Written Answers Nos. 1574-1593
1574. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the train line from Dublin to Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród 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.
1575. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding road maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' 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.
Ireland has a particularly extensive road network at approx. 99,000 kilometres and the maintenance and improvement of national, regional and local roads places a substantial financial burden on local authorities and on the Exchequer.
State funding for Ireland's road network fell significantly during the recession. In 2008 capital funding for regional and local roads was €470 million and current funding was €134 million while last year capital expenditure was €331.5 million and current funding €43.7 million. The 2016 capital amount included special funding which was made available to address the impact of severe weather on the road network. In order to avoid deterioration in the condition of the regional and local road network each year 5% of the network needs to be strengthened and 5% needs to be sealed by way of surface dressing works. For the last number of years only half the required road pavement works have been undertaken on the regional and local road network. This means that the backlog of repair works is increasing.
Analysis undertaken by the Department resulting in the publication of a Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport in 2015 estimated on a conservative basis that expenditure of €580 million per annum is needed to keep the regional and local road network in a steady state condition.
The transport element of the Capital Plan is based on a gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from the current relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works. Funding will continue to be tight in 2017 with a modest increase in the budget. It is expected that funding will be stepped up in 2018 and 2019 and then a significant ramp up will follow from 2020. My Department has to work within the budgets included in the Capital Plan.
I continue to emphasise the local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating their own resources.
1576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with 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.
1577. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application has been received by his Department for sports grant aid (details supplied). [1018/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1579. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will provide support to further the development of the Football Association of Ireland’s Munster centre of excellence facility in Glanmire, County Cork. [1044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1577 and 1579 together.
In December 2016 the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) contacted my Department regarding a proposal for a Football Centre of Excellence in Glanmire. While I welcome plans by National Governing Bodies and clubs for investment in sporting infrastructure, it should be noted that there is no separate provision for this particular project in my Department's capital budget.
In relation to sports capital projects generally, on 21 December last, Minister Ross and I announced that €30 m is being made available under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country. Applications will be accepted on my Department's dedicated online applications site (www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie) from the 23 January 2017 to the 24 February, 2017. The guide to making an application is also available on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
1578. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be allocated to the upgrade of the R346 Cross to Cong Road in County Mayo in 2017; the amount to be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Mayo (including the R346) is the statutory responsibility of Mayo 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 Council. My Department paid €387,178 to Mayo County Council under the Specific Improvement Grants Programme in respect of the R346 in 2016. I will be announcing the 2017 grant allocations shortly.
1580. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline all funding announcements made by him or by his Department for projects in County Mayo since January 2015, in tabular form; the details of each project; the status of the project at 31 December 2016; the amount of funding drawn down at 31 December 2016; and the reason for the delay in the project or funding drawdown. [1067/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Mayo is the statutory responsibility of Mayo 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, the prioritisation and subsequent progression of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments for 2015 and 2016 to Mayo County Council are outlined in the regional and local road grant allocation and payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. The Minister will announce the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations in the coming weeks. While my Department provides funding for investment in tourism to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland it is not directly involved in providing or approving funding to specific projects firms or individuals.
Details of all allocations and payments under the Sports Capital Programme, including those referred to by the Deputy, are available on the Department’s website www.dttas.ie. For a variety of reasons it can take grantees a number of years to draw down grants.
The following table are funding announcements and grant payments in 2015 and 2016 to Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and Coast Guard Station Westport.
|
Funding Announcement |
Details of Project |
Project Status |
Amount drawn at 31 December 2016 |
Reason for delay Project or funding draw down |
|
No announcement (Funding allocation communicated to IWAK on 20 November 2015) |
Grant aid for safety/security investments at IWAK |
Completed |
€564,622 |
N/A |
|
23 December 2015 |
Grant aid towards safety/security operational costs at IWAK |
Completed |
€598,349 |
N/A |
|
20 April 2016 |
Grant aid for safety/security investments at IWAK |
Completed |
€764,609 |
N/A |
|
14 September 2016 |
Grant aid for safety/security investments at IWAK |
Completed (except for one project - runway lighting fixtures and fittings). |
€1,201,045 |
IWAK encountered a delay in delivery of runway lighting equipment from overseas -will be delivered and paid for in early 2017 |
|
22 December 2016 |
Grant aid towards safety/security operational costs at IWAK |
Completed |
€967,765 |
N/A |
|
Coast Guard Station Westport (Mayo News 2/2/16) |
Boathouse and Vehicle Store and Accommodation Block |
Planning Stage |
Nil |
No Delay |
1581. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of Galway port; if it is still considered a national port or if it has been reduced in status to a port of regional significance; the implications of the different status of various ports in relation to accessing EU and national funding for development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1085/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Ports Policy, published in 2013, introduced clear categorisation of the ports sector into Ports of National Significance (Tier 1), Ports of National Significance (Tier 2) and Ports of Regional Significance. National Ports Policy designates Galway port, which is one of the smaller State-owned commercial port companies, as a Port of Regional Significance.
