Thursday, 17 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 247-271

Basic Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (247)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

247. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42818/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted his 2017  Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application on 2 May 2017 in which he declared the lands he was farming.  He was subsequently notified on 4 December 2017 that land included on his 2017 BPS application was identified as ineligible for the purpose of a BPS payment which resulted in the creation of an over-claim on his 2017 BPS application.  The person named was notified that he would not be paid BPS on this land (deemed to be over claimed) and that an administrative penalty of over 10% would also be applied to his 2017 BPS payment.   

The person named submitted correspondence to my Department in December 2017 outlining the position  with regard to the land concerned and, in March 2018, he also submitted an affidavit in support of his declarations.  Following a review of the information submitted, the decision was that a BPS payment would not be made on the ineligible land. However, the 10% administrative penalty was waived.  The person named was notified of this decision on 11 April 2018 and he was also given the opportunity to appeal, within 3 months, the decision  to the independent Agriculture Appeal Office.   

The Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department. Regulation 5 (2) of the Agriculture Appeals Regulations, 2002, (S.I. No. 193 of 2002), requires an appeal to be made within 3 months from the date of the notification of the Department decision. The deadline for submission of the appeal in this case was 11 July 2018. I am advised that an appeal was submitted to the Agriculture Appeals Office on 12 November 2018, 4 months after the deadline. The person named was advised in a letter dated 12 November 2018 that was issued by the Agriculture Appeals Office that the appeal was received outside the 3-month timeframe.

In accordance with Regulation 5 (3) of the Agriculture Appeals Regulations, 2002, which provides for an appeal to be submitted late where the Director considers that there are exceptional circumstances, the person named was also informed that if there were exceptional circumstances why the appeal was not lodged by the deadline, it was open to him to write to the Director of Agriculture Appeals by 26 November 2018 outlining any such circumstances and to enclose any relevant documentation. The person named was also provided with the option of contacting the Office of the Ombudsman.

On 2 April 2019, an e-mail was submitted by the agricultural agent of the person named to my Department’s BPS division requesting a further review. This appeal and supporting documentation were forwarded to the Agriculture Appeals Office on the 2 April 2019.  Following an examination of the documentation submitted, the person named was advised that the Director of Agriculture Appeals had determined that the late appeal could not be accepted. I am advised that a further submission was received by the Agriculture Appeals Office from the person named and enclosing further documentation.  That documentation is currently being examined.

Beef Industry

Questions (248)

Brendan Smith

Question:

248. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the agencies and organisations represented at the recent beef task force meeting; the issues discussed; the outcome of such discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42828/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy will be aware, the Beef Taskforce scheduled for Monday October 14 was suspended following altercations outside Agriculture House where members of the Taskforce were prevented from attending the meeting. 

The Taskforce’s remit is to monitor the implementation of the actions arising from the agreement reached on 15 September and offers the most viable platform for strategic engagement with key stakeholders.  It is in the interests of everyone involved in the beef industry that the work of the Taskforce goes ahead and I regret that farm representatives were not in a position to air the legitimate concerns of farmers at the Taskforce meeting. 

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (249)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

249. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time and part-time staff, respectively, working in the dedicated market access unit established within the meat and milk policy division by staff grade in tabular form; and the annual cost of the unit including staffing costs. [42847/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The principle of market development is already a core component of Food Wise 2025 but is particularly important now in the context of Brexit. Further increasing export opportunities and outlets for the Irish food and drinks sector remains as one of my main priorities. 

My Department's market access effort includes work at political, diplomatic and technical levels. The work of staff across the Department impacts on market access and development. This includes veterinary services, laboratory staff, inspectorate staff, Brexit/International Trade Division, Meat and Milk Policy Division and others, in completing market access questionnaires from non-EU countries, facilitating incoming inspection visits, participating in diplomatic meetings, agreeing export health certificates and so on.  All this closely inter-connected work with a variety of stakeholders, facilitates the process of accessing of new markets and maintaining existing markets. 

In relation to meat, this effort is co-ordinated by a dedicated meat market access unit in the Meat and Milk Policy Division of my Department.  The unit’s staffing complement currently comprises a team of six people, across different administrative grades, led by an Assistant Principal Officer. Staffing details, including salary scales, are shown in tabular form as follows.

Grade	Number involved	Salary Scale
Assistant Principal Officer	1	€65,356 - €79,681
Higher Executive Officer	1	€46,517 - €56,556
Administrative Officer	1	€32,405 - €61,545
Executive Officer	2	€30,127 - €50,834
Clerical Officer	1	€23,984 - €39,796

The meat market access unit works to forge agreements on opening and expanding access for Irish beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultrymeat and cooked meats across a range of new and existing markets. It is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets in which Ireland has already gained access. The work of the unit supports a meat industry with exports worth around €3.9 billion in 2018.  My Department has made significant progress in recent years in increasing market access opportunities for Irish meat exports. In 2019, these included opening the Ukrainian beef and pork markets, expanding beef access to Japan and opening the Japanese sheep market.

