Dessie Ellis
Ceist:593. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the State of making all existing public transport completely wheelchair accessible. [11459/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (593)
Freagraí scríofa
Accessibility is built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems such as the Luas are fully accessible. My Department also provides funding to the NTA for the development of a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann PSO fleets both in the GDA and nationally. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 65% of Bus Éireann coaches (which are wheelchair accessible by lift) and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced. My Department also funds an on-going programme of accessibility improvement grants to upgrade existing public transport infrastructure and facilities. This includes funding in 2016 for accessibility upgrade works at a number of rail stations, for accessible bus stops & bus stations and for a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme. The Accessibility Grants Programme is being managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department. I understand from the Authority that making the rest of public transport services (including bus, rail stations and the rail fleet) fully accessible for people with disabilities would cost over €170 million.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (594, 595)
Dessie Ellis
Ceist:594. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds pledged and the funds that have been ring-fenced in the capital spending plan for the completion of the A5 dual carriageway, the Narrow Water bridge, the Ulster Canal and the north-west gateway initiative, in tabular form. [11460/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDessie Ellis
Ceist:595. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds which are required but not yet budgeted to complete the A5 dual carriageway, the Narrow Water bridge, the Ulster Canal and the north-west gateway initiative. [11461/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together.
The Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities. Under the Agreement it is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding is to be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. While there is no provision for this expenditure in my Department's capital budget at this time, the provisions of the Fresh Start agreement reflect the Government's commitment to the project as set out in the Capital Plan published in September 2015.
Under the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council in June 2016. Pending completion of such review no specific funding provision has been made to date.
The Ulster Canal and the North West Gateway initiative are not within my functional area of responsibility.
Swimming Pool Programme
Ceisteanna (596, 597)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, all upgrades and developments of swimming pools funded by his Department, in the past two years; the amount allocated to each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11473/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:597. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to continue the local authority swimming pool programme; if any swimming pool projects are currently being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11474/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. While no additional pools have been included in the main Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, LASPP, during the past two years, two of the existing LASPP projects progressed to the formal allocation stage during that time. Those projects were:
- 2015 Dunmanway €3.8m
- 2015 Castlebar €3.8m
More recently, in January of this year, the Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, including funding that will become available from withdrawn projects, it was considered prudent to progress one additional new pool project at this time. Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the two valid proposals for new pools, it was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
Details of the LASPP allocations under the special energy efficiency / enhanced disabled access initiative 2015 can be found on the Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/allocations-and-payments.
Traffic Calming Measures
Ceisteanna (598)
David Stanton
Ceist:598. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a nationwide introduction of 30 km/h speed limits outside schools during school terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11477/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Local authorities already have the necessary statutory powers under section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 to provide for a Special Speed Limit of 30 kilometres per hour outside of schools if they deem such a limit to be appropriate and necessary. A Special Speed Limit may also include a periodic speed limit which can be designed to apply and operate at specified periods, for example when children are arriving at, or leaving a school during term time. The consent of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is required when Special Speed Limits are being applied on national roads.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, published in March 2015, provides detailed guidance on the application of Special Speed Limits outside of schools and is available to all local authorities. These Guidelines reiterate that the making of Special Speed Limit by-laws is a matter for the Elected Members of local authorities, subject to following Department Guidelines and to the consent of TII in the case of national roads.
In consideration of a nationwide 30 kilometres per hour speed limit outside schools during term time, in view of the statutory provisions already available to local authorities, it is my view that the introduction of Special Speed Limits can be best addressed through discussions between all interested parties locally, including council officials and Elected Members, community groups, An Garda Síochána and TII rather than being centrally imposed.
Sports Capital Programme
Ceisteanna (599)
Robert Troy
Ceist:599. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider deferring the drawdown of a sports capitation grant issued to a club (details supplied). [11478/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The club referred to by the Deputy has been allocated €221,487 under various rounds of the Sports Capital Programme, €73,000 of which was allocated in 2014. If it is the case that the organisation is actively pursuing the drawdown of this grant and keeping the Department informed of progress, then the grant would not be withdrawn. I should also mention that the Department encourages the drawdown of grants in as timely a manner as is possible.
