Skip to main content
Normal View

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 1020-1044

Community Involvement Scheme

Questions (1020)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1020. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the community involvement scheme funding will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3910/20]

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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for decision by the local authority.

Local authorities were notified of the Department's regional and local road allocations for 2020 including those for CIS on 21st January 2020. 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.

Bus Services

Questions (1021)

Gerald Nash

Question:

1021. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the installation of a bus shelter on the N1 northbound at Mosney, Julianstown, County Meath; when the bus shelter will be installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3918/20]

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 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 51

Bus Services

Questions (1022)

Gerald Nash

Question:

1022. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the revised improved schedule for the No. 189 bus service from Drogheda serving Termonfeckin and Clogherhead, County Louth; when the revised schedule will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3920/20]

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 issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann 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 response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Bus Services

Questions (1023)

Gerald Nash

Question:

1023. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the introduction of the D4 and D5 Drogheda town bus services announced by the National Transport Authority, NTA, in 2019, which have been delayed in the budgetary process; when the services will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3921/20]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) 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 response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

National Transport Authority

Questions (1024)

Gerald Nash

Question:

1024. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of revenue received by the NTA in respect of a coach park (details supplied) in 2019; the costs and expenses relating to same for the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3922/20]

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 responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Bus Services

Questions (1025)

John Lahart

Question:

1025. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline by route for the roll out of 24-hour bus services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3991/20]

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 issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with bus operators 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 response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (1026)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1026. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount expended on access to online and hard copy media publications in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions including the publications that his Department subscribes to; if consideration has been given to using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4014/20]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Please see below table setting out the information as requested:  

Year

Online media publications amount including title

Hardcopy media publications amount including title

Total Amount

 

2017

 

-          Stubbs Gazette €312.83

-          Irish Air Letter €15.00

-          Aviation Finance €220.00

-          Aviation Strategy €750.30

 

-          Health and Safety Review IRN   Publishing €354.25

-          Irish Times Newspaper €460.00

-          Journal of Airport Management €250.14

-          IRN (Industrial Relations News)   €795.50

-          Legal Island €295.00

 

€3.453.02

 

2018

 

-          Stubbs Gazette €312.83

-          Irish Air Letter €20.00

-          The Economist €275.00 

-          Aviation Finance €220.00

-          Aviation Strategy €750.30

 

-          Light Aviation €78.10

-          Health and Safety Review IRN   Publishing €84.70

-          Irish Times Newspaper €494.00

-          Journal of Airport Management   €250.48

-          IRN (Industrial Relations News)   €806.60

-          Legal Island €295.00

 

€3587.01

 

2019

 

-          Stubbs Gazette €312.83

-          Irish Air Letter €20.00

-          The Economist €325.00

-          Aviation Finance €220.00

-          Aviation Strategy €664.90

-          Annual Silver Membership   Together Sport for Business Limited €738.00

 

-          Light Aviation €71.51

-          Health and Safety Review IRN   Publishing €45.60

-          Irish Times Newspaper €586.00

-          Journal of Airport Management   €283.89

-          Legal Island (30/7/19 – 29/7/20)   €295.00

 

€3562.73

 

 

 

 

2020 (to 6th March 2020)

 

-          Light Aviation €81.42

-          Irish Times Newspaper €134.20

-          Harvard Business Review €135.00

 

€340.62

 
The Public Spending Code is designed to ensure that the State gets the best possible value for the resources at its disposal and my Department complies with its obligations. I have asked my officials to consider using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts.

Departmental Data

Questions (1027)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1027. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the top ten websites visited by officials and political staff annually in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 via hardware provided to them by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4030/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department does not retain the records that would enable us to answer the query in relation to the periods specified in the question. Our Internet browsing systems within the Department do however categorise websites and block those which we have deemed to be inappropriate or not suitable within our work environment.

Railway Stations

Questions (1028)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1028. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of arrivals and departures, including time schedules and destinations, for trains at stations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4031/20]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.

The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore referred 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 51

Departmental Reports

Questions (1029, 1031)

James Browne

Question:

1029. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a report (details supplied) will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4094/20]

View answer

Joe O'Brien

Question:

1031. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the planned date for the publication of the independent report commissioned by his Department on the economic assessment of the western rail corridor from Athenry, County Galway, to Claremorris, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4168/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1029 and 1031 together.

As the Deputy is aware, Project Ireland 2040 committed to conducting an independent review toward evaluating a possible extension of the existing Western Rail Corridor northwards to Tuam (Phase 2) and/or Claremorris (Phase 3). Project Ireland 2040 also states that if Government accepts a proposal to extend the route then that extension will be prioritised over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.

In line with this commitment, Iarnród Éireann commissioned a financial and economic appraisal of the proposal and in late 2019, submitted a copy of that appraisal to my Department. As was signalled publicly at the time of the commissioning of the appraisal, and in accordance with the Public Spending Code (PSC), my Department is now reviewing the documentation that has been received and is engaging with Iarnród Éireann and the consultants as required. Again as has been stated previously and as indicated in Project Ireland 2040, the matter will then be brought to Government for its decision once this review is complete.

Rural Transport Services

Questions (1030)

Niall Collins

Question:

1030. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there have been expressions of interest for the rural hackney scheme project serving Martinstown, County Limerick; and the date by which the project will become operational. [4150/20]

View answer

Written answers

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the issuance of Local Area Hackney licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 1031 answered with Question No. 1029.

Driver Test Centres

Questions (1032)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1032. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the detail of and reason for delays at driver test centres nationally by length of time waiting, age of applicants and centre in tabular form. [4266/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority I have forwarded this question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if no response has been received within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Rail Services

Questions (1033)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1033. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received briefings on rail use on the Mallow to Cork line for the past 12 months, including the need to introduce Leap card pricing. [4268/20]

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) is responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport including passenger numbers. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. I have not received briefings in relation to these specific matters relating to the Mallow to Cork rail line in the past 12 months.

