Written Answers Nos. 1828-1848
1828. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings he has held to date and scheduled with his EU counterparts, UK counterparts and European Commission director general level counterparts dealing specifically with Brexit related issues or on which the impact of Brexit was an agenda item, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have had a number of meetings with my EU counterparts, UK counterparts and the European Commissioner on Brexit, most recently at the Transport Council in Luxembourg last week. These meetings were extremely useful in promoting an understanding of transport and tourism Brexit implications for Ireland and are summarised in tabular form below.
|
Date |
Name of Minister/EU Official |
Role/title |
Country/Institution |
Subject of meeting |
|
12/12/16 |
Minister Chris Hazzard |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Northern Ireland Executive |
NSMC matters and Brexit |
|
04/04/17 |
Prof. Péter Balázs |
European Coordinator for the North Sea Med Corridor Connecting Europe Facility Core Corridor |
EU: European Commission |
Implications of Brexit on TEN-T |
|
25/05/17 |
Minister Anna Johansson |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Sweden |
Brexit, Road safety |
|
26/05/17 |
Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling |
Secretary of State, Department for Transport |
UK |
Brexit |
|
08/06/17 |
Commissioner Violeta Bulc |
European Commissioner for Transport |
EU: European Commission |
Brexit and European Issues |
|
08/06/17 |
Jörg Leichtfried |
Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology |
Austria |
Brexit and Road Safety |
1829. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test for a person (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/17]
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 was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
1830. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will contact the National Transport Authority regarding the need to introduce an early morning local link service along the N16 corridor (details supplied) in view of the demand for such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26962/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised 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 replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
1831. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 23 May 2017, if he will provide the figures for all pension contributions made by public sector workers in each body under the aegis of his Department, excluding those in the civil service, including the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26980/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is seeking specific pensions information for employees in the public bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have asked those public bodies to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please advise my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
1832. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeframe for a decision to be made on applications to the 2017 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of the 2320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme are being assessed by officials in my Department. 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.
1833. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting to sit their driving tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the waiting times for the first five months of 2017 for driving tests in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27028/17]
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.
1834. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27145/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and all agencies under the Department's remit are subject to specific legal obligations set out in the Disability Act 2005. Part 5 of the Act sets out a requirement for public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities.
The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with this 3% target and currently my Department exceeds the target with 3.8% of employees with disabilities.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES) was launched by the Government on 2 October 2015. The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy including:
- the public service employment target for people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6%.
- special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and alternative recruitment channels will be opened up for people with disabilities.
These and other recommendations of the Strategy are being considered by a cross-party group chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay.
In regard to the number of staff with disabilities employed by agencies under the aegis of this Department this is a matter for the Agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to them for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
1835. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding can be made available from a special fund for a club (details supplied) in County Cork. [27149/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. The programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sports and physical recreation facilities throughout the country. Under the terms of the SCP, grants are allocated to sporting organisations towards the provision of new facilities, the renovation or extension of existing facilities or the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
A new round of the SCP closed for applications on the 24th February and all of the 2,320 applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. 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.
Outside of the SCP, my Department does not administer any separate special capital fund for projects such as the one highlighted by the Deputy. The club could apply for funding under any future rounds of the SCP. It may also be possible for the club to raise funds via the 'Tax relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies' scheme (section 847A of the taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue Commissioners operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to sports clubs. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website.
1836. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to the low emissions vehicles taskforce referred to in Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 2 November 2016, his plans to legislate for the introduction of electric, hybrid and biogas vehicles within the local authority fleet. [27164/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraClean and energy efficient vehicles have an important role to play in achieving Ireland's policy objectives of reducing energy consumption and lessening CO2 and pollutant emissions.
As the Deputy is already aware, my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, jointly have convened an interdepartmental Low Emission Vehicles (LEV) Taskforce to consider the range of measures and options available to Government for the purpose of accelerating the deployment of low carbon technologies. This Taskforce has been divided into three working groups which cover three key areas; Market Growth Stimuli and Visibility; Infrastructure, Energy Regulation and Pricing; and Planning Legislation, Building Regulations and Public Leadership.
Working Group One of this Taskforce, which includes representatives from the Office of Government Procurement, will, as part of their deliberations, consider current public procurement policy in the context of Government and public body leadership initiatives and opportunities, as a means of further demonstrating support for LEV uptake. An opportunity will be provided for stakeholders and interested members of the public to contribute their perspectives to the deliberations of the Task Force, details of which will be made available on my Department's website in due course.
Please note that currently local authorities are responsible for their individual fleet procurement; comprehensive guidance is available through the "Action Plan on Green Public Procurement" and "Green Procurement Guidance for the Public Sector". Additionally, the EU Commission has recently carried out an Impact Assessment for the possible revision of the "Clean Vehicles Directive" (2009/33/EC). As the Deputy may already be aware, this is a public procurement-related instrument which requires public bodies to consider certain energy and environmental impacts when purchasing road vehicles. My Department recently participated in the consultation phase of this assessment, and attended the associated stakeholder engagements at EU level.
