Written Answers Nos. 341-363
341. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the public service obligation subsidy paid to Bus Éireann for each of the years 2008 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10900/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2010 there is no Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area along with the routes covered.
The total PSO subvention provided to Bus Éireann by this Department for 2008 and 2009 was as follows:
Schedule of Exchequer Public Service Obligation Subvention to Bus Éireann for 2008 and 2009
|
Year |
Bus Éireann(€ Millions) |
|
2008 |
41.8 |
|
2009 |
49.3 |
I have forwarded the portion of the Deputy's Question in relation to PSO funding for 2010 - 2017 to the NTA for direct reply.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
342. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money spent on greenway projects by his Department from 2011 to date in 2017, by project and local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10901/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the greenways funded by my Department since 2011 are set out in the table.
Under the Capital Plan €100 million is committed to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures, including greenways. The Programme for Government also commits to providing additional capital funding for various tourism projects, including greenways. I will be seeking to deliver this additional funding in the context of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan.
My Department is planning to develop a new Strategy for the future development and funding of greenways. The proposed Strategy will include the approach to be taken by authorities and agencies tasked with delivering greenway infrastructure and when finalised, will feed into the approach to be taken to progress the delivery of greenways underway and those that may be awarded funding under future funding calls. The Department will undertake a public consultation process in the near future to inform the development of the new Strategy and all interested parties will have the opportunity to give their views as part of the public consultation process.
343. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the precise nature of restrictions in funding capital projects at regional airports; if he will provide further details with regard to comments made by the Secretary General of his Department at the Committee of Public Accounts on 23 February 2017 that a change in national policy would be required to ensure greater flexibility in funding regional airports; the rationale for existing policy; his plans to change policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10902/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which EU directives restrict capital funding at regional airports; the way in which these directives are applied here; if his Department has sought changes at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10903/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the board or representatives of Waterford Airport in 2017; the nature of the engagement; the persons present; the nature of the discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if officials from his Department met the board or representatives of Waterford Airport in 2016 and 2017; the number of meetings that took place; the nature of the engagements; the persons present; the nature of the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 344, 349 and 350 together.
The rules and restrictions governing the extent to which Member States may give financial aid to airports are contained in the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines (2014/C 99/03) which is published on the website of the European Commission.
My Department secured approval from the EU Commission in August 2015 for a multi-annual programme of supports for our four regional airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford. The Commission Decision, which is available on my Department's website found that our programme complied with the compatibility criteria specified in the 2014 Guidelines and hence compatible with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU.
That programme, the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019, is also available on my Department's website. This Programme details the manner in which the 2014 EU Guidelines are applied to our four regional airports and it also covers our support for PSO air services.
In the case of State aid for capital projects at the regional airports, referred to in our Programme as the 'CAPEX Scheme', Exchequer support is confined to safety and security related investments and is not available for developmental projects involving capacity extensions and enhancements at these airports. This is what the Secretary General of my Department referred to at the PAC meeting on 23 February last and it reflects policy adopted following a Value for Money Review of Exchequer Funding for Regional Airports in 2011.
Infrastructural capacity expansions at any of the regional airports are a commercial decision for those airports.
With regard to meetings with the Airport this year, I met with both the Chairman and the Chief Executive of the Airport, together with board member (and CEO of Waterford City and County Council) Michael Walsh on 13th February last. The discussion centred around the efforts to secure a carrier for the Airport. In February of last year, officials of my Department met with representatives from the four regional airports, including Waterford Airport, to review the operation of the current Regional Airports Programme which had been introduced at the end of the previous year. The Chief Executive and the General Manager represented Waterford Airport at that meeting.
345. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of funding allocated and total amount drawn down for public swimming pools for each of the years 2010 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all allocations and payments under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme for 2010 to 2016 are published on the Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/allocations-and-payments.
346. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the importance of public bus transport to regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government commits to reviewing public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. This commitment is restated as an action in Realising Our Rural Development-Action Plan for Rural Development and includes reference to the rural transport dimension, to ensure that it meets the needs of rural communities.
