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Tuesday, 23 Jun 2020

Written Answers Nos. 662-681

Departmental Policy Functions

Questions (662)

Carol Nolan

Question:

662. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/20]

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Written answers

The Department is committed to prioritising diversity and inclusion. In 2019, the Department’s HR Division undertook an extensive consultation with staff over a number of months to create a HR Development Strategy. The Department’s HR Development strategy was launched in February 2020 with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Strategic priorities derived from this include: Actively promote inclusion and diversity in the Department through initiatives such as LGBT+ and disability networks, nurturing an attractive, rewarding and inclusive work environment, promoting excellence in HR practices and responding to the changing nature of work.

In 2019, the Department partook in the national PRIDE events in June and following this an LGBT+ staff network was formed and its first meeting took place in October. The Departmental network are currently organising events within the Department and with the wider Civil Service LGBT+ staff network in celebration of Pride month.

To facilitate the implementation of the LGBT+ Inclusion strategy 2019-2021, a cross-Departmental strategy committee has been formed. The Department, along with the National Transport Authority and Tourism Ireland, have appointed Inclusion Officers to this committee to oversee the development of this strategy. The first meeting of the committee took place on June 16th 2020 with delivery of the Strategy targeted for Q1 2022.

The Department has facilitated talks and presentations from staff members and advocates on diversity and inclusion issues, such as living with visual impairments and LGBT+ issues.

Internal competitions organised by the Department are conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice for appointment in the Civil and Public Service published by the Commission for Public Appointments Service. The Code of Practice reflects the principles of probity, appointments made on merit, an appointment process in line with best practice, a fair appointments process applied with consistency and appointments made in an open, accountable and transparent manner. The Department provides training for interviewers that include training on equality for all, bias and unconscious bias.

Candidates with a disability are accommodated with appropriate arrangements where necessary.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is subject to specific legal obligations in the Disability Act 2005 and required to reach and maintain a 3% target for the employment of staff with disabilities. The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with this 3% target and their most recently published report notes that 3.9% of staff within the Department had disclosed a disability. Since this publication the 3% target continues to be maintained.

Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024. The Department is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.

A Disability network within the Department is hoped to be formed in the near future with the assistance of the Department’s appointed Disability Liaison Officer.

Rural Transport Services

Questions (663)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

663. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to introduce free rural public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11893/20]

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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 securing the provision of public transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the 'Local Link' brand.

In addition, the NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred 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.

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

Taxi Licences

Questions (664)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

664. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a taxi plate that is due to expire soon will be extended for a person (details supplied). [11930/20]

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Written answers

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

Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority 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

Taxi Licences

Questions (665, 666, 668, 714, 720, 729)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

665. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason no extension has been granted to taxi drivers whose taxi licences expired after 13 June 2020, given the considerable waiting times that drivers face for NCT and suitability tests. [11933/20]

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Marc MacSharry

Question:

666. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to issues raised in correspondence by a taxi operator (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11934/20]

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Gerald Nash

Question:

668. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend and extend the Small Public Service Vehicles (Emergency Measures Covid-19) Regulation 2020 beyond 31 December 2020 for vehicles due to reach their final operational dates in 2020, in view of the financial impact of the pandemic on the taxi sector; if he will keep this matter under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11945/20]

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Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

714. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if taxi licences due for renewal after 15 June 2020 will be given an extension in view of the fact it is not possible to get an NCT test until after the licence expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12401/20]

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Joe O'Brien

Question:

720. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if provision will be made to provide an extension for cars due a taxi suitable test and NCT from June 12 2020 due to the backlog in NCT appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12440/20]

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Paul Donnelly

Question:

729. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the backlog of NCT and suitability tests for the taxi industry due to test centres being closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. [12531/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 665, 666, 668, 714, 720 and 729 together.

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including regulatory measures in response to the present COVID-19 pandemic, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority 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

Air Traffic Control Services

Questions (667)

Emer Higgins

Question:

667. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the authority a person can complain to regarding low-flying helicopters making excess noise in the middle of the night; the legislation that governs this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11944/20]

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Written answers

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for investigating low flying aircraft, including helicopters. The regulations and orders governing both the rules of flight and noise certification of aircraft are made by the Authority. Any citizen can contact the IAA directly about the type of incident the Deputy has raised.

