Parliamentary questions

Greenways Development

Brendan Ryan

1827. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a funding shortfall for cycling infrastructure projects in the Dublin area; his views on the NTA proposal to request Dublin City Council to postpone design work on the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city centre cycleway and the delay in the Royal Canal cycleway phase 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/16]

Greenways Development

Brendan Ryan

1828. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding which was withdrawn by the NTA from cycling infrastructure and provided for Luas cross city and city centre traffic management works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/16]

Greenways Development

Brendan Ryan

1829. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for and expedite the completion of a number of cycling infrastructure projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26059/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Ryan

1837. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since, including the date it became vacant, for State boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short list provided to him by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26090/16]

Science Foundation Ireland

Brendan Ryan

1887. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will seek a supplementary estimate for Science Foundation Ireland for 2016, as occurred with the €5 million for capital in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25990/16]

Science Foundation Ireland

Brendan Ryan

1888. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €157 million provided to Science Foundation Ireland in 2015; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/16]

Research and Development Supports

Brendan Ryan

1889. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €119.43 million provided to Enterprise Ireland in 2015 for direct and indirect research, development and innovation supports and commercialisation of State-funded research; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25992/16]

Research and Development Supports

Brendan Ryan

1890. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will provide a breakdown of the €62 million provided to IDA Ireland in 2015 through its research, development and innovation support programme; the project and description of which the funding was used for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25993/16]

Science Foundation Ireland Data

Brendan Ryan

1891. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Science Foundation Ireland investigator awards currently active; the number of principal investigators currently supported; the number that have been awarded each year since 2010; the annual budget cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25994/16]

Science Foundation Ireland Data

Brendan Ryan

1892. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Science Foundation Ireland investigator awards that have been on the reserve list and the number that were funded in each of the years since 2010; if she expects to be in a position to fund those on the 2016 reserve list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25995/16]

Science Foundation Ireland Expenditure

Brendan Ryan

1893. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the amount Science Foundation Ireland spent in 2015 on external communications and public relations advise and support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25996/16]

Science Foundation Ireland Staff

Brendan Ryan

1894. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff that have been directly employed by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) in each year since 2010, including a breakdown of the number of staff in each directorate in 2010 and 2016 in tabular form; if she will provide a list of job titles currently active in SFI; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25997/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Ryan

1895. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State boards or governing bodies under her control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short list provided to her by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under her control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26086/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Ryan

1936. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since, including the date they became vacant, for State boards or governing bodies under her control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a shortlist provided to her by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under her control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26078/16]

Appointments to State Boards

Brendan Ryan

1957. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since, including the date they became vacant, for State boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short-list provided to him by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26080/16]

Tax Code

Brendan Ryan

90. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the maintenance of the 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality related services in budget 2017; his plans to present a case for the retention of the 9% VAT rate to his Government colleagues prior to budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23439/16]

Rail Network Expansion

Brendan Ryan

774. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that have been undertaken by his Department to plan for work on the DART underground tunnel given his recent comments to an Oireachtas committee on tackling congestion in Dublin; if he has requested his Department to apply for any EU funding streams to accelerate work on the DART underground tunnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23424/16]

Light Rail Projects Status

Brendan Ryan

775. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider accelerating the timeframe for the completion of the metro north; if so, when the revised timeframe will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23425/16]

Public Transport Subsidies

Brendan Ryan

776. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase the subvention to public bus companies in the upcoming budget given the upturn in economic activity and corresponding increased use of public transport, such as last year when 11.7 million bus journeys were taken in Cork, a 7.3% increase on the 10.9 million journeys in 2014 according to the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23426/16]

Transport Costs

Brendan Ryan

777. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding moves by transport companies and operators to increase prices for sports fans who are attending sporting events of national and cultural importance, including the 2016 European Football Championships and rugby’s PRO12 final; if he has raised this issue with transport operators and companies; his plans to tackle the exorbitant prices for sports fans travelling to overseas events in conjunction with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23427/16]

Public Transport Initiatives

Brendan Ryan

778. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has read the pre-budget submission from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce; his views on its recommendations that a minimum €1 billion extra is invested in public transport over the next four years; that in 2017 as many productive infrastructure projects as possible should be progressed and projects such as metro north and DART underground accelerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23428/16]

Public Transport Provision

Brendan Ryan

779. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address infrastructure deficits in regional transport as is committed to under the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23429/16]

Road Network

Brendan Ryan

780. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an estimated timetable for an increase in the budget for local and regional roads by approximately 50% as committed to under the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23430/16]

Local Improvement Scheme

Brendan Ryan

781. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will introduce a fully funded local improvement scheme to support the maintenance and repair of non-local authority roads as promised in the programme for Government; the amount that will be allocated to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23431/16]

Road Projects

Brendan Ryan

782. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the key radial routes for development that are being prioritised from the existing motorway network, to ensure that communities isolated by inadequate national primary roads have direct access to ports and airports as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/16]

