Written Answers Nos. 265-274
265. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the consequences facing many persons in rural parts of County Donegal such as Inishowen if Bus Éireann routes are reduced or taken away completely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable.
During recent weeks I have met with the Chair of the Company who briefed me on the very serious situation the Company faces. I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage constructively on the matter.
I am of course aware of the concerns of many across rural Ireland as regards the potential reconfiguration of routes. Last month I also met with the National Transport Authority, who outlined to me their powers and responsibilities in relation to the provision of public transport services. I was assured by the NTA that it will work with local communities to maintain public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services.
266. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to review their proposals (details supplied) in view of concerns raised. [6341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road traffic Act 2004, statutory responsibility for the making of Special Speed Limit bye-laws is a matter for the Elected Members of local authorities, subject to following Department Guidelines and to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in the case of national roads.
A Special Speed Limit may, as in this case, include a periodic speed limit which can be designed to apply and operate outside schools at specified periods, for example when children are arriving at, or leaving a school during term time.
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland provide detailed guidance on the application of Special Speed Limits outside of schools and is available to all local authorities. These Guidelines also reiterate Elected Members statutory responsibilities' in relation to the making of such bye-laws.
At the time of the issuing of these Guidelines, local authorities were requested to review and update all speed limits in their administrative areas in accordance with the Guidelines and in the case of national roads, in conjunction with TII. This work is currently on-going.
With regard to the specifics of the case referred to in the Deputy's question, I understand that TII's proposal in this matter is in accord with the views of Cork County Council.
267. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of commissions of Inquiry or other formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in his Department; the name of these; the date they were established; the expected date the work is intended to be completed; the cost incurred to date; the estimated final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Moran Inquiry into ticketing issues at the Olympic Games was announced on 19 August 2016. It began its work on 19 September 2016 and is expected to complete its work on 31 March 2017. Costs incurred to the end of January 2017 is €30,312. The total estimated cost of the Inquiry is €300,000.
268. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, following the midterm review of the capital plan, a construction project (details supplied) will be brought forward; and if so, the timeframe for same. [6379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe parameters for the Capital Plan Review and the final decisions on allocations are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole. I cannot pre-empt the outcome.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he and his Department have identified a priority list of road and bridge projects likely to be required over the next ten years; his plans to fund and activate such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6382/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransport investment priorities to 2022 are set out in the Capital Plan and 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. The balance will fund the limited number of road upgrade projects listed in the Plan.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is now commencing the Capital Plan review. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, 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. As the Deputy is aware there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local road projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding.
As regards bridges specifically, my Department did initiate a regional road bridge inspection programme a number of years ago to assess the condition of bridges on the network and this has been followed up with a Bridge Rehabilitation Grant programme. Under the Bridge Rehabilitation Grant scheme local authorities submit a list of bridges in order of priority for consideration for funding. Within the constraints of the overall roads budget, allocations are made to local authorities for remedial bridge works. The allocations and payments for each local authority is available in the regional and local road allocation and payment booklets in the Dáil library.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which restructuring within Bus Éireann can be undertaken with a view to bringing costs into line with targets without major disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6383/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable. In developing its plans, the Company is seeking to ensure a sustainable future for it in the years ahead; however, those plans remain under development and the company are seeking to engage with its employees on its proposals to secure the company's future. I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage on the matter. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has assured me that it will work with local communities to maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services. The NTA will ensure rural communities maintain public transport connectivity even if there are any changes to Bus Éireann Expressway services.
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department plans to extend the motorway network to facilitate economic development in the less developed regions throughout the country in line with the requirements likely arising from the National Plan for Ireland, Ireland 2040 – Our Plan; if he and his Department have prioritised projects in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6384/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in the road services over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 271 and 274 together.
As 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 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.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is now commencing the Capital Plan review. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, 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.
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate qualified staff are available to the hotel restaurant and catering services with particular reference to the need to achieve the highest competitive standards in all areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6385/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring a sufficient supply of suitably qualified staff for the Irish tourism industry requires a combination of measures, including providing appropriate direct enterprise support, entry-level training and advanced/professional training; increasing the attractiveness of employment opportunities; and improving staff retention in certain occupations. Accordingly, Government Departments, agencies, education and training providers, industry bodies and employers each have a role to play.
The Department of Education and Skills has lead responsibility for skills development policy across all sectors, including hospitality and tourism. For its part, in addition to the mainstream higher and further education and training overseen by the Department of Education and Skills, Fáilte Ireland provides a limited number of complementary tourism-related business development and training supports, in line with its responsibility for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism as a leading indigenous component of Ireland's economy. Furthermore, in line with the Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018, Fáilte Ireland is committed to working with the tourism industry and the wider education and training sector to implement the recommendations contained in the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) report on the hospitality sector, aimed at ensuring an adequate supply of skilled staff.
In this regard, Fáilte Ireland participates in the Hospitality Skills Oversight Group, which oversees skills development and promotion in the sector, including monitoring the implementation of the EGFSN recommendations, and involves key stakeholders, education and training providers and relevant Government Departments and agencies. Fáilte Ireland is also an active participant, alongside key industry bodies, on the consortium collaborating on the development of the culinary apprenticeship.
I believe that this collaborative approach is the most effective way to support the sustainable development of the Irish tourism industry and help maintain and enhance our competitive position.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in rail services over the next five years, including any extension to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of heavy rail in Ireland's Transport sector is currently under review. Last November, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann launched a public consultation process on the Rail Review Report. The public consultation concluded on 18th January and the NTA is preparing a report about the process which I intend to bring to Government. No decisions on any changes to the rail network will be made until the public consultation process has been evaluated.
The main emphasis of funding for the rail network under the Government's current Capital Plan has been on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. Present funding allocations should see steady-state levels of maintenance achieved by 2020. The Government is embarking on a Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, which will take stock of progress and provide the Government with an opportunity to consider the scope for increased levels of investment, including in the transport sector, taking economic growth and fiscal progress into account. That work will be progressed in the coming months.
