Written Answers Nos. 724-744
724. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a risk assessment has been conducted at bus stops, train stations and on public transport in view of the increasing number of passengers returning during the period of ongoing Covid-19 restriction; if large numbers waiting at train stations are considered mass gatherings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12462/20]
View answerThe Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that are to carry on. I would like to thank operators and staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times.
A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network. My Department is engaging directly with the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to these measures and the NTA is coordinating the response of public transport operators.
Accordingly, 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.
725. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the funding of the A5 major road project; the most recent discussions he has had with members of the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the need to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12468/20]
View answerThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
As is the case for the all such capital projects, the A5 upgrade scheme is subject to the planning assessment and approval process in Northern Ireland and since 2012 there have been a number of legal challenges to approvals related to the scheme. This has led to unavoidable delays to the implementation of the proposed scheme.
Most recently, a challenge to a decision by the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure to proceed with the A5 scheme resulted in the decision to proceed being quashed by the High Court at the request of the Department for Infrastructure in November 2018.
Following the conclusion of that legal action the Department for Infrastructure updated project environmental assessments and undertook a public consultation on a number of environmental reports, including an Environmental Statement Addendum 2019. The Department announced in August 2019 that based on the responses to the consultation the Department had concluded that a further public inquiry was required.
The Planning Appeals Commission was appointed to hold the inquiry and the hearings concluded on 13 March 2020. It is understood that the Department for Infrastructure is awaiting the Inspector’s report, which is scheduled for completion in September 2020.
The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 have been governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. Under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million (sterling) towards the cost of Phase 1a of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland is concluded. The Government's commitment to provide funding of £75 million (sterling) up to 2022 is also now included in the "New Decade, New Approach" document.
Allowing for the time required for the completion of the Public Inquiry process and for all new decisions relating to the project to be taken together with the possibility of a further legal challenge, the timeframe for the start of construction of Phase 1a of the A5 project is still uncertain. In view of the current state of play in relation to the A5 scheme and the timeframes involved, provision was not made in 2019 and is not being made in the calendar year 2020 for funding for the scheme by this Department.
As regards discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive, the North South Ministerial Council was not able to meet for some time before the Northern Ireland Executive was restored in January this year. However, liaison continued, including meetings of the Senior Officials Group comprising Northern and Southern officials established to oversee implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement.
726. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 952 of 3 June 2020, the progress to date in having a resumption of driver lessons and driver tests; if the necessary preparations and systems are in place to enable the commencement of such necessary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12497/20]
View answerIt is envisaged that, in line with Phase 3 of the Government Roadmap, driver testing will resume on a phased basis from 29 June. I can confirm that the Department and the RSA have agreed protocols for the resumption, initially, for trucks, buses and motorcycles , with testing for cars, vans and minibus by Phase 4. Final dates for service resumption are dependent on continued positive progression of the country against the overall Government roadmap.
The RSA is advising authorised driving instructors, of their plans for resuming services and including the protocols to be observed in testing, with a view to them reopening their businesses on or after 29 June, in accordance with the Government's acceleration of Phase 3 of the National Return to Work Safely Protocol as developed by NPHET in consultation with national experts.
731. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons permitted on boat tours on a single vessel, assuming the boat has a licence for 12 passengers; and if it is permitted to bring six persons or 12 under Covid-19 restrictions. [12534/20]
View answerThe Marine Survey Office of my Department licences passenger boats to carry passengers in accordance with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1992, as amended. The passenger boat licence states the number of passengers which a passenger boat may carry. Operators of passenger boats should give due regard to the appropriate health advice issued by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. On this basis the operators need to determine the numbers which they should carry, which in no case should exceed the number stated on the passenger boat licence.
732. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be an exemption for road tax for the period a vehicle was off the road due to Covid-19. [12536/20]
View answerThere is a facility in place for refunds of motor tax in certain limited circumstances where:
- a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed;
- a vehicle has been permanently exported;
- a vehicle has been stolen and has not been recovered by the owner;
- a vehicle in respect of which a tax disc has been taken out has not been used in a public place at any time since the issue of the disc;
- the owner of a vehicle has ceased, because of illness, injury or other physical disability, to use the vehicle;
- the owner of a vehicle has ceased, because of absence from the state for business or educational purposes, to use the vehicle; or
- the owner of a vehicle has ceased, because of service overseas with the Defence Forces, to use the vehicle.
There are no plans currently to amend the legislation to extend the grounds for the granting of a refund.
The Deputy should also note that there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road if a vehicle is not going to be in use. The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013, as amended, provides for a system of declaring vehicles off the road in advance for motor tax purposes. The declaration must be made in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or renewed in the last month of a previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made online or in a motor tax office using the following form:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/4df54e-declaration-of-non-use-of-a-vehicle/.
The declaration can be made for any number of calendar months between 3 and 12 months i.e. it cannot be made for a period of 1 or 2 months. If a vehicle is subsequently required to be put back on the road, the declaration can be broken at any time simply by taxing the vehicle.
733. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is planned to resume driver theory tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the measures in place to date to facilitate the resumption of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12540/20]
View answerThe RSA has been 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.
Driver Theory Tests resumed on 8 June, on a gradual basis.
While this is an operational matter for the RSA, I understand that Cavan and Monaghan theory test centres are both open and operational and available for testing on selected dates in July. Driver Theory Test Centres generally are not open all the time but rather they open to meet demand against available resources. When a customer goes to book a slot online, they are presented with a range of available dates. The Driver Theory Test provider is closely monitoring the supply and demand situation at present.
