Written Answers Nos. 568-587
568. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if airlines will be instructed to refund families their tickets already bought for travel ahead of the pandemic in which families cannot travel even if the flight is operating. [9997/20]
View answerAs things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations and other scenarios, including long delays. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law. I understand, however, that the current practice of the two main Irish airlines serving the Irish market in instances where flights are not cancelled, and having regard to the Covid-19 travel restrictions, is to offer their customers the opportunity to rebook a flight for later in the year or to receive a voucher. In some instances airlines are waiving charges on rebooking and offering additional incentives such as extra value on vouchers.
Clearly the existing consumer protections and legal obligations on airlines and the broader travel sector did not envisage the current circumstances of mass cancellations and stringent travel restrictions across the globe. That has, not surprisingly, put the entire system under immense pressure and it is causing real difficulties for people and businesses.
I am mindful that the options put forward by airlines may not be fair or workable for customers in all instances, and it is something that I have raised directly with the two main Irish airlines. I have asked that they take a fresh look at their current offerings to customers, that they bring more clarity to the messaging around entitlements and information on refund timeframes, and that they show discretion in favour of customers whose circumstances clearly make it unreasonable to expect them to travel, even if flights go. In looking to the future recovery, seeking ways to rebuild consumer confidence will be integral to initiating and indeed sustaining any future recovery for all parts of the aviation sector including the airlines.
571. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the requirement for passengers flying here to quarantine for two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10030/20]
View answerMeasures to protect public health are recommended by the National Emergency Public Health Team (NPHET) within the Department of Health, and my Department and its agencies follow their advice.
The Department of Health is the lead Government Department in relation to public health matters, including COVID-19 and also in relation to the request for passengers arriving in Ireland to self-isolate for 14 days.
While the measures adopted have had a significant impact on aviation movements, the Government’s priority in response to the COVID crisis has been to save lives.
572. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual amount of subsidy paid to operators on PSO routes in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if he has projections of funding for 2021 to 2023, in tabular form; the breakdown by year, amount, route and operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10031/20]
View answer573. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided to CIÉ, Irish Rail and Dublin Bus in the past five years to date in 2020; the expected amount of funding he plans to provide for the remaining months of 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10032/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 572 and 573 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. The Exchequer allocates funding for the purposes of both capital and current expenditure from the Department's Vote to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services and infrastructure. In Budget 2020, I secured an overall allocation of €1 billion to fund public and sustainable transport projects this year.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
It should be noted that the sharp decline in passenger numbers since mid-March this year as a result of the Covid-19 health emergency has caused an unprecedented fall in fare revenues, thus creating a wide gap between the operators' costs and actual revenues. This is putting acute pressure on the existing Public Service Obligation (PSO) budget. However, it is clear that public transport is an essential service and that it is an important facilitator of the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. Therefore, I have been clear that we will ensure that this year's PSO is appropriately funded. To that end, my Department is working closely with the NTA to quantify the additional funding requirements for the coming months, and we had very positive engagement across Government about the matter.
In relation to the Deputy's query about the allocation for PSO public transport services for future years, that will be subject to the annual Budgetary process and therefore the allocations for 2021 and beyond are yet to be determined in the context of future Estimates processes.
In relation to infrastructure, as the Deputy is aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (or IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the maintenance and renewal of our railway infrastructure and is a statutory contractual agreement between the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Iarnród Éireann. The IMMAC allocations for 2020 and 2021 are €199.7m. and €202.5m. respectively, and the provisions for the past 5 years are set out in the following table.
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
€144m |
€134m * |
€159m |
€160m |
€197m |
*included extra €8m for storm damage under IMMAC.
Separately, Exchequer capital funding is also provided to Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann through the NTA. This programme supports projects such as the continued planning and design of the DART Expansion Programme, the City Centre (rail) Resignalling Project, the replacement of the roof at Pearse Station, the development of the new National Train Control Centre, bus fleet purchases and various other enhancement projects. This funding programme is managed by the NTA,
In view of the above I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please inform my private office if you do you receive a reply within 10 days.
574. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the backlog of driver tests; and when instructors will resume lessons. [10036/20]
View answerDates for the resumption of Road Safety Authority (RSA) services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined having regard to the guidance of the relevant public health authorities.
The RSA, in planning to reopen driver testing services, will consider all factors, including the backlog of people waiting for tests. I should emphasise that the reopening of the driving test will involve particular difficulties in complying with health guidelines. I therefore anticipate that the driving test will not resume until phase 4 of the Government's Roadmap for reopening the country.