Bus Éireann
Ceisteanna (600, 601, 602, 603)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:600. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to request Bus Éireann to stop providing services that amount to below cost selling where private bus operators are providing a similar competing service, to review state aid procedures and the public service obligation payments and to investigate possible abuses of a possible dominant position by Bus Éireann and to make the findings public. [11520/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:601. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the individual sums agreed to be paid and the actual sums paid for the provision by Bus Éireann of its public service obligations on the network of transport services in Athlone, Balbriggan, Cork, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Navan, Sligo and Waterford operated by Bus Éireann in each of the years 2009 to 2015, inclusive, in tabular form. [11522/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:602. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average amount paid to Bus Éireann, calculated on a per kilometre basis, for meeting its public service obligations on the network of transport services in Athlone, Balbriggan, Cork, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Navan, Sligo and Waterford, for each of the years 2009 to 2015, inclusive, in tabular form. [11523/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:603. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the individual agreed scheduled transport services to be performed by Bus Éireann in Athlone, Balbriggan, Cork, Drogheda, Dundalk, Galway, Limerick, Navan, Sligo and Waterford and to confirm for each of the years that the National Transport Authority had at all times a verifiable system in place to be absolutely certain that each of these scheduled services were actually performed and that Bus Éireann returned to the National Transport Authority any subsidy received in respect of any service not performed for each of the years 2009 to 2015, inclusive, in scheduled format. [11525/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 600 to 603, inclusive, together.
It is important to differentiate between publicly subvented services and commercial services.
Bus Éireann provides publicly subvented bus services on foot of public transport services contracts directly awarded to it by the NTA under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended). These services, also known as PSO services, are deemed to be socially necessary but financially unviable public transport services.
The award of these contracts and the public money provided to Bus Éireann in respect of the contracts must conform to the requirements of EU Regulation 1370/2007, which creates a legal framework regulating how EU Member States award and pay compensation for services deemed to be PSO. The purpose of the Regulation is to ensure transparency in the subvention paid for public transport services by requiring all PSO transport services to be subject to contracts. Public money made available to operators in line with the Regulation's requirements ensures compliance with the general EU legal framework regarding State Aid. The Regulation is supported in domestic legislation by the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended).
By the very nature of this regulatory framework, the PSO services in question are services deemed to be socially necessary but financially unviable and therefore Bus Éireann is not operating 'below cost selling' on these PSO routes. Each year the fares charged on the Bus Éireann PSO services are determined by the NTA and each year the NTA audits the assignment of costs between Bus Éireann's PSO services and its other commercial services to help guard against the potential for cross-subsidisation of commercial services by Exchequer funding.
As I have just alluded to, Bus Éireann does also operate commercial services under the Expressway brand. These services are not in receipt of any Exchequer funds and are subject to competitive pressure from any other licensed operator. The third major area of operations for Bus Éireann is of course the school transport scheme which it administers on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills.
The Deputy is probably aware that in October 2014 the European Commission completed a State Aid investigation into alleged unlawful State Aid granted to Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus. The Commission's decision is available to view at http://ec.europa.eu/competition/state_aid/cases/221137/221137_1597492_358_2.pdf.
The Commission Decision found that the PSO scheme was 'existing aid' and for this reason was not considered unlawful State Aid. However, the Commission decision determined that aspects of the School Transport Scheme were not compatible with EU rules and that 'appropriate measures' would need to be agreed to ensure that the scheme, in its future implementation, was compatible. The Department of Education and Skills is leading Ireland's response on this issue with my own Department providing input as necessary.
