Written Answers Nos. 195-214
195. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter regarding the train and bus station in Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18905/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore referred 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.
196. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the PSO provision for public transport in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18909/20]
View answerThe total amount of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) each year from 2010 to 2019 is in the table below. The total PSO funding since 2018 includes an allocation for Local Link rural regular services, which were previously funded from the Rural Transport Programme. For 2020, increased PSO funding will be required as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Since 2010, my Department no longer pays subvention for public transport services directly to operators. The award of 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.
|
YEAR |
PSO Allocation (€m) |
|
2010 |
276 |
|
2011 |
265 |
|
2012 |
278 |
|
2013 |
227 |
|
2014 |
212 |
|
2015 |
210 |
|
2016 |
237 |
|
2017 |
264 |
|
2018 |
281 |
|
2019 |
294 |
|
2020 |
289 |
197. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making all public transport wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18910/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
198. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passenger arrivals and departures from each airport from January to June 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/20]
View answerAll statistics set out below are provisional figures provided by the airports and can be subject to change.
No. of Passengers Arriving through Airports by Month 2020
|
Airport |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Total |
|
Dublin Airport |
996,715 |
980,719 |
496,886 |
11,201 |
18,501 |
37,197 |
2,541,219 |
|
Shannon Airport |
41,679 |
43,784 |
22,940 |
50 |
31 |
42 |
108,526 |
|
Cork Airport |
78,352 |
79,099 |
43,016 |
694 |
1,095 |
2,330 |
204,586 |
|
Ireland West Airport Knock |
18,402 |
22,678 |
11,219 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
52,299 |
|
Donegal Airport |
1,249 |
1,344 |
947 |
56 |
116 |
315 |
4,027 |
|
Kerry Airport |
9,921 |
11,594 |
5,741 |
62 |
104 |
232 |
27,654 |
No. of Passengers Departing through Airports by Month 2020
|
Airport |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Total |
|
Dublin Airport |
975,451 |
971,643 |
476,527 |
12,170 |
23,291 |
49,873 |
2,508,955 |
|
Shannon Airport |
43,095 |
42,337 |
22,940 |
50 |
23 |
43 |
108,488 |
|
Cork Airport |
80,009 |
80,338 |
37,456 |
522 |
1,110 |
2,492 |
201,927 |
|
Ireland West Airport Knock |
22,560 |
22,596 |
11,225 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
56,381 |
|
Donegal Airport |
1,658 |
1,337 |
875 |
51 |
121 |
336 |
4,378 |
|
Kerry Airport |
11,651 |
11,105 |
5,751 |
48 |
115 |
247 |
28,917 |
200. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to consult with the National Transport Authority on the many issues in relation to taxi and limousine vehicle licensing, in view of the deferred Covid-19 reopening map in which many operators are expected to renew vehicle licences when those taxi and limousine vehicles are non-operational due to ongoing restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18917/20]
View answerMy Department is in regular contact with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to monitor the impact that the reopening of the economy in line with the Government's Roadmap to Reopening Society and Business is having on demand for SPSV services and to ensure that SPSV operators who have temporarily stopped working are well placed to return to work.
I understand that the NTA is waiving late SPSV licence renewal fees where the delay in renewal has occurred due to COVID-19. This should afford SPSV operators who have temporarily stopped working more flexibility in deciding when to resume working.
201. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the industry specific financial supports that will be made available to licensed travel agents and tour operators in view of the major Covid-19 recommended travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18922/20]
View answerThe Deputy raises an important issue for Irish licensed travel agents and tour operators, many of which are small, local high street businesses. Under the EU Package Travel Directive, travel agents and tour operators are required to provide their customers with a full cash refund when a holiday is cancelled due to exceptional circumstances, which of course Covid is. However, the travel agents and tour operators are having difficulties securing refunds themselves from their suppliers to pass onto their customers, and indeed where flights take place - irrespective whether a travel agent's customer has cancelled - the airlines are not obligated to provide a refund. I know this is causing considerable financial strain in the sector.
The State is providing financial backing for a Refund Credit Note scheme, under which travel agents and tour operators can issue credit notes to their customers instead of cash - if the customer agrees - and the financial value of that credit note is guaranteed by the State. This is a measure designed to give assurance to consumers about the safety of accepting a credit note, and help the industry alleviate the cash flow drain it is experiencing. The challenge is to ensure that consumer rights are protected and at the same time that viable business and their workers are kept going. The sector may also avail of the Government wage support scheme and business supports, particularly those aimed at small and medium enterprises.
