Written Answers Nos. 714-732
714. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide extra funding for local improvement schemes to Sligo County Council and Leitrim County Council as the current scheme has been incorporated into the overall road improvements allocations and as such moneys are not reaching many rural roads in this Deputy's constituency in need of improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Local Improvement Scheme is to provide funding for roads and laneways that Councils have not taken in charge; that is, private roads and laneways. However, the maintenance and improvement of these is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. At present, local authorities may use up to 15% of their initial Discretionary Grant towards Local Improvement Schemes should they wish to do so. The local contribution for these schemes is 20% of the total cost of the project. Furthermore, it is open to local authorities to supplement the percentage of their Discretionary Grant that they can use for the LIS with their own resources. Some local authorities want a ring-fenced LIS allocation for private roads while others prefer to put the funding into public roads. I think this decision is best made at a local level.
715. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the visitor numbers in the top ten most popular tourist attractions in Cork city for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13123/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra716. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the visitor numbers in the top ten most popular tourist attractions in County Cork for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13124/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 715 and 716 together.
Fáilte Ireland compiles figures annually on the visitor numbers to free and fee-paying visitor attractions in Ireland. Participation in the survey is voluntary and therefore the data gathered is not comprehensive. These figures are published on the Fáilte Ireland website. I have provided weblinks to the top national fee paying and free attractions for 2013 below. As the matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further details. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/1_Sectoral_SurveysReports/Failte_Ireland_visitors_to_top_fee_charging_attractions_2013.pdf?ext=.pdf
http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/1_Sectoral_SurveysReports/Failte_Ireland_visitors_to_top_free_attractions_2013.pdf?ext=.pdf.
717. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application to the low cost safety scheme in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/15]
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 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 2015 Mayo County Council submitted an application to my Department for 24 low cost safety projects. Councils were asked to list projects in order of priority. While a scheme on the LP1124 at Church Road, Ballina was on the list it was placed at 15 of 24 schemes (with a total value of €1.09m) put forward by the local authority for funding in 2015. The overall budget for this grant programme in 2015 for all Councils is €5.8 million and Mayo County Council has been allocated €420,000 for low cost safety works. The footpath extension scheme on Church Road in Ballina was not sufficiently high on the priority list to receive funding under this programme in 2015.
It is a matter for Mayo County Council to select and prioritise the regional and local road works to be funded each year and the role of Exchequer grants is to supplement the Council's own resources.
720. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a grant scheme to support the adaptation of taxis as wheelchair friendly vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13206/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, including the granting of wheelchair accessible taxi/hackney licences and the administration of grant schemes for wheelchair accessible vehicles. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
721. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to imposing a compulsory speed reduction on a main road where a school (details supplied) in County Kerry is located; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13212/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn a case such as that cited by the Deputy, local authorities already have the necessary powers under section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 to provide for a Special Speed Limit if they deem such a limit to be appropriate and necessary. Special speed limits may also include periodic speed limits which can be designed to apply and operate at specified periods, for example when children are arriving at, or leaving, a school. The consent of the NRA is required when special speed limits are being applied on national roads. To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed limits, I launched my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits on 19 March last and these are now available on the Department's website. These Guidelines reiterate that the making of bye-laws for Special Speed Limits is a matter for the Elected Members of local authorities, subject to following Department Guidelines and to the consent of the NRA in the case of national roads. Matters such as the case referred to by the Deputy can be best addressed locally through discussions between all interested parties including council officials and elected members, community groups, An Garda and the NRA.
722. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider centralising the issuance of abnormal load permits or standardising the issuance of such permits as variance in criteria employed by individual local authorities for this purpose is causing confusion for haulage operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13339/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAbnormal load permits are available through a scheme operated by An Garda Síochána or from individual Local Authorities as required. This is not a matter for my Department, which has no responsibility for issuing these permits.
723. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there are such long delays in processing applications for and renewals of licences in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13351/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service 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.
724. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the body responsible for ensuring safe standards are maintained at car testing centres in areas where staff carry out emission testing; the actual standards which apply; the inspection regime which is followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13409/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No 477 of 2006), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test. The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements. The testing function is currently carried out by Applus+ under a contractual arrangement with the RSA. As the subject matter of this question is a matter for the RSA I have requested that the RSA respond directly to the Deputy's question. If you have not received a response within ten days please contact my office.
725. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to modernise the Broomebridge railway station in Cabra in Dublin 7 as the Luas cross-city line will link up to it, and there is a need to improve security, provide wheelchair access, ticket facilities, information screens and other measures. [13416/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibity for the development and upgrading of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the development of train stations, is a function of the NTA. Noting this I have referred 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.
726. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the proposed change of the manual crossing at Pelletstown in Ashtown in Dublin 15 to provide greater capacity as the current set-up is causing traffic problems and poses a threat to health and safety, especially with the recent increase in the frequency of trains. [13417/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and upgrading of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area. Noting this I have referred 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.
727. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of further breaches of the law banning stag hunting by the Ward Union Hunt; her views that various persons are openly displaying images of the stag being hunted on social media (details supplied) which is making a mockery of the legislation introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12879/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 makes it an offence to hunt deer with two or more dogs. It is understood that since the enactment of the legislation the Ward Union Hunt have operated a “drag hunt” in order to comply with the legislation. This form of hunting involves the release of a deer to set a scent over a course. Following the recapture of the deer, the hounds and horses follow the scent. This practice is not considered to be hunting, as defined in the Wildlife Acts. Both the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department and An Garda Síochána are currently investigating alleged breaches of the legislation and if there is sufficient evidence to support the alleged breaches, prosecutions will be brought under the Wildlife Acts.
728. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans her Department has in place to celebrate the centenary of the 1916 Rising at the home of Seán Mac Diarmada in Kiltyclogher in County Leitrim in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13013/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful. One of the core objectives of the Ireland 2016 initiative is to encourage and facilitate participation by, and the inclusion of, the citizens of Ireland to the greatest extent possible in the programme to commemorate this significant centenary. I have allocated capital funding of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects. I have also allocated capital funding of €150,000 in 2015 to support the development of car parking facilities at the Sean MacDiarmada Homestead in County Leitrim. This significant investment will help ensure that the Sean MacDiarmada Interpretative Centre and Homestead will be accessible to visitors of all ages who wish to learn more about the life and ideals of Sean MacDiarmada, one of the pivotal figures in the events of the 1916 Easter Rising.
729. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil plean teanga iarrtha ar Uisce Éireann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13076/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBunaíodh Uisce Éireann i mí an Mhárta 2013 faoin Acht um Sheirbhísí Uisce 2013 agus is fochuideachta chláraithe é faoi Bhord Gáis Éireann. Níl Uisce Éireann cuimsithe faoin Chéad Sceideal d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla i láthair na huaire. Tá an próiseas chun uasdátú a dhéanamh ar chomhlachtaí poiblí atá le háireamh faoin Acht á bhreithniú ag mo Roinn i gcomhthéacs Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2015, atá á dhréachtú faoi láthair.
730. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to a flag captured by the 4th Battalion of the Leinster Regiment of the British Army in County Limerick in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising, which is on display in the Imperial War Museum in London, England; if she will ensure the flag is returned to County Limerick as part of the commemoration of the 1916 Rising; if she will raise the issue with the British Ambassador to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13137/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the issue and my Department will discuss it with the National Museum in the first instance.
731. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when data was last gathered on the corncrake species in the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh special protection area in County Donegal; the number of reported sightings of the bird in the area according to these latest findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13332/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra732. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to review the current designation of the Meenlaragh to Falcarragh special protection area in County Donegal; to initiate a renewed public consultation process as part of any potential plans to review the designation; to amend the current restrictions on farming practices which are placed on landowners within the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13333/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 731 and 732 together.
A census of corncrakes was carried out in 2014 in all of the key areas for this species, including in the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh special protection area. Two calling male corncrakes were recorded, indicating that there were two or more nesting pairs in the area.
The Court of Justice of the European Union made a judgement against Ireland in 2007 in case C-418/04, for failing to implement in full the EU Birds Directive. In a significant element of the judgement, the court found that Ireland had not designated sufficient special protection areas for the corncrake.
The Falcarragh to Meenlaragh area has long had a substantial population of this species and therefore was included in the special protection area network. However, the population has declined in recent years.
The intention to designate the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh special protection area was advertised in July 2011. Landowners were advised that they could appeal against the proposed designation of the site as a special protection area. The appeals process has two stages: a Departmental review of an objection to the proposed designation, after which landowners who receive an adverse review may opt to take their cases to the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board. This is an independently chaired Board which makes recommendations to me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, on such cases.
I have no plans to review the current designation of the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh special protection area. However, the final boundary of the site may be amended as a result of the appeals process currently in train. In this regard, I understand that some 29 appeals remain to be dealt with. There are 25 appeals before the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board in relation to objections by landowners to the proposed boundary of the site. The Board has also recently submitted recommendations on 4 further appeals, which I intend to consider in the near future.
In view of the declining numbers of the corncrake, my Department works with landowners, through schemes such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service Farm Plan Scheme and the Corncrake Grant Scheme, to incentivise them to manage and restore the corncrake population. The species is also included in measures under the GLAS scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