Driving instruction is a private business and not a State service. It wil be a matter for driving instructors to examine how they can operate in compliance with public health guidelines. As workplaces, they may be subject to inspection by the Health and Safety Authority.
575. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an organisation (details supplied) was considered for membership of the Tourism Recovery Task Force in view of its international experience which may prove beneficial. [10037/20]
View answerThe Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce may consult with stakeholders to inform its deliberations and will report back later this year.
The Taskforce is made up of an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy, tourism enterprise, international, private and public service. The Minister of State and I selected members on the basis of each person's capacity to bring his/her personal knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability, strategic leadership and ideas to the work of the group. We have appointed individuals who, together, will work for the good of Irish Tourism as a whole. I can assure the Deputy that in the same manner that no sector was deliberately included, no sector was deliberately excluded.
It is envisaged that the Taskforce will establish working groups to carry out specific tasks and that the Taskforce will undertake a widespread stakeholder consultation process whereby all sectors and interested parties will have an opportunity to provide constructive inputs and innovative ideas on how this vital sector to our economy can adapt and recover in a meaningful and sustainable way. The Car Rental Council of Ireland will have an opportunity to contribute to the work of the Taskforce in this way.
576. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when protective plastic screens will become mandatory for taxis. [10120/20]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including vehicle standards for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have, therefore, forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for consideration and direct reply. Please advise this office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
577. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a memorandum of understanding signed between the Port of Cork and a company (details supplied) to develop Cork LNG specifically; if the memorandum is still operating; if his Department has had communication from the Port of Cork on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10128/20]
View answerAt the outset, I wish to point out that this is a commercial operational matter for the Port of Cork Company.
I understand from the Port of Cork Company that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding with NextDecade in 2017 to attract new LNG business into Ireland from the USA. Next Decade is a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development company which is focused on LNG export projects.
Next Decade propose to import LNG through a FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) which acts as a floating storage LNG terminal which will be moored permanently in the harbour. A new FRSU will most likely be commissioned and built for this purpose.
Next Decade and the POCC have had preliminary meetings with the relevant Departments and stakeholders. They have met with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and Gas Networks Ireland (GNI). DCCAE and GNI indicated they are supportive of the project which will feed gas into the national pipeline located beside the proposed site of the new facility. This would give security of gas supply nationally into the long term and in the context of Brexit.
It is also planned that the FRSU facility would be able to provide an LNG refuelling and bunkering facility for ships at the Port of Cork, which would meet the requirement under the EC Alternative Fuels Directive for TEN-T ports. This facility would also be able to provide competitive bunkering to all Irish ports.
A feasibility study is currently being undertaken by Next Decade on where the vessel should be moored and environmental and regulatory matters are being examined. The site chosen will most likely be near the Whitegate refinery, with Bord Gais and the ESB facilities already located in the port. The development will be subject to all the normal planning requirements and compliance with all necessary consents. The proposed project falls under the remit of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
I understand that the project has not progressed at the pace the Port of Cork Company originally envisaged. One of the factors for the delay is the worldwide economic climate and in particular the drop in oil prices internationally. The Port of Cork Company advise that the project remains at a very preliminary stage and the Memorandum of Understanding expires at the end of this year.
578. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects driver tests to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10171/20]
View answerThe 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 driving test raises particular difficulties, given the need for two people to be in close proximity, in a confined space, for a significant period of time. For this reason, I expect the driving test to be the last of the RSA's services to reopen, and I anticipate that this will be in phase 4 of the Government's Roadmap for reopening the country.
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.
579. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bespoke support scheme will be provided for private bus and coach operators affected by the Covid-19 lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10172/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated public transport as an “essential service” during the Covid-19 emergency, recognising the importance of keeping the system running especially for carrying essential workers and other passengers making necessary journeys throughout the crisis period.
The introduction of restrictions on public movement and the temporary closure of many workplaces, education centres and leisure and social activities across the country has led to an unprecedented fall in demand for public transport. Nonetheless, public transport has served, and will continue to serve, a vital role in transporting essential workers and in supporting Government’s Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business in the weeks and months ahead.
Public health advices on social distancing are relevant across the public transport sector, and operators are implementing measures to facilitate adequate social distancing measures on-board; this significantly reduces the carrying capacity of public transport services.
