Written Answers Nos. 1586-1610
1586. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the failure rate at driver testing centres (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/19]
View answerThe information the deputy has requested is available on the Road Safety Authority website at https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Driving-Test-Centre/Pass-Rates/
1587. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of complaints his Department received under the customer service charter in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; if his attention has been drawn to issues and or problems in having complaints registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35651/19]
View answerPlease see table below in this regard:
|
Year |
Number of complaints |
|
2017 |
33 |
|
2018 |
32 |
|
2019 |
9 |
|
Total |
74 |
My Department aims to deliver the best possible service to all customers. Complaints, which are defined as dissatisfaction concerning the provision of a service or services by the Department, can be made in person, by telephone, in writing or by email. There is a Code for Dealing with Complaints in our Customer Service Action Plan, which is available at the following address: https://assets.gov.ie/12183/7e7932a0bed74887a945398e05404967.pdf
Areas that are excluded from the complaints procedure are:
- Complaints related to agencies under the remit of the Department;
- Complaints relating to another Department, Minister or agency under the remit of another Department;
- Appeals against decisions taken in the operation of the Sports Capital Programme or Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme;
- Complaints referring to Section 38 of the Disability Act. ;
- Matters which are the subject of litigation;
- Matters referred to the Ombudsman; and
- Freedom of Information (FOI) or Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) requests or appeals which have separate processes.
My Department is fully committed to delivering the highest quality of service and equality of treatment to all it's customers and it's Customer Service Charter 2017-2019 is informed by the 12 Guiding Principles of Quality Customer Service (QCS) which can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/89dbad-guiding-principles-of-quality-customer-service/
1588. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he is taking on road safety and drink driving following reports on 18 and 19 August 2019 of low conviction rates in some parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35676/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department introduced stricter penalties for drink driving offences as part of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018. As of the 26 October 2018 any driver caught over the limit, including those in so-called 'lower' bracket of 51-80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, faces automatic disqualification.
My Department takes the scourge of drink driving extremely seriously and has consistently withstood pressures from various quarters to relax either the limits or the penalties in any way. The circumstances surrounding variations in conviction rates across the country, however, are matters for enforcement and prosecuting authorities and, ultimately, the Courts Service and the judiciary.
1589. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the transport options in place to facilitate free travel pass-holding students to travel from Navan to Maynooth to attend university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35682/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operator(s) 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 reply within ten working days.
1590. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the chemical make-up of firefighting foams used by airport fire services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35695/19]
View answerAs mandated under EU Regulation 139/2014 and in line with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Airport Services Manual, Part 1 – Rescue and Fire fighting Services, certificated and licensed aerodrome operators in the State utilise fire fighting foams in accordance with the defined European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and ICAO performance levels. In accordance with the aerodrome licensing requirements under both European and national legislation, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible to ensure that aerodrome operators demonstrate that the fire fighting foams utilised are in accordance with the defined International performance levels.
It is a matter for the aerodrome operator to determine what foam type will be utilised to achieve the appropriate rescue and fire fighting response in accordance with the performance level and to manage any issues related to the chemical constituents of a particular foam type. I understand that the chemical constituents will vary dependent on the foam type. There are several types of foam concentrate from which effective fire fighting foams can be produced and these are as follows:
- Protein foam;
- Aqueous film forming foam;
- Fluroprotein foam;
- Film forming fluoroprotein foam; and
- Synthetic foam.
In order to be helpful, my Department has requested from Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports the details of the foams types used and this information will be forwarded to the Deputy directly when it is received.
1591. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand the public bike scheme in Cork in 2019; and the meetings he has held with officials from Cork City Council or the National Transport Authority on the matter. [35697/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to active travel and public transport infrastructure. The administration and expansion of the public bike schemes is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which works closely with the relevant local authorities in that regard.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1592. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the development of a velodrome at Abbotstown sports campus; if a design has been completed for the velodrome; if the construction has gone out to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35712/19]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.
Under the National Development Plan 2018-2027, €16m has been committed to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposed facility will comprise a 250-metre cycling track, 12-16 Badminton Courts in the in-track area, spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space.
