Written Answers Nos. 339-350
339. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of the re-instatement of the animal welfare recording and breeding scheme for suckler herds at a rate of €200 per head, and at a rate of €80 per head. [12232/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the importance of the Irish suckler cow herd to the Irish beef sector and wider rural economy. It is a clear objective of mine to ensure that this sector continues to receive the necessary measures and supports to address the challenge of profitability within the sector. In addition to the support the Basic Payment Scheme makes to this sector, a range of measures introduced under the Rural Development Programme also help to improve efficiency and profitability on farm and to support environmentally sustainable production such as TAMS, GLAS, Knowledge Transfer Groups and of course the Beef Data and Genomics Programme.
The Department of Agriculture introduced an Animal Welfare Recording and Breeding Scheme for suckler cows for the period from 2008 – 2012 based on a premium rate initially of €80 per suckler cow which was reduced to €40 per cow for 2009 and subsequent years due to the increased pressure on the national finances. In excess of €63 million was paid on animals born in 2008 . However, by the end of this scheme, the annual cost including administrative costs was an estimated €33 million euro per annum. The cost of re-instating such a scheme at the rates mentioned would clearly be dependent on the number of applicants and number of eligible cows.
This Department introduced in 2015 the Beef Data and Genomics Programme, or BDGP, as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. An allocation of €300 million was made available within the scheme to address the widely acknowledged weaknesses in the maternal genetics of the suckler herd in Ireland, reduce the Greenhouse Gas intensity of Irish beef production and most importantly to make a positive contribution to the future viability of suckler farmers.
In excess of €37 million has paid to over 21,000 participants in the scheme so far and since March of this year training courses have been held for participants on behalf of Teagasc with a high level of farmer satisfaction in terms of both the scheme itself and the training provided on behalf of Teagasc.
Furthermore, last week I launched the Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme which has been allocated €100 million from the Rural Development Fund for the roll-out of Knowledge Transfer Groups across a range of enterprises, including beef and suckler farmers. Farmers participating in such groups will receive a payment of €750 per annum.
340. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met formally with the chief executive officer and chairperson of Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Transdev since he became Minister; if so, the issues discussed; when he will next meet them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11939/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister, I have not yet met any of the persons listed by the Deputy.
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and its three subsidiary companies - Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann - are State-owned enterprises in the transport sector and, in line with the principles of good corporate governance for State sponsored bodies, I will be arranging to meet over the coming weeks with the Chairs and Chief Executives of these State companies.
By contrast, as the Deputy is aware, Transdev is not a State body; it is a private company which has a contract with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to operate Luas services. I have no current plans to meet the Chair or CEO of that private company.
341. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to obtain a place on the waiting list for an airport taxi licence; and if this information will be provided to the person. [11906/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of taxi permits at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for daa which has statutory responsibility for the management and operation of the airport. I have, therefore, forwarded the question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
342. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will state his commitment to the new metro north project, as proposed by the previous Government; the actions he will take in the next two months to meet Transport Infrastructure Ireland to discuss moving this project forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11907/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to provide funds to enable the New Metro North project to proceed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan "Building on Recovery Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021".
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including metro and light rail projects. For the purposes of the 'New Metro North' project, the NTA is the Sanctioning Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is the sponsoring agency.
I understand TII has appointed a Project Director for the project and the 'New Metro North' Steering Group continues to meet on a fortnightly basis to discuss the scope and brief for the new revised scheme. My Department will continue to monitor progress as the planning and design process evolves.
Subject to compliance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code, it is expected that construction of the project would commence in 2021 with a view to delivery by 2026/27.
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if time to draw down grant assistance of €80,000 provided under the sports capital grant scheme to a school (details supplied) will be extended to facilitate the remaining fund-raising required by the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11957/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation referred to by the Deputy was allocated €80,000 under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. 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.
344. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to announce a new sports capital programme in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11961/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme.
