Written Answers Nos. 1056-1080
1057. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will be publishing a report on roads infrastructure as part of Project Ireland 2040; if so, when this will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6747/20]
View answerIn January 2020, my Department provided an update on national roads infrastructure developments, for 2019, to the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform in the context of a progress report on Project Ireland 2040. Please see attached a copy of that report.
Please note that this report is an overview of the progress of the National Roads Programme as at January of this year and does not include progress from January to-date.
1058. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with Irish airline carriers to explore the possibility of maximising their role in Government and private cargo export contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6748/20]
View answerThe air cargo sector is fully liberalised and airlines are free to operate on a commercial basis in response to market developments internationally. With a view to keeping essential air cargo flows moving during the COVID-19 crisis, my Department fully supports the European Commission's recent guidance recommending a range of operational and organisational steps to ensure continuous flow of goods in a cooperative manner across the EU.
My Department was also instrumental in securing the necessary aeronautical approvals to allow Aer Lingus to operate their ongoing flight programme from Beijing, which is providing significant quantities of PPE for the Health Service Executive.
Officials from my Department continue to engage on a regular basis with airlines, other aviation stakeholders, and with the European Commission on efforts to maintain essential supply lines, and other related issues.
1059. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date or phase in which CVRT and NCT centres will re-open; the way in which drivers can pay their road tax in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6749/20]
View answerThe safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.
My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming National Car Test services in light of the roadmap and the national return to work protocols published by government and I hope to make a statement on this matter in the coming weeks.
I am pleased to tell you that Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) testing resumed on 18 May 2020 - initially only for those vehicles with a test due date prior to 28 March 2020 (i.e. for vehicles that did not benefit from the three-month extension to certificates of roadworthiness). CVR testing is expected to resume fully over the following weeks for those vehicles with a test due date on or after 28 March 2020.
I can also confirm in relation to the issue of motor tax, that the requirement to have a certificate of roadworthiness in order to tax a commercial vehicle has been removed to facilitate vehicle owners during the ongoing crisis.
1060. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date or phase in which driver licensing centres will reopen; the arrangements he has made with insurance providers in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6750/20]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of a range of services, following the publication of the Government roadmap and the National Return to Work Safety Protocol agreed by employer and trade union representatives. This includes carrying out the appropriate risk assessments.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time as in all aspects of the COVID 19 crisis and my Department continues to be guided by the National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.
Dates for the resumption of the Authority's services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
The Authority continues to work on expanding the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types. When this facility becomes available, the Authority will update its website.
Insurance Ireland have indicated that their members will treat driving licences, learner permits and NCT certificates that have had the date of expiry extended by 4 months, as valid.
1061. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the return to work protocols for public transport workers and providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6751/20]
View answerThe recently announced 'Return to Work Safely Protocol' sets out the steps and processes employers and workers must take to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace - https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.pdf . It is understood that the Health and Safety Authority will oversee the implementation of the protocol and Inspectors will provide advice and support to employers and employees on how they are implementing the Covid-19 measures in the workplace.
The public transport sector has continuously engaged with public health to ensure the safe operation of services throughout this health emergency, and will continue work to ensure the ongoing safe provision of public transport as restrictions are lifted. The implementation of work protocols for public transport workers and providers is a matter for individual operators in line with public health advice and the recently published protocol.
1062. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the active travel projects funded by his Department in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 by project name, project details, county and cost in tabular form. [6752/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, funding for active travel is provided under a number of different programmes, of which the two principal ones are the Smarter Travel / Sustainable Urban Transport programme and the Cycling and Walking programme, while funding is also provided to support the Green Schools programme.
