Written Answers Nos. 216-222
216. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of additional DART railcars, intercity railcars brought into services for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42155/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the number of additional DART and Intercity railcars brought into service by Iarnród Eireann during the period in question is as follows:
Iarnród Éireann - new rolling stock into operation dates
Year
|
Fleet |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011
|
2012 |
Total |
|
InterCity Railcars |
12 |
114 |
51 |
0 |
0 |
57 |
234 |
|
DART Railcars |
36 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
76 |
I understand from Iarnród Eireann that the 76 DART cars listed above were the original DART fleet reintroduced to service in 2007/2008 after a major refurbishment programme carried out by Siemens.
217. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the date on which he expects the National Transport Authority to approve Dublin Bus application to extend the 29A bus route to Baldoyle village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42156/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of bus services is an operational matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and not one in which I have any role. I have referred the Deputy's question to both Dublin Bus and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
218. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will advise on status of applications made under the sports capital funding scheme in which planning permission has not been received for proposed project subject to the funding application, be it due to a direct refusal of permission, an appeal to an Bord Pleanála or delays due to requests by the relevant planning authority for detailed additional information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42191/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Sports Capital Programme, applicants must supply one of the following:
- A copy of current planning permission for any of the aspects of a project that requires planning permission, or
- evidence of planning reference number or acknowledgment of application for planning permission from the relevant Local Authority for any of the aspects of a project that requires planning permission, or
- a recent letter from the applicant's technical supervisor or local authority stating that the proposed project does not need planning permission.
Failure to supply any of the above will rule an application invalid. This requirement does not apply in relation to applications for sports equipment only.
220. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a national road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42219/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this I have referred your question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if any funding is available for an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42254/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism is primarily concerned with national policy and it is not involved in providing support to individual tourism projects.
Fáilte Ireland provides a range of non-financial supports and advice to new tourism businesses. Should any person wish to establish a tourism business for the purpose of providing visitors with astronomy experiences, I would advise them to contact their local Fáilte Ireland office for further information.
As the matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
222. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if any new vacancies will arise at the Road Safety Authority with the introduction of the new plastic card drivers licence in 2013; if these new positions will be advertised to the public; if he will outline the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42330/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe staffing aspect of the centralisation of driver licensing in the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is being addressed in the context of the Croke Park Agreement and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
DPER has indicated that there should be no overall increase in public sector numbers as a result of the centralisation of driver licensing. The RSA will require 25 additional staff for its new driver licensing centre. I understand that the RSA has requested applications for these positions from local authority staff interesting in redeploying to the RSA. The redeployment of these staff is subject to final approval by DPER.
