Written Answers Nos. 82-101
82. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed fibre broadband will be available in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/21]
View answerThe Question refers to a premises which is located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 15 January 2021, over 161,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cork, surveys have been completed in Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfoyle, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon and Kilpatrick, with surveys underway in Ballydesmond, Kiskeam, Umeraboy, Knocknagree, Rineen, Cullen, Coolinarna, Millstreet, Hollymount and Caherbarnagh. Pre-build works are underway in Fountainstown, Ballinhassig, Monkstown, and Upper Rochestown. Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 10 January, 243 publicly accessible BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. BCP’s connected in Cork are Ballindangan Community Centre, Aghabullogue Community Centre, Castletownkenneigh Community Centre, Lissavard Community Centre, Whitechurch Community Centre and T.O. Park Labbamollaga. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations.
Clogagh and Ballycroneen National School will be provided with high speed broadband for educational use through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Education as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of the schools aspect of the project was announced late last year and will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list.
83. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4525/21]
View answerThe following table below sets out the number of employees who have declared a disability for the years 2015 to 2019 Disability statistics for 2020 are currently being compiled.
|
Year |
Total No. of Staff |
No. of Staff who declared a disability as part of the annual census under the Disability Act 2005 |
|
2015 |
267 |
11 |
|
2016 |
349 |
11 |
|
2017 |
387 |
14 |
|
2018 |
412 |
14 |
|
2019 |
399 |
15 |
While all posts in my Department are full-time, the Civil Service provides a range of flexible working opportunitiesto staff. Schemes, such as the Shorter Working Year Scheme, and a wide variety of worksharing patterns, are available to support staff in the achievement of a good work life balance.
The numbers set out only reflect employees that have declared a disability, given that the declaration of a disability is voluntary.
The Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies and includes:
- the promotion and support of the employment of people with disabilities
- compliance with any statutory Code of Practice
- meeting the target of 3% of employing people with disabilities and
- reporting annually on the achievement of these obligations.
My Department adheres to its requirements as set out by Disability Act of 2005 and is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff.
84. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of his Department made since this Government took office including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/21]
View answer85. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of his Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member including chairpersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4565/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
Further information is also available at: www.stateboards.ie
There are 14 State Boards under the aegis of my Department. There have been 21 State Boards Appointments made since 27 June 2020.
|
Name of Board/Agency |
Remuneration rate/fees |
Appointments since 27 June 2020 |
|
An Post |
Chairperson €31,500 Member €15,750 |
Member appointed 22/10/20 – 21/10/25
Five elected Employee Members appointed 01/11/20 – 31/10/24 |
|
Bord na Móna |
Chairperson €21,600 Member €12,600
|
|
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
Commissioner (salaried) appointments
|
|
|
Commission for Regulation of Utilities |
Commissioner (salaried) appointments
|
|
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
Chairperson €11,970 Member €7,695
|
Chairperson appointed 05/7/20 – 04/7/22 |
|
EirGrid |
Chairperson €21,600 Member €12,600
|
Member appointed 22/7/20 – 21/7/25 |
|
ESB |
Chairperson €31,500 Member €15,750 |
Chairperson appointed 10/11/20 – 9/11/25
Member appointed 27/7/20 – 26/7/25
|
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
Chairperson €11,970 Member €7,695
|
Two Members appointed 7/12/20 – 6/12/23
|
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation |
Chairperson €1,200 Member €900 |
Chairperson appointed 29/9/20 – 28/9/21
Two members appointed 29/9/20 – 28/9/21
|
|
Loughs Agency |
Chairperson €11,970 Vice-Chairperson £6,690 stg (€9,830) Member £5,235 stg (€7,695) Note: As the Loughs Agency is a North-South body, the Exchequer covers half of the fees relating to it. |
Chairperson appointed 16/12/20 – 15/12/25
Member appointed 16/12/20 – 15/12/25 |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency |
Chairperson €11,970 Member €7,695
|
Member appointed 04/1/21 – 03/1/26 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
Chairperson €11,970 Member €7,695 |
Chairperson appointed 01/9/20 – 31/8/25
Member appointed 01/9/20 – 31/8/25 |
|
The Mining Board |
€545.42 fee per day for public and private sittings. €200.93 fee per full day for any necessary attendance (other than sittings) in discharge of the Board’s business.
