Written Answers Nos. 999-1014
999. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase the financial allocation to Mountain Rescue Ireland and to Galway Mountain Rescue in view of an improving budgetary situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19846/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises and acknowledges the contribution that Galway Mountain Rescue Team and Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) make to their communities, and indeed to the general public. As the Deputy is aware, my Department, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), administers a grant for Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), including Galway MRT and MRI. Other voluntary search and rescue groups in receipt of grant funding from my Department include the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation (ICRO), Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) and 12 individual Community Rescue Boat (CRBIs) teams. In 2014 a total of €250,000 was paid in grants to these voluntary organisations. I can confirm that the grants are being maintained at this level for the current year also. In addition, in 2014 my Department granted a special once-off capital grant of €200,000 to Mountain Rescue Ireland, the all-island overarching body responsible for mountain rescue, for the purchase of vehicles which I believe was drawn down just last week.
As I have previously indicated to the House, MRTs are not tasked directly by the IRCG, rather they are tasked by An Garda Síochána, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. While I accept the vital nature of the commitment made by these voluntary groups, I believe that within the IRCG, budgetary priority must be given to the primary responsibility of providing a marine emergency response service. The IRCG has a responsibility to equip and train approx. 918 Volunteers from 44 Volunteer Units around the Country. Each Unit is subject to operational readiness audits to ensure they are positioned to provide a safe and effective service.
Therefore, with the current and competing pressures among the budgets in my portfolio, I cannot commit to any increase in funding at this present moment.
The following revised reply was received on 28 May 2015
The response stated that the €200,000 capital grant allocated to Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) had been drawn down the previous week, but I now understand that while the grant is available for drawdown, MRI has yet to do so.
1000. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views in relation to whether his Department is aware of the European Union Commission-sponsored Ghent report and its references to Ireland and airlines regulated here, particularly in respect of the safety concerns raised in the report. [19873/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1001. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department has taken to establish the extent of the risks to safety arising from the atypical employment arrangements reported and described in the Ghent report. [19874/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1002. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding the risks to safety that have been identified by his Department arising from the atypical employment arrangements, usually meaning zero-hour contract arrangements, adopted by airlines operating or regulated within Ireland. [19875/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra1003. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if more specific risks associated with aviation safety have been identified; and the steps that have been, or are being, taken to mitigate these risks. [19876/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1000 to 1003, inclusive, together.
The labour market across Europe has experienced an increase in atypical employment in recent years across all sectors. The University of Ghent report on atypical employment in aviation was published in February this year and my Department and I are aware of it. The report was produced under the European Social Dialogue Committee by social policy experts.
The EU's extensive aviation safety regime is separate to the European Social Dialogue. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has competence for all areas of aviation safety in the EU and is best placed to give an expert view on any potential safety impacts of various working arrangements. Ireland has a strong reputation for robust regulatory oversight of civil aviation. Our safety oversight regime is based on EU law and also accords with all applicable International Civil Aviation Organisation requirements. Ireland's safety oversight regime has been recognised as among the best in the world by ICAO under its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme. Aviation safety risks are managed within this framework.
1004. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the abolition of the community involvement scheme; his plans to reintroduce the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It has been decided that there will be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme will revert back to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
Local authorities were notified of the above in Circular RW 2/2015 which issued to local authorities on 3 February 2015.
1005. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the unacceptable incident on 5 May 2015 when an Irish Rail passenger (details supplied) who has a disability and requires the use of a wheelchair was locked on board a train carriage in Connolly Station in Dublin for over 35 minutes after Irish Rail staff failed to arrive to assist that passenger to disembark from the train; his views on whether the failure to check the train on this occasion was in breach of Irish Rail's obligations under the disability and equal status Acts; his views on the solutions Irish Rail may introduce in order to ensure this situation will not recur in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19879/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I note that the person affected by the incident has been in contact directly with the Company about what happened to him. In the light of seriousness of the matter, I have arranged for my Department to get in touch with the company also. When a response is received, I will communicate directly with the deputy.
1006. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a community involvement scheme and a local improvement scheme for the upgrade of local roads in the coming year. [19944/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It has been decided that there will be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme will revert back to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
The Local Improvement Scheme remains in place however, there is no separate allocation available towards this grant category. Instead 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 remains at 20% of the total cost of the project. The same eligibility rules apply for these schemes.
