Written Answers Nos. 460-480
460. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a company (details supplied) is in receipt of and entitled to receive State subsidies or subsidies from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15374/19]
View answerLuas is operated under a gross cost contract which was awarded to Transdev after a competitive tender jointly by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA). I can advise the Deputy that currently the revenue taken for services, which accrues to TII, is more than the fee paid to Transdev to operate the services. There are therefore no subsidies involved from the Exchequer or from the EU.
461. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has undertaken procurement processes relating to consultancy agencies, media or otherwise, to assist it with formulating or contributing to policy messaging on social media or videos relating to his departmental strategies or policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15397/19]
View answerThe Department undertakes a procurement process to engage a media agency for the provision of a campaign to promote the annual national Bike Week initiative. Information on all external expenditure is published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
462. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his departmental officials have been contributing to and taking part in Government of Ireland social media messages; the way in which they are co-ordinated in each of the policy areas of his Department; the Department that is the lead Department for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15414/19]
View answerThe Department does not have a social media presence and therefore does not take direct part in 'Government of Ireland' social media campaigns. Any material for such campaigns from my Department is provided through the normal channels of communication between the Department and other relevant Government Departments. The Press Office in the Department keeps our agencies up to date on any relevant campaigns which might be of interest to them.
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has continued to evaluate rural transport requirements with a view to bringing transport to persons rather than forcing persons to converge on towns and villages as the population increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15449/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
As I advised the Deputy in response to his identical Questions on 06 November, 2018 (ref no 45347/18) and 12 December 2018 (ref no 52455/18), the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA 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.
Noting this, I forwarded the Deputy's Question of 06 November to the NTA for direct reply. I am advised that the NTA replied to the Deputy on 12 November last.
464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans being advanced to combat the traffic congestion on the M50 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15450/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, operation and improvement of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) along with other stakeholders, is continuing to implement a number of measures on the M50 to optimise operational efficiency.
It should be noted that a single piece of infrastructure cannot be looked at in isolation in an urban context. The National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016- 2035 sets out a number of projects and initiatives that, when implemented, will greatly ease congestion for commuters. Project Ireland 2040 provides the funding for flagship projects such as BusConnects, DART Expansion and MetroLink.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII and NTA for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to develop facilities at ports and airports in order to enhance access to the European Union and the global community in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15453/19]
View answer469. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he is making provision for the eventuality of Brexit with particular reference to its implications for air and sea travel in view of the necessity to ensure easy travel access to continental Europe for Irish customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 469 together.
As an island nation, Ireland is entirely dependent on maritime and aviation networks for trade, tourism and the movement of people. Brexit has been identified as the Department’s highest strategic risk and the Department's response has been structured accordingly. While planning continues for both a ‘no-deal’ Brexit and a ‘central case’ Brexit, the Government’s preparations for a ‘no-deal’ Brexit have increased significantly in recent months.
While the full implications of Brexit for air and sea transport are not yet clear, I do not anticipate that direct maritime or direct air services by community carriers from Ireland to continental Europe will be affected, even in a no-deal scenario.
In terms of maritime travel and trade, my Department and other relevant Government Departments are working with the key ports engaged in direct Ireland-GB trade. The establishment of additional controls at ports and at Dublin airport that would be required in a no deal Brexit scenario is being co-ordinated by an interdepartmental group under the chairmanship of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with representation from a range of stakeholders across Government. The group has focused on three locations for which we are heavily dependent on connectivity to the UK, namely, Dublin Port, Dublin Airport and Rosslare Europort. The Office of Public Works has been tasked with delivering the required facilities for these agriculture, health and customs checks at these locations.
Airlines and shipping companies operate as independent, market-driven commercial companies and planning and preparations in the context of Brexit are operational matters for each. However, I am aware through consultations by my Department with shipping and airline companies that they are contingency planning, including for a no-deal Brexit.
Government also supports the development of air connectivity and the expansion of air services more generally through funding from Tourism Ireland for cooperative marketing activity. Cooperative campaigns with partners facilitate increased marketing effort and help promote the destination more widely. An increased budget allocation in Tourism Ireland for 2019 will continue to support both seasonal and regional growth and will be underscored by a commitment to focus co-operative partnership activities on the January-April and October-December periods for Great Britain and the North American and European markets. I encourage all airports to avail of this funding to optimise air services.
