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Wednesday, 12 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 244 - 250

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (244)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any research has been done to ascertain the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles required in the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12307/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The regulation of the taxi industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. The NTA is the lead agency with responsibility for implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011. The Taxi Regulation Review made a number of recommendations aimed at addressing the lack of availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) to meet the transport requirements of people with a disability and reduced mobility. In particular, Action 20 recommended a review of existing specifications for WAVs to establish whether an adjustment to the current WAV standards would assist in increasing the supply and availability of WAVs.

The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 was signed into law on 23 October 2013. While most of the provisions of the Act have yet to be commenced, the NTA has prepared draft regulations under the Act that will introduce some new measures, as well as consolidating and replacing the existing regulations. The draft regulations, including provisions relating to vehicle standards for WAVs aimed at introducing a wider range of lower cost vehicles thereby assisting in supply and availability, were the subject of a public consultation process that concluded on 31st January 2014.

It is expected that the new regulations will be introduced in tandem with the commencement of the Act in April 2014. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.

Taxi Regulations

Ceisteanna (245)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

245. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures for the inheritance of taxi licences and when these procedures will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12308/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009.  Section 15 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013 provides for an applicant or holder of a SPSV licence to nominate a representative who may apply to the NTA as the licensing authority, to continue to operate the licence in the event of his or her death. The nominated representative can, within 3 months of the death of the licence holder, make an application to the NTA to continue to operate the licence until expiry and to apply for its renewal upon its expiry.

The Taxi Regulation Act 2013 was signed into law on 23 October 2013. While the majority of the provisions in the Act have yet to be commenced, the NTA has prepared draft regulations that will introduce new measures provided for under the Act, as well as consolidate and replace the existing SPSV regulations. Section 18 of the draft regulations, which were the subject of a public consultation process that concluded on 31 January 2014, sets out the proposed procedure in terms of documentation and other requirements in relation to an application by a nominated representative to continue to operate a SPSV licence.  It is expected that the new regulations will be introduced in tandem with the commencement of the remaining sections of the Act in April 2014.

Departmental Customer Charters

Ceisteanna (246)

Noel Harrington

Ceist:

246. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide to an applicant a tracking service for all applications to his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department from members of the public for such items as licences and grants and other applications processed by his Department similar to the passport applications tracking scheme processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12359/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are currently a number of tracking services available for applications processed by my Department and the agencies under the remit of the Department.  In some instances there are currently no facilities available to the public through which they could track applications but in developing new IT systems for existing processes consideration can be given as to whether a tracking system would be feasible.  Details in relation to my Department are set out below.

With regard to the agencies, tracking services for applications processed are a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the agencies for direct reply. If he does not receive a reply within 10 working days, he should contact my private office.

Motor Tax

The online motor tax website, www.motortax.ie, has a facility that enables vehicle owners to track the status of their online motor tax transaction (track disc issue link on the home page). It also enables tracking of the status of a vehicle change of ownership transaction (view transaction enquiry link on the homepage).

Sports Capital Programme

The Sports Capital Programme has an online system called OSCAR (Online Sports Capital Register) which allows sports clubs and organisations to apply for grants under the Sports Capital Programme.  OSCAR also allows groups to view previous grants and payments, change contact details, seek payment of a grant and otherwise communicate with the Department online.  The 2014 Sports Capital Programme is now closed for applications.

The Road Transport Operator Licensing (RTOL)

The Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit of the Department will shortly introduce an online facility to enable applicants to apply for and manage road transport operator licences over the internet.  While the new online system will not provide a tracking service to begin with, the feasibility of introducing such a service will be examined as part of a review of the system after it goes live.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (247)

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

247. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he and officials in his Department have met a company (details supplied) or its representatives since he took office; if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the dates of each meeting; the names of the company representatives involved; the titles of the departmental officials involved; the reason for each meeting; the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12379/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My officials and I have not met the Communicorp Group Ltd or its representatives.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (248)

Tom Fleming

Ceist:

248. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine an application by a club (details supplied) in County Kerry for a sports capital grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12402/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the club referred to by the Deputy under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme. The Deputy's support for the project is noted. Only information provided through the online system (OSCAR) will be considered when assessing applications for funding and applications cannot be changed or added to after submission.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (249)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

249. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the reports, reviews and studies commissioned by him or his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department since 9 March 2011; the date on which they were commissioned; the date on which they were completed; the date on which they were published; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12438/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services. This information relates to the period to the end of October 2013. However, an update is currently in progress and information to the end of 2013 will shortly be available on the site.  Such information in respect of State bodies under the remit of my Departments is a matter for the relevant agency. I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the agencies for direct reply. If he does not receive a reply within 10 working days, he should contact my private office.

Sports Capital Programme Administration

Ceisteanna (250)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

250. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will make allocations to sporting organisations under the current round of the sports capital programme; the amount of the funding which will be allocated; the extent of the provision for expenditure in the current year; the process he has in place to ensure the final allocations are made in a transparent and fair manner; the level of existing commitments under previous rounds of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12439/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I was delighted to open the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme for applications at 12 noon on Friday, 17 January last.  Some €40 million has been secured for allocations which will be made later this year. The 2014 programme has now closed for applications. The applications will now be assessed by my staff and I will make the allocations as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed. As published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services, the allocation for 2014 is €23m. The figure for outstanding commitments in the subhead at 31 December 2013 is €59.4 million. The full amount of the outstanding commitments will not fall due for payment in 2014.

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