectives. Not least of these is the affordability aspect. If only those who can afford to participate in such a scheme receive subsidised electricity prices it can only come at the cost of increased electricity prices to others unable to participate such as renters, apartment dwellers, and those in energy poverty. As my Department also has policy responsibility for those at risk of energy poverty, they too need to be considered in this debate.
236. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce legislation to require mandatory drug and alcohol testing of transport and haulage drivers; the details of same; the timeline in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49610/18]
View answerIn the absence of the requested clarification from Deputy Munster, in respect of the question raised, I am not in a position to determine whether or not this issue falls within my remit, nor can I advise the Deputy as to who would have responsibility for the particular issue. Intoxicant testing of all drivers, not just those involved in public transport or commercial haulage, is already dealt with under road traffic legislation. The testing of such drivers for intoxicants by employers does not come within my remit. Please don't hesitate to revert with a further question if additional clarification is required.
237. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the transfer and sale of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49611/18]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
At present, the transfer of SPSV licences is prohibited under section 14(1) of the 2013 Act which was commenced with effect from 6 April 2014. However, in the case of the death of a licence holder, section 15 of the same Act applies special provisions. In such circumstances, a SPSV licence may continue to be operated by a person who was nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death. I have no plans at present to adjust these provisions.
238. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that audio announcements of upcoming stops are in full operation on all public transport vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49652/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the public transport operators 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.
