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Tuesday, 5 Feb 2013

Written Answers Nos. 883-908

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (883)

Joe McHugh

Ceist:

883. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide for all people with a disability in his Department's sectoral plan. [5341/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Accessibility improvements to public transport services are being advanced in the context of Transport Access for All, my Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005. The Plan sets out a series of policy objectives and targets for accessible public transport across all modes and significant progress has already been achieved. The Plan is premised on the principle that through accessibility improvements to the public transport system for people with disabilities, access for all people will be improved.

This is being done as extensively as possible having regard to the availability of resources. However, it is inevitable that some people, because of the severity or nature of their disabilities, will not be able to travel on public transport services (or may not be able to do so at all times). In these cases, specialised transport services provided by specialist agencies may be the most appropriate form of transport.

Tourism Promotion

Ceisteanna (884)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

884. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Fáilte Ireland to support and provide funding to Puck Fair, Killorglin and Killarney Summerfest festivals in County Kerry; if he will ask Fáilte Ireland to take into consideration the importance of these festivals to tourism in the county and the very special effort that they are making for The Gathering in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5346/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.  I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (885)

Damien English

Ceist:

885. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of all funding programmes in his Department that community, voluntary and sporting organisations may apply to for funding; if he will provide a brief overview of each programme; the opening and closing dates of each programme; the minimum and maximum amounts of funding that may be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5391/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.    Following the recent announcement of allocations under the Sports Capital Programme, there is currently no scheme open for applications from sports organisations.

 

Organisation

What is the programme for

Opening/Closing date

Min/Max funding that can be applied for

Annual Grant to Community Rescue Boats Ireland

To assist with the operating costs of the organisation as a declared resource of the Irish Coast Guard.

Grant provided usually yearly – no specific opening/closing date

Funding is based on the budget provided by the Coast Guard each year, and is allocated evenly across all units.

€86,400- total of grants paid in 2012

Annual Grant to Mountain Rescue Teams

To assist with the operating costs and to fund research of the organisation as a declared resource of the Irish Coast Guard.

Grant provided usually yearly – no specific opening/closing date

Funding is based on the budget provided by the Coast Guard each year, and is allocated evenly across all units.

€187,854 - total grants paid in 2012

Public Transport Subsidies

Ceisteanna (886)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

886. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind replacement fees payable by consumers for lost annual tickets-smartcards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5469/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  Matters relating to fees payable by consumers to replace lost annual tickets/smartcards are day-to-day operational issues for the transport operators concerned in the first instance and I have no function in such matters.

I would direct the Deputy, however, to the Taxsaver website taxsaver.ie where all information regarding the Bus and Rail taxsaver tickets can be found including the position regarding fees payable for replacement annual tickets/smartcards.

Since the National Transport Authority is responsible for infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) such as the Leap Card Scheme, any queries regarding the policy applicable to lost Leap Cards should be addressed to the Authority.

Noting this I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Driver Licence Applications

Ceisteanna (887)

Dessie Ellis

Ceist:

887. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14 who applied for a category A full motorbike licence and passed his test was denied a class A licence despite having applied and passed his test as well as submitting his certificate before 19 January 2013 [5472/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The driver testing service is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and the issuing of driver licences is now also a matter for the RSA.  I have no role in individual cases.  I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply to the Deputy.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Harbour Authorities Expenditure

Ceisteanna (888, 889, 892, 894)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

888. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 18 October 2012, the person that authorised the payment of €19,877 to the Chief Executive Officer of DunLaoghaire Harbour Company in lieu of untaken leave or holidays; if it is within current legislation to allow payment in lieu of untaken leave; and if the sum of €19,877 is equivalent to 36 days leave in the case of the Chief Executive Officer in question [5488/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

889. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 65 of 18 October 2012, and the €20,000 payment of a car allowance to the Chief Executive Officer of the DunLaoghaire Harbour Company, he will explain the reason this €20,000 payment shows up in the company accounts as other when for previous Chief Executive Officers it showed up as benefit in kind [5489/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

892. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the full cost of the current Chief Executive Officer of DunLaoghaire Harbour Company's salary to the Exchequer including basic salary, employers PRSI pension contributions, director's fees and expenses for 2010, 2011 and 2012 [5492/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

894. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total turnover of DunLaoghaire Harbour Company; the percentage of this spent on payroll costs including employers' PRSI and pension contributions; and the percentage of payroll costs which go to the Chief Executive Office, the Financial Controller/Secretary, the Operations Manager and the Harbour Master [5494/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 888, 889, 892 and 894 together.

Full details of the CEO's remuneration package including pension contributions, director's fees, expenses and allowances are available in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Harbour Company.  As Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is a commercial State Agency, payments to the CEO are not a charge on the Exchequer.

I have already informed the House in response to Question 3 of 18 October 2012 that my Department wrote to the previous Chairperson whose term has now ended stating that we did not accept that the payment of €19,877 should have been made.  My Department will take the matter up again with the new Chairperson when appointed.  The Chairperson designate will as usual appear before the Joint Committee before being appointed.

