Written Answers Nos. 538-559
538. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications that have been refused for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts since 1995 within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35993/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport was established on the 9th March 2011. My Department has not received any applications for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts from any Department staff in that period up to date.
539. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, when drivers renew their licences, he will ensure that the classes they previously qualified for are automatically added to their new licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36104/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend the drivers licence recently renewed by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36106/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 540 together.
Applicants renewing their driving licences are required to indicate which licence categories they wish to renew. This allows applicants the freedom to choose to renew for particular categories and not for others, should they so wish. It is a very minor burden on applicants. Asking the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) to make this decision for people would add to the process burden in the NDLS for every licence, while curtailing individual freedom. I therefore do not intend to change the regulations in this regard.
I have no power to intervene in individual cases such as that raised by the Deputy. As a general point, a driving licence category which has not been renewed may be reclaimed for up to ten years after it has lapsed. Unfortunately, if it has not been renewed within that period, and the person wishes to regain the category, they must apply as a learner in that category.
541. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the closure or downgrading of rail services on the Limerick to Waterford line and the Ballybrophy line in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36133/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched last week with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery". Both documents are available on the NTA's website. The public consultation process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland. The public consultation process will run until 18th January and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings; thereafter I intend to bring this report to Government. No decisions will be made about the heavy rail network before the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
542. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Semple Stadium in County Tipperary was excluded from the IRFU 2023 Rugby World Cup bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36134/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Rugby Football Union, along with the rugby unions in France and South Africa, has made it through to the Candidate Phase of the process to select a host for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, have no role in the matter of the provisional long list of stadia for the all-island bid. This is entirely a matter for the IRFU Bid Team and the Bid Oversight Board. I am informed that this is an initial list and, if the bid is successful, the final venue list would have to be approved by World Rugby. As in previous Rugby World Cups, this would be a number of years after the hosting rights are awarded.
543. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the PSO for regional airports is being reviewed by his Department; if Sligo Airport can be included in this review in view of the fact that the condition of the main road serving Sligo is putting many tourists off travelling to County Sligo and the west via road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36150/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, two air routes are currently subject to PSO arrangements and there are no plans to extend the PSO regime to any other routes, including Sligo Airport.
A review was undertaken recently into the performance of the operator of the air services on those two routes as provided for under the PSO contract and the contract has been extended for a third year, from 31 January 2017 to 31 January 2018.
A Government decision was taken in 2011 to cease Exchequer subsidies for four PSO routes linking Dublin with the airports in Galway, Sligo, Knock and Derry. That decision followed on from the recommendations of a Value for Money Review on Exchequer support for the Regional Airports Programme which took into account a number of factors including the performance of the services and the requirement to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources. As a result, the only funding available from the Exchequer to support air services is that devoted to our two remaining PSO routes, namely Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin. In the circumstances it is not my intention to revisit that decision.
As regards the road network serving Sligo, the upgrade of the N4 from Collooney to Castlebaldwin was included in the Capital Plan and advance works are being progressed at present.
544. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a Brexit sub-committee has been established in his Department; if so, when the sub-committee was convened; the number of times the sub-committee has met; the number of members on the sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36212/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Committee has been established within my Department arising from the UK decision to leave the EU. The Committee has formally met on two occasions to date with a further meeting planned for tomorrow, 23 November 2016. However, consideration of the implications of Brexit have been ongoing across the Department and with other Government Departments and agencies since before the UK Referendum. The Department is also represented on the Inter-Departmental Group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.
The membership of the Department's Committee is flexible to reflect current and any emerging implications of Brexit. All Heads of Functions within the Department have a standing invitation to attend and membership currently includes representatives from the aviation, maritime, land transport, sustainability, Irish Coast Guard, climate change and policy coordination functional areas within the Department.
Brexit is a key strategic risk for my Department and there are ongoing consultation and meetings between my officials, other Government Departments and agencies, and other public and private key stakeholders in order to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit and to identify opportunities arising.
545. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will commence with the regulation of clamping vehicles which is provided for in Vehicle Clamping Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vehicle Clamping Act was enacted in May 2015 and conferred the responsibilities of regulating vehicle clamping upon the National Transport Authority (NTA).
This conferral of additional responsibilities resulted in a requirement for allocation of additional resources to the NTA in order to allow it carry out its new functions in this area. In addition the NTA also required a period to make and prepare the necessary regulations provided for under the Act as well as ensure appropriate training and administrative supports are in place to allow for commencement of regulatory activities.
This preparatory work has now been completed; however, in recent weeks an issue arose in how the Act deals with the required consultation process in relation to draft Regulations prior to their finalisation. This issue needs to be addressed so as to ensure that the NTA can proceed with the publication of said draft Regulations.
