Written Answers Nos. 1 - 44
40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department can continue to facilitate efficient commuter transport by the use of co-ordination between the road and rail network in such a way as to provide the highest possible degree of transport cost effectiveness and efficiency for commuters located convenient to such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6041/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to co-ordination between road and rail, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the statutory body with responsibility for the integration of public transport nationally. The remit of the NTA is to regulate and develop the provision of public transport services (bus, rail, light rail and taxi) by public and private operators in the State, to secure the development and implementation of an integrated transport system within the Greater Dublin Area, and to contribute to the effective integration of transport and land use planning across the state.
As part of its statutory role, the NTA has prepared a transport strategy for the GDA which establishes a framework to guide transport provision in the region. The Authority is in the process of finalising an Integrated Implementation Plan which will outline the measures to be implemented in the short term in pursuance of the Transport Strategy.
In terms of achieving cost effectiveness and efficiency for commuters, the Authority is working to simplify the fares structure for bus and rail services and to offer integrated fare products across the State. The introduction of the Leap card has greatly facilitated such integration. The Authority is striving to achieve a further simplified, better value fares offer for public transport customers. I understand that it is currently examining what the next generation of smart ticketing might be for Ireland in this regard.
I would also highlight the Authority's multi-modal journey planner which has been in operation for 4 years. This allows anyone to plan their journeys to and from any location in Ireland by public transport. Furthermore, real time passenger information has greatly enhanced the experience of the public transport customer and is a key integration tool.
41. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason his Department's combined spend on the smarter travel sustainable transport measures-grants and the regional cities programmes decreased by 21% in 2016 and is projected to be reduced by 18% in 2017 (details supplied) in view of the fact that these programmes constitute a large portion of his Department's spend on walking and cycling infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6093/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overarching goals contained in Smarter Travel Policy continue to be the cornerstone of our transport policy. This is recognised and reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government where we commit to ensuring that the €3.6bn investment in the public transport system provided for in the Capital Plan will uphold the principles of Smarter Travel. The Capital Plan also specifically commits €100m in funding measures to support smarter travel and carbon reduction.
While it is recognised that there has been some decrease in the combined spend on the programmes outlined for the years in question, it should be noted that in 2017 €2.5m has been allocated specifically to support carbon reduction in transport, a sum that would have previously been included under the Smarter Travel programme. In addition a sum of €10m allocated for Smarter Travel in 2014/2015 was a once-off allocation under the Government Stimulus Programme and this also impacts the figures the Deputy is quoting.
It is recognised that with renewed economic growth, particular challenges for the transport sector with regard to congestion and climate change are re-emerging While cost effective investment in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure is clearly a priority, which is consistent with the goal of ensuring a more sustainable transport system, funding challenges remain, with many competing demands for the limited amounts of funding available. In terms of overall funding of public transport, I was able to secure an increase in funding of €54m for public transport infrastructure and services in Budget 2017. In 2017, €355m is being invested in public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure and €276m is being allocated to fund the operation of public transport services. The capital funding allocation includes funding for the LUAS Cross City project which, when completed, will increase the capacity and efficiency of the public transport network in the GDA.
Progress has been made and continues to be made in encouraging people to use public transport and more sustainable forms of transport. We have seen a significant increase in cycling in Dublin with steady year on year growth with an increase of more than 125% between 2006 and 2015. There was also an increase of an additional 10 million passenger journeys on Public Transport in 2016, a 4.4% increase on 2015.
42. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Bus Éireann report submitted to his Department in January 2016 on the way to resolve the financial difficulties at the company was rejected by his Department, even though it was essentially the same analysis as was presented in the latest report by a company (details supplied); and his views on whether due to the decision to suppress this report a year has been lost to address Bus Éireann's financial problems and the company is now in more difficulties than this time last year. [6095/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my oral reply today to Priority PQ No. 29.
43. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA), he will carry out and publish a full review of loss-making routes on which private bus carriers currently operate, including the number of private licences issued on these routes, when these licences were issued and when these routes ceased to make a profit due to over-saturation; if he will provide for the NTA to review the renewal of such licences that are making a loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6102/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the regulator of the bus market in Ireland. Responsibility for the licensing of public bus passenger services was transferred from my Department to the NTA in 2010, under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. I would like to refer to the Deputy's inference that loss making routes arise from an over-supply of licences in the commercial bus market. This is simply not the case. Over the period 2011 to 2016, the NTA have issued 8 licenses and refused 11 applications. The changes to the regulation of the bus market has had, without question, a positive effect on the experience of the travelling public. They have benefitted from more services, better frequencies and lower prices.
This is not hearsay. People have chosen to use these improved services in increasing numbers - in 2015 almost 23 million people used commercial bus services which was a 9.5% increase on the previous year. More people using public transport is a good thing.
The NTA is responsible, under statute, for making decisions about licensing and have been very effective in the execution of functions under the relevant legislation. The benefits of the current regulated competition model are continuing to accrue benefits for public transport customers. While I have no plans to change the underlying policy in relation to the current regime, the Programme for Government does contain a commitment to conduct an overall review of public transport policy to ensure that services are sustainable into the future and capable of fully meeting the needs of a modern economy, and work on this be carried out this year.
44. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the way the development of unique tourism projects such as the Taste Leitrim can help attract visitors to rural counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4068/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's primary role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
In this regard, Fáilte Ireland is delivering its Food Tourism Activity Plan which has as its vision that "Ireland will be recognised by visitors for memorable food experiences which evoke a unique sense of place, culture and hospitality". To achieve that vision, Fáilte Ireland increasingly plays a collaborative, curator-type role, whereby it sets the overall framework and direction for enhancing food experiences and then guides and enables the efforts of those delivering it.
Fáilte Ireland will continue to implement its vision for food tourism in 2017, through the support of food festivals, the development of food trails and the work of Fáilte Ireland's network of food tourism champions who encourage businesses to co-operate to produce high quality food products, events and experiences.
Taste Leitrim is an online guide to places to eat, food experiences, and drink and food producers in Co. Leitrim. The website allows hotels, restaurants, cafes, pubs and food and drink producers to advertise their businesses and products through short videos, photographs, descriptions and maps. It also advertises six "Taste Trails".
Although Taste Leitrim did not avail of Fáilte Ireland sector supports in 2016, initiatives such as this are very much in line with the Agency's food tourism policy in their promotion of local food and drink establishments and products, development of food trails, and support and utilisation of existing tourism brands such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Blueways.
