Written Answers Nos. 1045-1069
1045. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider consulting persons who are blind and visually impaired at each stage in a project or large-scale service change in order that the process will be fully accessible in order to allow persons who are blind or visually impaired to take part independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4550/20]
View answer1047. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if resources will be provided to ensure that public transport services operate audible announcements on all public transport nationally and at platforms and stops to enable those with insufficient vision to have access to the same basic information as the sighted population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/20]
View answer1048. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it will be ensured that all public transport operators will prepare for the implementation of the EU web accessibility directive which will make sure that all websites and apps are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4554/20]
View answer1049. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be committed to embedding accessibility standards into the design of all new stations and bus stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4555/20]
View answer1050. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to public transport providers in order to provide mandatory standardised disability awareness training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/20]
View answer1052. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to retrofit public transport vehicles that do not have an alert vehicular acoustic system and which have been purchased with public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4583/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1045, 1047 to 1050, inclusive, and 1052 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1046. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider including an equality impact study in a large-scale transport infrastructure project or service change to assess the impact on persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/20]
View answerMy Department requires all major investments in transport infrastructure and services to be appraised across a range of criteria under the sector specific guidelines set out in the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes (CAF - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/800ea3-common-appraisal-framework/). With respect to an objective on increasing accessibility and social inclusion, it is a requirement that the project appraisal set out and account for the expected impacts of the proposed transport investment in respect of vulnerable groups, this encompasses persons with disabilities.
In evaluating and prioritising investment, it is a requirement to identify the need for a scheme and to outline its objectives. For transport projects, the objectives must fall under six main criteria. In relation to the equality impact of transport investments, one of these is ‘Accessibility and Social Inclusion’. This refers to a transport scheme’s ability to impact upon a community’s access to services and social amenities. These criteria form the high level criteria for appraising the expected benefits and impact of the scheme. Sponsoring agencies preparing business cases for transport schemes are required to consider and assess if any accessibility impacts for the general public and in particular, vulnerable groups—either positive or negative—are likely to arise as a result of the investment. Such vulnerable groups include, for example, those experiencing social deprivation, geographic isolation, physical or intellectual impairment. It is required that, to the extent that is possible, the scale of the anticipated impacts is set out within the appraisal, along with the specific groups likely to be impacted and how many people in those groups are likely to be impacted.
In respect of the requirements outlined above, I also note that the Strategic Research and Analysis Division in my Department is currently undertaking a work programme to review, update and improve the Departments existing sectoral guidance (the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes 2016). This review and update will reflect the new requirements for evaluating, planning and measuring public investment as set out in the recently revised Public Spending Code published at the end of 2019. It also includes an examination of current approaches to measuring the impacts of projects or service changes to identify improvements that can be made. I expect that an updated Common Appraisal Framework will be published in the second half of 2020.
Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, the Public Sector Duty, as provided for in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, places a legal obligation on all public bodies, including all central government departments, to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees and everyone affected by their functions and services.
To meet our Public Sector Duty, my Department has established an implementation group which is carrying out an assessment to identify human rights and equality issues, including disability issues that are relevant to the functions of my Department, as a policy maker, employer and service provider. The assessment will also identify the policies and practices that are in place, or any additional measures that may be required to address these issues.
1051. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a schedule of the sites and buildings Irish Rail has disposed of to the private market and to the State in the past 20 years in tabular form; the revenues raised per disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4581/20]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for CIÉ, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
1053. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to the Vote of his Department if the rate of employer PRSI was increased to 15.75% for the portion of salaries over €100,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4708/20]
View answerThe estimated cost to the vote of my Department if the rate of employer PRSI was increased to 15.75% for the portion of salaries over €100,000 is €135,000. This is inclusive of the Agencies under my Department's remit which are exchequer funded.
1054. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure all transport workers are provided with hand sanitisers (details supplied). [4866/20]
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 transport operators. The Authority and public transport operators continue to follow all public health guidelines issued by the Chief Medical Officer and the HSE in relation to hand hygiene. 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.
1055. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of introducing an hourly train between Belfast and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4903/20]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational 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.
1056. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the rural transport scheme to allow increased utilisation for students living outside the terms of the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4908/20]
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. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in relation to Local LInk services, 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 ten working days.
I would also point out to the Deputy that matters relating to School Transport come under the remit of the Minister for Education and Skills.
1057. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of the Bus Éireann fleet at present; the estimated cost of the purchase of an electric bus; the cost of its maintenance on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4934/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. The provision of vehicles for the public service obligation (PSO) fleets is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant operator - in this case Bus Éireann.
In light of the above, 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.
