Written Answers Nos. 555 - 568
555. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date, further to a meeting on 23 September 2014 at his office, regarding the funding of the design process of a stretch of road in west Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44015/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.
As there are many competing demands across the country the NRA has to assess and prioritise expenditure at each project stage within its capital budget.
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.
556. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his view on whether the capacity of the M50 may be exceeded in the near future; his plans to ease traffic congestion in Dublin; if he is considering new toll points on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44040/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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, such as the M50 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In April 2014, the NRA published its Demand Management Report in conjunction with the four local authorities. Substantial investment has been made in increasing the M50's capacity and there are no proposals at present for further investment in additional capacity. Apart from multipoint tolling the NRA Demand Management report also includes other measures specific to the effective operation of the M50 which merit consideration. These include:
- the use of a variable speed limit so that the speed limit could be dropped to say 80 km/h at peak times thus improving the carrying capacity of the road
- ramp metering which would effectively limit the flow of traffic (using traffic signals) on to the M50 at interchanges
- Smarter Travel Planning measures.
As regards multi point tolling on the M50 it is my position that no new tolls will be introduced during my term as Minister for Transport. The likely impact of multi-point tolling would be to push vehicles on to other roads and through local communities. Looking to the future and increased travel demand as the economy recovers further we will need to address congestion across the Greater Dublin Area, and not just on the M50.
In August my Department published a draft Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport document for public comment. The intention is that the Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport, when finalised, will inform how issues such as demand management measures will be dealt with in the future.
557. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make all bus lanes in Dublin city operational on a 24 hour, seven days per week basis; his plan to improve bus travel times in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44041/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the functions of the National Transport Authority (NTA) is to prepare, adopt and implement a strategic traffic management plan for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In this regard the NTA keeps the matter of bus lane operational hours under constant review. I understand that the NTA wrote to you in this regard on 9th October and advised of the various issues taken into consideration when setting or reviewing operational hours.
Funding is provided by my Department to the NTA for the development, inter alia, of bus priority measures in the GDA. I understand that this year approximately €7.1million will be allocated in respect of the development of bus lanes and the delivery of bus prioritisation measures in the GDA.
558. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision on the future of metro north and the DART underground will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44042/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) such as metro, light and heavy rail projects.
Following the comprehensive review of capital expenditure carried out in 2011 a decision was taken to defer Metro North and a number of other major projects, including DART Underground, due to the financial situation. It was made clear at the time that these projects would be reviewed again in preparation for the next capital plan post-2016. The priorities under the current capital plan are to protect investment made to date, to maintain safety standards and to progress affordable projects such as Luas Cross City which add value to the existing network.
In line with the commitment to review the major projects the NTA is currently undertaking a technical consultancy (Fingal/North Dublin Transport Study) to assess the long-term rail transport requirements of the North Dublin/Fingal corridor, extending from Finglas to Malahide and including Dublin Airport and Swords. This review is examining existing proposals including Metro North as well as other options for a rail-based transport solution to meet the area's needs in the long term. I expect to receive a report from the NTA on the outcome of the review by early 2015. In the meantime the NTA will publish an interim shortlisting report shortly in order to provide information on the review progress and to ensure a transparent process.
I also expect early in 2015 to receive the updated DART Underground business case and the preliminary business case for the Swords/Airport Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme from the NTA.
I will then consider the options for addressing key public transport deficits in the GDA having regard to the costs and benefits of each project and to available Exchequer funding as well as other possible sources of funds. I expect to finalise this review by mid-2015.
559. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a prohibition on delivery trucks and vans carrying out deliveries in Dublin city centre during rush hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44043/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraTraffic management in its area is a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Dublin City Council, under the relevant Road Traffic Acts.
The enforcement of any traffic restrictions is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
560. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when new cycle lanes will be completed in Dublin in line with the National Transport Authority's objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44044/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure within the Greater Dublin Area is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant local authority, in this case Dublin City Council. Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to the NTA and have asked them to reply to you directly.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
561. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the Newlands Cross construction project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44046/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 such as the Newlands Cross upgrade scheme is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
I am pleased to say that the Newlands Cross upgrade will be open to traffic this week.
562. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extra revenue that will be generated for the companies of CIÉ as a result of the recent fare increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for 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.
563. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the number of hours of business on Leap cards that have been lost on Dublin Bus since the introduction of the card due to faults in the technology and card readers. [44068/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the Leap Card system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
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.
564. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average Leap card fare on Dublin Bus. [44069/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter 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 10 working days.
565. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that Bus Éireann's route 103 will in future provide a stop in Finglas, Dublin 11, as part of its normal service; and, if not, the rationale for avoiding service for this busy area. [44074/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter 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.
566. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff drawing down retirement pensions from the public sector or Civil Service who have been brought back to work in his Department on contract work or temporary contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently two retired public servants on specific, temporary rehire contracts in my Department. They are filling essential vacancies in the Irish Coast Guard at the grade of Radio Officer.
567. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding for a football club in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44138/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no record of an application having been made by this club under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme.
It will be open to any club with a suitable project to apply when the next round of the programme has been opened for applications. Further details will be available on the Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. All organisations that wish to apply must register first on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
568. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Fáilte Ireland will announce details of the regional festivals programme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44157/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of the Regional Festivals Programme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Therefore I have referred the Deputy's Question to them for further information and direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
