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Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Written Answers Nos. 1252-1276

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1252)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1252. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19310/19]

View answer

Written answers

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE areas are where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1253)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

1253. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre broadband will be rolled out at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19398/19]

View answer

Written answers

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.

The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP.

This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process.

The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to contract close, including finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after contract signature.

In the first year of this roll-out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. A deployment plan will be made available by the bidder once the contract is signed. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by end of the second year of the overall deployment, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll-out is completed.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1254)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

1254. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when broadband will be provided to an area (details supplied). [19445/19]

View answer

Written answers

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP.

This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process.

The Government Decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to Granahan McCourt, subject to contract close, including finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence shortly after contract signature.

In the first year of this roll-out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. A deployment plan will be made available by the bidder once the contract is signed. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by end of the second year of the overall deployment, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll-out is completed.

Electricity Grid

Questions (1255)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans by the ESB for new smart meters in homes nationally; the cost to the customer for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Smart Meter Upgrade is a meter replacement programme which will result in the upgrade of 2.4 million meters to modern, smart-ready technology. The upgrade to smart meters will encourage energy efficiency, support an increase in renewable power on the energy system, and result in lower overall costs for consumers. Smart meters will also support wider decarbonisation of heat and transport and the deployment of smart grids in the future.

The programme is being coordinated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities with ESB Networks responsible for rolling out smart-ready electricity meters and Gas Networks Ireland responsible for the installation of smart-ready gas meters.

The roll-out plan is scheduled to replace 250,000 electricity meters between autumn 2019 and the end of 2020 and a further 500,000 meters every year from 2021 to 2024.

The expected cost of the Smart Meter Upgrade is €1.2 billion. This cost will be included in the costs of distribution networks in the same way as all other electricity infrastructure investments are paid for and subject to approval by the energy regulator.

This will be reflected on consumer electricity bills through an additional cost of approximately 10-11 cent per week per customer. However it is expected this investment will be more than offset by the potential savings customers will be able to make as a result of the greater information that will be available through the smart meter. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities has done extensive analysis of the programme and is satisfied that the investment involved represents value for money.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1256)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

1256. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if broadband will be reviewed for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19527/19]

View answer

Written answers

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE areas are where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

Where a citizen living in a Blue area is unable to obtain a high speed broadband service, I would encourage them to email my Department at broadband@dccae.gov.ie with their Eircode and details of the service providers they have contacted and the issues encountered in respect of accessing high speed broadband.

Decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis. I have no statutory role or function in such commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.

Fuel Poverty

Questions (1257)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1257. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stage the proposed review of the impacts of increasing carbon tax on fuel poverty within households is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/19]

View answer

Written answers

The recently published Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action contains a detailed set of recommendations addressing polices and measures across a range of Government Departments and Agencies. The recommendations, including the proposed review of the impacts of increasing the carbon tax on those living in fuel poverty, are being considered in the context of the All of Government Climate Plan, which I am currently developing and which is due to be published shortly.

This Plan will set out how this Government intends to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change and will set out a range of actions in electricity, agriculture, transport and buildings, as well as in other key sectors. An important consideration in this regard will be ensuring that our carbon reduction targets are achieved while supporting those at risk of energy poverty.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1258)

Robert Troy

Question:

1258. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the reason provided by a company (details supplied) for not including certain properties in phase 1 of the fibre broadband roll-out is that the contract signed with his Department does not allow the inclusion of additional properties; and the position regarding the inclusion of additional properties in view of the fact that, in previous replies to Parliamentary Questions, he has stated that the inclusion of additional properties was a commercial decision for the company. [19601/19]

View answer

Written answers

Decisions made by private telecommunication operators, eir included, relating to the roll-out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis. I have no statutory role or function in such commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.

Any questions related to such choices are a matter for telecommunication operators themselves.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1259)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

1259. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when an estate (details supplied) will be supplied with fibre broadband as part of the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/19]

View answer

Written answers

The estate referred to by the Deputy is in the BLUE area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The BLUE areas are where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

The installation of telecommunications infrastructure and delivery of services via same is undertaken by private companies operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market. I have no statutory authority to direct commercial operators in this regard, and cannot intervene in such day to day operations.