My Department therefore plans to undertake work later this year on the development of a Public Transport Policy Statement. This Statement will take cognisance of relevant initiatives in several other areas of public policy on which the Government is deeply engaged including the preparation of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), in addition to the Action Plan for Rural Development. The new NPF in particular will influence how best to achieve effective regional development.
In terms of funding, we must get the balance right in relation to regional and rural transport services and the associated investment. This must occur in the context of a step change in the overall funding of public transport. I will be ensuring that a strong case in this regard is made as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Government's Capital Plan in 2017.
While all of these considerations are important in terms of public transport and regional development, I'm clear as to whom public transport should be about - the ordinary citizen. Placing the citizen at the heart of our policy will allow us to realise the true potential of public transport and allow it to play its full role in promoting social progress, economic prosperity and effective regional development.
347. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of submissions his Department made to the development of regional plans or spatial planning strategies from 2014 to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10909/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn May 2016, the Maritime section of my Department made a submission to the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government on its Maritime Spatial Planning Consultation.
348. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the work his Department has completed in preparation for and in response to the development of a new national planning framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework (NPF) - known as "Ireland 2040-Our Plan" will be a long-term, 20 year+ strategy for the spatial development of Ireland that will seek to guide future planning and investment decisions. It is being led on behalf of the Government by the Department of Housing, Planning Community and Local Government.
The process of developing the NPF is overseen by a senior officials cross-departmental steering group which includes both my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA is also represented on an expert group which supports the technical aspects of the development of the NPF. An initial consultation process is currently underway and is supported by a detailed "issues and choices" consultation paper.
My Department has contributed to the consultation paper through a position paper outlining the relevance of the NPF to the Department's remit and also through ongoing contact with the NPF project team. Input to date has emphasised the importance of a number of issues from my Department's perspective including:
- Compact settlement patterns to underpin our transport system;
- Protecting the considerable investment made to date in our transport network, particularly in relation to the strategic road network;
- Protecting our landscapes, seascapes and cultural heritage;
- Robust monitoring and oversight of NPF implementation;
- More formal integration between land use and transport across the country.
I am happy to report that my Department's input to date has been reflected in the consultation paper. My officials will continue to work with the NPF project team over the coming months.
351. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for each driver testing centre in County Donegal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10947/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational 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 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
352. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting times for driving tests by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10948/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational 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 10 days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
353. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the mechanism in place for a person (details supplied) who is trying to replace a registration book for a vintage car whereby the tax office do not have the records for the car due to the documents being mislaid or lost. [11120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's offices in Shannon issue Vehicle Registration Certificates (VRC) in lieu of all change of vehicle ownerships; and where an application is made for a replacement VRC at a motor tax office, for a vehicle registered after 1 January 1993. Applications for replacement documents (old style log book) for vehicles registered prior to this date can only be made by the vehicle owner to their local motor tax office.
Any subsequent requests on this matter should be made to that office.
354. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative proposals published by his Department between 2011 to 2016 that underwent a regulatory impact assessment; the legislative proposals published by his Department that did not undergo a regulatory impact assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11159/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if regulatory impact assessments for legislative proposals published by his Department include impacts (details supplied); the impact categories not included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11174/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
Details of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) undertaken by the Department are available on the Department's website, www.dttas.ie. Where undertaken, RIAs in relation to legislative proposals follow the guidance contained in the revised RIA Guidelines published by the Department of the Taoiseach in 2009.
