Written Answers Nos. 612-634
612. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out in tabular form the number of driver theory tests conducted in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [24043/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
613. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out in tabular form the number of driver theory tests conducted at the Dublin north test centre at Northwood, Santry, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [24044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
614. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out in tabular form the number of driving tests conducted at the Raheny and Finglas test centres in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [24045/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
615. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the projects that Transport Infrastructure Ireland plans to commence with the remaining €70 million of funds now available following the recent ECJ ruling on VAT on toll roads (details supplied). [24047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
€100 million is not available to TII arising from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision on the application of VAT to tolls on the M50 and Dublin Tunnel. As indicated previously, while Revenue has indicated to TII in light of the ECJ decision that VAT is not applicable to the toll charges, Revenue has not concluded its consideration on the close out of the appeal, including the issue of a payment of a refund.
Following the Revenue's confirmation of the decision on VAT, TII has stopped making payments to Revenue with effect from April this year and it is this saving that is being used by TII to fund the cost of the proposed safety schemes.
616. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland will contribute to road improvements at a location (details supplied) in County Cork in the event a suitable carpark location is agreed in view of the worsening health and safety issue arising there. [24061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to 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.
617. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set down the number of trees adjacent to the railway line from Tralee to Dublin that would touch the track if they fell during a storm. [24090/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Accordingly, I have referred your question to Irish Rail for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
618. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set down the status of a bus service (details supplied) serving Monaghan and Dublin; if this service is being discontinued; if he will intervene and prevent this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24152/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe service referred to by the Deputy is operated by Translink, which is the brand name for services delivered by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, a company in respect of which I have no statutory responsibility.
Monaghan is served by a range of PSO, Translink, Expressway and other licensed commercial services. While Bus Éireann has announced the cessation of Expressway route 33, the town will still be served by taxpayer supported PSO services, Translink route X3, Expressway route 32 and commercial licensed services. Translink has published a revised timetable for its X3 service which is available to view on its website.
The scheduling of Translink services or commercial licensed services is a matter for the particular operator and is not one in which I have any role.
I understand that in cases of changes to timetables, holders of annual passes may be entitled to refunds and they should contact the transport operators for further information.
619. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the reason vehicles that are over ten years old and pass the national car test can be refused insurance quotes from a large percentage of providers. [24181/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies, and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis, relying on a combination of rating factors such as age of the driver, claims record, driving experience, number of drivers, uses of the car, etc. Different insurance companies apply different ratings when deciding whether to quote for or to price insurance. Member States are expressly prohibited by the EU framework for Insurance from requiring insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.
The National Car Test was introduced to comply with EU Periodic Roadworthiness Testing requirements, and a car which passes the test may be driven on our roads. A valid NCT certificate only confirms that a vehicle is in a roadworthy condition at the time of the test.
There is a Declined Cases Agreement mechanism, which is used where a person has been refused motor insurance by a number of insurers. Under the Central Bank's 'General Good Requirements for Insurance and Reinsurance Undertakings', all motor insurers operating in the State must abide by the Declined Cases Agreement. If a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, DO1 E7E8 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement email: declined@insuranceireland.eu Tel: 01 6761914. The Declined Cases Committee of Insurance Ireland deals with any cases of difficulty in obtaining motor insurance.
620. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the procedures in place to stop unregulated and unlicensed taxis and hackneys from operating; the number of spot checks that were carried out; to outline in tabular form the number of unlicensed operators that were discovered in each of the years 2012 to 2016 in County Tipperary and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24184/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including enforcement, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The NTA carries out enforcement activities nationally in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, whose members are also authorised persons for the purposes of the 2013 Act.
