Written Answers Nos. 998-1016
998. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the success of the Wild Atlantic Way if consideration will be given to sharing the benefit of increased tourism activity by incorporating the entire Shannon Estuary in an alternative route of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49745/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred your question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
However, I am aware that the route of the Wild Atlantic Way was developed with the assistance of consultants, Paul Hogarth and Company and, using a collaborative approach, regional steering groups were also convened to inform route development. The steering groups comprised Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities, local LEADER and Development companies and other key agencies such as Udarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and others as relevant to each particular region.
It is important to note that the actual route is a device to guide and attract visitors, and that all villages, businesses and geographic areas within close proximity of the route are in essence part of the geography of the Wild Atlantic Way. The purpose of the Wild Atlantic Way is to give guidance to visitors as to what there is to see on our western coast, and provide easy access to a range of experiences along the route.
999. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the locations of the offices of the National Driver Licensing Service; if each office is publicly or privately owned; the offices that were purchased to provide the service; the offices that are leased; the durations of the leases; and the annual amounts being paid in respect of each one. [1005/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, including the provision and location of front offices, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
1000. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within, funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2011 there have been no new agencies created; however a number have been merged or abolished. Dundalk Port Company was merged with Dublin Port Company on 12 July 2011, while Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners transferred to the control of Kerry County Council on 1 October 2011. On 1st January 2012 both Baltimore and Skibbereen Harbour Commissioners and Kinsale Harbour Commissioners transferred to the control of Cork County Council along with Arklow Harbour Commissioners which transferred to the control of Wicklow County Council. The final Harbour Commission, Bantry Bay merged with the Port of Cork Company on 1 January 2014. The transfer of Dundalk Port Company to Dublin Port Company was on foot of a financial review of Dundalk Port Company while the transfers of the Harbours Commissioners were in line with the National Ports Policy 2005 which recommended the transfer of Regional harbours, operating under the Harbours Act 1946, to Local Authority control.
In 2012 Dublin Tourism merged with its parent body Fáilte Ireland on 1 January. Shannon Airport separated from the Dublin Airport Authority on 31st December 2012 to merge with a restructured Shannon Development to form a new integrated Shannon entity in public ownership with Shannon Group being established on the 5th September 2014.
Coaching Ireland merged into the Irish Sports Council on 1 January 2013.
A Bill for the merger of Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority and the Bill for the merger of the Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority are currently before the Oireachtas.
With regard to savings associated with Agency Rationalisation, I refer the Deputy to the recently published report by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: A Report on the Implementation of the Agency Rationalisation Programme.
Staff reductions are a matter for the agencies themselves. I will however forward the Deputy's question to the agencies concerned for their direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
1001. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the agencies or sections from his Department that were decentralised during the period 1997 to 2011; the travel costs and expenses incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in that period. [1036/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following Divisions of my Department were decentralised during the period of 1997 to 2011:
- Road Transport Operator Licensing
- Sports
- Tourism
While it is not possible to extract the level of detail requested by the Deputy i.e. the cost of travelling to their base Department during the period in question, I can advise that the total travel costs and expenses incurred by the Road Transport Operator Division in the 5 year period 2007 (when it decentralised) to 2011 amounted to € 50,476.
As the Sports and Tourism Divisions were decentralised prior to their functions being transferred to my Department during 2011, the information in respect of the travel costs and expenses incurred by those decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in the period 1997 to 2011 is not available to me.
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.
1002. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal to which the Deputy refers is in fact a policy change effected in legislation in 1989.
Prior to November 1989, there was a single licence category which covered driving a car and driving a car with a trailer. In that month, a change was made to provide for a separate category for driving a car with a trailer. Separate tests have been required since then.
People who held a full licence before the change in 1989 were entitled to claim both new categories when renewing their licences subsequently. Evidence subsequently suggested that many people did not realise this, and in consequence unintentionally surrendered their trailer entitlement. Consequently, and in response to appeals from farming organisations among others, my predecessor directed in 2013 that, on a once-off basis, people who held a full licence prior to the change in 1989 and had lost their trailer entitlement due to an omission in reapplying could reclaim that entitlement.
The period for such reclaim has long since closed. As indicated at the time, this was a once-off allowance.
1003. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by Bus Éireann on design and application of wrapping of its coaches in 2014. [1077/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann 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 response within ten working days.
1004. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the prohibitive fare hikes introduced by Dublin Bus which will see a five day bus pass increase, from €25 to €29.50 per week; the action he will take regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1100/15]
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 response within ten working days.
1005. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding negotiations with the European Commission in relation to Ireland's regional airport policy; the number of meetings or interactions there has been around the issue; when he expects the process to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1128/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the draft Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 is currently with the EU Commission for consideration and approval. My Department is engaged with the Commission in its examination and there have been a total of eleven interactions with respect to the draft Programme to date. While I am hopeful the clarification process will be concluded by February, the approval of the Programme is a matter for the EU Commission.
1006. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of moneys paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisers in relation to the jobs action plan in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in a tabular form the list of those organisations who received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1144/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo monies have been paid to external consultants, professional companies or advisors in relation to my Department's contribution to the compilation of the Action Plans for Jobs in each year since and including 2012.
In relation to the Department's Procurement Policy, it is governed by the relevant EU Directives and Government Guidelines and is designed to get best value for money.
1007. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the placement of street lighting on a motorway (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1182/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance (including lighting) of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority 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 this 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.
1008. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority regarding the urgent need for essential improvement to road safety on the Killarney to Farranfore national primary road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1287/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated to the Deputy in my response to PQ 40801/14 of 23 October, 2014 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 (such as the N22) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned; in this case Kerry County Council. 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.
