Written Answers Nos. 200-208
200. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to outline the discussions he or his Department have had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department, or to agencies of his Department, to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34900/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister of State for Business and Employment at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation recently hosted a forum on the Living Wage in Dublin Castle. At the forum, the Tánaiste signalled that her Department would fund the next stage of examining the process which involves setting up a working group. Neither I, nor my Department, have had any discussions with suppliers or contractors to date as the living wage is a voluntary concept at this time.
201. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if window upgrades have been considered in the context of improving the energy efficiency of homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34908/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy Programme is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) on behalf of my Department. Since 2009, the programme has supported the renovation of nearly 300,000 homes in Ireland. The upgrade of windows is not currently supported under the Better Energy Programme due to the need to balance the limited budgetary resources available with the demands for the schemes delivered under the programme. Therefore, the measures currently supported are those that can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost. While window insulation does improve the energy efficiency of a home, the cost of such a measure is high in relation to the energy efficiency gains made. Information on the grant support available under the Better Energy Programme is available on the SEAI website at www.seai.ie.
202. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the current backlog in available appointments for the national car test; the current average waiting time for an appointment; his plans to increase the number of test centres, or to follow the United Kingdom model and authorise local garages to undertake the testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34773/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe RSA has statutory responsibility for the supervision and oversight of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS). While I am informed that there is currently no NCT appointment backlog, I have asked the RSA to respond directly to the Deputy regarding any particular concerns he may have, as well as in relation to current average waiting times. I am advised that new test centres at a number of locations are due to come into operation in the first half of 2016 and that 18 additional vehicle inspectors will be employed bringing the total number to 591 - the highest number ever employed.
Provision of the NCTS through a single provider is considered the most effective model as it offers a uniform testing service across the country, is fully independent of the motor industry and is highly regarded in terms of international benchmarking.
With the majority of vehicles registered and consequently due their NCT in the first few months of the year, this period will always be the busiest time for testing. To mitigate this, the NCTS is advising anyone due a test in January, February, March or April next year to avoid the risk of a delay and book their test now. A car may be tested up to 90 days early without affecting the expiry date of the certificate issued.
Additionally, notifications have also been issued to the owners of all overdue vehicles advising them to book a test immediately. Owners of overdue vehicles have been advised that they will not be prioritised at busier times of the year over those who are NCT compliant.
203. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full cost of providing an additional 80 buses to the Bus Éireann fleet. [34801/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of providing an additional 80 buses to the Dublin Bus fleet. [34802/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In addition, its functions have been extended to include securing or providing bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, stands and bus fleets throughout the country.
Therefore, 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 ten working days.
205. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will conduct a business impact analysis on the proposals contained in the Dublin transport study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34820/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin City Centre Transport Study is a study that was jointly carried out by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Dublin City Council (DCC) to assess transport related issues in the core city centre area in light of changes resulting from the Luas Cross City project, in particular. The study covers all modes of transport including walking and cycling as well as car and public transport.
The study was published by the NTA and DCC in June and there was a significant public consultation process on it over the course of the summer which generated very substantial interest from stakeholders. I understand that more than 7,700 submissions were received in response to the consultation process and that a factual report on the submissions received has been submitted to DCC's Strategic Transport Policy Committee.
I am advised by the NTA that, along with DCC, it is now engaging on an individual basis with some of the key stakeholders concerned, notably some of the large retailers and car park operators in the city centre. A number of meetings will be taking place with these stakeholders over the coming weeks before NTA and DCC report back to DCC's Strategic Transport Policy Committee.
I welcome the comprehensive and positive engagement that is taking place on this important issue and I am assured that all key stakeholders are being given the opportunity to have their views and concerns known and understood.
In light of the responsibility of the NTA and DCC for the study and their current engagement with key stakeholders, it would not be appropriate for me to conduct a separate analysis on the proposals contained in the study.
206. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the preferred route for the Adare bypass will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34895/15]
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, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII - formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
207. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to resolve the issue of overcrowding on commuter routes where passengers are often refused admission to buses or are required to stand. [34913/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce an express bus services from Dublin to major commuter towns to expedite travel time for commuters. [34914/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