My Department is maintaining an open engagement with the travel trade industry and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has met with representatives of the Irish Travel Agents Association to discuss ongoing issues. On foot of that, I understand the Minister of State has invited the ITAA to consider all of the current available supports for SMEs and identify whether anything additional is required.
203. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of articulated truck drivers and the fact that applicants who wish to take the theory test necessary to qualify as an articulated driver must wait until January 2021 in order to do so; if he will provide the necessary resources to reduce the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18940/20]
View answerDriver Theory Tests resumed on 8 June, on a gradual basis.
As you can appreciate Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of services. The Driver Theory Test service has seen its capacity reduced by 50% to comply with occupational and public health requirements. This has an inevitable impact on many people, including truck drivers.
The RSA is currently engaging with the service provider to maximise capacity within existing constraints. It will be opening on additional days including Saturdays, (at some centres) and extended hours will also be provided to allow additional capacity for appointments.
I understand additional appointments are added to frequently and people wishing to take the theory test should contact check the service through https://theorytest.ie/.
204. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be reviewed; his views on the importance of the sector within the tourism realm at this critical time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18946/20]
View answerI am aware of the role that platforms such as AirBnB play in Irish tourism. My predecessor established the 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.
The Tourism Recovery Taskforce has undertaken a widespread stakeholder consultation process and I understand that the Taskforce has heard directly from a number of stakeholders recently, including AirBnB, as it works towards a final report.
205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes from July 2019 when the governance reforms endorsed by his Department and Sport Ireland were ratified by members of an association (details supplied) and January 2020 when additional reforms were requested; if he will provide a full schedule of correspondence and meetings regarding these requested changes; the persons that sanctioned them; the basis on which they were sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19052/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the importance of independent directors is a key principle of good corporate governance and is a requirement in the Governance Code for Sporting Bodies overseen by Sport Ireland. It is important to recognise that successive governance reviews of the association referred to by the Deputy, dating back to 2002, recommended that a number of independent directors be appointed to the association’s Board. It is regrettable that this was not implemented prior to last year when the association found itself in a profound crisis of governance. The Deputy is correct that the governance review commissioned by Sport Ireland and the association in question recommended that 4 independent directors, including an independent Chairperson, would be appointed to the association’s Board, together with 8 directors appointed from within the association’s governance structure. This recommendation was accepted by the association and the rulebook, memorandum and articles of association were amended accordingly.
Between November 2019 and January of this year, the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross and the then Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin, T.D. met on a number of occasions with delegations from the Board of the association concerned who were seeking emergency financial assistance to stave off the looming threat of insolvency. In January, the then Ministers informed the Board that any additional funding would be conditional on the association committing to further governance reforms, which would extend beyond the recommendations of the 2019 governance review, including a commitment to appoint additional independent directors. The Ministers made it clear that such conditionality was essential given that auditors instructed by Sport Ireland had found that the association was not fit to receive public funds. The Ministers advised that, as the State was being asked to provide a multi-annual funding commitment outside of the normal grant scheme for funding sporting bodies, a Government decision was required to authorise the Minister to make available the level of financial support required to safeguard the future of the association and its 203 employees. In seeking the agreement of Government to enter a funding agreement with the association concerned, the then Minister Shane Ross confirmed to his Cabinet colleagues that the association would be required to accept and fulfil a range of additional governance and financial control reforms in order to access Government funding. On that basis, the Minister was granted authority by the Government and duly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chairperson of the association on 30 January.
Officials in my Department will provide the Deputy with a full schedule of the then Ministers’ meetings with the Board of the association as well as copies of all correspondence between the Ministers and the association during the period in question.
I would like to confirm to the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to the MOU signed by my predecessor and, as my colleagues Minister Martin and Minister Calleary have confirmed in writing, we have no intention of renegotiating the terms of the MOU. I recognise that the governance changes required in the MOU go further than the requirements of the Sport Ireland Governance Code or the recommendations of the association’s 2019 governance review. However, these conditions are essential to restore public confidence in the association, to safeguard the very considerable public funds which are to be disbursed and to ensure there is no return to the dysfunctional leadership which led the association to the brink of insolvency.
206. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress on the Ardee bypass project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19057/20]
View answerAs Minister for Climate, Energy, Communications and Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will be carrying out a review of the National Development Plan later this year, taking account of the priorities of Government set out in the Programme. The Deputy may wish to address further questions he may have on the review of the NDP to my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
207. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of additional expenditure which will be required in the next two years to reach a steady state in relation to regional and local roads by year in tabular form. [19070/20]
View answer208. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of July stimulus funding which has been allocated towards reducing the gap towards a steady state in regional and local roads. [19071/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
The focus of the July Stimulus Plan is on measures to support employment and boost the economy. The Plan includes the provision of €115 million for active travel, public transport and renewal of transport infrastructure. This allocation includes €82 million for measures to improve accessibility, pedestrian infrastructure and support for urban and rural cyclists together €10 million for the adaptation of the regional and local road network to climate change. The Stimulus will allow local authorities to access funding through either the National Transport Authority or my Department's Regional and Local Roads Division.
While the Plan does not provide funding specifically to reduce the "steady state" funding gap, it will support local authorities' overall road maintenance and improvement programmes which include the provision/maintenance of cycleways and footways and the promotion of greater network resilience.
As regards the amount required to bridge the gap in "steady state" funding on the regional and local road network, it is estimated that this year the gap is of the order of €60 million depending on a number variables, including local authority own resource spending on the regional and local network. The position in the next two years will depend on the outcome of the Estimates process for those years and the level of own resources allocated to the maintenance and renewal of the network by local authorities.
209. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding being allocated under the July stimulus under cycling, walking, national roads, aviation, public transport, maritime, road haulage and regional and local roads, respectively in tabular form. [19072/20]
View answer210. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of July stimulus allocated to his Department. [19073/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.
€115.25m has been allocated to my Department in the July Stimulus 2020. This constitutes €113.25m in capital and €2m in current funding. A detailed tabular breakdown of the investment is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b8bc5-july-jobs-stimulus-plan/.
A summary table of the investment is set out below:-
|
Investment |
Amount |
|
Supporting Pedestrians and Improving Accessibility |
€40m |
|
Supporting Cyclists in Urban and Rural Ireland |
€42m |
|
New and Expanded Local Bus Services |
€2m |
|
Improving Rail Journeys |
€21m |
|
Adaptation of Road Network in Respect of Climate Change |
€10m |
|
Grants for Electric Vehicles for Local Link Services |
€0.25m |
211. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actual amounts and percentages of the July stimulus allocated to cycling, walking, national roads, aviation, public transport, maritime, road haulage and regional and local roads, respectively, in tabular form. [19074/20]
View answerAs you are aware, the July Jobs Stimulus Plan announced by the Government last week includes €115 million for active travel, public transport and renewal of transport infrastructure.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) have played a huge role in sustaining household incomes through the worst of the crisis. These payments are available to the workers and companies in the aviation, maritime and road haulage sectors. The PUP is being extended until 1 April 2021 giving those on emergency income support greater security as the country recovers and job opportunities return. It is not possible to ascertain what the drawdown in each of these sectors will be.
The Stimulus is the next stage in Ireland's response to the COVID-19 crisis and focuses on six areas relating to this Department.
Further information on the plan is linked here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b8bc5-july-jobs-stimulus-plan/.
212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to lengthen the platforms at red line Luas stations. [19079/20]
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 light rail in the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has spoken to the CEO of Dublin Bus since his appointment. [19080/20]
View answerI have been briefed by my departmental officials on all aspects of my portfolio but I have not had an individual meeting with Dublin Bus officials to date.
Meetings with relevant organisations under my remit in the Department will be arranged in due course.
214. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he received correspondence (details supplied); and if he will advise on the matter. [19100/20]
View answerA person renewing a driving licence or learner permit, that is under 70 years of age and does not have a truck or bus category on their licence, may be able to apply online. An applicant must be the holder of a Public Services Card (PSC) and a verified MyGovID account to make an application online. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types.
As you can appreciate Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of services. The National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) is operating at around 60% of its pre-Covid capacity to ensure that it complies with occupational and public health requirements. In the normal way, this would lead to longer waiting times-however a number of measures are being considered to deliver extra capacity.
The NDLS offices are unable to facilitate walk-ins due to social distancing requirements and in the interests of protecting staff and customers. Therefore, all appointments must be booked in advance. This has led to an increase in demand for appointments.
The Road Safety Authority is currently working with its providers to see how it can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work safely protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths. Some applicants may be able to apply online or by post.
I understand from the correspondence that the person in question has an appointment this week to renew her licence, and has availed of the NDLS Customer Service ( 0761087880 / email: info@ndls.ie) to state her dissatisfaction of the delays and late notification. My officials have taken note of the points raised.
Queries in relation to driving licences can also be addressed directly to the Road Safety Authority at lqueries@rsa.ie.