The following table provides details of expenditure in 2018 and 2019 and the indicative allocation for 2020 as budgeted at the start of the year (some figures have been rounded) –
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Total |
€39m |
€45m |
€107m |
|
Smarter Travel / Sustainable Urban Transport |
€20m |
€17m |
€28m |
|
Green Schools Travel |
€1.43m |
€1.45m |
€1.65m |
|
Cycling / Walking Programme |
€18m |
€27m |
€77m |
Under both the Smarter Travel / Sustainable Urban Transport programme and the Cycling / Walking programme funding at individual project level is largely managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply with regard to individual projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
However, within the Smarter Travel / Sustainable Urban Transport Programme, a portion of the funding (€3.5m in 2018, €4.3m in 2019 and estimated €8m in 2020) is directly administered by my Department and relates to –
- Bike Week: an annual promotional event for cycling,
- and & Campus Programmes: promoting sustainable travel options,
- Cycle Right: the national cycle training programme,
- INTERREG: an EU supported cross-border programme,
and until 2018 also included the Active Travel Town programme and the Smarter Travel Area programme, both of which have now ended.
Funding in relation to these initiatives is not necessarily recorded and / or readily available at a county level and neither is expenditure under the Green Schools Travel programme.
1063. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of purchasing and running one double decker bus for one year. [6753/20]
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of the PSO bus fleet across 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.
1064. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of purchasing and running one train carriage for one year. [6754/20]
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 development and delivery of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, development of the railway network including the purchase of rolling stock. In addition the NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of publicly subvented public transport services across the State.
In light of the NTA's responsibility on this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a detailed direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1066. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath has to sit a driver test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6756/20]
View answerPrior to 1989, the driver licensing system permitted a car and trailer to be driven under the car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category BE). People licensed to drive with trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep their old entitlements, simply by indicating this wish on the application form when renewing their licences.
Where a pre-1989 licence holder did not indicate that they wished to retain the entitlement, the category was not included on the renewed licence. However, the entitlement could be restored up to ten years after last holding it. If the entitlement to drive with a trailer was allowed to lapse for longer than the ten years, the person was required to apply as a learner for the purposes of driving with a trailer.
People who have a Category B licence, and who wish to acquire a Category BE licence, do not have to wait the usual 6 months before they can take the Category BE test. This change came into effect as of 10 January 2012. It is of the utmost importance, from a safety perspective, that people are properly qualified and licensed to drive the vehicles they have charge of on our roads, taking account of the particular risks and hazards associated with the particular categories they wish to drive.
1067. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans a staycation voucher scheme to stimulate local tourism here; if so, his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6757/20]
View answerThe importance of Tourism in Ireland cannot be understated. It is a vital industry, which supported over 260,000 jobs all around the country prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. Tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in this current crisis. This is of course a concerning time for everyone in tourism. Minister Griffin and I have established an appropriate taskforce of industry, agency and departmental expertise tasked with producing a Tourism Recovery Plan. This plan will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can recover in the changed tourism environment following the Covid-19 crisis.
In common with other sectors, tourism businesses are also availing of the wide range of Government supports put in place to respond to this crisis. My Department is continuing to liaise with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs.
1068. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial supports available to local sports clubs during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the fact many have considerable financial outgoings with fund-raising efforts severely impacted at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/20]
View answerThe Government’s overarching, cross-sectoral approach to the COVID-19 pandemic is to ensure that economic activity recovers as quickly as possible, consistent with public health advice. Measures introduced by the Government to date, which have benefitted national sporting organisations and their local sports clubs, include:
- the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme;
- the Pandemic Unemployment Payment; and
- a series of enterprise supports including liquidity funding, loan schemes and grants\vouchers, as well as deferred tax payments and deferral of commercial rates.
I am acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations. A COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group, chaired at Ministerial level, has been established to engage directly with the sporting bodies. Sport Ireland is also directly engaging with the sporting bodies on an ongoing basis in relation to the development of protocols to facilitate a safe return to training and competition.
This extensive engagement with the sport sector has highlighted the significant, adverse impact of COVID-19 and the importance of implementing an appropriate and focused response to the challenges facing all strands of the sector, ranging from the local sporting organisations and clubs to the National Governing Bodies. It is accordingly intended to develop a Sport Recovery Action Plan, in consultation with the sector, aimed at minimising the impacts and preparing the sector to restart activity, as part of the national recovery and renewal.