Equine Industry

Questions (250)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual capital funding provided to an organisation (details supplied); and his plans to provide capital funding in 2020. [42849/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department does not currently provide capital funding directly to the Irish Equine Centre (IEC), but I am aware that they have received some capital funding in recent years through Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), for IT and forensic equipment. 

I have received submissions, both from HRI and the IEC itself, for state funding for a redevelopment of the Equine Centre's facilities.  This proposed redevelopment would expand and improve the current campus, and address serious concerns over the original building. 

I support the redevelopment of the IEC which will allow their laboratories to continue their valuable support work to the equine industry, and I will be discussing proposals with my cabinet colleagues in the near future.

Animal Welfare Bodies

Questions (251)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

251. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount granted to animal welfare charities in each year since the enactment of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 in tabular form; and the charities in receipt of such funding on an annual basis. [42850/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has provided funding to organisations involved in protecting animal welfare since 1995, on an ex gratia basis, in order to enable these organisations provide a valuable service in the area of animal welfare.  The table at the link provides details of funding provided from 2014 - 2018.

An advertisement was placed in the national press on July 4th this year inviting applications for funding in 2019.  These are currently being processed and an announcement on funding is expected in December.   

Animal Welfare

Afforestation Programme

Questions (252)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

252. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget 2020 allocations to the continuous cover forestry scheme, the neighbourwood scheme and the woodland environmental fund. [42858/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The current Afforestation Scheme provides a range of grants that cover the full cost of establishment of the plantation and payment of annual premiums to both incentivise planting and to compensate for the loss of agricultural activity on the land that is planted.  The Afforestation Scheme is voluntary and demand-led.  Financial support for the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme is 100% Exchequer funded under EU State Aid rules. 

Forestry Support Schemes include funding for, inter alia, Woodland Improvement Scheme – Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) and the NeighbourWood Scheme along with supports for forest roads, the Forest Service Inspectorate and promotion. 

Native woodlands are an important part of Ireland’s natural heritage, history and culture, and are unique in terms of their biodiversity.  The objective of the Woodland Environmental Fund (WEF) is to facilitate the planting of more native woodlands within Ireland because of their proven environmental benefits. In doing so, the fund offers an opportunity for businesses to partner with Government and private landowners in creating these diverse woodland habitats.  

WEF funding comprises a once off single top up of €1,000/hectare by the partnered business, following payment of the first grant and premium by the Department under its Native Woodland Establishment Scheme.  My Department also facilitates contact between foresters and their clients with the Natural Capital Facilitators (NCF).  The NCFs will then liaise with the businesses to find projects that best match the business's expectations.  As the top-up of €1,000/ha is paid for by the businesses involved, my Department's contribution is our payments under the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme under the main Afforestation Scheme, Grant and Premium Categories 9 and 10.

My colleague, Minister of State Doyle, launched the pilot Continuous Cover Forestry Scheme (CCF) earlier this year, to run until the end of the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020.  This is a scheme that I very much welcome and  has been very well received.  My Department planned to accept applications for 30 projects over the two years and I am glad to inform the Deputy that this target was reached well ahead of time.

The NeighbourWood Scheme is designed for Local Authorities working in partnership with local communities.  Applications can be submitted by Local Authorities on behalf of community groups or by community groups themselves working in conjunction with Local Authorities.  The scheme includes a planting component where funding is provided for establishing woodlands on greenfield sites. The scheme aims to provide a “close to home” woodland amenity for the local community to enjoy.

Funding for CCF and NeighbourWood is provided for in the total allocation for all forestry support schemes, which will be €9m in 2020.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (253)

Barry Cowen

Question:

253. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of capital projects that cost €100 million or more in the past five years; the cost of outside consultants for each of the projects costing €100 million or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42860/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has no capital projects costing €100 million or more in the past five years.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (254)

Barry Cowen

Question:

254. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of capital projects anticipated to commence in the next five years that cost €100 million or more; the expected cost of external consultants for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42876/19]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has no capital projects costing €100 million or more anticipated to commence in the next five years.