I have therefore referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
621. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set down the number of local hackney licences that have been awarded since establishment; the year of their award; and the locations where they have been awarded. [24229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle industry, including the granting of local area hackney 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. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
622. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the State if the M1 slip toll in Drogheda were to be removed; if he will meet Transport Infrastructure Ireland to discuss the possibility of the Drogheda M1 slip tolls being removed to secure future investment in Drogheda and to eliminate unnecessary and chaotic traffic build-up north and south of Drogheda due to the significant amount of Drogheda residents who avoid toll booths; if he will consider proposals to remove toll charges for drivers in Drogheda in view of Drogheda's proximity to the Border and significant risk to commerce due to the upcoming withdrawal of the UK from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
623. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite a driving test for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal who requires a driving licence for work purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24447/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
624. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his views on recent reports that certificates of proficiency awarded to seafarers (details supplied) as part of training provided to offshore workers are not recognised by his Department; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of trainees over this failure to recognise the accreditation, particularly in respect of the impact this will have on employment in related sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my previous replies to Deputy McGrath on the 29th September 2016 and 7th March 2017. In those replies I confirmed that the mutual recognition of IMO STCW certificates validly issued by other EU Member States is fully supported and accepted by my Department. Particular issues had arisen in relation to IMO STCW certifications under the authority of the United Kingdom which were the subject of correspondence between my Department and, inter alia, the UK authorities.
That correspondence has now concluded and it has been clarified that the sole competent authority for the designation of bodies to provide statutory training and for the issue of IMO STCW certificates in respect of such training in Ireland is the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Only IMO STCW certificates issued in Ireland by or under the authority of the competent authority in Ireland are valid for the purposes of the relevant EU legislation and are therefore properly the subject of mutual recognition. Training cannot validly be provided under EU law in this jurisdiction under the authority of another EU Member State and the purpose of Marine Notice No. 06 of 2017 was to make this position clear to seafarers, students, Training Providers and other interested parties.
I should also inform the Deputy that this matter is now the subject of legal proceedings.
625. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the options available to him to encourage all cyclists to wear helmets when cycling; if his attention has been drawn to concerns on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24492/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is longstanding Government policy to recommend and promote the wearing of helmets by cyclists. Both my Department and the Road Safety Authority – which has responsibility for information and awareness campaigns – encourage their use.
Opinion is divided internationally on whether the wearing of helmets is best pursued through statutory requirements or through other strategies, for example through publicity and educational campaigns. Making helmets compulsory would raise a number of difficulties. In particular it would be necessary to have an enforcement system, with penalties for cycling without a helmet. The matter was considered during the preparation of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020. Although the Strategy strongly favours encouraging the use of helmets, it did not recommend making their wearing compulsory, and I have no plans at present to make the wearing of bicycle safety helmets a legal requirement.
Encouraging the wearing of cycle helmets in Ireland is achieved by promotional, educational and publicity campaigns rather than by a punitive approach to the issue, particularly having regard to the large numbers of children and young people who cycle.
626. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a junction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects (including the N22) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
627. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out the number and names of Coast Guard stations on the east coast; the cost of running each Coast Guard station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24594/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coast Guard, a Division of my Department has seventeen Coast Guard Volunteer Units located in twenty Volunteer Coast Guard stations based in the East South East Region. Details are set out in the following table.
|
Unit Name |
County |
|
Greenore CGU |
Louth |
|
Clogherhead CGU |
Louth |
|
Carnsore Point CGU - Amalgamated with Rosslare |
Wexford |
|
Fethard-on-Sea CGU |
Wexford |
|
Kilmore Quay CGU |
Wexford |
|
Greystones CGU |
Wicklow |
|
Arklow CGU - Amalgamated with Courtown |
Wicklow |
|
Wicklow CGU - Amalgamated with Greystones |
Wicklow |
|
Dun Laoghaire CGU |
Dublin |
|
Drogheda CGU |
Louth |
|
Ardmore CGU |
Waterford |
|
Courtown CGU |
Wexford |
|
Curracloe CGU |
Wexford |
|
Youghal |
Cork |
|
Howth CGU |
Dublin |
|
Skerries CGU |
Dublin |
|
Dunmore East CGU |
Waterford |
|
Bonmahon CGU |
Waterford |
|
Tramore CGU |
Waterford |
|
Rosslare CGU |
Wexford |
The cost of running the Coast Guard stations is not broken down into individual stations. Stations are not allocated a specific expenditure amount per year. No individual accounting/auditing costs are incurred by individual units.