Question No. 668 answered with Question No. 665.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (669, 671)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

669. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has produced a set of guidelines for taxi drivers to return to work safely as the country leaves lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11947/20]

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Patrick Costello

Question:

671. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to help taxi drivers protect themselves and their passengers; and if the Taxi Regulator will make disposable face masks available to drivers to keep them safe. [11967/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 671 together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the statutory regulator for the SPSV sector, has published information for the SPSV industry which includes guidelines, based on the latest available public health advice, on how to keep vehicles clean to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This document is available on the NTA's website. The NTA is also engaging with public transport operators to determine the practical implications for public transport provision as COVID-19 restrictions are eased in Ireland.

Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority 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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (670)

Alan Kelly

Question:

670. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason each tourist site run by a company (details supplied) cannot remain open after the end of August 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11964/20]

View answer

Written answers

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage and the operation of its tourist sites.

As this is an operational matter for Shannon Group, which has statutory responsibility for the management and development of its subsidiaries including, Shannon Heritage, I have forwarded your question to Shannon Group for direct reply.

If the Deputy does not receive a reply from the Company within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 671 answered with Question No. 669.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (672, 700)

John Lahart

Question:

672. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that will be taken to facilitate the survival of those involved in the chauffeur business that have experienced a 98% drop in their business (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11971/20]

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Anne Rabbitte

Question:

700. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to help support an association (details supplied); if he or his officials are planning on holding meetings with the group; his further plans to help support the chauffeur sector more generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12315/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 700 together.

I understand the very difficult business environment that small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators, including operators of limousine SPSV tour businesses, are now dealing with. In this regard, I am scheduled to attend the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles later this week which will give me the opportunity to hear at first hand the impact of Covid-19 on the SPSV industry and how it is positioned to respond to the reopening of the economy in the context of the Government's Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business.

Across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very 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 also note that self-employed owner-operators of SPSVs may avail of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment of €350 a week.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) also took a number of actions to reduce the immediate financial burden on SPSV operators and to make it easier for them to return to the industry when circumstances change. These actions included licence extensions and the waiver of late licence renewal fees. The NTA has also engaged with the motor insurance industry to facilitate a suspension of SPSV insurance for those SPSV operators who decide to temporarily stop working and suspend their licences.

I am aware that the limousine business is particularly reliant on the tourism and hospitality sector. Since late February my Department has engaged with industry with a view to understanding the challenges facing the sector. In addition, with my colleague, Minister of State Griffin, I have established the COVID-19 Tourism Monitoring Group. This group comprises industry stakeholders, the tourism agencies and Departmental officials and has been specifically established to monitor the disruption to the tourism sector and to assist in formulating the sector’s response to the crisis. This group will continue its work as it monitors the recovery of the sector as part of the Government's Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business.

Road Projects

Questions (673)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

673. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the urgent safety works to the junction of the N72 and R579 at Ballymaquirke, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11992/20]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation, maintenance and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (674)

Seán Haughey

Question:

674. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the advice in respect of foreign travel by Irish citizens to the effect that this should only be undertaken if it is essential is being kept under review; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that airlines operating here are taking bookings from persons living here wishing to travel abroad contrary to Government advice; the rights of these passengers in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12019/20]

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Written answers

The Government continues to review the advice of the public health authorities in relation to foreign travel by Irish citizens and any decisions in relation to the lifting of travel restrictions will be taken on foot of that advice, in light of the evolving epidemiological situation in Europe and beyond. As there are no legal flight restrictions in place in Ireland, the operation of flights remains a commercial decision for airlines, but all Irish airlines are aware of the advice of our public health authorities.

Of course, the issue of what to do with aviation needs to be settled and I am glad to advise the Deputy that I have received an interim report from the Aviation Recovery Taskforce. It calls for travel restrictions to be reviewed and for a phased reopening of overseas air travel. I will be considering these proposals along with Cabinet colleagues this week.