|
|
|
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) |
Executive Directors (salaried) appointments
|
Director appointed 15/09/20 – 14/09/25 |
86. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding allocated by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4757/21]
View answer87. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of funding spent by his Department on the Covid-19 communications strategy since the beginning of the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4768/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
My Department has not allocated specific funding to the Covid-19 communications strategy to date.
As part of the cross government COVID communications group, my Department collaborates closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Health and all other Departments and agencies to support public information and communications in relation to Covid-19. This is done through leveraging our own digital and social media channels and has not required specific budget allocation to date.
88. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the funding and grants available to mountain search and rescue groups and those engaged in such rescue activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4175/21]
View answerMountain Rescue Teams are voluntary search and rescue organisations that provide a mountain rescue service in a number of locations in the Republic of Ireland. They are tasked by An Garda Síochána and frequently work alongside other search and rescue organisations in the course of training and missions. They are part granted aided by the State, via an annual grant first distributed in 1983.
The Department of Transport provides an annual "Mountain Rescue Grant", which certain voluntary organisations may avail of on application. This arrangement underwent a significant review in 2019 and an increase in funding to these teams was provided in 2020 on foot of this review.
In 2020 the grant was issued to ten mountain rescue teams, all constituent members of Mountain Rescue Ireland, as well as The Search and Rescue Dogs Association, which is also a member of Mountain Rescue Ireland, and the Irish Cave and Rescue Organisation.
89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to support the chauffeur and coach industries whose sectors have been severely hit by the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4742/21]
View answer114. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the support given by his Department or the agencies under the remit of his Department to the chauffeur and small luxury coach industry due to the challenges faced by the sector due to Covid-19; if the details of planned additional measures to assist the sector will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3823/21]
View answer127. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if additional supports will be provided to chauffeurs due to Covid-19 restrictions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3915/21]
View answer128. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with representatives of an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the sector’s exclusion from current Covid-19 financial supports and the way in which this can be rectified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3916/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 114, 127 and 128 together.
The passenger transport sector has been acutely affected by COVID-19 as public health restrictions have necessarily discouraged people from traveling generally. Small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators have been badly affected due to their dependence on the hospitality and tourism sectors. Limousine operators, who are particularly dependent on overseas tourism and major events, have suffered a near total drop in demand for their services and many have been simply unable to work since the pandemic started in March of last year.
The Government has introduced a wide-ranging programme of supports for businesses like these that are adversely affected by Covid. These supports include wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports. Many SPSV operators, including limousine drivers, have been able to avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment which remains open to new applicants. This payment continues to provide an important safety net to operators, recognising their dependency on other sectors of the economy, notably the hospitality industry.
Limousine drivers are particularly dependent on the tourism industry. The 2021 Budget put in place a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector. The total funding for the tourism sector has increased in 2021 by over €59 million or 36% over the initial 2020 allocation in Budget 2020 to €220.9 million. Further details on these measures are available from my colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin T.D.
Measures to support the SPSV industry have also been taken by the industry’s statutory regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA). These measures include the waiver of vehicle licencing fees for 2021, the waiver of late renewal fees, and the facilitation of insurance suspensions for vehicles in conjunction with the insurance industry. The NTA has also been in contact representatives from several limousine representative bodies including the particular organisation referred to in the Questions.
90. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the current process for transferring a UK driver licence to its Irish counterpart given that the Brexit transition period is finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3543/21]
View answerSince 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is no longer a Member State and so for a resident of Ireland a UK driving licence is not valid to drive here. Since 2019, holders of UK licences resident in Ireland had been encouraged to exchange their UK licences for an Irish one before 31 December 2020.
As the UK is now a third country, Ireland has entered into a licence exchange agreement with the UK to mutually recognise each jurisdiction’s licences for the purposes of exchange. This means that a UK licence can still be exchanged for an Irish licence under this new licence exchange agreement.
The requirement to exchange a licence only applies to people resident in Ireland and does not apply to or affect visitors or holiday makers in Ireland.
UK licence holders can apply online to exchange their licence, this is the fastest most convenient way to make an application. They must have a verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Services Card, to apply online. Alternatively, they can apply in person at an National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) Centre by first booking an appointment. Currently, under level 5 restrictions, only essential workers can exchange their licence at an NDLS Centre. More information is available at www.ndls.ie
91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of diesel, petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles registered in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3582/21]
View answerThe table below provides the data requested by the Deputy, and includes all vehicles licensed as at 31st December 2020, broken down by Motor Taxation Class and Fuel Type.
92. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he is proceeding with an application to the EU Recovery and Resilience fund for a project (details supplied); his plans to progress the project in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3625/21]
View answerThe Deputy is likely aware that Ireland is required to prepare a National Recovery and Resilience Plan for submission to the European Commission and I can assure him that I have requested my Department identify suitable projects for possible inclusion. The Deputy should be aware that funding under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility is subject to strict timelines around the conclusion of contractual commitments and completion of physical works which will inform project selection.
In relation to the Western Rail Corridor, the Deputy is aware that two documents have recently been published on my Department’s website and are available to view through the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/1174d-review-of-western-rail-corridor-phases-2-and-3-athenry-to-claremorris.
The first report is a financial and economic appraisal (sometimes referred to as a preliminary appraisal) of the proposal which was commissioned by Iarnród Éireann, in line with a decision of the previous Government. Following a competitive procurement process, Iarnród Éireann selected EY economic consultants to undertake the work and Iarnród Éireann submitted a final report to my Department in July 2020.
Secondly I have also published an independent review of the proposal which was commissioned by my Department. This review was conducted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Union / European Investment Bank, which provides advisory services to Member States (and other public authorities in the EU) and has extensive experience in relation to transport infrastructure proposals in European regions. This independent review noted a number of shortcomings in relation to the proposed re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3 as presented, in particular around issues such as the need to demonstrate the strategic role of the proposal and how it sat within the broader proposed development of the network.
In light of the analyses conducted thus far, and in particular with regard to the findings of the independent review conducted by JASPERS as commissioned by my Department, I have requested my Department to prepare terms of reference for a Strategic Rail Review. This Review will consider all relevant issues in relation to inter-urban rail, inter/intra-regional rail and rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight. Interestingly this Strategic Review will be conducted on an-island basis in co-operation with my Northern Ireland counterpart, Minister Nichola Mallon, MLA, and officials from both our Departments are now developing terms of reference for the Review.
I understand this may be the first such Review to be conducted on an all-island basis and this will, I believe, allow for a fuller consideration of the potential role of rail and the network required to support that potential than perhaps has been allowed before.
I am hopeful that the terms of reference will be agreed and the procurement process launched by the end of Q1. The ultimate duration of the Review will be determined by the work programmes submitted in response to that process; this will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead.
93. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the progress made on a strategy (details supplied) in particular within County Mayo and linking with County Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to plans to develop new infrastructure between both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3627/21]
View answerI am pleased to say that since publication of the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways there have been a number of positive funding announcements in relation to projects in counties Mayo and Sligo.
In 2019 an allocation of €3.2m was awarded to Mayo County Council to support the Clew Bay Greenway and that allocation was increased by a further €2.3m in 2020 in recognition of the difficulties caused by COVID-19 to the local authority’s capacity to allocate its originally envisaged contribution and to address some extra costs generally.