1069. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce mandatory wearing of face masks for all users of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6759/20]
View answer1088. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the need for the wearing of face coverings on public transport by transport workers and or passengers; the details of advice he has received and the minutes of meetings in which this has been discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6935/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1088 together.
On the 16th of May, An Taoiseach announced updated public health guidance in relation to wearing face coverings in certain circumstances as part of efforts to tackle coronavirus in Ireland, recommending that face coverings should be worn when using busy public transport or in enclosed indoor public areas such as retail outlets. While it is recommended that face coverings should be worn as an additional hygiene measure in these circumstances, it is not a legal requirement to do so.
1071. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for the sports capital programme in each of the years 2016 to 2020 in tabular form; the value of applications received in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6761/20]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
During the period 2016 - 2020 there were 2 advertised rounds of the SCP (in 2017 and 2018). The 2018 round of the SCP 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. A full review of the 2018 round of the SCP is now underway and a decision on the timing of the next round of the programme will be taken when this is complete.
In relation to budget allocations, as it can take grantees several years to draw down their grants the money available in the sub-head each year is primarily used to pay grants that were allocated in previous years.
The specific information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Sub-head budget |
Value of Applications received |
|
2016 |
€42m |
No new round of the SCP open for applications |
|
2017 |
€47m |
€155m |
|
2018 |
€49m |
€162m |
|
2019 |
€45m |
No new round of the SCP open for applications |
|
2020 |
€40m |
New round of the SCP expected to open later this year. |
1072. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of motor tax collected in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount collected by vehicle category. [6789/20]
View answerMotor tax receipts (including arrears) by vehicle category are set out in the table below for 2019 and for the period from January to the end of April 2020.
|
Vehicle category |
2019 (€) |
2020 (€) |
|
Private cars (engine capacity) |
354,782,937 |
103,218,225 |
|
Private cars (engine capacity electric) |
13,842 |
5,121 |
|
Private cars (CO2) |
431,800,236 |
169,722,690 |
|
Goods vehicles |
149,307,802 |
50,975,306 |
|
Goods vehicles (electric) |
130,941 |
35,438 |
|
Agricultural tractors/trench diggers/excavators |
9,153,434 |
3,062,870 |
|
General haulage tractors |
254,413 |
94,761 |
|
Dumpers/Forklift trucks |
356,338 |
116,510 |
|
Off road dumpers |
24,054 |
11,015 |
|
Machine/Workshop/Contrivance |
1,808,726 |
571,196 |
|
Taxis/Hackneys |
2,147839 |
678,355 |
|
Large Public Service Vehicles |
3,270,722 |
808,664 |
|
Schoolbuses |
67,478 |
15,759 |
|
Youth & Community buses |
141,045 |
45,068 |
|
Hearses |
107,103 |
38,040 |
|
Island vehicles |
74,535 |
21,982 |
|
Motor caravans |
1,410,026 |
359,773 |
|
Motor cycles |
3,894,882 |
1,354,743 |
|
Vintage motorcycles |
150,747 |
47,809 |
|
All other vintage vehicles |
2,730,270 |
807,298 |
|
Total |
961,627,370 |
331,990,623 |
1073. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which cars with out of date NCTs that are unable to acquire a new NCT due to restrictions will impact on drivers and their insurance. [6791/20]
View answerOn the 20 April 2020, I signed the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 132 of 2020) to provide that a 4-month extension is given to test due dates for vehicles with an NCT certificate in force on 28 March 2020, or to vehicles with a first NCT test due during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 31 July 2020.
My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming National Car Test services in light of the roadmap and the national return to work protocols published by government and I hope to make a statement on this matter in the coming weeks.
Vehicle owners that were unable to obtain an NCT certificate for their vehicle prior to 28 March 2020 due to the issue with vehicle lifting equipment are advised to keep their Vehicle Inspection Report in their vehicle at all times and present it if requested to do so by an enforcement authority.