While the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size. I understand that about 90% of the commercial bus operators have suspended their services or are providing significantly reduced services at present.
From my Department's engagement with their representatives, and indeed from the NTA's regular engagement with them throughout the crisis, I understand the very difficult business environment that the commercial bus operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors.
That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example. I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation about these matters and am raising with her the concerns and situation of the commercial operators.
580. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to address the impact of Covid-19 on the bus and coach sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10174/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the Covid-19 health emergency, the Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important and designated public transport as an “essential service” during the Covid-19 emergency, recognising the importance of keeping the system running especially for carrying essential workers and other passengers making necessary journeys throughout the crisis period.
The introduction of restrictions on public movement and the temporary closure of many workplaces, education centres and leisure and social activities across the country has led to an unprecedented fall in demand for public transport. Nonetheless, public transport has served, and will continue to serve, a vital role in transporting essential workers and in supporting Government’s Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business in the weeks and months ahead.
Public health advices on social distancing are relevant across the public transport sector, and operators are implementing measures to facilitate adequate social distancing measures on-board; this significantly reduces the carrying capacity of public transport services.
While the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size. I understand that about 90% of the commercial bus operators have suspended their services or are providing significantly reduced services at present.
From my Department's engagement with their representatives, and indeed from the NTA's regular engagement with them throughout the crisis, I understand the very difficult business environment that the commercial bus operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors.
That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example. I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation about these matters and am raising with her the concerns and situation of the commercial operators.
581. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the steps he is taking to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) and its clubs are sustainable. [10187/20]
View answerI am acutely aware of the difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations and clubs, including the League of Ireland. 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. A further meeting is planned for today, the 9th of June. 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 such as those involving League of Ireland clubs. 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.
I was pleased to see the resumption of training by four League of Ireland clubs yesterday following the Government's decision last Friday to permit a limited return to training for elite athletes and teams. I understand it has been very difficult for all the players and coaching staff since the League of Ireland fixtures were suspended on 12 March. I am hopeful that we will see a return to competitive matches behind closed doors next month followed by the full resumption of the 2020 season later in the year.
583. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to publish the report on the western rail corridor from Athenry to Claremorris prepared by a company (details supplied); the reason for the delay in publishing the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10203/20]
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.
As the Deputy can see from the above, 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.
584. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Tourism Recovery Task Force will issue its report and recommendations; when a package will be announced to assist this sector of the economy; the number of members on the task force representing the industry itself; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10207/20]
View answerThe Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The Taskforce have met twice already and plan to meet again on 10 June. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce may consult with stakeholders to inform its deliberations and will report back later this year. Notwithstanding this, I am aware that the Taskforce has already made some suggestions for the re-opening of tourism and, along with my colleagues in Government, I have taken note of these and will consider any other interim recommendations as appropriate.
The Taskforce is made up of an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy, tourism enterprise, international, private and public service. The Minister of State and I selected members on the basis of each person's capacity to bring his/her personal knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability, strategic leadership and ideas to the work of the group. We have appointed individuals who, together, will work for the good of Irish Tourism as a whole. The full list of membership is available on my Department's website.
585. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports he plans for the restaurant sector, including reduced VAT, business interruption grants and so on in order to ensure the survival of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10212/20]
View answerMy Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs.
The measures put in place by the Government to support businesses initially focused on supporting those who have lost their jobs and in supporting businesses to remain viable during this difficult time with specifically targeted supports to assist companies to stay operational and retain their staff.
As a result, many tourism businesses are now availing the various cross-sectoral economic supports that the Government has already put in place such as: the wage subsidy scheme, increased unemployment benefits, the state credit guarantee scheme, working capital loan schemes, enterprise support schemes and deferrals of tax liabilities, VAT, social contributions and local authority rates.
Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.
Fáilte Ireland has set up a COVID-19 Industry Advisory Group which meets weekly. The purpose of this group is to provide support to the tourism industry and to facilitate the timely sharing of information and insights to help improve the sector's understanding and response to the crisis. Fáilte Ireland has also developed a COVID-19 Business Support Hub which offers a suite of targeted supports for tourism businesses including a series of webinars from experts in each field, as well as advice guides with detailed FAQs and templates where necessary.
In line with the sequence of actions detailed in the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, restaurants are due to reopen for the provision of on-premises food and beverages in Phase 3. To assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the national Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice, Fáilte Ireland has today [Tuesday 9 June 2020] published guidelines for the tourism sector. These guidelines, which were prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities, include practical guidance for specific tourism business sectors, including restaurants operating under the conditions outlined in the additional details supplied by the Deputy.
