Written Answers Nos. 207-212
207. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria and procedures upon which State owned transport companies assess the suitability of property for disposal by sale or long term lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42606/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe criteria and procedures upon which State owned transport companies assess the suitability of property for disposal by sale or long term lease is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded your question to the transport companies for direct reply to you, if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
209. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a pedestrian flyover will be provided at the southbound carriageway of the N11 at Stillorgan near the junction with Lower Kilmacud Road, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42687/13]
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.
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.
210. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that funding to date for the Adare bypass has been in excess of €4.3 million, if he will provide a breakdown of the overall amount of money spent; the expenditure over the various parts, route selection, oral hearings and so on for both the 2005 and 2009 projects. [42773/13]
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.
211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the continuation of services provided through the rural transport programme to island communities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42774/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for implementing the restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) announced by me on 9 July 2013. The purpose of the restructuring of the RTP is to protect the provision of rural transport services into the future.
I am advised by the NTA that during the restructuring of the RTP, their priority is to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of existing RTP services, meeting the needs of those affected by social exclusion during this time of change. In this regard the NTA's focus is to move the existing RTP services into contracted services with the NTA, whether directly with the operators, or with the fleet owning groups. At the same time the NTA will examine existing contracted services to ensure that they are meeting current demands. Based on the current funding available, the NTA has no plans to modify or reduce specific services. This includes the services currently provided under the Programme to island communities.
212. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reduction in public service numbers that will be achieved in 2013 and 2014 from targeted redundancy and early retirement in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently no targeted redundancy scheme available to staff in my Department. In the period up to 31st August 2014 seven staff in my Department will reach the retirement age of 65 years.
Under section 9(2)(a) of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, staff in my Department who retire by end August 2014 and whose pay has been reduced due to the 1st July 2013 pay cuts, will have their pension and lump sum calculated by reference to the pay rates in force before the pay cuts of 1 July 2013 were implemented. This cohort of retirees will, however, be subject to the new Public Service Pension Reduction on their pensions with effect from 1 July 2013, where those pensions exceed €32,500.
