Written Answers Nos. 2470-2494
2470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consultation he has had with the Minister for Finance regarding the urgent need to review the diesel rebate scheme for heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33948/19]
View answerThe Diesel Rebate Scheme is a matter for the Minister for Finance. The operation of the scheme is kept under review, as part of the annual Budget process each year.
2471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the penalty for non-compliance with cabotage compares with other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33949/19]
View answerThe enforcement of cabotage regulations and penalties for breaches of the regulations are matters for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This question has been forwarded to the RSA for their direct attention and reply.
2472. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the RSA is adequately resourced with required powers to deal with cabotage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/19]
View answerAs this is primarily a matter for the Road Safety Authority, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct response.
2473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the RSA will not issue digicards, as is permitted under legislation. [33951/19]
View answerWhile specific details have not been supplied in respect of this question, the issuing of digital tachograph driver cards is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This question has been forwarded to the RSA for their direct attention and reply.
2474. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to review the way in which the pedestrian crossing works with a view to replacing with a push button in the villages of Rathowen and Ballinalack on the N4 in view of the very heavy traffic volumes and the fact that pedestrians cannot cross the road because some motorists refuse to stop. [33953/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction and management and operation of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2475. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on LocalLink and the rural transport programme in 2018 and to date in 2019. [33954/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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 Local Link brand.
Noting this, I have forward 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.
2476. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on PSO in 2018 and to date 2019. [33955/19]
View answer2478. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on each of the CIÉ companies, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, in 2018 and to date in 2019. [33957/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2476 and 2478 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. The Exchequer allocates funding from the Department's Vote to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the purposes of both capital and current expenditure, to provide public transport services and infrastructure.
In Budget 2019, I secured €287m in Exchequer funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) service delivery in 2019. Since 2010, the PSO subvention is no longer paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the transport companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore 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.
2477. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend in 2018 and to date in 2019 on sports capital grants. [33956/19]
View answerDetails of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) since 1998 are available on the Department's website. All payments are also published on an annual basis on my Department's website athttp://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. The most recent full-year figures are for 2018 when total payments under the SCP amounted to €33,949,185.
SCP payments totalling approximately €17.8m have been processed by my Department to date in 2019.
2479. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on both road improvements and road maintenance on local and regional roads in 2018 and to date in 2019. [33958/19]
View answer2480. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on the specific improvement grant to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33959/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2479 and 2480 together.
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 for all previous years are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The tables included in the payment and allocation booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below, along with a table showing spend to the end of June 2019 in these grant categories:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS) : This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS): The programme facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme: The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
A pilot scheme has been implemented to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of Former National (FN) roads.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
Severe Weather: Arising from a commitment made regarding flood damage to RLR in Donegal in 2017, provision is being made to meet outstanding repair costs.
|
Grant Category |
2019 Spend to end June € |
|
Restoration Improvement |
34,289,605 |
|
Restoration Maintenance |
3,736,545 |
|
Supplementary RM |
346,743 |
|
Bridge Rehabilitation |
1,033,425 |
|
Safety Improvement Works |
396,697 |
|
Community Involvement Scheme |
1,639,893 |
|
Discretionary Grant |
38,289,506 |
|
Drainage Works |
2,623,842 |
|
Former National Roads |
3,226 |
|
Specific Improvement Grants |
1,685,817 |
|
Strategic RLR Grants |
13,677,642 |
|
Severe Weather |
574,596 |
2481. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on cycle lanes, walking infrastructure and greenways to date in 2019. [33960/19]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware I have secured significant improved funding allocations over the period 2018-2021 which will benefit and protect both cyclists and walkers.
These improved allocations over this period include:
- €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures;
- €750 million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible; and
- €53 million to support the development of new Greenways.
In addition to the above, Government has also made additional money available for cycling projects through both the Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds under the National Development Plan.
Further funding for leisure related walking and cycling infrastructure is available through the Department of Rural Community and Development-led Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Capital investment plans, such as those I have described that are now in place for supporting walking and cycling, are funded as part of a multi-annual capital funding programme. The timing of expenditure on these programmes is dependent on a number of variables and in-year monthly or quarterly expenditure must be viewed within that context. Each year the majority of funding related to my Department's walking and cycling programmes is drawn down toward the year end and overall reporting on programme expenditure is then made available through the Department's publicly available annual Appropriation Accounts and related reports to, and appearances before, the Oireachtas.
