Written Answers Nos. 720-742
720. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be made available for an event (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44155/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
721. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a road project (details supplied); if the proposed route still necessitates the compulsory purchase of houses at Carrig Lawn, Old Kilmacud Road, Dublin 14, by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44256/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
722. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring in regulations to stipulate that all cars imported or sold here should be required to have a mobile hands free kit installed in the context of changes to the legislation in relation to penalty points for mobile phone users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44311/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no proposals to make the fitting of hands free phone kits mandatory for vehicles imported into or sold in Ireland. The fitting of such kits is not required by European Type Approval legislation and were I to introduce such a requirement it would be in breach of EU harmonisation on free trade and the movement of goods across the European Union. Thus I have no scope to implement the Deputy’s request.
723. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to have CCTV cameras fitted in all buses in the Bus Éireann fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44329/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Bus Éireann and I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
724. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff in his Department or agencies under his control that are currently on career break; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers by grade and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44375/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn my Department there are currently eight staff on career breaks.
The eight comprise of two Clerical Officers, four Executive Officers, one Administrative Officer and one Assistant Principal Officer. There are no staff in my Department hired temporarily to cover those on career break.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the Agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
725. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on when the list of the payments made by the State to private land owners in 2010 and 2011 to acquire land for use in the public capital programme. [44382/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from my Department that capital expenditure on land purchases during the timescale mentioned by the Deputy was confined to road construction projects.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
726. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost in 2011 to his Department and to each body under the aegis of his Department of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44474/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department spent €6,513 in 2011 on implementing the Official Languages Act 2003. This cost does not include internal staff time spent on ad hoc tasks involving the Irish language. Such a figure would be both small and very difficult to quantify.
The cost to agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves. The Deputy's Question will be forwarded to them for direct response. If you do not hear back within 10 working days please contact my private office.
727. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in the preparation and submission by Iarnrod Eireann's Chief Medical Officer of a medical report pertaining to an employee (details supplied) to the employee's insurance company and that the matter be attended to immediately. [44486/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
728. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to date with the review of public transport by the National Transport Authority; the review that is being made of routes in County Cavan; when will the review be completed and results made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44512/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
729. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the need to introduce legislation for trade in second hand tyres in view of the fact that some companies may operate without paying rates or VAT, have no waste management policy, operate on cash sales and often sell products that are not certified and are often of questionable quality. [44615/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no role in the trade of second hand tyres or in the other matters referred to by the Deputy in the Question, which relate to matters of trade, environmental protection and revenue collection.
730. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will respond to the following query regarding Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44661/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Irish Takeover Panels rules, Ryanair's recent takeover Offer for Aer Lingus has lapsed and is no longer capable of completion following the European Commission's decision to undertake an in-depth examination (a Phase II examination) of the offer under EU merger control rules.
The Commission announced its decision to undertake an in-depth examination of the Offer on 29th August as its initial Phase I examination indicated potential competition concerns. As a Phase II examination was announced before the closing date for the Offer, the Offer automatically lapsed under Irish Takeover Panel Rules and cannot now be completed. The preliminary date for a Decision by the EU Commission for completion of its Phase II examination is 14 January 2013.
731. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the future of Rosslare Europort, the N11 and N25 upgrades; and the way these developments wil help promote growth and jobs in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44671/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraRosslare Europort is an important part of our commercial port network and the fourth largest port in the State in terms of total tonnage handled. In addition to its importance as a commercial freight port, it also serves as the State’s second biggest passenger port after Dublin. Clearly therefore the port has functions of a national significance in terms of trade facilitation, as a tourist gateway to the south-east and beyond and in the promotion of growth and employment.
As you are aware, I am currently finalising a review of national ports policy. In that context, my Department will in the coming days be commencing a strategic review of the current and future role of Rosslare within the context of national ports policy. This review will involve external consultants and will consider the port’s current commercial and operational efficiency and advise as to whether the port is maximising its potential. Furthermore, it will seek to identify and analyse all likely options with regard to the future ownership and operation of the port and having regard to all relevant factors and make recommendations as to the optimal ownership and operational structure for the port.