All of the resumed services are now subject to appropriate public health protocols. Services must be booked in advance, and people should follow the required protocols for the sake of their own health and that of others. Further information is available at www.rsa.ie.
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.
734. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when NCT centres will reopen in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12541/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, on Monday 8 June 2020, in line with the commencement of Phase 2 of the Government's Roadmap for easing Covid 19 restrictions, the National Car Test (NCT) resumed on a phased basis.
Initially, only centres in urban areas have been opened and testing is by appointment only. This is in an effort to minimize unnecessary travel and limit the spread of Covid-19.
Regarding the reopening of those NCT Test Centres that have yet to resume services, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of NCT regime, and, 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.
737. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering a solidarity support package for clubs (details supplied) following the negative impact of Covid-19. [12600/20]
View answerLast Friday my colleague Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin, and I announced a funding package of up €70 million to support the sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This funding package includes;
- Funding of up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.
- a Resilience Fund of up to €10m to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,
- a Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15m to support clubs, and
- a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m.
This additional funding, along with the Roadmap accelerations announced by An Taoiseach on Friday, will ensure the survival of our vibrant sport sector, particularly the network of clubs throughout the country.
This additional funding will be invested through four new grant schemes which will be developed by Sport Ireland and my Department and administered by Sport Ireland. Funding allocations to the National Governing Bodies and clubs under the new schemes will be determined following a robust grant application and assessment process conducted by Sport Ireland.
Sport Ireland will announce an open invitation to applications from funded bodies for assistance under the grant schemes.
739. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to aviation trade and tourism here will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12619/20]
View answerThe European Commission in a communication of 20 May set out the broad framework for lifting COVID-19 border restrictions across Europe, i.e. with consideration to the epidemiological context in countries and regions, the ability to apply containment measures for safe travel throughout the whole journey, and other economic and social considerations, initially prioritising cross-border movement in key areas of activity and including for personal reasons.
On Friday 12 June the Government noted the announcement by the European Commission for a European coordinated approach to lifting these border controls and travel restrictions. The current advice of Government continues to be that all non-essential international travel should be avoided, and the matter of international travel will be kept under review.
The mandatory requirement for arriving passengers to Ireland to complete a passenger locator form, linked to the requirement to self-isolate for 14-days, has been extended to 9 July. Any decisions by Government in relation to lifting restrictive measures concerning COVID-19 will be taken on foot of the advice of the public health authorities in light of the evolving epidemiological situation in Ireland, Europe and beyond.
There are no flight restrictions in place in Ireland, as required to ensure essential connectivity, for example, for vital cargo supply chains. All Irish airlines and airports are aware of the advice of our public health authorities and the European Guidance for safe passenger air travel, for when passenger aviation services resume. In that regard, my Department is engaging with industry stakeholders and the public health authorities in the development of protocols for safe international travel by air (and sea) in line with the European best practice guidance. These protocols are at an advanced stage.
I have established an Aviation Recovery Task Force, charged with advising on a framework for promoting the return of aviation connectivity and aviation enterprises that are critical to supporting the wider economic recovery. The focus is therefore on the immediate action required and further measures with a five year outlook. The Task Force will prepare an Aviation Recovery Action Plan setting out recommendations for consideration by Government as appropriate. The Action Plan should be concluded and submitted by 10 July.
741. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of registered car owners over 70 years of age. [12649/20]
View answerThe number of drivers 70 years of age and over with a current driving licence on the 31st May 2020 is 327,369 of which 325,448 are Full Licence holders and 1,921 are Learner Permit licence holders. The total number of driving licences holders (Full and Learner Permit) with a current licence is 3,065,705.
742. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet representatives of organisations (details supplied) to discuss their recovery plan and in order to open lines of communication with the tourism recovery task force and the task force for aviation recovery. [12670/20]
View answerThe Tourism Recovery Taskforce and the Taskforce for Aviation Recovery continue to consider a range of ideas for stimulating the recovery of the tourism and aviation sectors and it is open to any interested party to make a submission. I have appointed Independent Chairs to both streams of work and will await their recommendations. I would be happy to receive written submissions from the groups and ensure that they are sent on to the Taskforces for consideration.
744. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the provision of specific funding will be ensured to support the development and maintenance of accessible play groups in towns and villages to enable children play and interact with their peers in an outdoor setting. [12666/20]
View answerMy Department administers an annual Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation which provides for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and / or the incorporation of natural play spaces. The 2020 scheme launched on 20th February of this year and was open to all 31 Local Authorities to apply.
The following criteria applied to funding under the DCYA Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation 2020:
- All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them i.e. outside of school hours
- All facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people with special needs
- All facilities and equipment funded must be youth-friendly and safe
- All projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence, or a commitment to providing evidence, that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
- Evidence of ability to complete the project / expenditure within the timeframe.
Local Authorities were also required to provide confirmation that No Smoking signage will be displayed in play spaces and facilities.
Each local authority could make 1 application for a maximum of 3 projects and this year 27 Local Authorities applied for funding in respect of 49 individual projects.
Of the 49 project applications , 46 were approved for funding.
My Department has made Capital Grant funding available for the development of playgrounds since its establishment in 2011, and while I cannot commit at this time, it is my hope that this funding will be available to Local Authorities in 2021.
