Seán Sherlock
Question:101. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the costings carried out on the programme for Government; and if he will provide documents on those costings. [14038/20]
View answerProgramme for Government
Questions (101)
Written answers
During the course of Government formation talks, my Department provided briefing material and costings related to various policy proposals. These were published on 3 July 2020 by the Department of the Taoiseach and can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7b927-programme-for-government-documents/.
Costings for the specific Programme for Government commitments related to this Department will be analysed over the coming months in the context of budgetary discussions.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (102)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:102. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce measures on public transport to ensure healthcare workers can get to work with capacity likely to become an issue as the country reopens; his further plans for healthcare workers to receive priority boarding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14042/20]
View answerWritten answers
There is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government commits to making active travel and public transport better and more accessible. Among the measure we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural transport service and prioritising public transport projects that enhances regional and rural connectivity.
Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their 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.
Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue and to plan for the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. In this context, the NTA is engaging directly with both PSO and commercial transport operators.
With the commencement of Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business on 29 June 2020, changes to the existing public transport social distancing restrictions were agreed, allowing a move from 2 metres social distancing to utilising 50% of the passenger-carrying capacity of fleet. This will help to underpin public transport services during these unprecedented times, with a view to safeguarding public transport capacity in Phases 3 and 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business . Alongside this change, the wearing of a face covering when using public transport is now being made mandatory, with the exception of those who cannot do so for health reasons or due to young age. The legal framework to back up the mandatory use of face coverings on public transport is currently being prepared and we expect to have new Health Regulations in the coming days.
Further, there is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and therefore should only be used for essential travel, with only those who absolutely have to travel at peak times doing so and encouraging staggered retail and office opening hours. People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical, and organisations are encouraged to continue to facilitate working from home.
Temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, have also been approved for the licensed bus sector. Licensed operators provide essential transport services for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery. The support is aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The support will be restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and will be targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the public transport licensing agency, will administer the support through the establishment of contracts between the NTA and the relevant operators.
Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 96.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (104)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:104. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Bus Éireann fleet of public buses will be fitted with protective screens for drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14044/20]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 Bus Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Consultancy Contracts
Questions (105)
Carol Nolan
Question:105. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14063/20]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above PQ to ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In November 2018, CARA (Sport Inclusion Ireland) provided training in relation to accessibility to sport for those with a disability but did not charge for the training.
In 2019, the National Disability Authority (NDA) provided “NDA - Online Disability Equality Training for Public Sector Staff “at no cost to my Department.
In 2020, ShoutOut provided training on “The History of Pride” at a cost of €500.00 (which includes a discount for Public Sector Organisations) and the Department of Justice and Equality provided training on “The Development of Marriage Equality Legislation” at no cost to my Department.
My Department is committed to prioritising diversity and inclusion. It has facilitated and will continue to facilitate talks and presentations from staff members and advocates on diversity and inclusion issues, such as living with visual impairments and LGBT+ issues.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (106)
Carol Nolan
Question:106. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure his Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14080/20]
View answerWritten answers
Details of the expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external legal fees for the years 2016 to 2018 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/30ae9c-expenditure-on-external-services/
Details of the expenditure incurred in the years 2019 and to date in 2020 is being collated by my officials and will be forwarded within 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to the above PQ to ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the expenditure his Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
As you are aware, details of the expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of external legal fees for the years 2016 to 2018 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/30ae9c-expenditure-on-external-services/
Please see the following table setting out the information for 2019 and to date in 2020:
|
Year |
Expenditure incurred |
|
2019 |
€286,576.66 |
|
2020 |
€85,000 |
The expenditure was incurred in the provision of legal advice on contractual agreements, GDPR, Brexit matters, an employment law issue and a fee for swearing an affidavit.
There was one additional cost incurred in 2017 for external legal fees which amounted to €4,981.50 (incl. VAT).
Football Association of Ireland
Questions (107)
Catherine Murphy
Question:107. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet an association (details supplied) in respect of ongoing governance issues and the referral of a report to An Garda Síochána and the ODCE. [14099/20]
View answerWritten answers
The report mentioned by the Deputy was commissioned by the organisation itself and I understand that the organisation has referred the report to An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. I did not receive a copy of the report from the organisation and I have no plans to meet the organisation to discuss the report.
