Written Answers Nos. 909-927
909. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a road haulage operator licence is required to transport livestock more than a distance of 30 km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27100/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe carriage of cattle, sheep and pigs within the State is exempted from the road haulage licensing regulations under Section 2 of the Road Transport Act 1978. If an operator is to engage in such carriage outside the State between EU Member States, an International Road Haulage Operator Licence incorporating a Community Licence is required.
910. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which ongoing discussions continue to take place in regard to the upgrading or improvement of the Liffey Bridge, Celbridge, County Kildare, or its replacement with an alternative structure, thereby addressing the ongoing traffic congestion and the likely future intensification of such congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27180/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including bridges) in Kildare is the statutory responsibility of Kildare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 -2015. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. Traffic management in its area is a matter for the local authority, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.
The assessment of options in relation to a new bridge at Celbridge is, therefore, a matter for consideration by Kildare County Council.
911. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will visit County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27232/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware I had hoped to visit Kerry on the 14th September but unfortunately the visit had to be deferred.
While my office will try to reschedule the visit, I have to make the point that my Department continues to operate under very constrained budgets which limits the level of grants available across the country to supplement local authorities' own resources.
912. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for two bus shelters in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27233/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure including bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, etc in the State.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
913. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for the next sports capital grant allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27234/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. The most recent rounds of the programme were in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
The aim of allocating Sports Capital Funding on an annual basis is specifically included in the Programme for Government. As the Deputy will be aware, all Departments are currently engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of finalising the Budget for next year. Once this Estimates process is finalised, I expect to make an announcement in relation to a new round of the Sports Capital Programme.
914. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on the Ireland's Ancient East initiative to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27257/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the management or development of tourism offerings such as Ireland's Ancient East. The development of this initiative is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply to the Deputy directly in regard to funding of Ireland's Ancient East initiative. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
915. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress being made to extend the number of countries and jurisdictions with which a reciprocal agreement exists for the purpose of driving licence exchange; the jurisdictions with which negotiations are presently taking place with the view to establishing such agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27267/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU driver licensing legislation. As such, we have exchange arrangements for driving licences with all other EU Member States.
In the case of non-EU States, we may reach bilateral agreements. These agreements are not a straightforward matter. Before an agreement can be reached, there must be detailed comparisons of the two driver licensing regimes so that each side may be satisfied that the standards applied in each jurisdiction are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Currently, Ireland has agreements in place with the following non-EU countries or jurisdictions: Australia; Canada – Provinces of Manitoba, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Ontario; Gibraltar; Iceland; Isle of Man; Japan; Jersey; Liechtenstein; Norway; New Zealand; Taiwan; South Africa; South Korea; Switzerland.
The RSA has in recent years pursued agreements with the Canadian provinces. Three such agreements are now in place, and negotiations are continuing with the remaining Canadian provinces.
The driving force behind reaching these agreements is the need for agreements with countries with which their might be a large volume of exchange, subject as I have said to the compatibility of the systems in question. Currently we have agreement with all jurisdictions where there is significant demand, with the exceptions of the remaining Canadian provinces and the USA. In the American case, where each State has its own system, the RSA determined some time ago that the complexity of reaching 50 separate agreements, each of which would have to take into account the relations of the State in question to each of the remaining 49, would make agreement challenging.
916. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a footbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27268/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of infrastructure such as a pedestrian footbridge as suggested by the Deputy is a matter for the relevant local authority.
917. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding road surface; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/16]
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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
918. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for a controlled pedestrian crossing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27275/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra919. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a speed reader will be installed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27276/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions 918 and 919 together as both relate to the N72 national road scheme in the village of Barradubh, Co. Kerry.
As 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 (including the N72) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
920. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide grant aid to remove bad bends (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27278/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Gortahoneboy is located on the N72 national route. 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 (including the N72) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
921. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a roundabout (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27279/16]
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 (including the N22 road scheme) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) 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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
922. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress and extent of the discussions in course or likely to take place in regard to the provision of a new public swimming pool in north Kildare directly or in conjunction with Maynooth college, in view of the urgent need to make provision following the closure one year ago of the pool at Maynooth college; the extent of discussions with Kildare County Council, Maynooth College and his Department in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27328/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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. The third was from Kildare County Council for a pool in Maynooth but this was invalid under the terms of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme as the local authority did not have title to the proposed site. Kildare County Council were informed of this on 30th June. In the event that the matter of title was resolved, the project could be reconsidered in the context of any future Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.
923. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to each local authority for the local improvement scheme in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27457/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) provides funding for private roads and laneways, the maintenance and improvement of which is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner. While the LIS does not have a ring-fenced allocation at present, local authorities may use a proportion of State grant funding (15% of the Discretionary Grant) for LIS should they wish to do so. In addition Councils can also provide monies from their own resources towards LIS.
The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes, on an annual basis. A major objective for the new Government will be to prioritise new investment in local and regional road maintenance and improvements, and LIS funding will be promoted in that context.
924. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase State funding for public transport towards the European average figure by increasing the public service obligation levy to Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail initially to the figures for 2007-8. [27508/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that this year's total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention was increased by 13% when compared to last year and the total amount of money made available to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2016 is €236.6m.
All three operators will therefore receive increased PSO subvention funding this year which is a very welcome development given that, as with almost all other areas of public expenditure, subvention funding was indeed reduced in recent years.
Notwithstanding that reduction, the Exchequer has continued to provide significant financial assistance to each of the three operators on an annual basis. This assistance takes the form of both PSO subvention funding and considerable investment through capital funding also.
This totality of Exchequer financial assistance to the transport operators must be considered when reference is being made to the levels of funding provided. While I note the Deputy's comment about a 'European average' I must point out that the different structures and funding sources used in public transport provision across the EU can give rise to difficulties when attempting to adequately compare levels of funding in the sector.
Of course I recognise the need to build upon the increased level of subvention funding I am making available to the NTA this year and that very issue is one I am raising with Ministerial colleagues during this year's budgetary process. I intend to prioritise improved service delivery and efficiency when seeking such increased funding.
925. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of providing free public transport to all primary school children nationwide. [27509/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to that Department for direct reply.
926. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of completing the western corridor rail route. [27510/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Partnership 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. The progression of this commitment is being examined in the context of the Rail Review which I have recently received.
927. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress to date, in tabular form, on the annual targets for attaining 70,000 returned emigrants since the making of the commitment in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26483/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe goal of this Government is to support the creation of an additional 200,000 jobs by 2020 with 135,000 outside Dublin and to achieve sustainable full employment. We also want to attract back 70,000 emigrants from aboard. This is a whole of Government effort and is delivered through our integrated Action Plan for Jobs. The Action Plan for Jobs process aims to strengthen the enterprise base, support entrepreneurship and start-ups, regain Ireland’s lost competitiveness and ensure the potential of the regions for development and job creation through Action Plan for Jobs – Regional is fully realised, supported by competitive regional funds.
Action Plan for Jobs 2016, the fifth such Plan, was launched in January 2016 and as well as building on reforms in previous years introduces new areas of focus such as: the National Talent Drive which aims to improve the employability of all and ensure that work always pays; and new sources of employment growth such as Energy Innovation, Intellectual Property and Design.
The Action Plan for Jobs process is working. Over 176,800 more people are at work since the first plan was launched at the start of 2012 and unemployment has fallen to 8.3% in August 2016. Action Plan for Jobs 2015 commits to 50,000 additional jobs this year. Good progress is being made with 36,000 additional at work in the first six months of the year.
The Action Plan for Jobs complements the Government’s Pathways to Work which set outs actions to be taken in support of those that are currently unemployed in order to help them access the labour market and new job opportunities. In addition, we know that there is demand for a range of skills and experienced professionals across the economy and there are opportunities for overseas talent to be attracted to Ireland, including attracting back our emigrants, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
My Department and agencies, together with other Departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have a range of initiatives underway to connect with emigrants and others interested in a career in Ireland. At the end of June 2016, I launched Tech/Life Ireland, a new national initiative to brand Ireland as a top destination to pursue a career in technology. It is a focused international marketing initiative with a dedicated website, www.techlifeireland.com, to attract talented and experienced tech experts to Ireland and to promote top tech career opportunities here. Tech/Life Ireland is funded by my Department and will be delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the tech industry to help attract up to 3,000 top tech professionals to Ireland each year. Industry is playing an important role in supporting the initiative and driving its development.
It is too early to report on the numbers of returning emigrants to take up employment since the launch of the Programme for a Partnership Government which was launched in May this year, but we will be liaising with the CSO in relation to monitoring this data in due course.