In relation to shipping, in the past shipping operators have responded to economic developments and increased or reduced capacity in response to market demands. Following a series of recent meetings with the major ferry companies operating at our ports, I am confident that shipping services can be expected to adapt to changing market demands that may arise and we have seen the evidence of this over recent months with the increase in shipping capacity on direct routes to continental ports. These services include the MV Celine which was last year launched from Dublin Port and will serve routes to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge and the MV WB Yeats, which will operate between Dublin and France. Additionally, a new ferry route to Santander in Spain commenced from the Port of Cork in 2018.
In relation to infrastructural requirements, the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 recognises the role and infrastructural plans of ports and airports in supporting continued enhancement of Ireland’s high-quality international connectivity. Key actions planned include a new runway for Dublin Airport, continued development of Cork and Shannon Airports, investment in Ireland West Airport Knock, and for smaller airports under the Regional Airports Programme. There will also be major development of Dublin, Cork, Shannon-Foynes and other ports, as well as investment in transport connectivity to ports.
468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to liaise with the various sporting organisations with a view to facilitating the use of Ireland as a venue for worldwide competitions in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15454/19]
View answerThe hosting of major sports competitions, both participative and spectator sports, can provide great opportunities to showcase Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly, I am very supportive of the work of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors.
Fáilte Ireland provides financial assistance, subject to eligibility criteria, to applicants who are proposing to bid to host international events (including sporting events) in Ireland that would attract significant numbers of international visitors. When an event with international tourism appeal is confirmed for Ireland, Tourism Ireland would then promote it in relevant markets overseas.
In terms of forthcoming sporting events, Ireland will host four games as part of the UEFA EURO 2020 football tournament in June 2020 - three group games and one round of 16 game. The bid to host was a collaborative effort between the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and my Department. Depending on qualification, up to 160,000 overseas visitors may attend Euro 2020 matches in Dublin. Ireland will also host the UEFA European Under 17 Championships later in 2019.
Minister Ross and I also support efforts to explore possibilities to host other major sporting events. With regard to soccer, we welcomed the announcement by the FAI and IFA of their intention to submit a joint bid to host the UEFA European Under 21 Championships in 2023. In addition, the national football associations of the United Kingdom and Ireland are in discussions about the feasibility of bidding to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This consideration is at a very early stage.
In the sport of golf, Minister Ross and Department officials met with representatives of the PGA European Tour at the Ryder Cup in Paris last year to discuss the possible hosting of a future Ryder Cup in Ireland. The PGA European Tour subsequently visited Dublin and met the Taoiseach and Minister Ross. The purpose of these meetings was to explore the opportunities that may exist for hosting the Ryder Cup in the future and considerations are ongoing in this regard.
As regards any further events being considered for possible agency support, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
470. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has studied the weakest links in the transport system nationally; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15456/19]
View answerAs I have outlined in my Department's Statement of Strategy, my Department is committed to successfully managing the many day-to-day issues affecting our transport network while at the same time ensuring that we have a vision for the future.
The current Statement of Strategy can be found at the following link: www.dttas.ie/node/23853.
The Government has committed to delivering an ambitious development plan, Project Ireland 2040, which will drive Ireland’s long term economic, environmental and social progress across all parts of the country over the next decade.
My Department and its agencies have a key role in delivering that progress and Project Ireland 2040 contains commitments to a wide range of projects and programmes across my Department's remit including all areas of the transport system, focussing on those areas that are priorities for investment in the coming decade. These projects and all areas of the national transport system are looked at on an ongoing basis with a view to delivering an effective and progressive national transport system
Further details on these projects and programmes are available to view at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040.
471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he can identify options for the promotion of tourism here during the off-season with particular reference to the need to compete with other countries and locations in the same or alternative markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15457/19]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the board and management of Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which opportunities for niche tourism are being explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15458/19]
View answerThere are many and varied niche areas of tourism that attract visitors to Ireland – many of them based on our key assets and related experiences – and which I believe offer great potential for further development and growth. Fáilte Ireland is tasked with developing the industry generally, including these niche areas. Accordingly, I have asked the agency to reply directly to the Deputy with further information on some of the best prospect niche areas. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
473. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has an operating language scheme in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003; and the date when such a scheme was introduced. [15499/19]
View answerThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has a 3 year rolling Irish Language Scheme in place in accordance with its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 and in compliance with the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. The current Scheme covers the period 2018-2021 and commenced with effect from 2nd February 2018.
474. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Wild Atlantic Way route review being undertaken by a company (details supplied); the progress being made to include the entire route of the Seven Heads Peninsula as proposed in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15210/19]
View answerThe development and promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way including reviews of the route is carried out by Fáilte Ireland rather than my Department. With specific regard to work underway to review the route of the Wild Atlantic Way in the Seven Heads Peninsula area, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to contact the Deputy directly with further information. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
475. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address concerns of a not-for-profit childcare forum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15009/19]
View answerAssisting families to access high quality, affordable early learning and care and school age childcare is a priority for me as Minister and hence I take the issues raised in the letter very seriously. My officials have responded separately to the childcare forum which wrote the letter referred to in the Deputy's question.
My Department funds a number of early learning and care and school age childcare programmes. Given the large amount of public money that is used in funding these programmes, there needs to be an appropriate level of oversight and accountability. My Department believes that our approach to compliance and supporting services strikes a necessary and appropriate balance. Our approach involves setting out the rules for the receipt of State funding, supporting providers to deliver services, and at the same time, the approach offers assurances to the taxpayer that the funding assigned is being spent as it was intended.
A high level of compliance with the rules of the various childcare schemes is vital to maintaining existing investment as well as ensuring future investment. It is a requirement that services operating the early learning and care and school age childcare programmes funded by my Department must be compliant with the ‘Rules for DCYA childcare funding programmes’, the most recent of which was published on 9th August 2018. Compliance with these rules is overseen by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Because subsidies for the early learning and care and school age childcare programmes are paid based on attendance (not enrolment), this is a vital governance component of the funding for which my Department is responsible.
I very much appreciate that community childcare settings provide a valuable service to children and families across the country. I also appreciate their stated concerns regarding their sustainability. Hence, significant support is available to them to bring their service onto a more sustainable footing, while being necessarily compliant with scheme rules.
My Department oversees an integrated Case Management system operated by Pobal through which a dedicated team assesses services facing challenges. This Case Management service provides non-financial assistance or support in the first instance. Financial supports are also available for services facing certain challenges which may also be accessed through Case Management following a financial assessment.
Results from Pobal compliance visits for the first part of the programme year 2018/2019 show some issues in relation to non-compliance which need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I am encouraged however that most services have engaged constructively with the process so far. I would recommend all other services to get in contact with Pobal or their local City / County Childcare Committee if they need support or advice, or if they believe a sustainability issue arises.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) will replace the targeted schemes later this year. My Department’s policy relating to the NCS was informed by evidence and with the best interests of children and families in mind. The legislation that I brought forward, supporting the scheme, the Childcare Support Act 2018, was the subject of much discussion in the Houses and many elements of the policy were considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children on a number of occasions.
The new scheme will not have a snapshot window. Its attendance rules will seek to reflect the reality of children and parents' lives and the need for services to operate as businesses. The attendance rules will reflect a certain degree of flexibility whilst honouring the requirement to ensure that Exchequer funding is used for the purposes it was intended.
My Department has begun to roll out a major national information campaign in relation to how this new scheme will operate. A significant amount of time will be invested in working with services to ensure that they are ready for it.
Under NCS, subsidies will be paid to a service provider for a child regularly using the childcare place. In other words, the scheme will contain rules in relation to circumstances where a child leaves the service, is absent or is not fully using the agreed place over a prolonged period. The rules have been developed to be fair, proportionate and child-centred, while also being clear and consistent. Importantly they will recognise the need for flexibility for parents. My Department has worked hard to ensure that they will not disadvantage services for what can be considered minor non-attendances. At the same time, they will recognise the need to protect State finances by ensuring that Exchequer funds are used to support the maximum number of families in need of financial support, represent value for money for taxpayers, and are managed and allocated in accordance with robust and appropriate procedures.
The Deputy will be aware that investment in childcare has increased by an unprecedented 117% over the last four budgets, now totalling €575m per year. Community services access much of this growing investment. Turnover for many services has increased quite substantially (given that the number of servicers operating has increased only slightly) and co-payments / top-up payments made by parents have decreased, both measures assisting many services to strengthen their sustainability and review their business model to meet compliance requirements.