Separately under the Carbon Tax Fund I was also delighted to award funding to both Mayo County Council and Sligo County Council last year in respect of potential projects.
Mayo County Council was awarded €95,000 for a pre-construction concept and feasibility study on a 60km greenway link from Westport via Castlebar to Ballina. I would expect this study to complete this year and, depending on the outcome, a further request for funding to be submitted later this year.
Sligo County Council was awarded €300,000 for preliminary design and environmental assessment in relation to the proposed Sligo Greenway, linking Collooney to Bellaghy/Charlestown. An application for planning is likely to follow this work and I would expect an application for construction funding to follow.
As the Deputy can hopefully see there has been welcome progress in supporting greenways in Mayo and Sligo since 2018 and I look forward to even more progress in the years ahead.
94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is necessary to undertake a fundamental re-evaluation of Ireland’s connectivity to markets of the remaining EU members in view of the conclusion of the Brexit decision. [3636/21]
View answerPrior to the end of the transition period the landbridge was the favoured route to market for many companies dealing in perishable and time sensitive goods due its reliability and speed. The Government has always been clear that it would not be possible to fully mitigate against all outcomes following the UK’s exit, and the reality of UK being fully outside of the EU means that seamless trade is a thing of the past. This also has implications for the landbridge as customs and regulatory processes are required for moving goods to the EU under transit via GB.
This is one of the primary reasons why, in advance of the end of the Brexit transition period, my Department in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), undertook a major communications campaign urging business using the GB landbridge to consider a switch to direct routes which would avoid the new control regimes. This campaign was also supported by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Business Enterprise and Innovation and Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
This communication campaign served to reinforce the message that there is maritime capacity available to transport goods directly to Continental Europe and that these options are many and varied across different modalities providing both accompanied and unaccompanied options to exporters.
Clearly importers and exporters have reacted to this changed environment and we have witnessed throughout 2020 and at the beginning of 2021 an unprecedented response from the shipping industry in terms of increasing capacity to match market demand on direct shipping routes. It has occurred across all relevant modes and has drawn from all available responses. These responses include (1) utilization of surplus capacity, (2) increasing capacity by altering schedules, (3) redeploying vessels within their fleets, and (4) adding new capacity in the form of additional vessels.
The increase in choice and frequency in the RoRo freight market over the past year has had a very significant impact on freight capacity to continental EU ports. Weekly RoRo freight capacity to continental EU ports has doubled in the past 12 months. There is now capacity for approximately 5,000 additional HGV’s & unaccompanied trailers on continental RoRo services per week in January 2021.
The largest increase in capacity has come on RoRo services to Northern France. In January 2020, capacity to Northern France represented 35% of all continental EU capacity. As of January 2021, it now accounts for 49%.
That being said, I am aware of problems still being experienced by trade and backlogs in the supply chain, particularly in GB. We know that the introduction of new import and export regulatory requirements adds additional burdens on companies. Government Departments and Agencies are continuing to engage with companies and haulage and logistics companies to help them work through these new checks and controls to ensure that they can, if they so choose, continue to use the landbridge.
Brexit means that we no longer have a seamless trading relationship with our nearest neighbour, and it is going to take a period of time to adjust to this new reality, and by extension for supply chains to adjust and settle. In due time I will give consideration as to whether or not it is necessary to undertake the re-evaluation as suggested by the Deputy.
95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if Rosslare Port offers an opportunity to connect into the Trans European Transport Network; and if a new strategic plan for the Port needs to be put in place as part of the new Economic Plan under development. [3637/21]
View answerRosslare is already included as a Comprehensive Port under European TEN-T Policy. As a seaport on the comprehensive network, Rosslare is eligible to apply under relevant Funding calls but has not done so to date. Rosslare is operated on a commercial basis as a division of Iarnród Éireann with all investments funded from port revenues. As such any decisions with regard to its strategic plan are a matter in the first instance for Rosslare Europort and Iarnród Éireann.