The various data sought by the Deputy in his questions are an issue for the NTA and I have therefore 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.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Ceisteanna (604)
Seamus Healy
Ceist:604. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the necessity for urgent repairs to the bridge at Ardfinnan in Clonmel, County Tipperary; if he will provide funds to carry out the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11605/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Tipperary, including Ardfinnan Bridge on the R665, is the statutory responsibility of Tipperary County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's 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 January of this year, my predecessor announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations, including an allocation of €15.9 million for Tipperary County Council. Grants for remedial works on bridges are made under my Department's Bridge Rehabilitation Grant scheme. Local authorities submit a list of bridges in order of priority for consideration for funding. Ardfinnan Bridge was placed some way down the list in Tipperary County Council's application. Taking into account the overall amount of funding available a grant allocation of €60,000 was made in respect of Ardfinnan Bridge with a view to facilitating progress on initial remedial works at this bridge.
It is a matter for the local authority to select, prioritise and agree its regional and local road work programme each year. The purpose of Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of all schemes.
Vehicle Registration Data
Ceisteanna (605)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:605. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1158 of 17 May 2016, the number of vehicles recorded on the national vehicle and driver file and the number of transactions in each of the years 2013 to 2015, inclusive, and to date in 2016; the number of vehicles that are not correctly registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11607/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 30 April 2016 there are 2,619,500 vehicles, with a current motor tax licence, recorded on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF). An additional 103,258 vehicles are recorded with a Statutory Non Use (Off the Road Declaration).The table below provides the details on the number of transactions in each year 2013, 2014, 2015 and up to 30 April 2016.
|
Year |
Total Number of Transactions (1) |
Change of Ownership Transactions (2) |
|
2013 |
7,021,343 |
900,324 |
|
2014 |
6,851,510 |
1,006,484 |
|
2015 |
6,940,934 |
1,100,428 |
|
2016 (Jan to April) |
2,513,641 |
435,275 |
Note:
1. This column contains the total number of transactions processed on the NVDF for the particular period.
2. This column contains only the change of ownership transactions processed for the particular period.
All vehicle details on the NVDF are correctly registered based on the documentation completed and signed by both the seller and the buyer of the vehicle, as required under current legislation.
Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements
Ceisteanna (606)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:606. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1146 of 17 May 2016, if an Irish citizen (details supplied) who is residing indefinitely in Australia can apply by post to have a driving licence replaced when stolen, to establish a system to accommodate this similar to passport replacement and renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11721/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As I explained in the answer to which the Deputy refers, under EU legislation, Ireland issues licences only to people whose 'normal residence' is in Ireland. 'Normal residence' is defined in EU law in the first instance by a person residing for more than 185 days of the year in a given EU Member State. I explained in that answer the exceptions to the 185-day rule.
If an Irish citizen is residing indefinitely in another country they do not meet the residency requirements and are not eligible to replace or renew their Irish licence.
As Ireland has an exchange agreement for driving licences with Australia, if the licence of an Irish citizen is lost or stolen the person can request a Letter of Entitlement/Driver Statement from the National Driver Licensing Service (from info@ndls.ie) at a cost of €15. A letter of entitlement or driver statement refers to a copy of a driver record with details of name, address, date of birth, driver number, date of expiry of licence and class of licence to include details of what that class refers to. This can be presented to the Australian authorities as part of the application for a driver licence exchange.
Swimming Pool Programme Status
Ceisteanna (607)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:607. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will provide funding for phase 2 of the Samuel Beckett civic campus in Ballyogan, Dublin 18. [11727/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides for grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. I am advised that a swimming pool is a substantial element of Phase 2 of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus in Ballyogan in County Dublin.
In January of this year, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin, one in Lucan and the other in Ballyogan. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was considered prudent to progress one additional new pool project at this time. Following consideration of the expressions of interest, and the two valid proposals for new pools, it was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland Funding
Ceisteanna (608)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:608. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to re-instate the N14 Letterkenny to Strabane road project as part of a balanced approach to transport infrastructure development inclusive of rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11855/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII, formerly known as the National Roads Authority) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland Funding
Ceisteanna (609)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:609. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the A5 Derry to Strabane road project, his views on the withdrawal of £50 million earmarked for the A5 but reallocated for work extending the M18 from Gort to Tuam and the M11 between Wicklow and Arklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities. Under the Agreement it is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding is to be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.