National Car Test

Questions (675)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

675. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of failures of tests for dipped headlights adjudicated by the National Car Testing service since it reopened post-Covid-19 restrictions in tabular form; and the geographical spread of each centre failing for this measure. [12028/20]

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Written answers

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation and oversight of the National Car Testing Service. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply as it relates to an operational matter.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

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

Ministerial Correspondence

Questions (676)

Michael McGrath

Question:

676. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12033/20]

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Written answers

COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) 2020/612 of 4 May 2020 amending Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences provides that EU Member States may allow a driver who takes a bus or truck driving test in an automatic transmission vehicle to be granted a licence to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission if they had already taken a driving test in a vehicle (usually a car) with a manual transmission.

This Directive is due to be transposed into Irish law by 1 November 2020. It was the intention to have this law in place earlier in the year, unfortunately due to emergency legislation required as a result of Covid-19 it was not possible. However, work has commenced on this piece of legislation and it is still hoped to have it in place before November.

Driver Licences

Questions (677, 678)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

677. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if medical reports issued for driver licence renewal appointments cancelled due to Covid-19 will be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12055/20]

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Pearse Doherty

Question:

678. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a medical report for a person (details supplied) was not accepted for a rebooked driver licence renewal appointment at an NDLS centre in County Donegal in which an initial appointment was cancelled due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12056/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 677 and 678 together.

A medical report to accompany an application for a driving licence shall be dated not more than one month prior to the date of application. Regulation 41(3) of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 537 of 2006), as amended, refers.

A medical report dated 10th March is no longer valid for an application made on 10th June. Given that an individual's health circumstances may have changed in that three months, it is not proposed to make any changes in this regard.

Sports Funding

Questions (679)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

679. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the funding application by a club (details supplied) for a new stadium; if the research and analysis into the project has been completed; the findings of such research and analysis; if there has been consultation with the club in respect of the project; and when a decision on the funding will be made. [12059/20]

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Written answers

The National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports capital project where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital Programme.

The first call for applications under the LSSIF was confined to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Authorities. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) submitted an application for funding a stadium development project on behalf of the club referred to by the Deputy. On 10th January last, Minister Ross and I announced provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF. In view of the limited funding available, the application referred to by the Deputy did not score sufficiently highly to warrant a provisional allocation in this first set of allocations.

The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the projects being suggested for funding undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with the Public Spending Code and EU State Aid rules.

In view of the fact that the proposed development had received previous grants from the Department, it was agreed that the application should also be subject to the due diligence process and the question of funding could then be further considered. My Department has been advancing that process in consultation with the FAI. On 7th May, my Department wrote to the FAI to confirm that it was satisfied that the multi-criteria analysis was compliant with the Public Spending Code.

Most recently the Department wrote to the FAI on 15th June 2020 seeking further information in respect of the financial projections for the project as part of that due diligence process and is awaiting the FAI's response.

In relation to funding the project, while Minister Ross and I are supportive of the project, given (i) the level of funding involved and (ii) the likelihood of a new Government being formed, final approval will be a matter for the incoming Minister.

Driver Licences

Questions (680)

Seán Fleming

Question:

680. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a learner permit will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12067/20]

View answer

Written answers

This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority to answer, and I have passed this query to them for direct response. Please contact my office directly if a reply has not been received within 10 working days.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (681)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

681. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a facility can host one summer camp with several different groups of 15 persons provided they are kept separate. [12108/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government Roadmap on Reopening Society and Business and the prevailing public health guidance currently permits the running of outdoor summer camps, provided that the group does not exceed 15 persons, including coaches and trainers. From the 29th of June, indoor summer camps are permitted.

Different groups of 15 are permitted provided that there is sufficient space in the facility concerned to do so in accordance with social distancing requirements and that they act completely independent of each other with no mixing between groups and no sharing of equipment. Set down, drop off and collection times should be staggered in order to reduce the risk of transmission.

The holding of all events, including summer camps, are subject to the Phases 3 and 4 restrictions on numbers for public gatherings, indoors and outdoors, and other important public health advice.

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