The National Childcare Scheme will mark another significant milestone for early learning and care and school age childcare in this country, creating an infrastructure from which Government can further increase investment in services over the next decade. This is in line with the commitment made in First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, which I published last November.
476. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a qualification (details supplied) will be accepted to work under the new affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15062/19]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) introduced regulations governing the Early Years sector in June of 2016 which included a new minimum qualifications standard for the sector.
Since the 31st December 2016, all employees of a pre-school service who work directly with children must hold a full major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent as deemed eligible by the Department.
Since the introduction of the qualifications requirement as part of the regulations in 2016, DCYA has compiled a list of qualifications which it would consider as meeting the minimum standard. The list can be found on the Department’s website.
Although the mentioned qualification is not on the recognised list, it may still meet the minimum requirements. I would advise that the individual submits an application to DCYA for recognition of their qualifications. The application form and details of what information must be submitted can also be found on the Department’s website.
477. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the case of a child (details supplied) will be addressed. [15156/19]
View answerEarly Intervention teams are under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE) therefore I am not in a position to comment on any decision made by this team.
Notwithstanding this, national policy, based on the principle in the best interests of the child, is that children should be in primary education by the age of six. Primarily legislation relating to this is primarily a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills under the Educational Welfare Act 2000.
In that Act, “child” is defined as “a person resident in the State who has reached the age of 6 years and who—
(a) has not reached the age of 16 years, or
(b) has not completed 3 years of post-primary education,
whichever occurs later, but shall not include a person who has reached the age of 18 years;”
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) in Tusla established by the Act of 2000 has functions described under that Act, one of which in Section 10 (1) is to “ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education” and in that regard, the EWS maintain a register of all children, aged six years and over, who are in receipt of an education in a place other than a recognised school (Section 14(1)). Under the Act, it is the responsibility of a parent who “chooses to educate, or have educated, his or her child [6 years or over – see definition above], in a place other than a recognised school, he or she shall apply to the EWS to have the child concerned registered in the register”. There is then an onus on the EWS to inspect such provision to ensure that the child is receiving a certain minimum education.
The Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE) was never intended to delay children's transition to primary school. Therefore it is important to note that “overage exemption” refers only to an exemption to the maximum eligible age for participation in the ECCE programme. It does not provide any exemption from the requirements under law for children aged 6 years and over to attend primary school or otherwise receive a certain minimum education.
Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education and Skills, to support children in a primary school setting. I would encourage this family to contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance.
478. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a preschool (details supplied) will be included in the latest funding programme from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15183/19]
View answerI understand that the programme referred to by the Deputy is the current round of capital funding currently being run by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
Significant efforts were made this year to improve the timeline for delivery of the Early Years and School Age Childcare capital programmes and the appraisal process for applications is currently underway in Pobal. I would like to assure you that all applications for funding will be appraised in a fair, thorough and impartial manner. Decisions are due to be delivered to applicants in June 2019 in the hope that capital works can begin over the summer months.
As the process is ongoing I am not in a position to provide an update as to the status of any individual application for funding at this point. The results of the appraisal process, including the final decisions, will be communicated to providers directly in June 2019.
479. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if social work offices in Ballymun, Dublin 11, are to be relocated to a premises on the North Circular Road. [15227/19]
View answerIt is unclear from the Deputy's question as to what offices in Ballymun are involved but, as this is an operational matter, I have requested Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
480. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she expects a refuge (details supplied) to reopen; if the refuge will reopen as a domestic violence refuge; if it is to be used by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive as emergency homeless accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15265/19]
View answerIn August 2017, Tusla had to temporarily suspend services at the refuge to which the Deputy refers, due to concerns about electrical installations at the facility. An upgrade of the building has been completed.
Plans are in progress to reopen the service in Quarter 2 of this year. I can assure the Deputy that it will reopen as a domestic violence refuge. The newly upgraded facility provides nine family units of accommodation for victims of domestic violence.
The opening of the refuge has been delayed as there are important staffing matters to be addressed. Tusla is in the process of contracting a specialist domestic violence organisation to manage the facility. It is expected that outreach services will be in place for service users in advance of accommodation services being made available.
In the interim, Tusla agreed with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) to provide short-term accommodation to a cohort of homeless women. Tusla has reported that a number of these women are victims of domestic violence who are receiving support from specialist domestic violence organisations. This arrangement will continue until the contract with a specialist domestic violence organisation is in place to manage the facility.
