Written Answers Nos. 274-287
274. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason some members of the Defence Forces who worked in Covid testing centres during the pandemic have not been approved for qualification for the pandemic recognition payment of €1,000; how many personnel are in this situation; if he will have the matter reviewed and addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53179/23]
View answerIn January 2022, the Government announced a COVID-19 Pandemic Recognition Payment (PRP) for front-line public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. At Government level, the Department of Health has primary policy responsibility for this initiative, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The payment is not subject to income tax, USC, or PRSI. The Government announcement also made provision for a pro-rata application of the payment. The payment amounts to €1,000 for those eligible staff who worked at least 60% Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), for at least 4 weeks during the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, and €600 for below 60% WTE. Those who worked less than 4 weeks are not in scope of the measure.
The measure is ring-fenced to eligible staff that were ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments during the pandemic. In terms of Defence Forces personnel, this means members of the Defence Forces redeployed to work in front-line Covid-19 exposed environments in the HSE.
Work to identify all COVID-related duties undertaken by members of the Defence Forces was completed by Military Management in order to identify personnel who may be eligible for this recognition payment.
The validation and subsequent payment of the PRP, to those members of the Defence Forces deemed eligible, as per the aforementioned criteria, has been processed by the Department of Defence, based on information supplied by Military Management, since October 2022.
At this point in time I am assured that all members of the Defence Forces, deemed in scope for payment of this PRP, have received their payments and I can confirm that there are no outstanding cases. I can further confirm that given that this process must conclude Military Management were asked to ensure that there were no outstanding applications from personnel who could be due this payment and I want to inform the Deputy that this has been confirmed.
276. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport when construction of the Boyne Greenway will commence. [44818/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways.
The Boyne Greenway is a proposed 27km route running between Navan and Drogheda. The scheme is proposed to run adjacent to significant visitor attractions including the Battle of Boyne site and the UNESCO World Heritage site at Bru na Boinne.
In 2023, €100,000 has been allocated to development of this route by the Department of Transport via Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The planning, design and construction of this Greenway is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with Meath County Council. The scheme is currently at Phase 2 – Options Selection of a defined eight stage process as set out in the TII Project Manager's Manual for Greenway Projects.
The Department of Transport understands that further flood study analysis was recently concluded by technical advisors and report finalisation is under review by Meath County Council (MCC). Once the options selection report is approved, a Gate Review Statement will be prepared by MCC and submitted to TII. If this is accepted, the project may be approved to progress to Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation, this may happen before the end of 2023. The programme indicates approximately 14 months for Phases 3 and 4.
A commencement date for the construction of the Boyne Greenway is currently not available. It is anticipated that an application for statutory consent may be made in 2025; this is based on current best available information and is subject to all arrangements, gateway approvals and funding being in place. Construction commencement may be achievable within a one-year timeframe if planning approval is granted by An Bord Pleanála.
277. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations in process; the length of time each has been underway; when each will conclude; the cost to date of each; and the estimated cost of each at completion. [44814/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no tribunals, public investigations, or commissions of investigation currently underway within my Department, or commissioned by my Department at present.
Certain units within my Department conduct investigations in line with their statutory responsibilities. Reports from these investigations are available publicly on their websites as follows:
• Air Accident Investigation Unit: www.aaiu.ie/
• Rail Accident Investigation Unit: www.raiu.ie/
Investigations into marine casualties are carried out by the Marine Casualties Investigations Board (MCIB) which is an independent body, which may provide recommendations to the Minister for Transport in relation to improving safety of life at sea. There are no investigations directed by the Minister in relation to marine casualties. Details of investigations conducted by the MCIB can be found on their website: www.mcib.ie/
279. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he has given permission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to proceed with the Mallow relief road project, with the upgrade of the N25 national road between Carrigtwohill and Midleton, County Cork and with the bypassing of Castlemartyr along the N25 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52665/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of these projects.
I can confirm that in 2023, €100,000 has been allocated for the Mallow Relief Road and €800,000 has been allocated for the Midleton to Youghal scheme which bypasses Castlemartyr. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII. The allocations for national roads for 2024 are expected to be announced by the end of this year.
