Written Answers Nos. 73 - 82
73. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the capital plan and his plans regarding the Collooney to Castlebaldwin N4 upgrade in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13993/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
74. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reintroduce the local improvement scheme; his views on the need for the scheme to repair and maintain private roads and laneways in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14008/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's 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.
Maintenance of private laneways/roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the landowners concerned. Due to the major cutbacks in roads funding it was necessary for my Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in respect of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). The approved scheme remains intact and local authorities can use a proportion of State grant funding for LIS should they wish to do so.
While there is a modest increase in funding for roads this year, it will take some years yet under the Capital Plan to restore "steady state" funding levels for regional and local roads. The primary focus has to continue to be on the maintenance and renewal of public roads. Local authorities can continue to use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the Local Improvement Scheme in 2017.
In light of the provision in the Programme for Government indicating that, as the economy recovers, the Government will promote increased funding for Community Involvement and Local Improvement Schemes, I will review the scope for making a separate grant allocation once the planned Review of the Capital Plan is completed.
76. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the new metro north project since March 2016; the preparatory works that are taking place; the timeframe for the preparatory works he expects will take place over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14241/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the new Metro North project.
Funding for the project is provided under the Government's Capital Plan, allowing initially for the planning and design phases of the project, followed by the construction phase which is expected to commence in 2021 with a view to delivering the project by 2026/2027.
The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis. The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.
77. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the public bus service is a vital piece of infrastructure in rural communities; his plans to support such services and ensure there is an adequate and secure level of public transport provision in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully aware of the important role the bus fulfils in ensuring public transport connectivity for rural communities.
This Government has supported that role through the 11% cumulative increase I secured in Budget 2017 for both the Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme and the Rural Transport Programme. That increase means that in 2017 approximately €277 million be available to the National Transport Authority to support the delivery of these important programmes, which underpin the delivery of taxpayer funded bus services across rural Ireland. I have committed publicly to further increasing the funding of those programmes in the future as resources allow.
Publicly funded bus services in rural Ireland are expanding and improving and that is reflected in the increases in passenger numbers, particularly within Bus Éireann's PSO network.
That Exchequer financial support is supported at a policy level by the commitment given within the Programme for a Partnership Government to review public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. I am glad to say that this commitment is also reflected within the actions contained within Realising our Rural Potential - Action Plan for Rural Development which specifically references the rural transport dimension and the needs of rural communities.
I have no doubt the Deputy is aware that across rural Ireland the publicly funded bus services are complemented by a huge range of privately operated bus services. These bus services are provided by operators under licence from the National Transport Authority pursuant to the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 and contrary to some reports are not solely focused on major inter-urban routes, but are also frequently found connecting rural towns and villages across the State. In 2015 around 23 million people travelled on a commercial bus service, which represents approximately 9% of all public transport journeys that year.
The National Transport Authority has assured rural Ireland that it has the statutory powers available to it to ensure continued public transport connectivity for communities who may lose services in cases where a commercial operator introduces service changes. The NTA has used those powers in the past and will do so again in the future if required.
78. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he is taking to promote and advance the Navan rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14216/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply of the 8th February 2017 to Dáil Question No. 50 regarding the Navan rail line.
The position remains as outlined in that reply.
79. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if has reconsidered the decision by his predecessor to cancel the plans for a national diaspora centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 16 February 2015, having regard to the Tourism Policy Statement "People Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025" and other considerations, it was agreed by the previous Government that it would not proceed with a single National Diaspora Centre.
It is of course open to any individual promoter to seek support for the development of a centre through Fáilte Ireland's grants scheme for large tourism projects. The scheme sets out to encourage innovation to support the long-term sustainable development of tourism across Ireland. In order to facilitate innovation, the scheme takes an outcome led approach to financial support, rather than being prescriptive in terms of the types of projects eligible for funding. All proposals are considered by Fáilte Ireland on their merits. Further details of the scheme are available on Fáilte Ireland's website. While the programme is not open to applications at the present time, it is expected Fáilte Ireland will issue a further call for new proposals towards the end of this year.
80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed report on the Bus Éireann dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have spoken at length about the situation facing Bus Éireann, both on the floor of the House and in meetings of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport.
The Company is currently losing money. These losses stem from its Expressway services. These are services operated by Bus Éireann on a commercial basis, often in competition with other bus operators. In 2015 almost 23 million people used a commercial bus service, with around 30% of that number using an Expressway commercial service. No commercial bus operator receives taxpayer funding for commercial bus services. The issue Expressway faces therefore is not one of taxpayer funding, but rather a commercial one. I have repeatedly stated my view that different stakeholders have different roles to play in resolving this difficult issue.
First and foremost, the company and its employees' trade unions must agree upon a realistic framework that allows the Company address the commercial issues it faces and restores it to a financially sustainable position. These issues are internal to the Company and can only be resolved through internally focused discussions and agreement.
In relation to Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, I have highlighted how I have already increased taxpayer funding in 2017 by 11% compared to 2016. That means that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has almost €263 million available to fund PSO services in 2017. That money can only be used to fund PSO services as provided by operators, such as Bus Éireann, under contract with the NTA.
In relation to the funding of the Free Travel Scheme, I have previously referred to the work underway by officials from both my Department and the Department of Social Protection in examining the funding levels associated with that Scheme and I expect that work to conclude very shortly.
I have assured rural Ireland that the NTA will step in and assist in cases where connectivity is threatened and we have seen the NTA respond where it has deemed necessary in relation to recently announced route changes.
But let me reiterate that the issues within Bus Éireann must be resolved by Bus Éireann and I hope that the company can do so through constructive and realistic engagement with employees and trade unions.
81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the transfer of ownership of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company from his Department to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council in line with the Harbours Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14067/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company is designated under National Ports Policy for transfer to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The process of transferring governance and the future operational structures of the port are primarily matters for agreement between the Council and Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council procured consultants to conduct the due diligence of the port company in advance of its transfer to the Council. The Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council presented the completed due diligence report to Councillors at the Council meeting held on 9 January 2017. The report has raised a number of issues for clarification and the Council has recently engaged a risk and finance consultant to produce a Risk Assessment. This will enable the Council to fully understand the implications of models of transfer and the responsibility that will transfer in financial and other terms.
I understand that both the Council and the port are at present engaging with the risk assessor.
When this process is completed, I expect matters to progress towards agreeing a model and the timing of the transfer.