That notwithstanding my Department monitors the actual deployment of broadband infrastructure by commercial operators across the country and will continue to do so. Should commercial operators’ plans for premises in BLUE areas not materialise it may become necessary for my Department to intervene.

The NBP High Speed Broadband Map is dynamic. This means that either during the procurement, or following award of an NBP contract, the intervention area can be updated to reflect new commercial plans, or previous plans that have failed to materialise. This flexibility allows for an increase or decrease in the number of premises included in the State Intervention area.

Energy Schemes

Questions (1260)

John Curran

Question:

1260. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the additional supports provided for older persons applying for energy saving grants in view of the fact that most of the information and application forms are all online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a range of energy efficiency grant schemes on behalf of my Department. Information in relation to these schemes is available from the SEAI operated customer services centre as well as from their website. The customer services centre is contactable at the Freephone number 1800 250204. People of all ages can contact the SEAI at this number in order to seek guidance and assistance on the energy efficiency grants available as well as to request that an application form be sent to them by post. Information is also available from Citizens Information offices which are located throughout the country.

Energy suppliers can also help homeowners to avail of SEAI grants and can provide support themselves towards installation of energy efficiency measures. Homeowners can contact their energy supplier directly to enquire about this support.

Energy Schemes

Questions (1261)

John Curran

Question:

1261. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that those eligible for the free energy efficiency improvements scheme are being reached and are benefitting from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19811/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) administers a number of residential energy efficiency schemes on behalf of my Department that are designed to support low income households. Two of these schemes are available free of charge to eligible applicants.

- The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households who meet the defined eligibility criteria and who are vulnerable to energy poverty. To date over 140,000 homes have received energy efficiency upgrades free of charge under the scheme, with over 28,000 applications received during the last 3 years.

- The Warmth and Wellbeing Scheme was launched in 2016 as a pilot initiative under the Government’s Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty and the Healthy Ireland Framework. The aim of the scheme, a joint policy initiative between my Department and the Department of Health, is to demonstrate the effects that making homes warmer and more energy efficient can have on the occupants’ health and wellbeing. Over 1,000 homes at risk of energy poverty have been upgraded to date under the scheme.

The following schemes are also open to low income households, and offer a very high level of grant support on the cost of a whole house upgrade.

- The Deep Retrofit Pilot Scheme which was launched in 2017 also offers grant support of up to 95% to homeowners in energy poverty. To date, a total of 214 homes have been upgraded under this scheme, including 82 homes at risk of energy poverty.

- The Better Energy Communities Scheme funds community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area – homes, including those at risk of energy poverty, community facilities and businesses. Funding of 80% is available to privately owned homes in energy poverty. In 2018, 809 homes at risk of energy poverty received upgrades under this Scheme. This represents approximately, 75% of all homes upgraded under this Scheme.

The sustained level of interest and delivery seen in recent years is a strong indicator that eligible households are being reached and benefitting from the schemes.

Question No. 1262 answered with Question No. 1241.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (1263)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of broadband in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20082/19]

View answer

Written answers

The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP.

This intervention is the subject of the procurement process to engage a company to build, operate and maintain the NBP State intervention network. Following rigorous evaluation by my Department, I recently brought a recommendation to Government to confer Preferred Bidder status on Granahan McCourt, the remaining bidder in the NBP procurement process and Government has agreed to this.

The Government decision means that it is intended to award the State Intervention contract to the Bidder. This award is subject to contract close, including finalisation of financial and legal documents. Deployment of the NBP State Intervention network will commence immediately after contract signature.

In the first year of this roll out, the Bidder will deploy approximately 300 Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) across all counties. It is anticipated that between 7 and 23 BCPs will be deployed in each county. BCPs will provide a community based high speed broadband service, enhancing online participation and allowing for the establishment of digital work hubs in these locations. A deployment plan will be made available by the bidder once the contract is signed. The Bidder is aiming to pass 133,000 premises by end of the second year of the overall deployment, with 70-100,000 passed each year thereafter until roll out is completed.