With regard to ongoing governance issues, Sport Ireland remains in communication with the organisation on matters relating to its governance and financial management. Certain firm commitments were provided by the organisation in a Memorandum of Understanding agreed with the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on 30 January 2020. Sport Ireland has established a process to oversee and review adherence by the organisation to the commitments given in the MOU.
The organisation has committed to implementing certain priority recommendations on governance reform and Sport Ireland expects to be in a position to restore funding to the organisation when these commitments are verifiably honoured.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (108)
Catherine Murphy
Question:108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the tourism and hospitality sector in the context of Covid-19 [14100/20]
View answerWritten answers
On 20 May 2020, a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established 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 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 members were selected 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.
A dedicated page has been set up on the Gov.ie website which gives regular updates on the status of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and includes minutes from meetings and documentation relating to the work of the Taskforce. The Taskforce presented an initial report on 25 June which is aimed at helping tourism to survive in the initial reopening period as Ireland emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown period. The on-going work of the taskforce will inform Government policy in supporting the sector to recover from this crisis.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (109, 128)
Marian Harkin
Question:109. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements in place to ensure workers in rural areas can access public transport to travel to and from work in view of the small number allowed on buses and trains and in circumstances in which services have been curtailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14105/20]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:128. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to increase capacity for commuters who cannot access public or private transport due to Covid-19 related capacity restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14437/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 128 together.
There is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government commits to making active travel and public transport better and more accessible. Among the measure we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural transport service and prioritising public transport projects that enhances regional and rural connectivity.
Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their 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.
Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue and to plan for the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. In this context, the NTA is engaging directly with both PSO and commercial transport operators.
With the commencement of Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business on 29 June 2020, changes to the existing public transport social distancing restrictions were agreed, allowing a move from 2 metres social distancing to utilising 50% of the passenger-carrying capacity of fleet. This will help to underpin public transport services during these unprecedented times, with a view to safeguarding public transport capacity in Phases 3 and 4 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business . Alongside this change, the wearing of a face covering when using public transport is now being made mandatory, with the exception of those who cannot do so for health reasons or due to young age. The legal framework to back up the mandatory use of face coverings on public transport is currently being prepared and we expect to have new Health Regulations in the coming days.
Further, there is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and therefore should only be used for essential travel, with only those who absolutely have to travel at peak times doing so and encouraging staggered retail and office opening hours. People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical, and organisations are encouraged to continue to facilitate working from home.
Temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, have also been approved for the licensed bus sector. Licensed operators provide essential transport services for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery. The support is aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The support will be restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and will be targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the public transport licensing agency, will administer the support through the establishment of contracts between the NTA and the relevant operators.
Trans European Transport Network Programme
Questions (110)
Seán Canney
Question:110. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review of the Ten-T maps for Ireland with a view to including more regional development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14133/20]
View answerWritten answers
In April 2019, the European Commission commenced the review of TEN-T with an evaluation of the existing TEN-T Regulation together with an open public consultation. This consultation took place between April and July 2019 and generated responses from more than 600 citizens and organisations, including 33 from Ireland.
In August 2019 my predecessor Minister Ross made a submission to former EU Transport Commissioner, Violeta Bulc, on the matter of reviewing the TEN-T network. The submission focussed on highlighting national policy developments since the TEN-T Regulation came into force in 2013, particularly Ireland's National Planning Framework and National Development Plan and the implications of Brexit. The Minister requested that the Commission consider the existing methodology of the TEN-T core network with a view to including the Atlantic seaboard region of Ireland. In her response, Commissioner Bulc gave assurances that the specifities of Ireland's situation within the EU would be taken into account during the TEN-T review process.
The Commission then launched a targeted stakeholder consultation in January 2020 which largely consisted of a range of specific surveys that address the broad range of directly concerned stakeholders .
Since the review process began, my Department has been engaging with relevant stakeholders on the review. As part of the overall evaluation, on 7 July 2020 my Department is meeting with the TEN-T consultants engaged by the European Commission.
The Commissioner has advised that once the analysis of the evaluation is complete, the Commission will publish a Commission Staff Working Document expected in November 2020. In parallel, it will launch the Impact Assessment this summer, including a consultation on the policy options.