Preparatory work on the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre is underway. In July 2019, Sport Ireland appointed project managers and a design team to carry out a detailed review of the project. Initial work will focus on a review of the existing planning permission, granted in 2015, to assess suitability and fitness for present and future purposes. Thereafter, the design will be updated and a tender package will be compiled with a formal tender expected to take place in early 2020 with commencement of construction expected in Q3/Q4 2020.
1593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when work will commence on a section of the north Kerry greenway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35721/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is probably aware, funding was awarded to Kerry County Council for a Greenway between Listowel and the Limerick County Border, as part of the Great Southern Greenway. No work has been started to date on this section of Greenway as funding has only been recently awarded.
I am informed by Kerry County Council that they have carried out vegetative clearance on the majority of the line in early 2018 to allow for surveys and design work to be completed. A small area around Kilmorna was not cleared at this time for logistical reasons.
Kerry County Council are currently preparing the preconstruction documentation associated with a project of this nature including construction methodology, safety statements, the procurement of the works in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services and also the project programme. Once these preliminary documents are complete Kerry County Council will be in a position to provide an accurate date as to when construction will commence. It is envisaged however that work will commence in 2019.
1594. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the duration and location in instances in which lifts at DART and commuter train stations were out of order since 1 January 2018 to 22 August 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35742/19]
View answerThe 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.
1595. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a security company will be contracted for an event (details supplied); if the cost of such security will be covered by public funding; and the entity which will be tasked with awarding the security contract for the event. [35759/19]
View answerIn regard to the event in question, in addition to licence fees and other investment, the State will support the event through the provision of local authority and public services such as policing and transport as well as supporting the staging of fan zones and promotional events such as the opening ceremony. There will also be a programme of marketing to maximise the impact of the event for Ireland in terms of profile, attendance and long term legacy.
Officials in my Department will be working closely with the event organisers in the planning and organisation of the event. However, as we are currently seven years out from the event, organisational details such as that sought by the Deputy have yet to be planned or agreed.
1596. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the final report into an aircraft accident (details supplied) will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35763/19]
View answerOn information provided by the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents of the Air Accident Investigation Unit, I can inform the Deputy that a draft final report into the tragic accident of Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter R116 is close to conclusion. As per natural justice obligations, a period of up to 60 days is provided to interested state parties following which the Investigation must consider any comments received. The number of comments received will determine timelines associated with the finalisation of the Final Report. As such it is not possible, at this time, to provide the Deputy with a definitive date for the publication of the Final Report.
1597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding prosecutions and checks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35778/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1598. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the withdrawal of a service (details supplied) under Local Link in view of his commitment given on 15 May 2019. [35863/19]
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.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, 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.
1599. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Road Safety Authority roadside safety inspections of school buses carried out from July 2018 to July 2019; the failure rate of the inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35866/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1600. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a grant application by a club (details supplied); if the application will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35996/19]
View answerThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced to these organisations in May.
Work is now underway in assessing the remaining applications for capital works, including an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
For the first time, applicants who submitted incorrect documentation under this round are being given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have all applications assessed with allocations announced shortly after that.
As soon as allocations have been made, my Department will carry out a review of all aspects of the 2018 round of the programme to include any possible improvements for the future. This review will include consideration of the timing and scale of the next round but I fully expect that the SCP will again be open for new applications before the end of this year.
1601. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if interim targets have been set for adult and children’s active and social participation in sport and for the reduction in the relevant gradients as set by the National Sports Policy 2018-2027. [36000/19]
View answerA number of indicative key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets have already been set for adults in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027. These have not yet been set for children and young people. As indicated in the policy, these will be set following publication later this month of the 2018 Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) Study.
A comprehensive and final set of KPIs and targets covering all elements of the policy will be considered by the Sports Leadership Group in the context of the development, by the end of this year, of an Action Plan for the period to end 2022.
1602. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a matter regarding the payment of €4 for the use of transport will be addressed (details supplied); the reason service users and persons with disabilities have to pay the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36058/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
As the Deputy will be aware, 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, 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.
1603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a grant application by a club (details supplied); if the application will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36066/19]
View answerThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced to these organisations in May.
Work is now underway in assessing the remaining applications for capital works, including an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
For the first time, applicants who submitted incorrect documentation under this round are being given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have all applications assessed with allocations announced shortly after that.