Local authorities were notified of the above in Circular RW 2/2015 which issued to local authorities on 3 February 2015.
1007. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the following (details supplied) regarding industry and area tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19952/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to the skills tests for applicants for a taxi licence, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I have no role in overseeing the application of the skills tests by the NTA.
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.
1008. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the projects that applied for sports capital funding in County Carlow and in County Kilkenny; if all are eligible for funding; and if not, the reason. [19968/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all projects that applied for funding under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme are published on the Department's website www.dttas.ie.
The assessment process is ongoing but will take several months to complete due to the number of applications received and the detailed information provided in each application. All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications when the assessment process is completed.
I intend to announce the allocations later this year.
1009. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will withdraw the appointment of a person (details supplied) to the board of Córas Iompair Éireann and as chairman designate of Dublin Bus in view of the roles previously played by the person in undermining strike action organised by workers and facilitating the privatisation of bus routes. [19971/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not accept the deputy's description of the Chairman of Dublin Bus, who has wide experience in the Human Resources and Industrial Relations field. He was appointed by me as Chairman of Dublin Bus on 23rd September 2014 and was appointed by the Government to the Board of CIE on the same date. The term of Office of these appointments is for 3 years.
1010. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant for 2015 in respect of a Gaelic Athletic Association club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19985/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
1011. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding bus and truck operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19990/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department, nor the Road Safety Authority (RSA), are aware of any issues concerning garages 'signing off' on checks of commercial vehicles. I also understand from the RSA that, having consulted the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, the latter is not aware of any issues in this regard either. If the Deputy can provide further information in relation to his specific concerns, I will ask the RSA to review same.
The RSA's responsibilities in relation to commercial vehicle testing are set out in the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012. As the RSA has already pointed out to the Deputy, however, CVR test centres are private commercial entities and any services of a commercial nature between a vehicle owner and the garage (other than the annual CVR roadworthiness test) relating to the maintenance or repair of vehicles, or to carrying out safety checks on vehicles, are matters for the vehicle owner and the garage operator concerned and the Authority has no role in such matters.
1012. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the report from the interdepartmental group on heavy goods vehicle user charges will be complete; if consideration will be provided to introducing a heavy goods vehicle levy for foreign trucks entering the State; if he is aware of any move by the authorities in the United Kingdom to reduce the £10 sterling per day levy for Irish hauliers entering Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20134/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UK HGV road user levy introduced on 1 April 2014 applies to all HGVs, both UK and foreign, using UK roads. Under EU legislation it is not permissible to discriminate against non-national operators by charging them differently from national operators for use of the roads infrastructure. This Government lobbied against the application of the charge to Northern Ireland, but the decision was a matter for the UK Minister for Transport.
My Department is currently chairing an Inter-Departmental Group on HGV user charges, which was established in January 2014 to consider the introduction of a 'pay-as-you-go' road tax system for HGVs. The group has examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a HGV road user charge in Ireland. The work of the group expanded to include a full review of commercial motor tax, which has led to the group taking longer than anticipated to finalise its proposals.
The Group held a targeted stakeholder consultation in November 2014 which concluded in February 2015 and has held meeting with stakeholders, including representatives of the hauliers and their customers.
The report of the group is currently being finalised for submission to me and to the Ministers for Finance and for the Environment, Communities and Local Government. I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks.
1013. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to a funding application received by Bord Fáilte in relation to tourist facilities at a site (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism offerings such as at Fanad Lighthouse, Co. Donegal, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these projects. This is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The Deputy will be interested to know that on 20th May I launched a new all-island initiative called - Great Lighthouses of Ireland - an EU INTERREG IVA funded tourism initiative. Featuring twelve lighthouses in stunning coastal locations Great Lighthouses of Ireland offers unforgettable experiences and will create a deep appreciation of the role of lighthouses, past and present, and in the maritime and seafaring story of the island of Ireland. The initiative includes newly refurbished visitor facilities and self-catering accommodation at Fanad Head Lighthouse in Co. Donegal. This project, which provides economically sustainable accommodation and tourist facilities, is being completed with support from the Special EU Programmes Body under the INTERREG programme via Fáilte Ireland.
1014. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the grant application for dressing rooms and toilets at Ballymahon Athletic Football Club in County Longford will be prioritised and approved. [20208/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted.
I expect to announce allocations later this year.