The impacts referenced by the Deputy were considered in RIAs where they were deemed relevant to the proposal under assessment. In a number of cases, RIAs were not undertaken. Details of these and the reasons for not carrying out an RIA are set out in the table:
|
Name of Act |
Reason for not completing a RIA |
|
Transport (Córas Iompair Éireann and Subsidiary Companies Borrowings) Act 2012 |
The amending legislation had no impact on the existing regulatory framework. |
|
Airport Charges Directive |
Given the intention at the time to carry out a full review of the regulation of airport charges at Irish Airports, no RIA was undertaken in relation to the Airport Charges Directive. The review of airport charges regulation was carried out in 2015. |
|
Public Transport Act 2016 |
The Act involved technical amendments to existing legislation and did not impact on regulatory framework or involve new regulatory policy. |
|
The National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Act 2016. |
The amending legislation had no impact on the existing regulatory framework. |
356. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to put in place another five-year cycle of the PRTLI for the period 2018 to 2022; her views on whether the €10 million allocation to the PRTLI in 2017 is sufficient to support research in universities and institutes of technology under the programme, in view of the fact that this amounts to just 17% of the 2011 allocation and 32% of the average annual allocation under the programme from 2011 to 2016; and when the new PRTLI will be finalised. [10788/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s allocation to the Programme for Research in third Level Institutions (PRTLI) in 2016 was €30.4m; this included a Supplementary Estimate of €20m in December 2016. The allocation in 2017 is €14.4m.
The PRTLI allocation is being used to pay off an outstanding bill for PRTLI Cycle 5. Cumulatively, the HEIs have yet to spend their full Exchequer allocations. The majority of projects are progressing well at this stage and should reach completion by the middle of this year (some building projects have already been delivered but final expenditure declarations have yet to made). As with previous cycles, there is a long lead time expected before both the total spend and the administrative obligations are finalised. As the outstanding bill to HEIs has been reducing, the allocation to Cycle 5 in my Department’s Vote has reduced also.
The planning and design of a successor to Cycle 5 of PRTLI is an action in Innovation 2020 and is being progressed by my Department working closely with the Department of Education and Skills. My Department is currently preparing a proposal to seek funding for a successor to Cycle 5 of the PRTLI in the context of the Mid-term Review of the Capital Plan. There will be more clarity on a successor to Cycle 5 when this review is concluded, and the funding envelope for this and other projects is finalised.
357. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the areas of responsibility that have been transferred to Ministers of State (details supplied) in her Department; and the dates from which in each case. [10872/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28th June 2016, the Government made delegation of function orders to my Department’s Ministers of State at my request.
Under S.I. number 333 of 2016, the Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Mr Pat Breen T.D., was delegated responsibility for legislation relevant to employment rights and industrial relations, workplace health and safety, standards and metrology and certain responsibilities relating to business and small and medium enterprises. This delegation was subsequently updated by S.I. number 6 of 2017 to include reference to the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Act 2016.
Under S.I. number 334 of 2016, the Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, Mr. John Halligan T.D., was delegated responsibility for legislation relevant to my Department’s responsibilities for innovation, research and development and intellectual property.
358. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA jobs created and lost in Waterford city and county in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10927/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA jobs created and lost in the southeast in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10928/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
IDA Ireland's official employment data is tracked at a county and regional level through an employment survey which is conducted by my Department. Information at city level is unfortunately not available.
In 2016, IDA Ireland client companies created 697 new jobs in County Waterford. Job losses for the same period amounted to 136, meaning there was a net county-wide employment increase of 561.
360. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of times the Low Pay Commission met in 2016; the actions it took; the recommendations it made to Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Low Pay Commission met on 10 occasions during 2016.
As part of its annual deliberations on the appropriate rate for the National Minimum Wage, the Commission advertised in national newspapers and through its website for submissions from interested parties.
Furthermore, as part of their 2016 work programme the Commission was asked to examine the underlying reasons for the preponderance of Women on the National Minimum Wage and to look at the sub minima rates allowable under the National Minimum Wage legislation. A further national consultation process took place in relation to these matters.
Submissions received were considered by the Commission and oral hearings were held in Dublin and Monaghan in relation to the appropriate rate for the national Minimum Wage.
On foot of the work of the Low Pay Commission, I received three reports in 2016. The Commission’s recommendation on the national minimum wage was brought before, and approved by government. The new rate took effect from 1st January 2017.
361. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the concept of a living wage; her plans to bring forward proposals in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Living Wage concept is grounded in the idea that a person’s wage should be sufficient to maintain a safe, decent standard of living. At an individual level the resources required to achieve a minimum essential standard of living is very dependent on family circumstances and thus the interaction of individual earnings with household income and State-provided supports such as Child Benefit, Family Income Supplement as well as supports available in relation to housing, education and health all contribute to an individual’s standard of living.
It is important that Ireland’s statutory National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage concept are not conflated. The Living Wage is a voluntary societal initiative centred on the social, business and economic case to ensure that, wherever it can be afforded, employers will pay a rate of pay that provides an income that is sufficient to meet an individual’s basic needs, such as housing, food, clothing, transport and healthcare. The Living Wage is voluntary and has no legislative basis and is therefore not a statutory entitlement. It is different to the National Minimum Wage which is a statutory entitlement and has a legislative basis.
The Low Pay Commission was established in 2015 and its primary function is to, on an annual basis, examine and make recommendations on the national minimum wage, with a view to securing that the national minimum wage, where adjusted, is adjusted incrementally over time having had regard to changes in earnings, productivity, overall competitiveness and the likely impact any adjustment will have on employment and unemployment levels. The Commission presented its first report in July 2015 in which it recommended an increase of 50 cents per hour to the minimum hourly rate bringing it to €9.15. That increase, which was accepted by Government, came into effect on 1st January last.
The Commission presented its second report in July 2016 and its recommendation that the minimum wage be increased to €9.25 per hour was subsequently accepted by Government and came into effect on January 1st last.
The Deputy might note that the most recent figures published by Eurostat show that Ireland has the second highest national minimum wage of any country in the EU at €1,563 per month, behind only Luxembourg whose minimum wage is €1,999 per month. (In some countries the basic national minimum wage is not fixed at a monthly rate but at an hourly or weekly rate and Eurostat for comparison purposes converts countries hourly or weekly rates into monthly rates).
I have no plans to bring forward proposals outside of the work of the Low Pay Commission.
362. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce legislation to prevent tactical insolvencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of actions were initiated as part of the Government’s response to the insolvency and immediate closure of Clerys. The Duffy-Cahill report provides a comprehensive analysis of the relevant provisions of employment law and company law. It makes a number of proposals for reform of the law, which are primarily concerned with amendments to employment law. My Department conducted a Public Consultation on the report following its publication on 26 April 2016.
The submissions received in response to the consultation are important in terms of assessing how the suggested reforms could operate in practice and in identifying any unintended consequences. They will inform the response to the report which will be brought forward for consideration by Government.
Separately, authorised officers of the Minister from the Workplace Relations Commission have sought information from a number of parties in relation to the collective redundancies that took place in OCS Operations Limited on 12 June 2015. The work of the authorised officers relates to the application of the Protection of Employment Act 1977 to the collective redundancies in question. A legal challenge was taken by two of the parties last year, on which the High Court ruled comprehensively in favour of the WRC Inspectors. Further legal challenges to the investigation are currently listed before the Courts. The work of the authorised officers is continuing and the matter of prosecutions, where appropriate, is also being progressed.
The Company Law Review Group is continuing to examine legislation with a view to recommending ways company law and indeed the wider legislative code could potentially be amended to better safeguard a company’s employees and unsecured creditors. That work is currently ongoing and any recommendations made by the Group will receive careful consideration, when received.
363. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce proposals contained in a University of Limerick study into low hours and if and when contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10932/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in response to the Programme for Government commitment to tackle problems caused by the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious work for consideration by Government. We intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. Our proposals will address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response to the Programme for Government commitment is being informed by the University of Limerick study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation on that study conducted by my Department.
Developing policy proposals on employment rights is a complex matter. A balance needs to be found between protecting the rights of employees and avoiding unintended consequences on business which may negatively affect the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
My Department is currently engaged in a dialogue process with ICTU and Ibec to secure broad agreement before proposals are finalised. This work is being progressed as expeditiously as possible and is nearing conclusion. The intention is to bring our proposals to Government in Q1 2017.