The categorisation of ports under National Ports Policy has no implications for funding. There is no Exchequer funding for the ports sector. National Ports Policy clearly outlines that all commercial port companies must operate on a commercial basis without recourse to State funding for any activities. Currently, all commercial port companies operate on a self-financing basis with no Exchequer support.
With regard to funding from the EU, ports meeting the criteria for designation under the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) regulation can apply for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) EU funding instrument.
Dublin, Cork, Shannon Foynes, Waterford and Rosslare ports all meet the qualifying criteria for inclusion on the EU TEN-T Comprehensive Network, with Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes meeting the criteria as 'Core' ports on the Network.
Currently, Galway port is not part of the TEN-T network and is not eligible to apply for TEN-T and CEF funding. However, the TEN-T Regulation allows for ports to join the network, if they satisfy its qualifying criteria. Therefore, if at some future stage Galway port has sufficient tonnage, then it will be eligible for inclusion on any revised network and eligible to apply for funding under the TEN and CEF funding streams.
1582. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the electrification of the rail system for the Maynooth line; his plans to increase rail services for the Dublin west area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1110/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority's 'Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035', which was approved and published in 2016, proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme involving electrification of the Northern line as far as Drogheda, the Kildare Line to Hazelhatch, the Sligo line to Maynooth in the west and to the M3 Parkway and construction of the DART Underground tunnel.
The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned and work is underway on that at present. Due to constraints on funding, not all of the elements of the DART Expansion Programme can be progressed during the lifetime of the Capital Plan. Funding has been allocated for the extension of the DART to Balbriggan and for work on the redesign of the tunnel. Other elements of the Programme, including electrification of the Maynooth rail line will be considered in the context of the planned review of the Capital Plan.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not responsible for, or involved in, the day-to-day operations of Iarnród Éireann's services. Therefore, I have forwarded your question in relation to rail services in the Dublin west area to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1583. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost per year for the past three years for the storage and archiving of his Department's files and records at off-site locations by third party companies and at State-owned storage facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the main, the Department's file storage facilities are owned by the Office of Public Works and accordingly the cost associated with file storage is a matter for it. In relation to the Department's Shannon Office the following costs arise:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2014 |
€36,176.16 |
|
2015 |
€44,069.20 |
|
2016 |
€46,152.02 |
In relation to the Department's Killarney Office the following costs arise:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2014 |
€1,994.40 |
|
2015 |
€2,306.95 |
|
2016 |
€2,702.50 |
1584. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to revert to the parking charges and arrangements that existed at the car park close to St John's Church, Dublin Road, Kilkenny prior to the car park being taken into the charge of Iarnród Éireann; and if he will expedite the matter. [1134/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company 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.
1585. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that an aeroplane (details supplied) landed at Shannon Airport at approximately 1 p.m. on Friday 30 December 2016 before proceeding to Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey and then back to Shannon; and if a munitions permit was sought and granted for this plane. [1172/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1609. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he permitted an aeroplane (details supplied) operating on behalf of the US military to land at Shannon Airport on Friday 30 December 2016; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the plane arrived at Shannon at 1 p.m., took off less than two hours later and flew to Incirlik air base in southern Turkey, before returning to Shannon at 4 a.m. the following morning; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that Incirlik air base, which is close to the Syrian border, is used by the US to launch air and drone strikes in Syria and Iraq; if he requested that the plane should be searched in view of the fact it could be carrying weapons or munitions; and if he has any information to prove that the flight in question was not part of a military exercise or operation. [1621/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1627. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an aircraft (details supplied) on contract to the United States of America military landed at Shannon airport twice between 30 December 2016 and 1 January 2017; if his attention had been drawn to the fact that it was en route to and from a NATO air base at Incirlik in southern Turkey; if he issued an exemption for it to carry munitions or dangerous goods on either or both legs of its journey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1957/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1585, 1609 and 1627 together.
Civil aircraft are not normally required to notify or seek permission for overflights of Ireland or for technical stops at Irish airports. The aircraft referred to made such a technical stop at Shannon on 30 December for refuelling purposes. The airline did not notify or seek permission from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to this flight.
The carriage of munitions on board an aircraft in Irish airspace does require a permit under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order, 1973 if munitions of war are on board.
Ireland's procedures in relation to such flights, including in relation to munitions, are outlined in detail in a standard international civil aviation document known as the Integrated Aeronautical Information Package, which is published on the Irish Aviation Authority's website.
The Department has contacted the airline to remind it of these requirements and to enquire as to the circumstances surrounding the flight on 30 December. I have also requested my officials to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs on what further actions might be taken to ensure US airlines on charter to the US military comply fully with Irish regulations.