I am aware, however, that Rosslare Europort is targeting growth and new business opportunities and has received the approval of the Iarnród Éireann Board for a strategic plan to grow the port’s business.
Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort’s strategic development plans for the port over the coming years includes investment plans for €35+ million in customer facilities, port infrastructure, freight facilities, port assets, new technology and linking the new entrance of the port with the proposed new port access road.
This Masterplan will allow for expansion in the port’s current key areas of Ro/Ro freight and passenger transport. The Masterplan will also provide the required permanent infrastructure to facilitate the post-Brexit border inspection requirements, while also creating increased capacity. The Department of Transport has been advised by Iarnród Éireann that planning approval has been granted by Wexford County Council for the development, and that clearance work commenced in December 2020. It is expected that this work will be completed over the course of four phases totaling between three and five years and that the port will be able to continue to operate normally while this is carried out.
Iarnród Éireann has also commenced a digitalisation project for the port, which will see investment in all aspects of IT technology with the aim of transforming the Europort into a ‘smart port’. This will include vehicle-recognition systems, trailer-tracking systems, compound management and check-in and check-out systems.
96. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport his plans in view of repeated large scale planning permissions being granted along the Green Luas line to expand the capacity of the service given that prior to pandemic restrictions it was already heavily congested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3661/21]
View answerThe Deputy is likely aware of the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project which essentially comprises three strands all designed to increase capacity on the Green Line -
- An extension to the Sandyford Luas Depot;
- The lengthening of all 26 existing trams on the Luas Green Line; and
- The purchase of 8 additional 55m long trams to serve on the Green Line.
Works on the extension to the Sandyford Depot are completed, while I am informed that 22 of the 26 tram extensions and 6 of the 8 new trams have arrived. At this stage it is envisaged that all tram extensions and new trams will have arrived and entered service by Q2 in line with the overall project schedule. The new fleet will provide an increase of approximately 30% in passenger capacity for the Luas Green Line as compared to before.
Looking to the longer term, capacity on the Green Line requires to be regularly considered, and I expect to see such consideration undertaken as part of the NTA's review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area ; the Deputy will be aware that this is a statutory review that the NTA has currently underway in line with the requirements of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008.
97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request An Garda Síochána to waive the renewal fee for SPSV driver licences which are due for renewal in 2021 given the dramatic reduction of incomes for taxi and small public service vehicle drivers due to the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3688/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA), the statutory regulator, has since the start of the pandemic taken action to reduce the operating costs for small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators. It has extended vehicle age limits and waived late renewal fees though to June 2021. Furthermore, my Department will provide funding to the NTA to enable it to waive its standard annual SPSV (vehicle) licence renewal fees in 2021.
Unlike vehicle licences, which are renewed annually, SPSV driver licences are normally issued for a five-year period. Therefore the waiving of fees for a single year would not be appropriate, as it would be both unfair to those who have licences which expire in other years and would encourage drivers to renew their licences well before their normal expiry period. Accordingly the fees for SPSV driver licences, which are issued by An Garda Síochána, are unchanged.
98. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated by county for greenways in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3700/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that active travel urban cycling and walking and rural greenway infrastructure is supported through a number of different programmes across Government, and local authorities can access various funding sources to support active travel and rural greenways, including my own Department’s programmes as well as programmes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Since publication of the Greenways Strategy in 2018 there have been two significant rounds of funding allocations in 2019 and 2020 directed toward significant greenways projects across the country, while last year also saw a smaller round of allocations funded through the Carbon Tax Fund which is designed to support local authorities in the planning and design of rural greenways and allow them access later construction funding calls.