The Deputy makes reference to the premises' proximity to a commercial deployment of high speed broadband. This deployment is part of eir's commercial roll out of high speed broadband to 300,000 predominantly rural premises, in line with a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

eir’s rural investment in high speed broadband is an entirely commercial undertaking, and not part of the planned State Intervention network. Although the deployment is monitored under the terms of the Commitment Agreement, it is not funded by the State and it is not planned, designed or directed by my Department in any capacity.

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Questions (1264)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1264. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the road passenger service routes that are operated under the LocalLink funded scheme for which the operator receives a direct payment from his Department for the carriage of passengers under the free travel scheme; and the reason such payments are made for services already fully funded by the National Transport Authority. [18505/19]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for 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, which now operates under the LocalLink brand.

Noting this I have forward the Deputy's Questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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

Ferry Services

Questions (1265)

Clare Daly

Question:

1265. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 570 of 28 September 2005, if he will furnish a copy of this study; and the cost of same. [19429/19]

View answer

Written answers

In 2002 the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources commissioned a study on the feasibility of a ferry service linking Achill Island with the Erris Peninsula. The study cost €46,355. A copy of the study is attached.

Achill-Erris Ferry Study

Roads Maintenance

Questions (1266)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

1266. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if guidelines have been provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the use of weed killer on national roads; and the policy in this regard. [18406/19]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, operation and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

In relation to the use of weed killer on national roads, I can refer you to the TII document: 'Guidelines on The Management of Noxious Weeds and Non-Native Invasive Plant Species on National Roads' for information.

For a more detailed reply, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply to you. 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

Driver Test

Questions (1267)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1267. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver retest for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18424/19]

View answer

Written answers

The driving test service is run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and my Department has no input into the scheduling of appointments.

The Authority provides a facility where driving test cancellations are made available to applicants who may need an urgent appointment. The applicant should contact the Authority directly and request that they be placed on the cancellation list. In order to be fair to all applicants, cancellation places will be assigned in order of the date of placement on the list. If an applicant requires a driving test urgently for employment or emigration purposes, the Authority will make every effort to accommodate them.

Olympic Games Ticketing Arrangements

Questions (1268)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costs incurred regarding the 2016 Olympic ticketing issue to date in 2019, by year; the breakdown of costs; if a person (details supplied) is in receipt of payment or financial support and-or other supports to date from Sport Ireland and-or an organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18437/19]

View answer

Written answers

The total cost of the Moran Inquiry into the receipt, distribution and sale of tickets and ancillary matters relating to the Rio Olympic Games amounted to €312,765. A breakdown of these costs, incurred during 2016 and 2017, is set out in the following Table:

2016

2017

TOTAL

Legal Fees

€ 249,719

€ 249,719

Forensic Accountancy

€ 40,744

€ 40,744

Stenography

€ 61

€ 12,394

€ 12,455

Other incidental expenses

€ 8,767

€ 1,080

€ 9,847

Total

€8,828

€303,937

€312,765

I wish to confirm that the person whose details have been supplied by the Deputy is not, and has not been, in receipt of any payment or financial support or other supports from either my Department or Sport Ireland. I also wish to confirm that the funding being provided to the Olympic Federation of Ireland by Sport Ireland is for clearly defined purposes and expressly precludes the use of any such State funding for expenses or payments connected to legacy issues around the former Olympic Council of Ireland.

Motor Tax

Questions (1269)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1269. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow for a refund of motor tax to include all full months remaining in cases in which a vehicle is taken off the road, as is the case in the United Kingdom (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18506/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 385 of 1992) provide for the making of refunds of motor tax in certain limited circumstances. However, the Regulations also provide that the vehicle licence (motor tax disc) must be surrendered to the motor tax office not less than three months before the expiry of the licence. The Regulations further provide that refunds are not made where the annual rate of duty applicable to a vehicle does not exceed €119.

I have no plans currently to amend the Regulations to align the system with that in place in the United Kingdom.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (1270)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1270. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in the payment of the sports capital grant for a club (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

Given the substantial investments made under the programme, it is a requirement where grants or cumulative grants reach a certain threshold that the State's investment is protected by way of placing a first legal charge which is registered on the title of the grantee’s property. This provides the Department with a guarantee that grant aided facilities will continue to be used for sporting purposes. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) acts on behalf of the Department in relation to the legal formalities required to put in place such a charge.