Most of the requested information on turnover, payroll costs etc, is available from Annual Accounts. I have, however, forwarded your request to the Harbour Company for direct reply on those aspects which are not broken down in the accounts, the figures for 2012 which have not yet been published, and the accounting treatments and policies used. If you do not receive an answer within ten working days please contact my private office.

Harbour Authorities Expenditure

Ceisteanna (890)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

890. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the overpayment made to a board member (details supplied) of the harbour company, if the moneys have been returned; the amount that was returned; and the method used for its return [5490/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The payment of expenses to directors is a matter for the Company in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

I understand from the Chief Executive Officer that the matter of the return of moneys mentioned in the Deputy's question is currently the subject of legal action.

Harbour Authorities Membership

Ceisteanna (891)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

891. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of all the directors of the DunLaoghaire Harbour Company from 1997 to date in 2013; the timeframe for which each director served; and the remuneration of each board member, each year in director's fees and expenses [5491/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It has not been possible to retrieve all the data requested by the Deputy in the time available given that responsibility for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company has rested with a number of Departments since its establishment in 1997.

My office will communicate with the Deputy when the information becomes available.

In the meantime, some of the information requested by the Deputy in relation to previous board appointments is available in the annual reports on Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company's website.

The current board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, including vacancies, is outlined below in the following table.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company

Nature of appointment

Date of Appointment

Date of Expiry

Fees

Vacant

Ministerial (Chairman)

30.09.12

21,600

Eithne Scott Lennon

Ministerial

05.12.12

04.12.15

12,600

Peter Brennan

Ministerial

05.12.12

04.12.16

12,600

Pam Kearney

Ministerial

05.12.12

04.12.17

12,600

Dan McManus

Ministerial

29.04.09

28.04.14

12,600

Vacant

Ministerial

-

12.06.12

12,600

Vacant

Ministerial (Employee)

-

03.12.12

12,600

Gerry Dunne

CEO Ex-officio

-

-

-

Question No. 892 answered with Question No. 888.

Harbour Authority Properties

Ceisteanna (893)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

893. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the harbour lodge in Dun Laoghaire was used for a private function on 27 January; the nature of this private function; and if any fee was paid for the use of the lodge [5493/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This is a matter for the Company and one in which I have no function.

I understand from the Chief Executive Officer that the Company gave permission for the Board Room to be used for a private function on 27 January. No fee was paid to the Company for the use of the room but a significant donation was made to a local charity.

Question No. 894 answered with Question No. 888.

Road Network

Ceisteanna (895)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

895. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the continuation of the M17, Tuam-Gort section; the proposed start date for construction of the section; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the section of motorway is a vital piece of infrastructure for Mayo and the west of Ireland in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5515/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

The Government recognises the importance of this piece of infrastructure and as such, the Gort-Tuam PPP project is one of a number of road projects identified in the Government's Financial Stimulus Package.  As the investment and Capital Expenditure Framework 2012 - 2016 did not include a financial provision for this project, an additional multi-annual allocation is required to cover the Exchequer element of the project costs. This allocation of such funds is related to the planned sale of State assets, clarification has been sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the timelines involved. Once appropriate funding arrangements are put in place, the NRA will be in a position to prepare the project implementation schedule.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (896)

John O'Mahony

Ceist:

896. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a group that applied for a sports capital grant (details supplied) in County Mayo has not received correspondence on their application; when this will be made available to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5527/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme (SCP).

A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid was sent to the designated club contact, at the address provided on the application form, on 17/12/2012.  My Department is making contact with the club with a view to reissuing this letter. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney. 

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (897)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

897. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline in tabular form the total cost of all conferences and seminars attended by his Department in 2012; the purpose of each conference-seminar; the location; the number of delegates that attended from his Department-agencies or otherwise that were represented; the total cost of each conference-seminar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5644/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (898)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

898. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a rail line between Navan and Dublin is a priority for him; his plans to develop such a rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5681/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework sets out the Government's investment policy and priorities between now and 2016.

Given the constraints on the capital programme, the extension of heavy rail to Navan, along with a number of other projects, has been deferred for consideration in 2015 in advance of the next Public Capital Programme.

Bus Éireann Services

Ceisteanna (899)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

899. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide more bus services in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5684/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The provision of bus services is an operational matter for the relevant transport provider in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).  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.

Local Authority Charges Application

Ceisteanna (900)

John Lyons

Ceist:

900. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is possible to apply council parking charges to existing out-of-town retail developments as proposed in the document (details supplied); his policy Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5792/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The setting of parking charges on public roads and in local authority owned car parks is a matter for the relevant local authority and I have no function in this matter.  Nor do I have any function in the setting of parking charges in privately owned car parks.

Smarter Travel, A Sustainable Transport Future includes as a recommended action, the consideration of parking charges in shopping centres under the Planning Guidelines.  This recommendation was reflected in the Retail Planning Guidelines which were published by my colleague the Minster for Environment, Community and Local Government in 2012.  The relevant section sets out the role of planning authorities as follows: Section 5.2 'Planning Authorities may also wish to consider as part of an overall approach to supporting their city and town centres, related issues of, for example, tailoring the contribution scheme to encourage retail development into the appropriate locations, having compatible traffic management and car parking measures to encourage city and town centre usage.'