Minister Ross and I have appointed a Tourism Recovery Taskforce to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023.
It is envisaged that the Taskforce will establish working groups to carry out specific tasks and that the Taskforce will undertake a widespread stakeholder consultation process whereby all sectors and interested parties will have an opportunity to provide constructive inputs and innovative ideas on how this vital sector to our economy can adapt and recover in a meaningful and sustainable way. The Taskforce will report back later this year.
586. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects his Department submitted for funding through the Connecting Europe Facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10225/20]
View answerThe Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is the EU's funding instrument for the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Funding under CEF is delivered in the form of grants awarded following competitive calls for proposals. The amount of co-funding awarded varies depending on the criteria for each call, the type of project and the quality of applications. All applications will be assessed and evaluated by the European Commission in conjunction with independent external experts.
The most recent call for proposals was open for applications between 16 October 2019 and 26 February 2020. The call had an indicative budget of €1.4 billion, with €750 million available under the general financial envelope, which was open to all Member States. The balance of €650 million was only open to Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support, which does not include Ireland.
- The call had various budget lines dedicated to the following funding priorities:
- Pre-identified projects on the Core Network;
- European Rail Traffic Management Systems (ERTMS): on-board deployment;
- Safe and secure infrastructure, including safe and secure parking on the road core network;
- Intelligent Transport Services for road (ITS);
- Single European Sky (SESAR);
- Actions implementing transport infrastructure in nodes of the core network, including urban nodes (passengers transport); and
- Motorways of the Sea.
There were 9 projects in total either submitted by or involving participating Irish applicants, all of which were endorsed and signed off by my Department.
3 of the applications under this call, relating to the rail sector, and details of which are set out below, were submitted directly by my Department. Two of these were prepared in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann.
1. DART Expansion Programme: Kildare Line Study My Department is seeking 50% CEF co-funding for an engineering design study as part of the DART Expansion Programme. This study concerns the development of the Kildare Line, one of seven Work Packages in the Programme, and consists of crucial steps necessary in advance of moving to the construction phase of this project.
2. Upgrade of the DART Passenger Information System A separate application concerns the upgrading of the Passenger Information System on the existing DART fleet. This upgrade is necessary in order to ensure that the latest technology, which will be part of all newly procured DART rolling stock, is experienced by passengers across the entire DART fleet. As this is classified under CEF as a works project, my Department is seeking the maximum co-funding rate available of 30%.
3. Higher Speed Rail Study The final application submitted by my Department, a rail study project seeking 50% co-funding, addresses a commitment in the National Development Plan to undertake an evaluation of the economic benefits of high-speed rail between Dublin-Belfast, Dublin-Limerick Junction, and Dublin-Cork against the improvements to existing line speeds. The purpose of this study is to develop a design concept for the inter-urban railway network over the period to 2040 that can inform future investment in infrastructure, railway operations and planning.
Aside from those submitted directly by my Department, a further 3 projects were submitted by Ireland’s three core TEN-T maritime ports: Dublin, Cork, and Shannon-Foynes, while a further 2 projects involve the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) and are study projects involving multiple Member States addressing alternative fuels, energy and technology funding objectives the Motorways of the Sea priority.
In addition to this, a number of Irish aviation bodies are involved, in an administrative capacity only, in a CEF application for funding under the EU’S SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) collaborative project.
The selection decision of successful projects is expected to be finalised in July 2020. Based on the quality of proposals made I am confident and hopeful that Irish applicants will draw down significant funds from this call. However, the oversubscription rate for funding under the general envelope of this call was approximately 2.4 : 1, highlighting the competitive nature of this funding opportunity.
Over the period 2014 to June 2019, Irish beneficiaries were participating in 24 projects involving €103 million in CEF Transport co-funding, and with overall investments in these projects of €403.7 million. My Department continues to actively encourage and engage with any potential CEF applicants to ensure a strong pipeline of Irish applications for future CEF funding opportunities. Further information about CEF, TEN-T and the application process are available on my Department's website at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/331b18-trans-european-network-for-transport-ten-t-and-connecting-europe-fac/
587. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the locations of wheelchair accessible and non-wheelchair accessible bus stops within County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10226/20]
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 provision of bus stops and shelters.
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.