As regards the N11 and N25 upgrades, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is also a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
732. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the National Roads Authority to provide the necessary funding at the earliest possible date for the resurfacing of the road through Sneem Village, County Kerry and for the provision of new footpaths in the village (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44772/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
733. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will investigate the case of learner drivers who must by virtue of their employment drive to work unaccompanied, thus breaking the law; if this can be addressed by producing a letter from the employer stating the specified time of coming and going to work; if legislation will be introduced in order that young drivers who have a job can drive to work without breaking the law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44783/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I appreciate the difficulties posed for people who are on learner permits and who need to drive to work, the overriding consideration in driver licensing law must be the safety of all road users. The Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS), which is being introduced through a total of nine measures, is aimed at improving the driver learning process through a focus on the acquiring of skills and experience. The requirement for learner permit holders to be accompanied at all times while driving is a fundamental safety requirement and was brought in as a precursor and foundation of this system. It would be very retrograde step at this point to start allowing learner drivers to drive unaccompanied, for whatever reason.
734. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the applications for Ten-T funding he has made or plans to make, and for which projects. [44832/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Government has not applied nor have we plans to apply for funding under the current TENT Programme (2007-2013), a number of state agencies have sought and been approved funding since the programme commenced in 2007. All applications are routed through a Government Department to ensure policy fit and as a legal requirement for a TENT project on the territory of a Member State.
The largest TENT project is the DART Underground/Dublin Interconnector which was identified as part of one of the 30 Priority Projects agreed across the EU at the outset of the current TENT programme. EU funding of €10m was approved towards the design and development process, geotechnical investigations and various surveys and studies. Most of the work for which funding was granted has already been completed. €5.5m has been claimed to date.
A list of other TENT projects with Irish consortia members/participants is set out hereunder. More details on the individual projects is available on the Ten-t agency website (web address: http://tentea.ec.europa.eu/en/ten-t_projects/ten-t_projects_by_country/ireland/_).
According to Commission published figures, the drawdown for Ireland under the Trans European Networks heading (which also includes Trans European Energy projects) of the EU budget from 2007 to 2010 was €22.8m.
The most recent success is the ESB who recently secured over €2m for an e-Cars study on the island of Ireland.
As for future plans, my Department and agencies continue to monitor calls for proposals under the TENT programme. Commission officials recently met with the National Transport Authority to discuss how best to access funding from TENT in light of the constraints on Exchequer investment in transport. Based on what emerges from the next Annual and Multi-annual call for proposals, due later in the year, I would hope to see some new applications coming forward.
|
Year |
Project |
Project participant / promoter in Ireland |
|
2011 |
International Green Electric Highways - Study to assess fast charging infrastructure to enable deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland and Northern Ireland |
Electricity Supply Board ESB Department of Regional Development Northern Ireland |
|
2010 |
UK-Ireland FAB . Development of High Level Sectors |
Irish Aviation Authority - IAA |
|
2009 |
Easywayz Phase 2 |
National Roads Authority - NRA |
|
2009 |
Airbourne Datalink Equipment |
IAA |
|
2009 |
Green and Predictable flights- North European Air Navigation Service Providers |
IAA |
|
2008 |
Netlipse – Air Navigation |
IAA |
|
2007 |
Easywayz |
NRA |
|
2007 |
SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research)-Development Phase |
IAA |
|
2007 |
The design and development process, geotechnical investigations and various surveys and studies that include topographical surveys, condition surveys, archaeological surveys and utility surveys of DART Underground/Dublin Interconnector |
Irish Rail / National Transport Authority |
735. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the funding provided through his Department, in each of the last five years, to each sporting organisation who had athletes representing Ireland at this year's Olympic games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44837/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of current expenditure funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
736. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the effectiveness and use of money provided to high performance units who had athletes representing Ireland at this year's Olympic games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44838/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport and for the High Performance Programme.