Electric Vehicle Grants

Questions (255)

Michael McGrath

Question:

255. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that orders placed for many electric cars now cannot be met until the first quarter of 2020 due to the fact the cars are not available (details supplied); if he will consider extending the deadline for the drawdown of the grant accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42662/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The electric vehicle purchase grant provides grant aid of up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle or new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. From the introduction of the scheme to the end of September 2019, grant support has been provided for the purchase of a total of 8,450 new vehicles to the value of almost €39 million. To date this year, over €17 million has been provided to support the purchase of 3,815 new electric vehicles.

Budget 2020 will see €36 million allocated next year for electric vehicles supports. Of this, €6 million will be provided to support charging infrastructure and €30 million allocated towards purchase grants. As the whole life costs of electric vehicles reduce, the targeting of Government grant support must be adjusted to reflect this. Accordingly, the grant of up to €3,800 for businesses purchasing a new electric car will be discontinued. Businesses can continue to apply for this grant until 22 October provided the vehicle is registered in 2019. However, I do not intend to extend this support beyond the end of this year.

Businesses purchasing electric vans can continue to avail of the grant. In addition, there is a generous benefit-in-kind tax relief available to support the purchase of battery electric vehicles by businesses. In Budget 2020, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform announced the Government's intention to extend this relief to 2022.

SEAI issues purchase grant approvals with a maximum four month period of validity. At the start of September SEAI notified dealers, who apply for grants on behalf of the purchaser, that applications would only be accepted for vehicles registered in 2019. All letters of offer issued from that point were valid until the end of 2019 only. Dealers were notified that applications would not open for vehicles to be registered in 2020 until October and no offer letters have been issued that are valid beyond the end of 2019. Purchase grant applications will open for vehicles to be registered in 2020 on 23 October.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (256)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

256. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a recent claim by a wireless broadband operator that almost half of the premises included in the national broadband plan can now be serviced by microwave or wireless broadband. [42684/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Government appointed National Broadband Ireland as the Preferred Bidder for the National Broadband Plan in May. This followed a tender process designed to ensure that every home and business throughout the country will have access to future-proofed high-speed broadband and will cater specifically to an estimated 1.1 million people, representing almost 25% of the population of rural Ireland who would not otherwise have access to such a service. Since then my officials have been performing the due diligence work needed before a contract can be concluded.

My Department recently consulted publicly to close the ongoing mapping exercise, seeking submissions from operators who wish to have their existing high-speed broadband networks, or who have developed plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the next 7 years, to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map. Over 180 submissions have been received from a variety of stakeholders, including 30 from large and small telecoms operators, with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public.

Operator submissions will be assessed against the Department’s published assessment criteria. Operators submitting planned investments were required to sign a declaration that they would enter into a Commitment Agreement with the Department if their plans satisfied the assessment criteria and were accepted by the Department as being concrete and credible.

The findings of the consultation will ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects commercial operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, in advance of a contract being signed later this year.

This will be an important element in concluding the State Aid approval process with the EU Commission.

National Broadband Plan Administration

Questions (257)

Barry Cowen

Question:

257. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the stage his Department is at in reviewing the 130 responses to the public consultation on the national broadband plan; if this process needs to be completed before the contract for the NBP is signed; when he expects the public consultation process to fully conclude; when he expects the contract to be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42854/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department recently consulted publicly to close the ongoing mapping exercise, seeking submissions from operators who wish to have their existing high-speed broadband networks, or who have developed plans to invest in high speed broadband networks over the next 7 years, to be included on the Department’s High Speed Broadband Map. In response to requests from a number of operators, the duration of that consultation was extended by more than 5 weeks. My Department received over 180 responses to the mapping consultation from a variety of stakeholders, including 30 from large and small telecoms operators, with the remainder from local authority broadband officers and members of the public.

Operator submissions will be assessed against the Department’s published assessment criteria. Operators submitting planned investments were required to sign a declaration that they would enter into a Commitment Agreement with my Department if their plans satisfied the assessment criteria and were accepted as being concrete and credible.

The findings of the consultation will ensure that the State Intervention Area is up to date and reflects commercial operators’ plans and the responses from householders and businesses, in advance of a contract being signed later this year.

This will be an important element in concluding the State Aid approval process with the EU Commission.

National Broadband Plan Data

Questions (258)

Barry Cowen

Question:

258. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of outside consultant contracts awarded under the national broadband plan in each year since commencement; the consultant which was ultimately awarded the contract; the final cost of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42856/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The overall NBP procurement process is supported by a specialist team including external expertise and advisors who were appointed by competitive tender processes since the launch of the NBP in 2012. These include a range of national and international experts with commercial, economic, environmental, financial, insurance, legal, procurement, state aid, tax and technical expertise and experience.

The following sets out in tabular form the number of advisor contracts awarded under the NBP and includes the total cost paid for each advisor, highlighting where advisor services are still ongoing.

