Written Answers Nos. 297 - 308
297. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) concerning revisions to the wind energy guidelines; if a response was issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory responsibility on planning policy and legislation, including leading the review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines, rests with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Responsibility regarding the authorisation of wind farm developments is a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, in consultation with my Department is conducting a targeted review of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines (WEDGs) in relation to noise, shadow flicker and proximity. In accordance with the Programme for Government commitment the finalised Guidelines will have to offer a better balance between the concerns of local communities and the need to invest in indigenous energy projects. The new planning guidelines will also be informed by best international practice.
Furthermore, the issues of community benefit and participation are being considered and developed as part of this process. The proposed new Guidelines will be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment and associated public consultation before they are finalised by Government. Intensive engagement between the two Departments is ongoing in order to bring to completion the revision of the Wind Energy Development Guidelines as soon as possible.
I have only recently received the correspondence from the person referred to in the Question which concerns the Wind Energy Development Guidelines and legal proceedings relating to a specific wind energy development. Since some of the issues raised in the correspondence relate to planning policy and legislation, they are outside of my remit. A comprehensive response will be issued to the individual concerned in the next ten days.
298. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of payments made by his Department or a public body under the aegis of his Department to a person (details supplied) in the past 36 months and to date in 2017. [21386/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not made any payments to the person referred to in the Question during the period concerned.
299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in his discussions at European Union level in relation to Brexit, he will emphasise the urgent need to provide major financial assistance towards the upgrading of infrastructure, particularly the road network in the Border region, in view of comments attributed to him as being in support of a major investment in the Belfast Dublin rail link; his views on whether the Border region will be the most severely affected by Brexit; if its infrastructural needs will be given priority in all investment programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21066/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware from stakeholder consultations with various groups including freight, tourism, aviation and local organisations including in particular from the discussions at the All -Island Sectoral Dialogue on Transport and Tourism in January 2017 in Dundalk which I hosted, of the concerns and implications for Border regions of Brexit.
My officials continue to engage in stakeholder consultations and the outcome informs the analyses of the Department and feeds into the Government's overall position on Brexit which is being managed on a whole of Government basis, with overall responsibility resting with the Department of the Taoiseach.
Regarding investment in Roads as the Deputy is probably aware, the transport element of the Capital Plan sets out investment priorities to 2022 and was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT). 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. A further €600 million has been allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway and the balance for the limited number of road improvement projects included in the Plan.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that there is a total of €2.6bn in additional funding available between 2018 and 2021 for allocation under the Review of the Capital Plan. While I am conscious of the many competing demands for extra resources, my Department has submitted a very strong case for additional funding consistent with the principles identified in SFILT and a number of the proposed measures, if approved for funding, will be of benefit to the border counties.
The main emphasis of funding for the rail network in the Government's Capital Plan is on the maintenance of the existing network to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. The Northern rail line plays an important role in linking communities North and South of the Border. Iarnród Éireann and Translink have established a joint Enterprise Board chaired by the CEO's of both companies aimed at implementing improvements to the Enterprise cross-border Dublin/Belfast service.
The full implications for Ireland of the UK leaving the EU will only become clear once formal Brexit negotiations progress. The Government will continue to plan for and mitigate the associated risks of Brexit throughout the EU/UK withdrawal process.
300. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will inform persons that applied for the sports capital grant programme 2017 if their applications have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20894/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the 2320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be assessed by officials in my Department over the coming months. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a number of months to complete the assessment process. It is expected that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
301. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has requested a specific level of increased funding from the Minister for Social Protection for the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, both Minister Varadkar and I instructed our officials to examine the current funding levels associated with the Free Travel Scheme. That examination is currently being finalised and I expect a decision on the approach shortly.
The funding of the Free Travel Scheme is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection; however, as I have previously stated, if issues with current funding levels are identified, then I expect that those issues will be satisfactorily addressed.
302. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of Public Service Obligation, PSO, funding allocated by the National Transport Authority, NTA, to each of the three CIÉ companies in 2017. [20908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2017 I secured an 11% increase in the total amount of funding available to support the delivery of PSO services. That means that a total of almost €263 million will be allocated to support the delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the allocation of PSO funding to individual operators is a matter for the National Transport Authority (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.
303. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons that have made use of the rural transport programme each year since 2011. [20909/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of journeys made under the rural transport programme each year since 2011. [20910/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria for deeming eligibility for a potential transport coordination unit wishing to partake in the rural transport programme. [20911/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 to 305, inclusive, together.
As I have advised the Deputy previously, my Department provides funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including, since 2012, management of the RTP.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
306. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local authorities pay for the upkeep and maintenance of local and regional roads; and if so, if this funding is separate from the funding provided for this purpose by his Department. [20912/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding provided by his Department for the maintenance of local and regional roads in 2017. [20913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding provided for the building of new roads in 2017. [20914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra309. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of funding provided in 2017 for roads (details supplied). [20915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 to 309, inclusive, together.
The 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.
It is matter for the local authority to select, prioritise, agree and progress its roads programme for the year and the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes. I do emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when setting budgets and allocating own resources, including Local Property Tax receipts.
In relation to new road schemes, the Capital Plan 2016-2021 sets out transport investment priorities from 2016 to 2022. The transport elements of the Plan 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.
I announced the 2017 regional and local road allocations to local authorities on 24 January 2017 and all grant funding for 2017 has now been allocated. Details of allocations are available in the 2017 regional and local road allocation booklet in the Dáil library.
With regard to national roads, details of the 2017 TII start of year allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library.
As regards your other queries in relation to national roads, I have referred your Questions to TII for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my Office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