The tables below details allocations under the Greenways Programme in 2019 and 2020 and the Carbon Tax Fund in 2020 –
Greenways Programme
|
County |
2019 Allocation |
2020 Additional Allocation |
Total |
|
Cork County |
€8,000,000 |
€11,800,000 |
€19,800,000 |
|
Galway |
€2,600,000 |
€1,600,000 |
€4,200,000 |
|
Kerry |
€6,500,000 |
€400,000 |
€10,500,000 |
|
Mayo |
€3,200,000 |
€2,300,000 |
€5,500,000 |
|
Kildare/Waterways |
€1,700,000 |
€1,300,000 |
€3,000,000 |
|
Offaly/Waterways |
€2,350,000 |
€300,000 |
€2,650,000 |
|
Wexford |
€8,000,000 |
€7,700,000 |
€15,700,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€5,000,000 |
€10,000,000 |
€15,000,000 |
In 2020 €4.5m in funding under the Carbon Tax Fund was allocated to 26 projects to support various pre-construction elements including feasibility, planning and design.
Carbon Tax Fund
|
County |
amount |
|
Carlow |
€150,000 |
|
Cavan |
€175,000 |
|
Clare |
€255,000 |
|
Cork - County |
€80,000 |
|
Donegal |
€340,000 |
|
Fingal |
€200,000 |
|
Galway County |
€315,000 |
|
Kildare |
€96,850 |
|
Leitrim |
€500,000 |
|
Limerick City & County |
€150,000 |
|
Longford |
€60,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
200,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
95,000 |
|
Meath |
750,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€100,000 |
|
Offaly |
€155,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€100,000 |
|
Sligo |
€300,000 |
|
Tipperary County |
€200,000 |
|
Waterford City and County |
€80,000 |
|
Limerick and Clare (Waterways Irl) |
€140,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€58,000 |
Other funding has been allocated to projects outside of these formal funding streams for previously approved projects in Galway, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford - the funding for these projects was for planning and design for the first two projects (originally allocated funding in 2014) and for additional ancillary infrastructure and snag list works in the latter two. Funding was also allocated to Longford, Westmeath, Meath and Kildare for the Royal Canal and Galway to Dublin Greenway. This funding is set out in the table below and reflects actual expenditure rather than original allocations.
|
Project |
2019 (actual expenditure) |
2020 (actual expenditure) |
|
Kerry |
€538,174 |
€130,365 |
|
Galway |
€104,882 |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€260,015 |
€93,594 |
|
Tipperary |
€780,909 |
€1,004,896 |
|
Longford |
€229,102 |
€131,979 |
|
Westmeath |
€5,921,458 |
€769,486 |
|
Meath |
€119,071 |
€30,000 |
|
Kildare |
€2,122,844 |
€57,785 |
It is my intention to look at allocating further funding to projects later this year, including construction and planning funding. COVID19 has had an impact on progress on all our Greenways projects but it is important that we keep developing Greenways around the country.
Urban Active Travel Greenways
There is also the programme of urban, commuter focussed greenways on each of the five cities which is administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA). Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
99. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver test for a front-line worker (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/21]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority has an online booking tool that frontline essential workers can use to request a driving test urgently. This online tool, and information on who qualifies as an essential worker, can be accessed here rsa.powerappsportals.com/urgent-test-request.
100. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to alleviate overcrowding on commuter trains serving south County Kildare and Portarlington, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3750/21]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, 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 Iarnród 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.
101. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of car parts available due to Brexit; his plans to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3751/21]
View answerThrough engagement with shipping companies and haulage/freight representative bodies I have been made aware of difficulties being experienced by some companies in moving freight from or through Great Britain. There are a number of different factors associated with the difficulties being experienced however what is clear is that the issues are primarily linked to the new trading arrangements that exist between the UK and the EU rather than any transport related impediments.
Advice to anyone experiencing difficulties is to engage with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners to ascertain precisely what issues are being encountered. Revenue officials are available 24 hours a day to assist businesses in navigating the new customs requirements applicable since the 1st January 2021.
