Written Answers Nos. 695-713
695. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national broadband plan; if all the areas in County Longford and County Westmeath requiring State intervention have now been identified; the areas in these counties that require State intervention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13392/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately €2.5 billion in network upgrades and enhanced services with approximately 1.6 million of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland expected to have access to commercial high speed broadband services over the next two years. These very significant investments represent a step-change in the quality of broadband services available.
Last November I published a national high speed coverage map for 2016. This map is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows Ireland with two colours, BLUE and AMBER. The areas marked BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers plan to deliver high speed broadband services by end 2016. The AMBER areas on the map show the target areas for the State intervention. The website also provides information on a county by county basis with a breakdown of coverage across the townlands in every county including Longford and Westmeath.
The map can be checked to establish the precise location of individual premises or residences. Any premises within the AMBER area will be included in the State’s intervention while any premises within the BLUE area will be serviced by commercial operators.
696. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the workings of the business development group established to find new opportunities for local post offices to ensure their long-term futures; if plans have been developed by the group to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February, I established the Post Office Network Business Development Group to explore potential commercial opportunities for post offices. The Terms of Reference for the Group are to:
- examine the potential from existing and new Government and commercial business that could be transacted through the post office network;
- identify the new business opportunities for the post office network, taking account of international experience;
- engage as necessary with the public sector, commercial bodies and other interested parties in pursuit of the above objectives;
- prepare an interim and final report for the Minister in accordance with an agreed timetable.
The Group has met three times to date, the most recent of which was last week. While deliberations are ongoing, a number of work-streams have been identified and are being pursued. I anticipate that the interim report, which is due next quarter, will provide an overview of progress and an indication of future activities. The final report of the Group will be available later this year.
697. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received an application for funding from Donegal County Council for the construction of a bridge (details supplied) in County Donegal; his plans to approve this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12819/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on such roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. I can confirm that my Department received an application for funding to replace a collapsed bridge over the Owenea river at Mullantiboyle. A letter has issued to Donegal County Council approving funding for the construction of this replacement bridge under the Bridge Rehabilitation grant programme.
698. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding property regulators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13547/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12712/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 700 together.
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputies' Questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
699. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proportion of applications approved under the last two rounds of his Department's sports capital programme; and the reasons applications were deemed invalid or were otherwise unsuccessful. [12683/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy for the 2012 and 2014 rounds of the SCP is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of applications received |
Number of allocations |
% of applications receiving an allocation |
|
2012 |
2,170 |
648 |
29.9% |
|
2014 |
2,036 |
880 |
43.2% |
|
Applications were deemed invalid for one or more of the following reasons: |
|
-Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied |
|
-Insufficient evidence of planning permission, planning application, or exemption from planning |
|
-Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format |
|
-Insufficient own funding |
|
-Insufficient quotations/estimates submitted |
|
-Insufficient sporting content |
|
-School/College/ETB application not made jointly with local club/community group |
|
-Private/commercial organisation |
|
-Other (eg not an organisation that can apply under the SCP) |
|
-Routine maintenance |
|
-Work on project already started |
In addition, not all valid applications receive an allocation given the resource constraints.
701. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allocate funding for the upgrading of the R556 and R551 between Abbeydorney and Ballyduff in County Kerry, as the state of the road is not safe for drivers. [12729/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (such as the R556 and R551) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. In early February, I announced the 2015 regional and local road grant allocations and Kerry County Council was allocated €12.7m in regional and local road funding this year. No further funding is available. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
While funding for 2015 has now been allocated it is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending in this area.
702. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the health and safety measures employed by officials of the Road Safety Authority when carrying out roadside inspections of vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles; if he is aware of the dangers which such inspections pose to both the officials and other road users, due to their being conducted along the roadside; the additional safety precautions which are to be taken by the officials while conducting these inspections during periods of poor visibility and at night; his plans to introduce designated inspection areas, which are a safe distance from roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12763/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation and management of Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness testing is a statutory function of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's Question to the RSA for direct reply and would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
703. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Government-supported initiatives at local and national level that have been pursued to develop the sport of basketball in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12818/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), including Basketball Ireland.
As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
704. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the application by local authorities of the guidance document for the control and management of traffic at road works to Tidy Towns and residents' associations; if he is aware that the application of such rules will impact severely on volunteerism in such organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12828/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main purpose of the document 'Guidance for the Control and Management of Traffic at Road Works' is to provide guidance for those responsible for planning and designing Temporary Traffic Management Plans at road works on single carriageway roads undertaken by or on behalf of Local Authorities. The goal of the guidance is to provide a safe environment for road workers and to enable the safe and efficient passage of traffic and other road users through the road works site.
While I am very supportive of volunteerism and the great work undertaken by residents associations and tidy towns committees throughout the country, the Deputy will appreciate the paramount need for safety in the vicinity of road works.
705. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps which have been taken to utilise publicly-owned lands and existing public rights of way to route the new greenway between Athlone in County Westmeath and County Galway; if he will confirm that the current plan for the area between Athlone and Loughrea in County Galway is to be shelved pending engagement with farming representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12831/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will know, the section of greenway in question forms part of an ambitious plan to develop a segregated, substantially off road cycle route from Dublin to Galway City. From the outset, it was proposed to utilise, where possible, canal towpaths, disused railway lines and State owned lands for the purposes of developing this route. As a result, the entire route from Dublin to Athlone will be developed using canal tow paths and disused railway lines. However, it is recognised that not all State lands lend themselves to the development of a high quality greenway proposition and, in many cases, the option to use publicly owned land is simply not available.
The availability of such options was given due consideration as part of the Route Selection Process for the section of greenway from Athlone to Galway. While the preferred route corridor for this section was announced late last year, it currently remains at design stage.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the concerns of landowners affected by the preferred route have been brought to my attention and I recently met with a number of elected representatives from the Galway region to discuss those concerns. Following on from those discussions, I expect to meet with officials from the National Roads Authority and Galway County Council in the coming days to consider the issue further. I hope to be in a position to bring some resolution to this matter through cooperation and negotiation with all interested parties. While recognising that this issue must be resolved to everyone's satisfaction, I know that most people can still recognise the unquestionable value of developing a coast to coast greenway in Ireland, with all that it could offer to the regions, particularly the West.
706. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the National Transport Authority is unwilling to amend the regulations in respect of small public service vehicles to allow for the consideration of European Union category L vehicle types to operate in this sector in a manner other than as taxis or hackneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector is the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. Under the 2013 Act the NTA may make regulations for SPSVs and their drivers and may set different requirements and conditions in relation to the licensing and operation of different categories of SPSVs and their drivers.
I am advised that the NTA has made a determination against introducing a licensing category that would include the vehicle type referred to. I have no function in the matter.
Noting the above I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
707. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Road Safety Authority's recommendations on the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles (details supplied); the planned future recommendations of the authority; if the 30-year exemption will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12907/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra710. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will return to the pre-2010 regulation exempting veteran and vintage vehicles from the national car test on a rolling 30 year basis in view of the fact that most owners and preservers of vintage vehicles are engaged in a hobby, and the vehicles are used mainly for vintage vehicle runs and static shows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12964/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra718. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received recommendations from the Road Safety Authority following its consultation on roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles; when the recommendations will be published and a decision made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13194/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra719. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider returning to the pre-2010 rolling 30 year exemption from roadworthiness testing for vehicles insured and taxed as vintage vehicles and used for social and domestic purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13195/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 707, 710, 718 and 719 together.
The review by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of the arrangements in relation to the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles will be examined by my officials for submission of recommendations to me which I will consider in due course.
Both the National Car Test and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test are important preventative measures that continue to make a significant contribution to road safety in this country. The days of having large numbers of unsafe vehicles using our roads are largely gone as vehicles are tested to the highest international standards and I want to ensure that we do not go back to those days.
However, I appreciate the value of the vintage and veteran vehicle movement to the heritage and cultural life of our country. I am advised that none of the recommendations contained in the RSA's review would involve those who currently enjoy an exemption from compulsory testing, that is, those owners of cars and motor caravans first registered prior to 1st January 1980 and used for social and domestic purposes, being brought within the compulsory roadworthiness testing regime.
708. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a footpath (details supplied) in County Kerry will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12917/15]
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.
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.
709. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps Iarnród Éireann will take to tackle fare evasion; the amount Iarnród Éireann lost through fare evasion in the years 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12931/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród 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.
711. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 597 of 10 March 2015 and the reply received from the Road Safety Authority, if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of disqualified drivers the authority reported to An Garda Síochána in the years 2012 to 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12969/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question raised by the Deputy is a matter for 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.
712. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Ulster Bus has been awarded licences for certain routes, such as the Buncrana to Derry route, and that Ulster Bus is subsidised by the United Kingdom Government, the measures that have been put in place to ensure fair competition for private Irish bus operators not in receipt of any subsidy or State aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13010/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the company referred to by the Deputy is registered in Northern Ireland, the competent authority for the purposes of issuing international bus transport authorisations is the Driver and Vehicle Agency of Northern Ireland. The competent authority for Irish registered bus operators is the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA is aware of the matter raised by the Deputy 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.
713. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial options available to the State in supporting the construction of a national ice arena which could be used for exhibitions and training for the Olympics and Paralympics; if he will provide revenues from rental uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13056/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no funding at the present time for a national ice arena. Furthermore, there are currently no proposals for the development of an ice rink or ice skating centre at the National Sports Campus, nor have any feasibility studies been submitted to National Sports Campus Development Authority in this regard. The Authority would consider any proposals submitted to it for potential future sports facilities to be included in the National Sports Campus. However, capital funding allocated in 2015 for the development of facilities at the Campus is fully committed and there is no funding available at present for new developments.
On Tuesday 10th March I was delighted to announce the opening of the 2015 round of the Sports Capital Programme. I would advise all those who are interested to ensure that they are registered on the online system before 5pm on Friday 10th April 2015 (if not already registered) and to submit their online applications well in advance of the deadline of 5pm on Friday 24th April 2015.