Prior to my Department issuing formal approval to the club referred to by the Deputy, we require confirmation from the CSSO that the legal formalities are complete. I understand engagement is ongoing between the CSSO and the club’s solicitors in this regard. Once confirmation is received that all matters have been finalised, there will be no undue delay from my Department's perspective in progressing the drawdown of the grant.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (1271)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1271. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grant allocation to each local authority in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date 2019 for each of the three main grant categories - restoration improvement, discretionary grant and restoration maintenance - for regional and local roads; the amount expended in each year to date; and the amount paid out to date out as a percentage of the amount allocated to each local authority in each year in tabular form. [18523/19]

View answer

Written answers

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

The table below shows the amount drawn-down to date in 2019 for each of the 3 grant programmes mentioned by the Deputy.

Local Authority

RI Grant Allocation

Paid to Date

% Drawn-down

RM Grant Allocation

Paid to Date

% Drawn-down

DG Grant Allocation

Paid to Date

% Drawn-down

Carlow County Council

2,760,000

317,161

11.49%

506,000

0

0.00%

1,029,500

150,552

14.62%

Cavan County Council

6,661,000

753,587

11.31%

1,221,000

0

0.00%

2,323,000

578,452

24.90%

Clare County Council

9,418,500

0

0.00%

1,726,500

0

0.00%

3,613,500

0

0.00%

Cork City Council

4,319,500

0

0.00%

0

0

0

2,361,500

324,235

13.73%

Cork County Council

26,354,000

0

0.00%

4,831,500

0

0.00%

10,061,500

0

0.00%

Donegal County Council

14,163,500

20,941

0.15%

2,596,500

0

0.00%

5,111,000

2,123,333

41.54%

Galway City Council

1,296,500

142,300

10.98%

0

0

0

834,500

737

0.09%

Galway County Council

14,497,500

21,560

0.15%

2,568,000

25,357

0.95%

5,607,500

1,188,899

21.20%

Kerry County Council

10,031,000

20,356

0.20%

1,839,000

0

0.00%

3,993,500

882,210

22.09%

Kildare County Council

7,129,500

4,127

0.06%

1,307,000

16,973

1.30%

2,483,500

351,731

14.16%

Kilkenny County Council

6,948,000

143,026

2.06%

1,274,000

12,807

1.01%

2,637,000

575,707

21.83%

Laois County Council

4,786,500

35,266

0.74%

877,500

1,428

0.16%

1,694,500

437,755

25.83%

Leitrim County Council

4,867,500

0

0.00%

892,500

0

0.00%

1,802,000

689,455

38.26%

Limerick City and County Council

8,991,000

0

0.00%

1,454,000

0

0.00%

3,497,000

0

0.00%

Longford County Council

3,518,000

0

0.00%

645,000

0

0.00%

1,310,000

413,097

31.53%

Louth County Council

3,827,500

0

0.00%

701,500

0

0.00%

1,322,000

1,150,921

87.06%

Mayo County Council

14,078,000

182,492

1.30%

2,581,000

20,307

0.79%

5,435,500

2,380,472

43.79%

Meath County Council

9,478,000

0

0.00%

1,737,500

0

0.00%

3,584,000

237,333

6.62%

Monaghan County Council

5,606,500

455,814

8.13%

1,028,000

0

0.00%

2,075,500

514,212

24.78%

Offaly County Council

4,750,500

0

0.00%

871,000

0

0.00%

1,775,000

191,412

10.78%

Roscommon County Council

8,625,500

0

0.00%

1,581,500

0

0.00%

3,251,000

0

0.00%

Sligo County Council

5,804,000

365,641

6.30%

1,064,000

2,357

0.22%

2,185,000

651,620

29.82%

Tipperary County Council

12,436,000

422,489

3.40%

2,280,000

0

0.00%

4,621,500

1,242,366

26.88%

Waterford City and County Council

7,118,000

262,809

3.69%

1,109,000

0

0.00%

2,997,500

681,783

22.75%

Westmeath County Council

4,946,500

119,899

2.42%

907,000

16,295

1.80%

1,823,500

343,233

18.82%

Wexford County Council

7,695,000

226,254

2.94%

1,410,500

5,621

0.40%

2,998,000

1,816,280

60.58%

Wicklow County Council

4,892,500

0

0.00%

897,000

0

0.00%

1,736,000

0

0.00%

Roads Maintenance Funding

Questions (1272)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1272. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if separate funding is provided for footpath refurbishment and construction in view of insufficient roads maintenance funds available to carry out such works on district roads. [18524/19]