I have, therefore, referred 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Rail Services

Questions (1034)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1034. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the carriages and travel times available to commuters travelling from train stations in south County Kildare. [4276/20]

View answer

Written answers

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann 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 response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Bus Éireann

Questions (1035)

James Browne

Question:

1035. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the figures of surplus or deficit separately for school transport, Expressway and other commercial Bus Éireann activities auditors determined as profit and added to the profit and loss statutory accounts each year since Bus Éireann services began in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/20]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I and my Department have no role in the day-to-day operations of public transport services, or specialist type transport services such as the School Transport Scheme. The matter of School Transport is under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills.

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. Re-imbursement to Bus Éireann is on a cost recovery basis only and the Department of Education and Skills do not pay any profit to Bus Éireann relating to the School Transport Scheme.

Information relating to Bus Éireann statutory accounts is a matter for Bus Éireann and information in relation to these accounts is published annually and is available on Bus Éireann's website.

Greenways Funding

Questions (1036)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1036. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has a role in the funding of the Broadmeadow Way linking Malahide and the Donabate Peninsula, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4336/20]

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 the planning and development of cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this 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.

Rail Network Expansion

Questions (1037, 1038)

Duncan Smith

Question:

1037. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed MetroLink project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4340/20]

View answer

Duncan Smith

Question:

1038. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the planners of the MetroLink and BusConnects projects are working together to ensure both plans complement each other; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4341/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1037 and 1038 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects programme and MetroLink.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Bus Services

Questions (1039)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1039. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus stop will be placed at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/20]

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 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 51

Road Network

Questions (1040)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

1040. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding access to a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4406/20]

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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for decision by the local authority.

It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and it is open to the Council to fund works from its own resources.

I would suggest that the Deputy contact Kerry County Council directly in order to establish the details of its prioritised projects.

Driver Licences

Questions (1041)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1041. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding a driver licence in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4413/20]

View answer

Written answers

There are a number of situations where a person exchanging a UK driving licence might not get all the categories carried forward to the Irish licence.

Under EU law, an application for a truck or bus licence (categories C's and D's) must be accompanied by a completed medical report. If a person with the relevant truck or bus category on their UK licence attends at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) Centre without the relevant medical report, they will be given the option to sign a form stating that they do not wish the categories to be exchanged. The applicant can request the categories be re-instated on their Irish licence by presenting a medical report.

Some UK categories known as ‘National Categories’ [similar to our W Tractor] only apply in the UK and they are not exchangeable. For example, in the UK if you passed your test for category B (car) before 1 January 1997, your licence would show entitlement to C1 and C1E (trucks) and D1 and D1E (bus) categories. These categories are given with restrictions identified by codes.

The D1 and D1E categories with a restriction code 101 only allows the driver to drive a vehicle not for hire or reward. Ireland does not have the corresponding category.

State Airports

Questions (1042)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1042. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of US troops and the quantities of weapons and munitions that have passed through Shannon Airport between 27 February 2002 and 5 March 2020 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/20]

View answer

Written answers

The carriage of munitions of war on board civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory and on Irish registered civil aircraft, wherever they may be, is governed by the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989.

My Department publishes statistics online regarding the number of such applications made and further details the numbers that are granted, refused and cancelled. These statistics are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/15da60-the-carriage-of-munitions-of-war-on-civil-aircraft/

My Department has no function with regard to the transit of foreign military personnel through Irish sovereign territory or Irish airports.

Shannon Airport Authority has informed my Department that the number of US military personnel that transited through Shannon Airport between March 2002 and February 2020 were:

Year

Number of US military personnel that transited Shannon Airport

2002 (March to December)

69,788

2003

125,855

2004

158,549

2005

340,688

2006

280,785

2007

262,816

2008

256,363

2009

264,968

2010

236,253

2011

247,761

2012

101,709

2013

74,736

2014

65,948

2015

63,549

2016

48,786

2017

61,041

2018

93,852

2019

86,653

2020 (January to February)

12,686

Tourism Project Funding

Questions (1043)

Dara Calleary

Question:

1043. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a tourism project (details supplied) in County Mayo first announced in 2015 has not been delivered to date; the position regarding the projected delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4453/20]

View answer

Written answers

The development and promotion of the Wild Atlantic Way, including the delivery of related projects such as that to which the Deputy refers, is carried out by Fáilte Ireland. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to contact the Deputy directly with further information on the current position relating to this specific project and its projected delivery. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (1044)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1044. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with organisations (details supplied) concerning whether matches and training sessions should be cancelled nationwide. [4510/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that fixtures have been postponed and training sessions have been cancelled at all levels across the wide range of sports. The sporting organisations have been exemplary in taking early decisions to suspend competition and training at all levels and in complying with the public health advice and guidance in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

While I have not had direct discussions with the organisations in relation to the cancellation of matches and training, my Department has facilitated contact for sporting organisations with the Chief Medical Officer and the Department of Health, where necessary. Officials in my Department and Sport Ireland are in regular contact with the sporting bodies to disseminate information and respond to any queries which arise.

My Department continues to monitor the situation in terms of the impact of the current public health crisis on sporting organisations and I have established a COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group where I have been meeting regularly with the key stakeholders, including a number of the organisation referred to by the Deputy, to hear their concerns.

I am pleased that sport has been included in the Government's Roadmap to recovery and officials in my Department and Sport Ireland are working with the sporting bodies to prepare them for the phased return to activity.

Top
Share