NBP Advisor Contracts

Year Appointed (by competitive tender)	Name	Cost (including VAT)
2013	Prisa Consulting	€1,131,563.12
2014	Park Town Consulting	€6,089.25
2014	Vilicom	€26,502.01
2014	Mason Hayes & Curran (*)	€6,325,446.71
2014	Doyle Kent Planning Partnership Ltd	€7,995.00
2015	Analysys Mason (*)	€4,618,111.07
2015	Pricewaterhouse Coopers (*)	€2,411,020.69
2015	KPMG (*)	€8,866,428.59
2016	RPS Group Ltd	€130,887.99
2016	KPMG/Analysys Mason specialist advisor contract (*)	€3,885,578.50
2016	Deloitte (*)	€95,478.75
2016	Here & Now Business Intelligence	€29,520.00
2018	Marsh Ireland Ltd (*)	€33,825.00
Total		€27,568,446.68

*Services are still being provided under this contract

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (259, 260)

Barry Cowen

Question:

259. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of capital projects that cost €100 million or more in the past five years; the cost of outside consultants for each of the projects costing €100 million or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42863/19]

Barry Cowen

Question:

260. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of capital projects anticipated to commence in the next five years that cost €100 million or more; the expected cost of external consultants for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42879/19]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.

My Department does not have any capital projects that have cost €100 million or more in the past 5 years.

My Department has one capital project that is anticipated to commence in the next five years that is expected to cost over €100 million, the National Broadband Plan. The Department is commencing a procurement process for external advisors to support the post contract governance of the National Broadband Plan contract. The procurement process will determine the cost of the external consultants.

Airport Development Projects

Questions (261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

261. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the new runway at Dublin Airport will provide enough take off run available for wide body aircraft in the global civilian fleet operating on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. [42667/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

262. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the new runway at Dublin Airport will provide enough take off run available for wide body aircraft in the global civilian fleet operating on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes, operating at their maximum take-off weight, even in typical Irish weather of low atmospheric pressure and wet conditions, for example, a wet runway. [42668/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

263. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the displaced threshold on the new runway at Dublin Airport will interfere with the ability of all wide body aircraft currently in the global civilian fleet operating on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes to land, operating at their maximum landing weight, even in typical Irish weather of low atmospheric pressure and wet conditions, for example, a wet runway. [42669/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

264. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that all wide body aircraft currently in the global civilian fleet operating on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes will be able to return in an emergency shortly after take-off to the new runway 10L/28R at their maximum landing or take-off weight. [42670/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

265. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the landing distance available on the new runway at Dublin Airport (details supplied). [42671/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

266. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the landing distance available on the existing runway at Dublin Airport (details supplied). [42672/19]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

267. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the proposed reduction in rapid exits from four to two on the new runway 10L/28R will have an impact on the operational efficiency of the new airport. [42673/19]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 to 267, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the delivery of the North Runway project.

I am aware, however, that daa has liaised as appropriate with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) with regard to the relevant aspects of the design. Through engagement with IAA my Department understands that the daa North Runway Project is compliant with the Certification Specifications provided for in Commission Regulation (EU) No 139/2014 laying down requirements and administrative procedures related to aerodromes pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. 

I have forwarded your question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.

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

Road Network

Questions (268, 274)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

268. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider funding for the east-west link which is urgently needed in the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42679/19]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

274. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider funding for the extension of the M3 motorway to Cavan town and the east-west link which are urgently needed in the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42738/19]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 274 together.

Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities 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.  

My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design. 

This year I gave an allocation of €100,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to undertake a detailed appraisal, in line with the current requirements in the Public Spending Code and the Capital Appraisal Framework, of the Cavan to Dundalk section of the route.  The aim of the detailed appraisal would be to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of appraisal and advanced for further consideration in relation to schemes for development post 2021.  Preparation of the appraisal is the responsibility of the Council.

Regarding your reference to extending the M3 motorway to Cavan town, 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, construction 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 your question to TII for a direct reply.  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

Bus Services

Questions (269, 270)

James Browne

Question:

269. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the establishment of a bus shelter at a bus stop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42709/19]

James Browne

Question:

270. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the establishment of a bus shelter at a bus stop (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42710/19]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.

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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including provision of bus stops and bus shelters throughout the State. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

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

Driver Test Waiting Lists

Questions (271)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

271. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons to date on waiting lists for driver tests in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath; the length of time they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42711/19]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The average waiting times for driving tests at all centres around the country are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website www.rsa.ie. This information is updated weekly.

With regard to number of people on the waiting list at the centres listed by the Deputy, this information is held by the Road Safety Authority, and 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.

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