I am informed by the Irish Sports Council that they are carrying out a full review of the performances at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following the completion of a tender process, consultants have been appointed to undertake a full debrief of the Olympic programme with the National Governing Bodies. A similar process of debrief will be undertaken for the Paralympic Sports. Recommendations from the debriefs will be factored into the performance plans of each targeted sport for the next Olympic cycle, up to Rio de Janeiro in 2016. It is expected that the review process will be completed and presented to the Board of the Irish Sports Council in December.
737. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will recommend to the high performance units of all sports that each considers implementing a model similar to that used by the Irish Amateur Boxing Association HPU and that each reports back with a feasibility study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44839/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and for the High Performance Programme.
The development of High Performance Plans by NGBs is a matter for the Irish Sports Council. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
738. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44856/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe list of bank accounts operated by or on behalf of my Department is set out in the following table. In 2011 bank charges amounted to €914.00. It is anticipated that the total figure for 2012 will be less due to increased use of the banking-on-line facility. Standard banking terms and conditions apply to all accounts and there are no special arrangements in place relating to bank charges and fees. 99% of suppliers and virtually 100% of staff are paid electronically.
My Department does not hold the information requested for the Agencies by the Deputy. I have, however, forwarded your request to all agencies under the remit of my Department for direct reply to you. If you do not hear within ten working days please contact my private office.
|
Bank |
Account Name |
Purpose |
|
Bank of Ireland, College Green |
Public Bank EFT Account. |
Electronic payment of suppliers. |
|
Bank of Ireland, College Green & South Mall, Cork |
Mercantile Marine Office Public Bank Accounts, Current. |
Lodgement of cash, credit/debit card payments for services i.e: candidate examination fees, ship survey fees, radio licence fees, sale of publications, applications for Seafarer's Discharge Books and Seafarer's ID Cards etc., |
|
Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin |
Mercantile Marine Office Public Bank Account, Savings. |
Electronic payments for services i.e: candidate examination fees, ship survey fees, radio licence fees, sale of publications, applications for Seafarer's Discharge Books and Seafarer's ID Cards etc., |
|
Bank of Ireland Clondalkin |
Road Haulage Division Public Bank Account. |
Lodgement of cheques/cash for Road Haulage licences fees.
|
|
Bank of Ireland College Green |
Current Account EFT. |
Payroll residual/lodging DSP payments. |
739. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the names of all of the organisations located in areas (details supplied) in County Dublin that have applied for sports capital grants under the 2012 programme, together with a brief description of each proposed project and the amount of sports capital funding applied for in respect of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44920/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 2012 round of the Sports Capital Programme, 282 applications have been received from organisations in Dublin seeking €34m in funding for projects with a total value of €57m. Information on applications from the specific areas as sought by the Deputy is not available and its collation would involve a disproportionate amount of work for the Department.
Departmental officials are processing all applications and this process will take some time due to the volume of applications received.
I expect to be able to announce the list of successful applicants later this year. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application at that stage.
740. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45602/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is not involved in any proceedings arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.
741. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff that availed of the special civil service incentive career break scheme 2009; the cost of the scheme since its introduction; the savings on the pay bill in that time period; the estimated full year cost for the return of all the new civil servants in 2013; the number of staff members that applied for a further extension of their leave; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45617/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra742. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff across the public service that are currently on a career break; if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers on career leave by Department and agency; the estimated cost of this scheme per year; the number of staff currently hired temporarily to cover those on career break; the reforms that have taken place in this general area in the past year; if these staff were counted as a reduction in numbers employed in the public service during that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45632/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 741 and 742 together.
In my Department, thirteen staff availed of the incentivised career break scheme. Two of the thirteen applied successfully for a further extension. In total there are currently eight staff on career breaks, three of whom are on the incentivised scheme. Staff on career breaks are not included in staff numbers.
The financial information requested by the Deputy regarding savings and costs of the incentivised scheme is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.
The 'original' career break scheme is considered a saving in my Department, though the supression or termination of these positions would yield a greater saving exclusive of once off severance payments. There are no staff in my Department hired temporarily to cover those on career break.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the Agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