1586. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will meet with a delegation from the City of Derry Airport to discuss plans to develop the capacity of the airport, develop new routes and increase passenger numbers, in view of the fact that 40% of the passengers who use the airport every year are from County Donegal. [1191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I am of course happy to meet with a delegation from the City of Derry Airport, I think its only fair that I reiterate that there are no plans to provide Exchequer funding to that airport. The possibility of such support was raised by Derry Airport over the past year in the context of re-establishing the air route from Derry to Dublin, either by way of a new PSO or by a commercial carrier. I understand that the airport authorities in Derry are aware of the position in this regard.
My Department currently administers our Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 which provides targeted supports in the areas of safety and security to our four regional airports in Kerry, Donegal, Waterford and Ireland West Airport Knock. The Exchequer funding available over the lifetime of this Programme will be fully required to provide these limited supports to the four airports, and to support air services on our two existing PSO routes to Donegal and Kerry.
1587. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to co-fund the A5 dual carriageway from counties Donegal and Derry to Dublin; and his plans to increase the level of co-funding indicated by the Government over recent years. [1192/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe A5 is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware 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.
The commitments in the Fresh Start Implementation Plan were discussed at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary meeting held in November 2016. Ministers noted that a Public Inquiry into the A5 scheme was underway and that the Inspector’s report was expected around May 2017. Subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures, a decision can then be made regarding progression to the construction stage.
1588. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an office for the National Driving Licensing Service is not based in the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal in view of the fact that all residents in the northern half of the peninsula live more than the recommended 50 km from the nearest office in Letterkenny and some of those residents live almost 80 km away. [1193/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, including the location of its centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in these matters. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1589. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious and regular traffic gridlock in Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will amend the Government's capital plan to ensure that the N56 Letterkenny relief road, known as the Bonagee link, will be funded at the earliest opportunity. [1195/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Within its annual budget the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects (such as the N56 Letterkenny Link road) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan 2016-2021 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. In this context the N56 Letterkenny Link Road was one of the projects that it was not possible to include given the overall funding envelope available.
The transport element of the Capital Plan is based on a gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from the current relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works. Funding will continue to be tight in 2017 with a modest increase in the budget. It is expected that funding will be stepped up in 2018 and 2019 and then a significant ramp up will follow from 2020. My Department has to work within the budgets included in the Capital Plan.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform indicated in his budget speech that he is bringing forward the Capital Plan review. There is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector which I will make robustly. However, the parameters for the review and the final decisions on allocations are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.
1590. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to fund the redevelopment of the leisure centre and swimming pool in Buncrana, County Donegal. [1196/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe refurbishment of the pool in Buncrana, Co. Donegal has been included in the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme since 2000. Detailed contract documents were received by the Department in 2015. Some clarifications were sought on these documents and a response was received from the Council in March 2016. The documents and additional clarifications were examined by the Department's technical advisor and my officials wrote to Donegal County Council in November seeking some further clarifications in relation to these. If the contract documents are approved, the next stage of the process would be for the Council to proceed to tender stage and, following receipt of a tender report, it would be at that stage that a formal grant allocation would be considered. In this regard, it should be noted that the maximum possible grant available under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme is €3.8m.
1591. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time equivalent civil servants in gross income ranges (details supplied) in his Department for each of the years 2007 to 2015. [1233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in March 2011. The information the Deputy has requested is provided in the table below as at the first of January for the years 2011 to 2015 inclusive.
Number of Full Time Equivalent Civil Servants
|
Gross Salary Ranges |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
€ 0 to € 30,000 |
43.4 |
43.9 |
42.1 |
25.4 |
16.6 |
|
€ 30,000 to € 40,000 |
140.4 |
135 |
119.8 |
120.5 |
119.9 |
|
€ 40,000 to € 50,000 |
111.8 |
110.7 |
103.1 |
101.9 |
92.5 |
|
€ 50,000 to € 60,000 |
89.1 |
88.1 |
87.8 |
87.2 |
74.5 |
|
€ 60,000 to € 70,000 |
20.5 |
15.3 |
12.3 |
15 |
22.1 |
|
€ 70,000 to € 80,000 |
39.9 |
50.5 |
43.2 |
44.4 |
48.1 |
|
€ 80,000 to € 90,000 |
37.6 |
36.4 |
40.2 |
38.2 |
34.2 |
|
€ 90,000 to € 100,000 |
14 |
16 |
15 |
15.8 |
15.8 |
|
€ 100,000 to € 125,000 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
7 |
5.6 |
|
€ 125,000 to € 150,000 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Over €150,000 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Please note that the above figures provided by PeoplePoint (the HR and Pensions Shared Services Centre) include staff seconded out of my Department and those on career breaks and their salary bracket.
1592. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the pass rates on the driving test for each county or other similar local area for 2016; his views on any difference on the pass rates in different areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1259/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1593. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by the National Transport Authority, NTA and Irish Rail on commissioning two separate reports in 2016 entitled, The North Dublin Transport-Fingal Study for the NTA, parts 1 and 2 and separately, The Dart Expansion Business Case, by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reports/studies in question were commissioned by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann so I have referred the Deputy's question to both organisations for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