1009. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority, he will provide the funding to complete the surface dressing on the Castleisland to Farranfore national primary road in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1289/15]
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. I understand that local authorities were notified of the 2015 NRA grants in respect of national roads in December 2014.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1010. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he and Fáilte Ireland have to further invest in the immense tourism potential of Malin Head, County Donegal, Ireland's most northerly point. [1309/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provides funding for investment in tourism, the allocation of these funds is a matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. An allocation of €17.35 million has been made to Fáilte Ireland in 2015 to administer the Tourism Capital Investment Programme, which provides support for investment in visitor attractions, visitor activities and tourism infrastructure including the further development of the 15 Signature Discovery points on the Wild Atlantic Way, of which Malin Head is the most northerly point.
I am also aware that Tourism Ireland are promoting Malin Head internationally as part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Accordingly I have referred your question to both agencies for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1011. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the IASS pensioners in 2015 (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1323/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would once again like to make it clear that resolution of the funding difficulties in the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.
Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the national statutory regulatory authority in Ireland. There are prescribed procedures and limitations in place governing any reductions in pension rights introduced to address funding difficulties in a scheme such as the IASS. Pensioners enjoy better protections under the rules than other categories of pension scheme member, such as active members or deferred pensioners. Policy in this regard is primarily a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
Section 50 of the Pensions Act was amended in 2013 by the Oireachtas to broaden the options available to the trustees of a pension scheme facing funding difficulties. These changes essentially spread the risk of scheme underfunding more evenly across all categories of scheme member, including pensioners. It is a matter for the trustees of the scheme, who are required under trust law to act in the best interest of all scheme members, to determine how the relevant provisions in the Pensions Acts might be applied.
The IASS Trustee has confirmed that the proposals that are now being implemented are in the overall best interests of the members of the IASS as a whole. As you know, this was also the view of the Expert Panel.
I am very conscious of the difficulties these necessary changes cause for many scheme members, including pensioners, but the risks that would have arisen for all members, the companies involved and the wider economy if this solution had not been implemented were even greater.
1012. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 675 of 16 December 2014, if he will clarify a specific penalty points query (details supplied). [1334/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad traffic legislation enacted in 2010 and 2014 provides, inter alia, that penalty points incurred by the holders of non-Irish driving licences can now be endorsed on the drivers' records. The same provisions apply to these licences, in terms of penalty point duration, as with Irish licences. In other words, the points count down from the day they are incurred and are removed after a three-year period.
Therefore, in the case referred to by the Deputy, the points which were notified to the driver in February 2011 are no longer on his record.
1013. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress in negotiations to introduce an exchange programme for Irish driver licence holders with Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNegotiations with other jurisdictions for driver licence exchange are undertaken on behalf of Ireland by the Road Safety Authority.
I am pleased to advise that agreement on the terms of an arrangement on licence exchange with Newfoundland and Labrador is at an advanced stage and I expect that the agreement will be signed by both parties shortly. An announcement will be made when the agreement has been concluded. Thereafter, it will come into force as soon as the necessary legal and administrative preparations have been completed in both jurisdictions.
1014. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he last met the chairperson and CEO of Iarnród Éireann; the issues discussed; when he will next meet the chairperson and CEO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1382/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI last held a regular review meeting with both the Chairman and CEO of Irish Rail on 1st September 2014. Among the issues discussed were the financial position of the company, safety and operational performance, Rosslare Europort, investment priorities and industrial relations update.
I also had further meetings with the CEO of Irish Rail on 15th September in relation to the financial position of the company, on 9th October together with other transport operators in relation to the performance of all operators in increasing passenger numbers and on 22nd December to discuss the upgrade to Reilly's Level Crossing Cabra. I have no further meetings scheduled as yet with the Chairman and CEO of Irish Rail.
1015. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he last met the chairperson and CEO of Tourism Ireland; the issues discussed; when he will met the chairperson and CEO next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1383/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing my appointment as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in July 2014, I met the CEO of Tourism Ireland on the 7th of August and held a further meeting with both the Chairperson and CEO on 18 September. I have also met with the Chair and the CEO at a number of tourism related events including, for example, at the launch of Tourism Ireland’s 2015 Marketing Plans on 1st December last. Our discussions have focused primarily on overseas tourism performance and future prospects from our target markets.
As Tourism is a designated area of cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement, there are regular North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings in Tourism Sectoral format. As well as the Ministers' with responsibility for tourism in Ireland and Northern Ireland, these Sectoral meetings are also usually attended by both the Chair and CEO of Tourism Ireland. The next NSMC Tourism Sectoral meeting is scheduled for the 5th March 2015 and amongst the likely agenda items are the formal approval of Tourism Ireland’s 2015 Business Plan.
1016. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt bunaithe ar an treoir a thug an Roinn Caiteachas Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe do gach Roinn, cad é líon agus cad iad gráid na bpost dá mbeidh státseirbhísigh atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla ag teastáil; cad é líon na bpost sin a bhfuil duine leis an gcumas cuí Gaeilge agus Béarla iontu cheana féin, arna bhriseadh síos de réir gráid; cén cháilíocht Ghaeilge atá riachtanach do na poist sin; i gcás nach bhfuil an treoir ón Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe comhlíonta, cad é údar na moille agus cén uair a dhéanfar an scrúdú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [1438/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraD'iarr an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe orainn scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an gceist seo. Tá súil againn go bhfuil an próiseas seo curtha chun críche againn chomh luath agus is féidir.