2482. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on improving disability access on public transport. [33961/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
Accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. However, work remains to be done in terms of the retro-fitting of older infrastructure to make it accessible for people with a disability, for example Victorian era railway infrastructure. To address infrastructural legacy issues, my Department funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade older infrastructure and facilities which is managed by the NTA.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
2483. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the spend on Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in 2018 and to date in 2019. [33962/19]
View answerThe breakdown of the total Exchequer provision for tourism services from my Department's vote is available in the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services, which is published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and available on that Department's website for the relevant years. The subheads of relevance to Tourism Ireland are E4 and E5 and Fáilte Ireland are E3, E6 and a portion of E5.
For further detail, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
2484. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan County Council in 2019 for the non-national road network in view of the urgent need to restore and upgrade large sections of the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33963/19]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
All available grant funding for 2019 has been allocated.
2485. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be provided to Monaghan County Council in 2019 for the non-national road network in view of the urgent need to restore and upgrade large sections of the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33964/19]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
All available grant funding for 2019 has been allocated.
2486. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress made on the N2/A5; if the delayed payment for the road has been since made in view of the fact payment was delayed since February 2019; the next steps for this critical link for the north west; the position regarding the Lifford to Letterkenny link road to the overall motorway access project for County Donegal and the north-west project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33969/19]
View answerThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. Under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million (sterling) towards the cost of Phase 1a of the A5 upgrade scheme. As part of the Capital Plan Review in 2017 financial provision was made for meeting the Government's commitment in 3 tranches over the period 2019 to 2021. When those allocations were put in place it was anticipated that the planning process would have concluded and construction of the 1st phase started before now.
However, legal challenges to the approval of the scheme have resulted in unavoidable delays to the timeframe for implementation of the scheme. Following judicial review proceedings last year the scheme approval was quashed.
Allowing for the time required by the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to review work previously undertaken on the scheme and implement necessary statutory procedures, it was evident, following liaison at official level, that the initial tranche of funding would not be drawn down this year and would need to be rolled forward. The funding commitment remains in place to be drawn down once the planning process in Northern Ireland is concluded. As was the case for previous Government contributions, it is envisaged that payments towards the cost of the A5 will be based on an agreed protocol and linked to the achievement of construction stage milestones.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply in relation to the National Road aspects of the Deputy's question. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2487. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated for new bus shelters in County Kildare during the remainder of 2019; the plans for 2020 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34011/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
2488. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average and the longest waiting time for a driver test once an appointment has been made at each test centre, in tabular form; the number of persons in each centre who are waiting for a test date; and the average and longest waiting time persons are waiting for test dates to be arranged. [34031/19]
View answerThe average and longest waiting times at each individual driving test centre across the country are available to read at http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times/ This information is updated by the Road Safety Authority on a weekly basis.
As the information requested in the second part of the Deputy's question is held by the Road Safety Authority, I have forwarded the question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
2489. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a contractor has been appointed for the next phase of the N56 between Frosses and Inver Bridge in County Donegal; the estimated cost of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34034/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2490. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the works completed on the N56 between Glenties and Dungloe, County Donegal to date; the additional works being proposed between Dungloe and Glenties on the N56 (details supplied); the additional phases of the road being designed at present for future improvement works beyond stages at construction or tender or going to tender in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34038/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2491. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve a public transport service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34059/19]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, 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.
2492. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve a public transport facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34060/19]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Bus 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.
2493. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of capital projects within the remit of his Department; the amount spent on each project to date; and the anticipated completion date. [34210/19]
View answerThe capital allocation for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2019 to 2022 can be found in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027.
https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/07e507-national-development-plan-2018-2027/
As part of the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027 a document called the "Capital Tracker" is maintained by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which lists a range of projects and programmes to be delivered by all Departments over the period of the plan. This is published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6db7c4-investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/
2494. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the situation in which there is only one intersection entrance and access to Rathcoole village from the N7 and the resultant traffic congestion; if the possibility of a second N7 intersection junction to improve this situation will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34225/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