View answer

Written answers

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including footways and footpaths) in its area, is a statutory responsibility of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

In February this year, I announced the €483.3m investment programme for regional and local roads in 2018, which is an increase of about 16% on the 2018 allocation. From this investment, funding for the Discretionary Grant (DG) programme has increased significantly in 2019 to €82.1 million. Councils have discretion to use DG grants for a range of eligible works which includes footways. It is, therefore, open to local authorities to fund these types of works from their DG allocation. It is also the case that, where appropriate, grants provided under certain other grant headings may make some provision for footways. A Council can also provide funding for footways from its own resources should it so wish. In this context Exchequer grant funding is intended to supplement expenditure by Councils on the road network.

My Department allocates funding at local authority level and allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for the Council.

Rail Passengers Data

Questions (1273)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

1273. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of rail passengers using the train at locations (details supplied) in County Kildare in each of the years 2012 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18608/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

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

Irish Aviation Authority

Questions (1274)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

1274. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to have a bilateral meeting with the CEO and chairperson of the Irish Aviation Authority. [18610/19]

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Written answers

I am not currently scheduled to meet with either the Chairman or the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Irish Aviation Authority.

I last met with the Chairman in September 2018, and I have exchanged correspondence in the period since on matters relating to Ministerial and shareholder expectations of Company performance, in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. My Department engages regularly with IAA management to ensure compliance with these policy and financial parameters.

I can also inform the Deputy that a statement was made on my behalf at the Company's recent AGM. In this statement, which was addressed to the Chairman and the Board, I commented on the Company’s accounts and annual report for the past year - which reflected its strong financial and regulatory performance - and I also restated my broad expectations for the Board and the Company over the year ahead.

Road Safety

Questions (1275)

John Brassil

Question:

1275. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is compulsory for cyclists and walkers using rural roads to wear high-visibility safety gear; if not, if he will consider a change in the legislation for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18652/19]

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Written answers

The use of high visibility clothing by vulnerable road users it is not required by law as my Department does not consider the introduction of such a law to be a workable approach.

To create a statutory obligation on the wearing of reflective clothing would entail making it a criminal offence under Road Traffic legislation for any person guilty of not wearing high visibility clothing. A person in breach of such a provision would fall to be issued with a fixed charge notice or summonsed to court, depending on what procedure would be put in place for the processing of such offences.

I believe that the wearing of such clothing is best pursued by way of educational and publicity campaigns run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) rather than by pursuing a punitive approach to the issue.

Indeed, the RSA, which has responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness, advertising and the dissemination of road safety information, has already undertaken a number of campaigns to promote awareness among pedestrians and cyclists of the need for visibility on our roads.

Almost four million high visibility vests, armbands, rucksack covers and other such items have been distributed by the RSA, an Garda Síochána, Road Safety Officers, Age Action and the Vintners Federation over the past four years. A number of measures have also been included in the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020 aimed at increasing the wearing of high visibility clothing among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The Rules of the Road also include a strong recommendation supporting the wearing of light, and preferably high-visibility, clothing.

I have no plans to introduce legislation on this matter.

Driver Test

Questions (1276)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1276. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18656/19]

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Written answers

The driving test service is run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and my Department has no input into the scheduling of appointments.

The current wait time at the Carlow test centre is 7 weeks. This is lower than the Authority's target for a national average waiting time of no longer than 10 weeks.

The Authority provides a facility where driving test cancellations are made available to applicants who may need an urgent appointment. The applicant should contact the Authority directly and request that they be placed on the cancellation list. In order to be fair to all applicants, cancellation places will be assigned in order of the date of placement on the list. If an applicant requires a driving test urgently for employment or emigration purposes, the Authority will make every effort to accommodate them.

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