John Lahart
Ceist:275. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any proposals to redesign the livery of the Dublin Bus fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7533/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin Bus Fleet
Ceisteanna (275)
Freagraí scríofa
The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction with the NTA 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.
National Transport Authority Funding
Ceisteanna (276)
John Lahart
Ceist:276. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided by the NTA towards projects in Dublin South-West in 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7543/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed 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.
Tourism Project Funding
Ceisteanna (277)
John Lahart
Ceist:277. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of any tourism initiatives being undertaken in south Dublin county and Government funding being provided for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7545/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Decisions on tourism initiatives undertaken in South Dublin are a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to both agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
Rail Services
Ceisteanna (278)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:278. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a person (details supplied) under 18 years of age cannot receive a valid student card when travelling on Irish Rail; the reason they must pay the full adult price despite being a student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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.
In relation to the issue of second level student ID cards, I note that the Student Leap Card is available for second level students and functions as both a Leap Card for those who can avail of Leap enabled services and also as a valid form of ID for the purchase of student fares on other Iarnród Éireann services. Iarnród Éireann's website also provides further details in relation to other acceptable forms of identification for second level students.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
State Airports
Ceisteanna (279)
Robert Troy
Ceist:279. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the review of the capacity at the three State airports will be completed; the details of the terms of reference of this review; the persons or body that is undertaking it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7581/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In November last year, my Department issued a request for tenders to procure consultants to undertake a review of the future capacity needs at Ireland's State Airports. The terms of reference are published on my Department's website and may be accessed using the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/aviation/publications/english/capacity-review-request-tenders-2016.
Tenders to undertake this review have been received and are currently being assessed within the Department. It is expected that the contract to undertake the review will be awarded to the preferred bidder shortly. It is intended that the review will be completed by the middle of this year.
Road Safety Authority Staff
Ceisteanna (280)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:280. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all employees in the Road Safety Authority have access to the cycle to work scheme; if there are employees without access to the scheme; if he will ensure that employees wishing to avail of the scheme will receive access to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Motor Tax
Ceisteanna (281)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:281. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason, despite the closure of many motor tax offices, 20,000 SPSV motor tax licence holders cannot tax their vehicles online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7689/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The overall objective of my Department's online motor tax service is that the facility to renew motor tax online should cover as wide a range of motor tax transactions as possible and the Department is always keen to explore the potential for including more 'complex' online applications for a small number of vehicles which include small public service vehicles.
Licensing authorities have an obligation under Article 3 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing)(Amendment) Regulations 1992 to be satisfied that a vehicle is correctly taxed and the authority must have adequate documentation to support a claim for a particular rate of tax. In order to avail of the small public service vehicle rate of tax, which at €95 annually is a concessionary rate, the owner is required to submit a current public service vehicle licence when applying for a motor tax disc. The public service vehicle licence is a paper based process and consequently it is currently not possible to facilitate the taxing of small public service vehicles through the online motor tax service.
In this regard, as custodians of the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) and the online motor tax infrastructure, my Department is continuing to work closely with the National Transport Authority, who are the regulatory authority for the licensing and regulation of small public service vehicles, with a view to enabling these vehicles be taxed online.
Motor Insurance
Ceisteanna (282)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:282. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific proposals he has to deal with the particular and extreme difficulties facing taxi drivers who face rises in their car insurance that threaten their livelihood if they make any claim whatsoever against their motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am acutely aware that the rising costs of motor insurance for drivers generally are also affecting the taxi industry. The implications of the current insurance difficulties faced by those in the taxi sector are of concern to me and the Government.
The Working Group established last year by the Minister for Finance to review the factors which are influencing the increase in cost of motor insurance considered issues raised by particular sectors including taxi drivers in relation to both the availability and cost of SPSV insurance.
In its Report, published by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD and Minister of State for Financial Services, Eoghan Murphy TD on 10 January 2017, the Working Group states that the starting point for its consideration of the issues in relation to the overall motor insurance area, including the taxi sector, is that it is not possible for it to make recommendations on pricing as this is primarily a commercial matter for insurers. The Working Group indicated to all stakeholders throughout the process, that there is no immediate solution to the issue. However, the Working Group believes that the implementation of the Report's 33 recommendations and 71 associated actions will lead to greater stability in the pricing of motor insurance and will help prevent the volatility that we have seen in the market in the past (both up and down) and should also better facilitate potential new entrants to the market.
My Department, together with the appropriate bodies, will work towards implementing the recommendations in the Report that are relevant to the taxi industry within the required timelines.
Public Service Vehicles
Ceisteanna (283)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:283. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will allow for appeals to the rule that PSV licences lapse after one year and one day as many taxi drivers have legitimate reasons such as health, civil cases and other personal issues for not renewing a licence in a given year but want to return to taxi driving subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues pertaining to Licences, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. 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.
Wild Atlantic Way Project
Ceisteanna (284)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:284. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a village (details supplied) in County Kerry will be incorporated into the Wild Atlantic Way route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism projects such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
I am aware that the route of the Wild Atlantic Way was developed using a collaborative approach and regional steering groups were convened to inform route development. The steering groups comprised Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities, local LEADER and Development companies and other key agencies such as Udarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and others as relevant to each particular region.
For those communities that are not directly on the route, it is important to note that the Wild Atlantic Way is not simply a touring route but is rather a means to guide and attract visitors, and that all villages, businesses and geographic areas within close proximity of the route are in essence part of the geography of the Wild Atlantic Way. The purpose of the Wild Atlantic Way is to give guidance to visitors as to what there is to see on our western coast and provide easy access to a range of experiences.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.