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.
281. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on whether Weston Airport is to host a search and rescue operation; and what impact this might have on local noise levels on the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50209/23]
View answerThe tender specifications for the new Irish Coast Guard Aviation Service public procurement process required that a Search & Rescue base be located either at Dublin Airport or within 25 kms of Dublin Airport. The successful bidder – Bristow Ireland Limited - has opted to use Dublin Weston Airport as its Dublin base.
The Department has been advised that the Weston Airport management team are engaging with local planning authorities with a view to gaining the necessary approvals to operate the base, which includes the noise abatement procedures and, separately, for planning permission to construct the new base.
282. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to review the road safety strategy to improve enforcement of road traffic offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43917/23]
View answerIreland’s current framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe System approach. The strategy is being delivered in partnership by my Department, the RSA, the Gardai and other state agencies.
The Strategy is currently in its first implementation phase, for the period 2021 - 2024. There are close to 200 concrete actions underway or already completed to help deliver a halving in fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 and Vision Zero by 2050—that is, no fatalities or serious injuries on Irish roads.
Key milestones delivered include the signing into law of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 in June, the publication of the National Cycling Manual and the Speed Limit Review, both in September.
In considering the increasing trend in fatalities, eight Ministerial priority actions have been identified including reviewing the operation of the mobile safety camera system, bringing forward proposals to strengthen the penalty points system, reviewing the driver testing curriculum and speed limit review implementation.
It is important to note, however, that enforcement is a matter for An Gardai Siochana, under the aegis of the Department of Justice.
283. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when a marine application will process for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the average processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52931/23]
View answerThe average processing time for an application to my Department's Mercantile Marine Office (MMO), as stated on the Seafers.ie website, is 10 days. In cases where there is missing or insufficient information, the turnaround times may be longer. In such instances, the applicant will be contacted to notify them of any additional information required. The MMO always makes its best endeavours to contact the applicants to provide as much assistance as possible.
Before making an application for the Advanced Certificates of Proficiency, the applicant, the subject of this parliamentary question, would first need to acquire the basic Certificate of Proficiency and complete the required amount of sea service.
The Applicant in this case is requested to please contact the MMO as soon as possible so that they may be able to assist.
284. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport for an update on progress of the Maglin greenway in Cork; when it is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52959/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
285. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the titles of the White Papers published by his Department from 2008 to date; if he will provide online links to these papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52990/23]
View answerI can confirm that no White Papers, as described by the Deputy, have been published by the Department of Transport from 2008 to date.
286. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the total number of consultancy reports commissioned or funded by his Department that have been categorised or designated as not for external publication from 2011 to date; the total costs incurred on commissioning or funding these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53011/23]
View answerPlease see the attached table below with the total number of consultancy reports commissioned or funded by the Department of Transport that have been categorised or designated as not for external publication from 2011 to date and the total costs incurred on commissioning or funding these reports:
|
Years |
No. of Consultancy Reports |
Costs incurred |
|
2012 |
2 |
€207,655.06 |
|
2017 |
1 |
€9,782.98 |
|
2018 |
5 |
€88,730.64 |
|
2019 |
8 |
€260,705.81 |
|
2020 |
1 |
€87,555.62 |
|
2021 |
1 |
€11,070 |
|
2022 |
1 |
€30,048.90 |
|
2023 |
3 |
€81,119.76 |
|
Total |
22 |
€782,296.15 |
287. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek and fund traffic calming measures and community safety works in an area (details supplied). [53029/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 operation and management 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 and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding the N28.
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.
In relation to regional roads, 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 State road grants, where applicable.
My Department provides funding for Low Cost Safety Improvement Schemes and applications are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. When submitting projects for consideration, local authorities are required to set out the collision history of the works site and outline how the proposed project should reduce collisions or address a hazard. Applications are reviewed and assessed by the Department's Engineering Inspectorate prior to allocations being finalised.