I am dealing with this issue through making a technical amendment to the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 which will be introduced by means of an amendment to the Road Traffic Bill 2016 which is currently at Dáil Committee Stage.
Once amended, the Vehicle Clamping Act will be commenced and the NTA will then proceed with the consultation process in relation to the draft Regulations prior to their finalisation.
546. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of vacant sites, properties and land owned by his Department or by bodies and agencies under the aegis of his Department, in the Dublin City Council area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general the Office of Public Works is responsible for the procurement of office and other (accommodation) required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and accordingly the details of vacant sites, properties and land in the Dublin City Council area is a matter for them.
There are some instances where lands are owned by the Minister but are leased to State Bodies under the aegis of the Department. I will arrange for the details to be forwarded to the Deputy.
The position regarding property owned by the bodies and agencies under the remit of this Department is a matter for them. I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for a direct reply. If you have not heard from them within ten working days, please contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
547. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade the bus service between Rosses Point and Strandhill, County Sligo and the Sligo town service which is in need of an extension of its timetable and greater frequency of service for growing population of Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36243/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the relevant transport provider and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
548. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to extend the rail network into County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36266/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current Capital Plan "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016 - 2021", the priority for heavy rail infrastructure is to provide the necessary funding for maintenance and renewal programmes to bring the level of funding on the network up to the required 'steady state' condition.
In these circumstances, it is not currently proposed to extend the rail network, or to reopen closed rail lines on the network. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority is currently running a public consultation on rail in Ireland. It was launched last week with the publication of the Rail Review 2016 - which the NTA undertook in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann - together with an NTA consultation document "The Role of Rail in Ireland and Funding its Delivery". Both documents are available on the NTA's website. This public consultation process will give the public and all interested parties the opportunity to give their views and contribute to the debate on the future of heavy rail in Ireland. The public consultation process will run until 18th January and the NTA will then prepare a report based on the findings; thereafter I intend to bring this report to Government. No decisions will be made about the heavy rail network before the public consultation process has concluded and been evaluated.
549. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views of a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish coast guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36287/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst, I would like to acknowledge the immeasurable contribution made by the Irish Coast Guard Volunteers in the provision of the State's Search and Rescue Service.
In relation to the question at hand, I refer the Deputy to my response to PQ Ref: 34648/16 on 15th November 2016, which outlined the legislative provisions that underpin the activities of the Irish Coast Guard. I am satisfied that the current operations of the IRCG; search and rescue, pollution response, and voluntary activity generally, are well supported by the State. That being said, we are seeking additional staffing resources to support the IRCG in delivering its service on our coast.
550. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct Bus Éireann to stop the 109 and 111 bus services at the M3 park and ride facility in the event that Irish Rail trains are disrupted by an unexpected occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36322/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
551. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the sports capital programme grants process for 2016 will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36360/16]
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. There will be no round of allocations in 2016.
Following the conclusion of the 2017 Estimates discussions, a total of €52m has been provided for sports capital projects. This will meet all existing commitments under previous rounds of the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, and also allow for a new round of the of the Sports Capital Programme. In this regard, the new round will be open for applications by January. Based on previous rounds of the programme, the assessment process takes a number of months to complete so I expect that actual grant allocations will be made some time during Summer 2017. We will be announcing more comprehensive details of the new round shortly.
552. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a marked differential that goes beyond a currency conversion and its impact on consumer shopping habits; the steps she will take to ensure that consumers can be protected from paying more for the same items sold by the same retailers operating here and in Britain (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35857/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many retailers which convert their prices on goods from sterling to euro, and that operate in both Britain and Ireland, have not readjusted their prices in accordance with the recent fall in sterling against the euro; his plans to rectify this in the immediate future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35898/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 556 together.
I am aware of the concerns being expressed that the benefits of recent movements in exchange rates between the Euro and Sterling are not being passed on to consumers. This issue has been receiving public comments in the last few weeks.
Yesterday I raised the matter at the Retail Consultation Forum to express the Government's concern at this issue and the need to pass on to consumers the benefit of the Euro's appreciation against Sterling. I was advised at that meeting that some of the differentials between prices quoted in Euro and Sterling may be attributed to such factors as the exchange rates at the time of the purchases by the retailers, the relative costs of doing business between the two jurisdictions and tax rates.
As I stated at the Forum, it is my view that retailers should explain to their customers and to the economies in which they operate why there are such price differentials between the two currency areas. I believe this will also address issues such as consumer confidence in the retail sector.
I wish to underline the Government's commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the stronger Euro are passed on to Irish consumers. Following yesterday's meeting of the Retail Consultation Forum, I am working with the sector to ensure an ongoing response by retailers in the period ahead with a view to securing satisfactory progress on the issue.
553. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to provide for another five year cycle of the PRTLI for the period 2017 to 2021. [36091/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) was launched in 1998, with five cycles of expenditure to date. The PRTLI supports the provision of top-class research infrastructure (buildings, laboratories and cutting edge equipment) as well as human capital development, through Structured PhD/Emergent Technology programmes across Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes (HEIs).
The Programme is designed to facilitate Ireland’s HEIs to produce world class research in key strategic areas: including but not limited to bioscience/biomedical; medical technologies; energy, environment and marine; food and drink; social sciences and humanities; ICT and advanced communications; and platform technologies and materials.
The planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is a commitment in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working closely with the Department of Education and Skills. Plans for a new Cycle are at an early stage and consultation with key stakeholders will take place in due course.
554. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if the IDA has put forward any concerns to her that the CETA agreement will potentially lose US investment here as Ireland will no longer be needed as a gateway into the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35763/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland has not, to date, expressed concerns to me on this particular subject.
I am confident that Canadian and American companies will continue to be attracted to invest in Ireland, including after the full implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. That is because both Canadian and US companies will continue, in the years ahead, to have a continued need for a global presence. Ire. Ireland will position itself as a key location from which such firms can internationalise their business. In doing so, we will emphasise our strengths as an investment destination, including our talented workforce, first-class education system and our membership of both the EU and the Eurozone.
555. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the schemes available to help a person who is in part-time employment and wishes to start their own business but retain their part-time job; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35764/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the remit of my Department, the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the ‘first-stop-shop’ for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business.
In the first instance, the LEOs provide a ‘signposting’ service in relation to all relevant state supports available through agencies such as Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, Credit Review Office, Microfinance Ireland. The LEOs can also offer advice and guidance in areas such as Local Authority rates, Public Procurement and other regulations affecting business.
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories, i.e. Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea); Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up); and Business Development grants for existing businesses that want to expand. It should be noted that the LEOs do not provide direct grant-aid to areas such as retail, personal services, local professional services, construction/local building services, as it may give rise to the displacement of existing businesses.
In addition, for anyone interested in starting or growing a business, the LEOs may be able to offer ‘soft’ support in the form of training (e.g. a Start Your Own Business course) or provide a mentor to work with the business proposer.
Anyone with a viable business proposal can also use the LEO to make an application to MicroFinance Ireland, which offers support in the form of loans of up to €25,000 to start-ups with viable business propositions that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by the banks.
Finally, I should draw your attention to the ‘Supporting SMEs’ Online Tool (www.localenterprise.ie/smeonlinetool) which is a cross-governmental initiative to help start-ups navigate the range of Government business supports for which they could be eligible. By answering the eight questions in the Online Tool, a small business will, in one location, be able to:
- find out which of the over 80 Government business supports from 27 different Government Departments, Agencies and Initiatives are available to them;
- obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit;
- identify their nearest Local Enterprise Office where they can discuss the outcomes of the guide further;
- download all these filtered results into a document for their further use.
557. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications that have been refused for injury warrants under the Superannuation Acts since 1995 within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35988/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo applications for injury warrants have been received or refused within my Department under the Superannuation Acts since 1995.
558. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps her Department is taking to end ticket touting and unfair trading in tickets; if she will request the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to investigate so called online and ticket exchanges which sell on tickets at multiples of their face value and are reported to be facilitated by large ticketing and booking companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36103/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the public concern about the secondary sale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events. The issues around ticket resale are not straightforward and it is important that any possible legislative or other response is based on a thorough examination of the secondary ticket market and its relationship to the primary ticket market. I am currently considering in conjunction with the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport how best such an examination can be undertaken with a view to identifying measures aimed at securing fairer access to tickets for consumers.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition and consumer law in the State. Section 9(5) of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014 provides that the Commission is independent in the performance of its functions, including carrying out investigations of alleged breaches of competition or consumer law. As investigations and enforcement matters are part of the day-to-day operational work of the Commission, I, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have no direct function in the matter.
559. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the efforts of her Department and the IDA at attracting businesses to the new advanced factory in County Sligo; the expected completion date of this facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36162/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe advance facility being built in Sligo forms part of a €150 million IDA Ireland led property investment programme which will see the Agency build nine facilities across Ireland in order to encourage foreign direct investment to the regions. The construction of these facilities will support the jobs recovery by providing a supply of property solutions in advance of demand by existing and potential IDA clients. The Sligo building is currently under construction and it is expected that it will be completed by the end of this year.
The IDA is focused on winning FDI for Sligo, as well as the wider region, and the Agency continues to market the county to prospective investors. Site visits from part of the marketing process and IDA statistics show an upward trend in the number year-on-year. There were seven IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits to Sligo in 2014, with the number increasing to 15 in 2015. There were a total of 13 visits to the County in the first nine months of 2016 and statistics for the final quarter will be available early next year.