The current and capital expenditure on the IRCG Voluntary Services and Training budget was in the region of €3.6 million for 2016. This expenditure was for 43 IRCG Units located in 55 stations nationally and included expenditure on:
- Buildings
- Communications
- Consumables
- Equipment
- Fuel
- Training
- Uniforms
- Utilities
- Vehicles
- Volunteer Allowances
Goods and services are procured in accordance with the Department's procurement guidelines and are subject to standard accounting and auditing requirements.
628. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out in tabular form the cost of insurance in each of the past ten years for each of the public transport companies, namely, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Luas. [24634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the CIÉ Group in relation to its operating companies and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to Luas. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to both CIÉ and Transdev for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
629. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plans to ensure that fixed charge penalties can be applied to persons parking without an appropriate permit in disabled parking places that are not on public roads, for instance, disabled parking bays in the grounds of supermarkets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fixed charge system operating under Section 103 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as amended applies to offences on the public road as distinct from offences in a public place and does not, therefore, apply to disabled parking bays in the grounds of supermarkets. This is because parking regulation is intended to control the use of public roads rather than private land.
Matters of control of parking on private land are a matter for the private land owner - subject to the provisions of the Vehicle Clamping Act, when it is commenced.
630. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if members of the Irish Coast Guard are permitted to enter the water in an emergency situation. [24708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe IRCG maintains a network of strategically located Coastal Units equipped to deal with local marine emergencies. Coast Guard volunteer teams are trained in search skills, first aid, setting up helicopter landing sites and a variety of maritime skills. In the event of an emergency in or on the water particularly in the event of a person in water (PIW) it is impossible to preclude that on occasion Irish Coast Guard Volunteers may have to enter the water. The IRCG Safety Statement in addition to IRCG Operational Memorandum provides guidelines and standards to members to safeguard their health and safety while engaged in Coast Guard activities.
Under the Irish National Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Framework, Garda Divers are a resource that the Irish Coast Guard may request for assistance with under water searches. In addition, the Naval Service Divers are available to the Irish Coast Guard and are used for under water searches, recovery, survey and training. The Naval Service can also provide underwater survey equipment, hyperbaric facilities and advice.
631. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plan to retain a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24713/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe service referred to by the Deputy is operated by Translink, which is the brand name for services delivered by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, a company in respect of which I have no statutory responsibility.
Monaghan is served by a range of PSO, Translink, Expressway and other licensed commercial services. While Bus Éireann has announced the cessation of Expressway route 33, the town will still be served by taxpayer supported PSO services, Translink route X3, Expressway route 32 and commercial licensed services. Translink has published a revised timetable for its X3 service which is available to view on its website, that timetable indicates continued services through Monaghan town.
The scheduling of Translink services, or commercial licensed services, is a matter for the individual operator and is not one in which I have any role.
632. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to set out in tabular form the funding allocated by Fáilte Ireland through its various schemes and programmes, including capital funding, funding for marketing and promotions, festivals, events and so on, by county in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24748/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
633. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his plans to bring forward proposals to fund specialised buses for persons with a disability; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that agencies that currently provide such a service and have applied to the HSE for assistance have been informed that the HSE does not fund the purchase of vehicles. [24759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the public transport investment programme, my Department provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a rolling programme of bus replacement and refurbishment of the PSO bus fleet. This has enabled 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets to be wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus Éireann coach fleet and this will increase as the coach fleet is replaced.
Since 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been assigned national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department.
The NTA is preparing a report for my Department, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, regarding the potential for integration with other transport type services such as the HSE transport services. It is also examining the way in which existing routes can be made more sustainable and accessible to the public and the potential for new routes. I anticipate that the Report will be submitted to the Oireachtas Transport Committee shortly.
634. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consultants have been appointed to oversee a review of Bus Éireann; the way in which the consultants were chosen; if a tender process was in place; the closing date for applications; if this matter was publicly advertised; the amount of time he expects the review process to take; and if it will be open to public tender. [24761/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not appointed any consultants nor have I initiated any such review.
I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