As soon as allocations have been made, my Department will carry out a review of all aspects of the 2018 round of the programme to include any possible improvements for the future. This review will include consideration of the timing and scale of the next round but I fully expect that the SCP will again be open for new applications before the end of this year.
1604. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cars (details supplied) that failed the NCT on the basis of a throttle control fault alone to date in 2019; the number of these cars that subsequently underwent a retest and passed when the test was carried out at a higher rev in 2019, in view of the advice of the manufacturer; the date on which his attention and that of the NCT service was first drawn to the issue; the policy of the NCT service in relation to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36073/19]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1605. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a feasibility study will be considered on the extension on the MetroLink project to Templeogue, Knocklyon, Firhouse and Ballycullen in view of traffic congestion in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36108/19]
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 in the Greater Dublin Area.
In 2016 the NTA published its statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035 which sets out an ambitious programme of infrastructure improvements across active travel, bus, heavy rail, light rail and metro and implementation of the Strategy is underway supported by the significantly enhanced funding made available by Project Ireland 2040. There is a statutory requirement to review the Strategy every six years and I understand the NTA will commence that review next year.
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.
1606. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a grant application by a school (details supplied); if the application will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/19]
View answerThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced to these organisations in May.
Work is now underway in assessing the remaining applications for capital works, including an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
For the first time, applicants who submitted incorrect documentation under this round are being given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have all applications assessed with allocations announced shortly after that.
As soon as allocations have been made, my Department will carry out a review of all aspects of the 2018 round of the programme to include any possible improvements for the future. This review will include consideration of the timing and scale of the next round but I fully expect that the SCP will again be open for new applications before the end of this year.
1607. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when successful applicants that applied for the latest tranche of sports capital funding will be notified regarding their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36110/19]
View answerThe 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced to these organisations in May.
Work is now underway in assessing the remaining applications for capital works.
For the first time, applicants who submitted incorrect documentation under this round are being given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have all applications assessed with allocations announced shortly after that.
As soon as allocations have been made, my Department will carry out a review of all aspects of the 2018 round of the programme to include any possible improvements for the future. This review will include consideration of the timing and scale of the next round but I fully expect that the SCP will again be open for new applications before the end of this year.
1608. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of unpaid internships issued and or granted to persons to work in his Department over the past five years to 28 August 2019; the number of persons that took up unpaid internship roles in that timeframe; if his Department continues to offer unpaid internships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36155/19]
View answerMy Department facilitates students in granting both paid and unpaid internships where possible. Last year my Department entered into an arrangement with DCU to facilitate 2 paid internships. This arrangement was undertaken as the course of study being followed by the internship participants was directly relevant and related to the work of the Department. The process also helped to foster links between the Department and academic teaching and research community with DCU. Such links help to foster collaboration in policy formation and provide a range of valuable external viewpoints.
Students and recent graduates also approach my Department on an individual basis seeking internships. These internships form part of the student’s course requirement and are short term in nature. My Department aims to facilitate such requests where possible with unpaid internships.
Since 2014, 12 unpaid internships have been facilitated in my Department.
1609. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of the transport infrastructure programme in order to deliver the action of the Climate Action Plan 2019 to commence full implementation of the National Cycle Policy Framework in tabular form. [36161/19]
View answerI will shortly launch a review of sustainable mobility policy, commencing with a public consultation period. This review will look at all aspects of current policy in relation to active travel (walking and cycling) and public transport and preparations are now at an advanced stage with a view to launching in the coming weeks.
This review will allow all stakeholders to reflect on what has been achieved, what remains to be done and how our policy frameworks can support the realisation of a more sustainable transport system.
As part of the public consultation, I will be publishing a comprehensive suite of documents looking at the most important areas of sustainable mobility policy and seeking the views of all stakeholders.
Included among this suite of documents will be a high-level action-by-action status update of all 109 individual actions within the National Cycle Policy Framework. In addition, I will also publish a report of last year's initial Round Table Discussion with stakeholders, an Ex Post Evaluation of the Smarter Travel Areas programme 2012-2016 and a high-level assessment of the actions under Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future.
I look forward to the next phase of this work and engaging with the Deputy, the general public and all stakeholders as we look to shape the future direction of sustainable mobility policy.
1610. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if rectification works to be carried out at a location (details supplied) will be arranged as a matter of urgency. [36173/19]
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 maintenance and upgrading 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.