While implementation of the project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities the Irish Government is liaising on project implementation under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council. A public consultation exercise on the new Environmental Statement together with a new draft Direction Order, draft Vesting Orders and a Stopping-up of Private Accesses Order was concluded in early April 2016. A further consultation exercise is now underway on the Environmental Statement which is scheduled to conclude on 2 June 2016. On 14 April 2016 the Department announced a Public Inquiry on the proposed scheme and appointed the Planning Appeals Commission as Public Inquiry Inspector. The Inquiry is scheduled for autumn 2016.
As regards the Gort to Tuam and Arklow to Rathnew projects, these projects have been undertaken using the Public Private Partnership contract model whereby a private consortium finances the construction of the project and recoups the investment over the life of a long term concession agreement.
Rail Network
Ceisteanna (610)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:610. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the western rail corridor from Derry to Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway, thereby creating a Derry to Cork western rail corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new programme for Government includes a commitment to provide for an independent costing and review of a proposal to extend the Western Rail Corridor by linking Athenry and Claremorris. In the coming weeks I will be considering how best to progress this commitment.
Harbours and Piers
Ceisteanna (611)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:611. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the decision his Department has made or that is pending on the governance of Dún Laoghaire Harbour under the Harbours Bill 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Harbours Act 2015, which was signed into law on 25 December last, provides the legislative basis for one of the National Ports Policy's key recommendations, namely that governance of the five designated Ports of Regional Significance should vest in more appropriate local authority led governance structures.
The Harbours Act 2015 does not prescribe the model of transfer for any of the five ports, including the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. Instead the Act allows for the most appropriate model of governance to be chosen in respect of each individual company. The two possible models of transfer provided in the Bill are:
1. Retention of the existing company structure and transfer of the Ministerial shareholding in the company to the local authority; or
2. Dissolution of the existing company structure and transfer of all assets, liabilities and employees into local authority structures, where the port will be administered as a functional area of the local authority.
The manner of transfer selected in each case will be the one that finds broad consensus and agreement between the parties. If there is disagreement between the port and the Council over the model of transfer, then the model of transfer chosen will be a Ministerial function.
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have established two transitional teams which are engaging on the practical issues associated with the transfer and consultants have been appointed by the Council to undertake the due diligence process, with funding support from my Department. This exercise is intended to assist in the decision as to the most suitable model of transfer.
Officials from my Department also met with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on a number of occasions to assist in the process.
Harbours and Piers
Ceisteanna (612)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:612. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for a copy of the due diligence that is, or has been, carried out in relation to Dún Laoghaire Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11879/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy has been previously informed, my Department has made funding available to the local authority to conduct due diligence as part of the planned transfer of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company to the local authority.
The procurement and management of any such due diligence process is a matter for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Accordingly, the due diligence report is also a matter for the local authority.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has procured consultants to conduct the due diligence of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company and I understand the process is now well advanced.
Waste Management Regulations
Ceisteanna (613)
Clare Daly
Ceist:613. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is concerned that a company (details supplied) will now only accept payment of invoices for bin charges through an online billing system for e-tags, thereby putting persons without access to the Internet at a major disadvantage, given the company's discontinuation of paper tags; and if she will investigate the consumer protection implications of this. [11273/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Matters to do with communication to customers of waste companies and with pricing, billing and access to account information come within the scope of the Customer Charter for Household Waste Collection. This Charter constitutes the Sixth Schedule to the Waste Management Collection (Permit) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 820 of 2007) as amended most recently by the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 197 of 2015) and the Waste Management (Collection Permit) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 24 of 2016). As these Regulations were enacted by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, now the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, questions about their application to the practices of companies providing household waste services are a matter for that Minister.