1058. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of introducing free public transport for persons under 18 years of age across the PSO services, taking account of the expected increase in usage based on the existing kids go free scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4935/20]
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 regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. 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.
1059. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a proposal (details supplied); if the criteria of the scheme is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5046/20]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the issuance of Local Area Hackney licences and the operation of the Designated Local Area Hackney pilot scheme, 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.
1060. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on a sports capital grant appeal by a club (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5076/20]
View answerThe most recent (2018) round of the Sports Capital Programme attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects.
All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline, including an appeal from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
All appeals submitted were assessed by two officials who were not involved in the initial assessment of the application and 6 new allocations have now been approved on foot of successful appeals. Unfortunately, the appeal by the organisation referred to by the Deputy was not successful and the organisation has been contacted with full details of the consideration of their appeal.
A review of the last round of the SCP is being finalised and a decision on the timing of the next round of the programme will be taken when this is complete.
1061. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered offering temporary extensions to elderly drivers that need medical or optical certificates of fitness to renew their licences and that are presently unable to access such services due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. [5103/20]
View answerIn light of the need to facilitate social distancing and the expected additional burdens on medical services from Covid-19, I have decided that the requirement for those over 70 (under certain circumstance) to provide a medical report shall be removed at this time.
This means that from the 20 March until 31 July 2020, persons of 70 years of age or over can apply for, and renew, their driving licence in the normal way through the NDLS public office without the need to submit a medical report. This is only on the basis that they do not have an identified or specified illness.
The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I 86 of 2020) refers.
1062. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide driver licences to asylum seekers residing here. [5120/20]
View answerThe issue of driver licences for applicants for international protection is currently under consideration in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
1063. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned improvement works on the N4 route between Mullingar and Longford. [5141/20]
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 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 your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1064. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when an appeal of a decision will be provided in respect of a sports capital grant application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5150/20]
View answerThe most recent (2018) round of the Sports Capital Programme attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects.
All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline, including an appeal from the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
All appeals submitted were assessed by two officials who were not involved in the initial assessment of the application and 6 new allocations have now been approved on foot of successful appeals. Unfortunately, the appeal by the organisation referred to by the Deputy was not successful and the organisation has been contacted with full details of the consideration of their appeal.
A review of the last round of the SCP is being finalised and a decision on the timing of the next round of the programme will be taken when this is complete.
1065. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available to local authorities in respect of community involvement schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5175/20]
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 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.
1066. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding deferred pensions affected by the State Airports Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5198/20]
View answerI am taking it that the Deputy is referring to the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS).
As this matter is sub judice I am unable to comment any further on the issue.
1067. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for a roads project at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5230/20]
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 is a matter for decision by the local authority.
Before the financial crisis, local authorities could apply on a regular basis for grants for Specific and Strategic Improvement Grants to improve roads. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the recession meant these grant schemes had to be curtailed after 2013 because expenditure on maintenance and renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.
Project Ireland 2040 does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take some time yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there is limited scope at present for funding projects under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programme.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis and must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework. Our records indicate that a project has not been submitted by Laois County Council for works at Redcastle Cross.
The 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.
I would suggest that the Deputy contact the relevant Local Authority, in this case, Laois County Council for further details.
1068. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of protected disclosures his Department has received since the legislation was introduced; the number of protected disclosures examined to conclusion by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5312/20]
View answerThe number of allegations received by my Department which invoked the Protected Disclures Act 2014 are set out in the table below. All allegations received are assessed and the appropriate action taken. The table indicates the total number of allegations received, the number of these which were found, following assessment, to be not relevant or not a protected disclosure, the number concluded and the number which remain in progress.
|
Year |
No. of allegations received |
No. not relevant/not a protected disclosure |
No. concluded |
No. that remain in progress |
|
July 2014 to 2015 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2016 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
2017 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
2018 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
2019 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
|
2020 to date |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1069. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the release of the latest rail review report on the western rail corridor commissioned in 2019, in view of the fact the publication of the report is already delayed by more than six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5445/20]
View answerAs 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, as is required under the Public Spending Code (PSC), my Department is reviewing the documentation that has been received and is engaging with Iarnród Éireann and the consultants as required during this review.
Once that review is complete, the matter will then be brought to Government for its decision.
I hope the Deputy can see from the above that there has been no substantive delay to this process as first outlined in Project Ireland 2040 and as is required under the Public Spending Code. While there have been some unanticipated external factors in recent months, such as the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil in January and the outbreak of the COVID-19 Emergency, I can assure the Deputy that work is ongoing in order to finalise the review and bring the matter to Government.
