Written Answers Nos. 1154-1169
1154. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date progress on the development and upgrading of the Milltown-Killorglin road at Kilderry, County Kerry; the commencement date for the new road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21975/15]
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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects (such as the N70), is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
1155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he proposes to implement to deal with the large increase in motor insurance, particularly for young drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22082/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am of course concerned with the recent trend towards increasing motor insurance costs, motor insurance is provided by private companies in an open and competitive market. Pricing is a matter for the industry and I have no role in the regulation of insurers. I am however confident that the continued implementation of the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 will, over time, lead to a reduction in road traffic collisions, fatalities and injuries which will further assist in reducing the cost of motor insurance.
Consumers are always encouraged to seek a range of quotes and compare costs when renewing their motor insurance. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (www.ccpc.ie) publishes information to assist consumers in purchasing motor insurance.
1156. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria that were used to award the State contract to operate three motorway service stations (details supplied) on behalf of the National Roads Authority; the company that has been identified as the preferred bidder; the number of companies competing for the contract that sought State subsidies for the operation of the stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21233/15]
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 of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, Section 54 of the Roads Act 1993 specifically provides for the National Roads Authority or a local authority to provide and/or operate service areas. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects, such as the motorway service area projects at Gorey, Kilcullen and Athlone is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s questions to the NRA for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
1157. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce ring-fenced funding for local authorities in respect of roads under the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21313/15]
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.
1158. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to re-introduce a community involvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21374/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It was decided that there would be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme has reverted 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.
1159. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21412/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, National Ports Policy states that Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, as with the four other Ports of Regional Significance, will transfer to local authority led governance structures. I expect to seek Government approval of the text of the new Harbours Bill very shortly. The new Bill will provide the legal basis for a later Ministerial order to effect the actual transfer in each case. The Bill is designed to provide maximum legislative flexibility. It will not prescribe the model of transfer in any particular case, but instead will allow for the most appropriate model of governance to be chosen in respect of each individual port. The optimal manner of transfer will be the one which finds broad consensus and agreement between the parties.
The Bill will provide two possible methods of transfer: 1, A transfer of shareholding and continuation of the existing company structure; or 2, a dissolution of the company structure and full integration with local authority structures.
My Department is funding a due diligence process which was procured by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and commenced recently. The outcome of the due diligence will assist the strategic consideration of all relevant issues.
1160. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the applicants from County Donegal who have made applications under the sports capital programme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21427/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA list of all applications received under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme is available on the Department's website www.dttas.ie.
1161. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made on applications which have been made under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21428/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI expect to announce allocations later this year.
1162. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of the applicants from County Donegal made under the sports capital programme in 2014; if he will provide a list of those applicants from County Donegal who were successful and details of the level of funding they received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraA list of all applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme is available on the Department's website www.dttas.ie. Details of all allocations under the 2014 SCP are also available at www.dttas.ie.
1163. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports capital grant in respect of a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21448/15]
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.
1164. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a capital grant for a vital local community sports club (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21458/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe closing date for receipt of applications under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme was Friday 24 April at 5pm. Applications were only accepted online by way of the OSCAR system. The OSCAR application system is closed and it is not now possible to make an application under this round of the Sports Capital Programme. The Department must, in fairness to all applicants and potential applicants, be consistent in its application of this rule.
1165. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on progress on the development of a greenway along the route of the old west Clare Railway between Ennis and Ennistymon in County Clare; if agreement has been reached with landowners on the four individual planned sections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21467/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe West Clare Greenway project has four Phases: Phase 1: Ennis to Ballymaquiggin townland (4.5km approx); Phase 2: Ballymaquiggin townland to Corofin (15km approx); Phase 3: Corofin to Ennistymon (18km approx); and Phase 4: Ennistymon to Lahinch (4km approx).
The Part 8 process for Phase 1 has been completed and approval granted, detailed design undertaken and a tender advertised for Phase 1 Contract 1 - approx. 3km of the 4.5km overall route. This first 3km runs from Ennis town centre to and through Lees Road Sports Grounds. It is anticipated that construction will commence in late June 2015. Discussions are ongoing in relation to access and repairs to the old Railway line, its boundaries, accommodation works etc. No agreements are in place as yet. It is anticipated that a Phase 1 Contract 2 to complete the remaining 1.5km could commence in the Autumn subject to agreement being reached regarding land issues.
No design work has taken place on Phases 2 and 3. Research into land ownership has been undertaken to determine private ownership and CIE ownership. To date no contact has been made with landowners and no funding is in place for these sections.
Phase 4 is already in place and was delivered with funding provided by my Department under the 2012-2013 National Cycle Network funding programme. This section is operational as a widened footpath linking Ennistymon to Lahinch - with information boards and cycle stands in place in both towns.
1166. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 25 February 2015, if he will inquire from Irish Rail the reason it has not responded to this Deputy's letter dated 29 April 2015 (details supplied). [21469/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been in touch with Irish Rail about this matter. The company has indicated that it is reviewing its records in preparing the reply to the Deputy and expects to respond further within the next fortnight.
1167. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps Tourism Ireland is taking to attract additional visitors in the age bracket of 18 to 30 years from the United Kingdom and North American markets; the budget allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21480/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no direct role in this matter. These are decisions for Tourism Ireland Limited as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas and are not subject to my approval.
I have referred the Deputy's Questions to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
1168. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21530/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá sonraí a bhaineann le seirbhísí atá ar fail trí Ghaeilge ón Roinn seo mar pháirt de Scéim Ghaeilge na Ranna seo. Tá an Scéim faoi athbhreithniú faoi láthair agus táimid ag súil leis go mbeidh an próiseas seo curtha i gcrích go luath. Nuair atá an t-athbhreithniú seo críochnaithe, fógrófar sonraí na Scéime trí: Ráiteas Phreais; Fógra do chomhlachtaí cuí; Nasc chuig an Scéim ar láithreán gréasáin na Ranna: www.dttas.ie ; Bealaí eile, mar is cuí.
Maidir le na gníomhaireachtaí atá faoi chumas na Ranna seo, tá cóip den gCeist seolta chuig na gníomhaireachtaí seo le haghaidh freagra díreach a thabhairt don Teachta Dála ar an ábhar seo.
Muna bhfaigheann tú freagra laistigh de dheich lá oibre, téigh i dteagmháil le m'oifig phríobháideach.
1169. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the figure for a fine will be recalculated in respect of a person (details supplied), in view of that person's circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is the direct responsibility of Iarnród Éireann under the provisions of Railway legislation and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. The Deputy should advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.