Taxi Licences
Questions (111)
Bríd Smith
Question:111. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi licences issued since 2015 to date specifically those covering the greater Dublin area, respectively; the number of applications awaiting processing for granting of a taxi licence and for the greater Dublin area, respectively; the number of taxis licensed to operate in the greater Dublin area; his plans for taxi numbers in view of the collapse of economic activity in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14137/20]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, 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.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 96.
Shannon Airport Facilities
Questions (113)
Catherine Connolly
Question:113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 648 of 23 June 2020, the number of occasions on which each operator undertook the activity specified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14207/20]
View answerWritten answers
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Shannon Airport Authority and for this reason the Deputy's previous question was forwarded to the Airport for direct reply. I understand that Shannon Airport Authority has responded to the Deputy and accordingly, any clarification of the material provided by the Company, should be raised directly with the Company.
To assist the Deputy, I have forwarded this question to Shannon Airport Authority 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.
Aviation Industry
Questions (114)
Emer Higgins
Question:114. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that customers are being charged €50 per person for cancelling their tickets further to the announcement that customers who have booked travel tickets through an agency should be refunded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14222/20]
View answerWritten answers
Under EU Directive 2015/2302, the Package Travel Directive, consumers have a right to a refund of all payments where a package holiday is cancelled either by the consumer or by the organiser due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In instances where unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances pertain - such as Government advice not to travel - then no termination fee should be applied to a cancellation. In all other instances the travel agent or tour operator may apply a fee, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the booking.
Consumer information on this issue is available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/40f0d7-guidance-on-the-right-of-travellers-to-terminate-package-travel-cont/.
Road Projects
Questions (115)
John McGuinness
Question:115. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress on traffic management works required on the link road from the roundabout at the junction of the M9 and Danesfort through Foulkstown to Kilkenny city which his predecessor inspected with local representatives; if he has engaged with Kilkenny County Council to devise a plan and identify funding for a traffic management scheme; his views on the dangers shown and the high number of poorly marked and designed junctions on the road; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14235/20]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Climate Energy and Communications and Transport, Tourism and Sport , I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.
Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the upgrading and improvement (including the distribution and management of funding) for individual national roads is a matter for 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.
Road Projects
Questions (116, 117)
Thomas Gould
Question:116. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected date of completion of the northern ring road in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14262/20]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:117. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected commencement date of the northern ring road in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14263/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.
As Minister for Climate Energy and Communications and 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 planning, design 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.
Road Projects
Questions (118, 119, 120)
Thomas Gould
Question:118. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given to fund additional road safety measures in County Cork in view of the large number per population of road fatalities in the county in 2019 and notwithstanding funding already allocated to Cork city and county councils. [14264/20]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:119. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of overall national spending on road infrastructure spent in County Cork in each of the years 2010 to 2019, notwithstanding city and county council operations and projects. [14265/20]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:120. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated percentage of overall national spending on road infrastructure spent in County Cork to date in 2020, notwithstanding city and county council operations and projects. [14266/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 120, inclusive, together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by Exchequer road grants, where applicable. In the case of the four Dublin Councils, since the revision of the arrangements for the retention of Local Property Tax in 2015 these Councils are required to largely self-fund their road programmes.
As regards grant funding provided to Cork City and County since 2010 relative to overall grant funding, each year my Department prepares regional and local road allocation and payment booklets. These booklets, which are available in the Oireachtas library, include details of grant allocations and payments to each local authority under the grant programmes operated by my Department. In relation to grant payments to date in 2020, the position is that €1.5 million approx. has been paid to Cork City and €10.7 million approx. to Cork County. The overall grant amount drawn down to date is €78.5 million. Drawdown to date in 2020 by the two Cork Councils is therefore 15.5% of the total.
For the Deputy's information, the main grant programmes currently in operation are:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS) : This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS): The programme facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme: The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
A pilot scheme has been implemented to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of Former National (FN) roads.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
As regards the availability of funding for additional road safety measures in Cork, all available grant funding has been allocated for 2020. Within the budget available to the Department for regional and local road grants, allocations are made on as equitable basis as possible taking into account the length of road in each local authority area and traffic factors. It is open to local authorities to fund road safety measures from their own resources and my Department emphasises the importance of local authorities' prioritising works on roads when allocating own resources.
As Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, planning, design, and construction is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII is, therefore, responsible for the distribution of funds under the Capital Programme for the implementation of the national roads programme.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII to provide you with the information requested. 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.