Rail Network Expansion

Brendan Ryan

783. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he is progressing the programme for Government commitment to an independent costing and review of a proposal to extend the western rail corridor by linking Athenry and Claremorris; when it will take place and the amount this review will cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23433/16]

EU Funding

Brendan Ryan

784. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Government has applied to the EU for TEN-T transport funding for a revision of the TEN-T core network, including applying for the reinstatement of the cross-Border western arc as the programme for Government commits to within three months of the new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23434/16]

Transport Policy

Brendan Ryan

785. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce measures to facilitate the regulation of rickshaws in urban centres, given that currently they are entirely unregulated and are not subject to any licensing or insurance requirements and that local authorities and transport authorities have requested that his Department introduces new measures to allow for their regulation; for an estimate of the number of rickshaw operators and drivers currently working here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23435/16]

Integrated Ticketing

Brendan Ryan

786. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the integrated ticketing system across all modes of public transport here; the expansion of the system that is planned; if measures to facilitate mobile or online top-ups for Leap cards are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23436/16]

Public Transport Initiatives

Brendan Ryan

787. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has been briefed by Dublin City Council regarding its plans to fast-track the construction of a €30 million bridge linking Dublin’s south docks with the planned new urban quarter on the Poolbeg peninsula; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Brendan Ryan

788. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contingency plans his Department has put in place to address any negative impact from Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector here; his plans to protect the important British market; if he has met with his counterparts in the British, Northern Ireland and Scottish Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23438/16]

Tourist Accommodation

Brendan Ryan

789. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a recent survey that found that the cost of hotel room prices here rose by 15% in 2015 to an average of €118 per night; his further views on the potentially negative impact these rising prices are having on the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23440/16]

Tourist Accommodation

Brendan Ryan

790. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the acute shortage of hotel bedroom stock in Dublin that Fáilte Ireland has identified as a key threat to future tourism in the capital and one which is leading to significant yearly price increases; if he agrees with Fáilte Ireland that an additional 5,000 units are required to increase the capacity of the Dublin hotel sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23441/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Brendan Ryan

791. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the opening of a new round of sports capital grants to allow for important infrastructural developments for local sports clubs here; if he will confirm the programme for Government commitment to allocate sports capital grants on an annualised basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23442/16]

Sports Facilities Provision

Brendan Ryan

792. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on progress on the National Sports Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23443/16]

Departmental Programmes

Brendan Ryan

793. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the implementation of the national physical activity plan; the amount he expects will be allocated to this plan in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/16]

Sport and Recreational Development

Brendan Ryan

794. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the consultation on the proposed national sports policy will begin; the estimated timeframe for drawing up and implementing a national sports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/16]

Road Tolls

Brendan Ryan

36. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the announcement by eFlow that it is withdrawing its tag service on toll booths at a number of toll booths, including at the M1 near Drogheda, the M7/M8 south of Portlaoise and the N25 at Waterford; if he is concerned that this may cause a significant increase in delays for motorists at toll bridges here; if he has been briefed by eFlow on its decision not to renew its contract with a company (details supplied), the operator of a number of Irish motorways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22530/16]

Noise Pollution

Brendan Ryan

50. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the implementation of EU Regulation 598/2014 on noise operating restrictions at EU airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/16]

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Brendan Ryan

56. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of legal proceedings being taken by the Retired Aviation Staff Association in respect of their pension losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22529/16]

Swimming Pool Programme Status

Brendan Ryan

74. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of response to his letter to local authorities regarding a new round of the local authority swimming pools programme; the local authorities that have expressed an interest in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/16]

Aviation Industry

Brendan Ryan

78. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed report on any United States preclearance difficulties at Dublin Airport; if there is any risk to preclearance as the projected growth in passenger numbers is realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22527/16]

Legislative Measures

Brendan Ryan

450. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will unwind the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21043/16]

Garda Remuneration

Brendan Ryan

452. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for pay restoration for members of An Garda Síochána and if he is in ongoing talks with representatives from An Garda Síochána regarding pay restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21108/16]

Broadband Service Provision

Brendan Ryan

739. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the status of the roll out of broadband in rural north County Dublin, specifically in the vicinity of the villages of Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Garristown and Naul; when broadband will be delivered to these areas as part of the national roll out plan; if he will provide maps showing these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21128/16]

Defence Forces Personnel

Brendan Ryan

839. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will change the rule disallowing members of the Defence Forces from serving if they have had laser eye surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20887/16]

Passport Applications

Brendan Ryan

141. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects an increase in applications for Irish passports from British citizens as a result of the British intention to leave the European Union; his plans to ensure the Passport Office is adequately resourced for an increase in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18807/16]

Free Travel Scheme Administration

Brendan Ryan

252. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in processing applications for the free travel pass at the Bishop Street office of Intreo in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17993/16]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Brendan Ryan

371. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his plans and timescale for construction of the new primary care centre in Summerhill, Dublin 1; why a centre (details supplied) was not included in those plans as originally intended. [17975/16]

Health Services

Brendan Ryan

436. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the cost of retaining a person (details supplied) in a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18382/16]