Any interested group should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
345. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy of the Road Safety Authority on driving test participants' cars being taxed. [11997/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have forwarded the question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
346. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to advance the necessary upgrading of the N2 from north of Monaghan town to the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12071/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Monaghan County Council. 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 I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don not receive a reply within 10 days.
347. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to provide specific funding to progress a road project (details supplied); if funding will be allocated in 2016 for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12072/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated in the response to the Deputy's previous question (PQ 6045/16 of 6th April 2016) Cavan County Council was provided with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 by my Department in connection with this project under the Strategic Non National Road Grants Scheme in order to bring this 75 km route to preliminary design stage.
Due to budgetary constraints it is not possible to progress the project further at this point as the priority for available funding remains the repair and maintenance of regional and local roads. The construction cost for a scheme of this magnitude would be in excess of €150 million.
348. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the new transport strategy for the greater Dublin area, approved by his predecessor in April 2016, has had sufficient regard to the current national planning framework the national spatial strategy, the regional plan for the area regional planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area and the relevant city and county development plans in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12140/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm that the National Transport Authority is to be considered the highest level land use and spatial planning body in the region, having regard to the fact that the new regional plan regional spatial and economic strategy and all city and county development plans must now be consistent with the new transport strategy for the greater Dublin area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12141/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm that the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland will deliver the required transportation infrastructure for new developments and new development areas in County Wicklow that are so designated for substantial new development by the regional plan and the Wicklow county development plan; to confirm that high-quality, frequent and fit-for-purpose mass transit services between County Wicklow growth centres and between County Wicklow and County Dublin, as well as local services within centres are to be delivered; and the infrastructure proposed, in particular with regard to the servicing of the most significant growth area in Fassaroe, Bray, County Wicklow. [12142/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 to 350, inclusive, together.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the preparation of a Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, or GDA, is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The statutory objective of the Strategy is to provide a long-term strategic planning framework for the integrated development of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA.
The preparation and development of the Strategy is guided by section 12 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. That section requires the NTA when preparing the Strategy to have regard to a wide range of relevant policies, including –
- The National Spatial Strategy;
- The GDA regional spatial and economic strategy;
- Development plans in the GDA;
- Any transport related capital investment framework.
The Act also specifically requires the NTA to ensure that the Strategy is consistent with the GDA's regional spatial and economic strategy.
As well as those legal requirements, the Act then requires that the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly formally consider the draft Strategy and confirm to the Minister whether it is consistent with the regional spatial and economic strategy, including any Regional Planning Guidelines. I can inform the Deputy that the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly did indeed confirm that the Strategy is consistent with the Regional Planning Guidelines for the GDA.
The Strategy states its purpose as establishing 'the framework for transport provision necessary to achieve the land use vision set out in the Regional Planning Guidelines', but that land use vision is the statutory responsibility of relevant local authorities, regional assemblies and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government at a national policy level.
Regarding Wicklow, the Strategy first proposes that the Luas Green Line is upgraded to Metro standard from the city centre, where it will link with New Metro North, as far as its current terminus at Bride's Glen. A new Luas line is proposed from this point to Bray, which will provide a new north-south inland rail axis from Swords to Bray. These projects will be considered in the context of future capital plans subject to business case approval and availability of funding.
The Deputy is likely aware that under the current capital plan, 'Building on Recovery - Infrastructure and Capital Investment (2016-2021)', my Department provides funding to the NTA for a programme of sustainable transport measures for local authorities in the GDA. This programme funds investment in QBCs, safety and traffic management projects and various cycling/walking schemes and improvements throughout the region, including Wicklow.
In terms of the Strategy, the NTA must now prepare an implementation plan to set out exactly how it hopes to achieve the Strategy's ambition over the next 6 years. The Act requires that development of this implementation plan must be informed by further consultation with relevant local authorities, including Wicklow County Council, as well as the general public. I look forward to receiving this implementation plan for my approval in due course and I also look forward to working with the NTA, and all interested stakeholders, in delivering upon the ambition contained within this Strategy.