Regarding the extension of roadworthiness certificates, on 31 March 2020, Insurance Ireland stated that their members will “treat such licence and NCT/CRWs as valid when people are renewing their motor insurance or taking out new motor insurance policies”.
1074. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding learner drivers; and when driver tests will resume. [6823/20]
View answerDue to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months.
The RSA is currently working, in consultation with my Department, on plans for the resumption of the range of services and functions for which it is responsible, following the publication of the Government roadmap and, more recently, the National Return to Work Safety Protocol as agreed by employer and trade union representatives.
The resumption of driver testing will be of particular concern to learner drivers. As the Deputy will appreciate, the driving test raises particular problems in terms of compliance with the Protocol and in particular social distancing rules, as it requires the driver tester and the candidate to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes, in a very confined space which is not in itself a workplace under the control of the RSA.
I appreciate that the inability to carry out driving tests at this time is among the many difficulties that we all are having to endure at this time, for those awaiting such tests. On a very preliminary appraisal of the Protocol, car driving tests may have to be the last of the statutory functions, for which the RSA is responsible, to recommence in or after Phase 5 of the Government's roadmap.
Dates for the resumption of the RSA's services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.
1075. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding persons who wish to register commercial work vehicles for tax and cannot do so without a DOE and are unable to obtain same due to the fact such centres are closed. [6824/20]
View answerIn light of the temporary closure of test centres due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I have removed the requirement for commercial vehicles to have a current Certificate of Roadworthiness in force when taxing a commercial vehicle that is over a year old. The relevant Regulations are the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Licensing) (Revocation) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 134 of 2020).
1076. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is envisaged that NCT centres will reopen for testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/20]
View answerThe safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.
My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming the National Car Test roadworthiness testing service in light of the roadmap and national return to work protocols published by government.
Dates for the resumption of services and any specific arrangements that need to be put in place to allow for the provision of these services will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
I hope to make an announcement in relation to this matter over the coming weeks.
1077. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with representatives of organisations (details supplied) to specifically discuss the protection of clubs and the league due to the impact of Covid-19 on club operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/20]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations. A COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group, chaired at Ministerial level, has been established to engage directly with the sporting bodies. Four meetings of this Group have been held to date. The Football Association of Ireland has participated in all of these meetings. Sport Ireland is also directly engaging with the sporting bodies on an ongoing basis in relation to the development of protocols to facilitate a safe return to training and competition.
This extensive engagement with the sport sector has highlighted the significant, adverse impact of COVID-19 and the importance of implementing an appropriate and focused response to the challenges facing all strands of the sector, ranging from the local sporting organisations and clubs to the National Governing Bodies and national leagues and competitions. It is accordingly intended to develop a Sport Recovery Action Plan, in consultation with the sector, aimed at minimising the impacts and preparing the sector to restart activity, as part of the national recovery and renewal.
1079. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the NCT test centres, driver test centres and DOE test centres will reopen. [6896/20]
View answerThe safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.
My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming National Car Test and driver testing services in light of the roadmap and the return to work protocols published by Government and I hope to make a statement on this matter in the coming weeks.
I should emphasise that the driving test raises, as the Deputy will appreciate, particular difficulties in terms of maintaining social distancing. While some accommodation is possible in driving tests for truck and bus licence categories, there are particular difficulties with car tests. I anticipate that driving tests for cars will be the last of the RSA services to resume, and that this will part of Phase 5 of the Government's planned staging for the reopening of the country.
I am pleased to tell you that Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) testing resumed on 18 May 2020 - initially only for those vehicles with a test due date prior to 28 March 2020 (i.e. for vehicles that did not benefit from the three-month extension to certificates of roadworthiness). CVR testing is expected to resume fully over the following weeks for those vehicles with a test due date on or after 28 March 2020.
1080. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount it would cost Iarnród Éireann if it increased spending on security measures by a further 30%. [6899/20]
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.