Anti-Social Behaviour

Ceisteanna (901)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

901. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the 1850 phone number operated by Irish Rail; if an option to report anti-social behaviour and vandalism will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5804/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This is an operational matter for Irish Rail 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 reply within ten working days.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (902)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

902. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding that was previously allocated to a club (details supplied) in County Galway, under the sports capital grants scheme, is available and will be allocated to the club based on confirmation that all requirements, as set out by his Department, and in particular the terms and conditions of the scheme, are met. [5837/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant under the 2007 Sports Capital Programme.

I understand that the club as a limited company was dissolved by the Companies Registration Office, and does not therefore have proper legal title to the club's property. The position therefore is that until this matter is resolved and all outstanding required documentation submitted to the Department it will not be possible to secure formal approval for this grant.

The grant remains available for drawdown by the club, and the club should contact the Department as matter of urgency to provide an update on the current position. It is not possible to guarantee that this funding will be available to the club indefinitely. In the absence of progress it may be forwarded to the Withdrawal Unit.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (903)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

903. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide multi-annual funding to Special Olympics Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5847/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Budgets for Government Departments and for State agencies under the aegis of Departments are currently allocated on an annual basis as part of the Estimates and Budget processes.

The 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 the National Governing Bodies of Sport.  As its budget is allocated on an annual basis, it is not possible for the Council to provide multi-annual funding for any of the National Governing Bodies.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (904)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

904. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the recommendation made by his Department to refuse grant funding under the Sports Capital Grant 2012 for Dublin City Council's application for funding to drain four pitches in Brickfield Park, Drimnagh, Dublin 12; and if he will outline the reasons the application was deemed invalid. [5848/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.   When the 2012 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.  The application referred to by the Deputy did not meet these requirements on 3 separate grounds and hence was deemed invalid and could not be considered for funding.

Firstly, the signature on the application form was not an original signature as specifically required.  Secondly, the quotation provided was not acceptable as it did not provide details of the supplier/contractor i.e. name, address, date, etc. Finally, the applicant did not provide a solicitor's letter confirming registered title.

A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid was sent to the applicant contact on 17/12/12.  If the applicant requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programme Unit of my Department in Killarney.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (905)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

905. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations governing the acquisition of a full Irish driving licence by experienced drivers from abroad, whether immigrants or returning Irish; if experienced drivers will be exempted from having to take driving lessons, a written test and undergo a driving test; if they are permitted to drive and can obtain insurance while going through the Irish licence procedure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5874/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Irish driver licensing law operates within the framework of EU law.  The principal Irish regulations governing driver licensing are the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 537 of 2006), which have been amended a number of times since first being introduced, in particular in order to take account of Directive 2006/126/EC on licensing of drivers, and subsequent amendments to that directive.

The criteria for recognition of licences from other countries are testing and licensing regimes which meet the requirement of the EU directive on driver licences.  On this basis Ireland has mutual licence recognition and exchange arrangements with other EU Member States, and with a number of other jurisdictions where research and discussion has shown that standards in those jurisdictions meet EU requirements.

Driver licensing regimes in the USA vary between the different States, and not all of the States meet the required standards.  As a result, the USA is not one of those countries with which Ireland has mutual recognition of licences.

In the absence of an exchange agreement, persons taking up Irish residence must begin by passing the theory test, obtaining a learner permit and sitting the driving test.  While this can seem demanding in individual cases where people have a safe driving record in another jurisdiction, the overriding policy concern behind these regulations is that the Irish system must be satisfied that people are properly qualified to drive on our roads.  However, we do already waive the six months waiting rule before sitting a driving test in the case of applicants coming to Ireland with a full in date licence from their own jurisdiction.

I have no plans at present to change this system.

Public Sector Pensions Data

Ceisteanna (906)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

906. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of former public servants recruited before 6 April 1995 who receive a public sector pension, including both pensions funded by the Exchequer and through the Local Government Fund, and those pension schemes for which he has responsibility; the age profile of the public servants; if he will provide in tabular form the numbers of public sector pensioners in the following parameters, between €1,000 intervals up to €20,000 and those on more than €20,000. [5899/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Information in relation to pensions of civil servants that were employed in my Department will be provided by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

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 10 working days please advise my private office.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (907)

Brian Walsh

Ceist:

907. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and, if so, the reason for this outcome. [5907/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.

When the 2012 Programme was advertised, my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.  Unfortunately, this application did not meet these requirements and hence was deemed invalid and could not be considered for funding.

The club in question applied for multi-annual funding totalling €1.2m (€300,000 each year for 4 years) towards a project costing almost €1.8m.  They did not provide evidence of having at least 15% own funding as a percentage of the total cost of the project, and the Department did not consider the project to be financially viable.

A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid was sent to the club contact on 17/12/12.  If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.

Sale of State Assets

Ceisteanna (908)

Michael Colreavy

Ceist:

908. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been any sale of the fibre network owned by CIE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This is an operational matter for CIE. I have referred the Deputy's question to CIE for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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