1839. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of the design and construction of the M1 Dundalk western bypass PPP project; the estimated Exchequer contribution to the operational and maintenance costs on an annual basis; and the percentage of these costs that come from toll charges. [27377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1840. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to the Exchequer of the design and construction of the N8 Rathcormac Fermoy bypass PPP Project; the estimated Exchequer contribution to the operational and maintenance costs on an annual basis; and the percentage of these costs that come from toll charges. [27378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1839 and 1840 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements relating to tolls on national roads is vested in Transport Infrastructure Ireland under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 as amended.
In view of the above 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.
1841. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, is considering using a design, build, finance and maintain PPP or a concessions, build, operate and transfer PPP agreement to progress the metro north project. [27379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its work on a mid-term Review of the Capital Plan, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has set up a High Level Group to provide the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with an evidence-based analysis and recommendations on the future role of using PPPs (and concessions) as a procurement option in the delivery of capital infrastructure, compared to traditional procurement methods. I understand that this will include an assessment of risks arising from traditional as compared to PPP procurement of large capital projects.
Full decisions on the appropriate financing arrangements for the new Metro North project do not fall to be made yet, and will occur at a later point, after detailed design and planning work on the project has been completed. Decisions on the financing aspects of the project will, of course, take account of the outcome of the present work on PPPs which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
1842. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of designing and building the M20 motorway; and if transport agencies have explored the feasibility of building the motorway via a concessions PPP agreement. [27380/17]
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 implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. While the transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region, it was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it was not affordable.
TII is undertaking some early activity surveys/studies on the upgrade of the road link between Cork and Limerick and there has been some engagement, at the request of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, on options for funding such a link. The scope for progressing the project further will be reviewed once the Capital Plan Review is completed. In this context any consideration of options for implementation of the project by way of PPP would have to be within a PPP policy framework as set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
As regards the estimated cost of an upgrade of the Cork to Limerick road link, I have referred the Question to TII for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please notify my Office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1843. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 603 of 9 May 2017, if he and-or his Minister of State will consider the report regarding Olympic ticketing arrangements; if he will publish the report; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for the Olympic Council of Ireland, OCI, has not yet been considered by the board of Sport Ireland for 2017 and the board of Sport Ireland will await the findings of the Moran inquiry before a funding decision will be made in 2017 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27415/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraJudge Moran's Report was presented to officials in my Department on Monday, 12 June 2017.
On 8 June 2017, and prior to receipt of the Report, one of the parties who is referenced in the Report raised certain legal matters, by way of letters to (i) me as Minister, (ii) Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, and (iii) the Attorney General, relating to due process and natural justice. Given the importance of ensuring that due process and the tenets of natural justice are adhered to, the matters raised by that party, along with the contents of Judge Moran's Report, are currently being considered by the Office of the Attorney General. I do not propose to consider the Judge's Report until after that advice has been finalised. I expect to receive that advice in the coming days.
The timing of the publication of the Report will be subject to consideration of the advice of the Attorney General, and any legal issues that may arise. It is my expectation that the Report will be published as soon as possible.
In relation to the funding aspects referred to by the Deputy, the position remains that the Board of Sport Ireland will consider those matters after the Report has been published.
1844. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding realignment of a road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27435/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this 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.
1845. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the review of the Narrow Water Bridge project, agreed under the Fresh Start agreement and undertaken with the Northern Ireland Executive, will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27468/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from consultation with stakeholders, I understand that an options paper is being prepared for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council later in the year.
1846. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of funding Bus Éireann annually in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and the details of the amount each individual Department or funding source contributes. [27469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann receives Public Service Obligation (PSO) and capital funding. Since 2010 there is no PSO subvention paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award of PSO contracts 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 NTA also provides capital funding to Bus Éireann for PSO Bus Fleet Replacement & Refurbishment and funding for Accessibility Projects and under the Regional Cities Programme. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to funding allocated to Bus Éireann over the period 2011 - 2017.
In addition to this Bus Éireann receives exchequer funding from the Department of Education and Skills for the provision of school transport services and also from the Department of Social Protection in relation to the Free Travel Scheme. Therefore I have referred the Deputy's question to my colleagues Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Education and Skills and Regina Doherty, TD, Minister for Employment and Social Protection for attention and direct reply.
1847. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocation for each of the regional airports in Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford for each of the years 2018 to 2022. [27470/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1848. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding requirements for each of the regional airports in Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford for each of the years 2017 to 2022. [27471/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1847 and 1848 together.
Funding of the four regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK), Kerry and Waterford is provided through five different schemes under the EU approved Regional Airports Programme which operates from 2015 until 2019. Capital funding under the Programme is confined to necessary safety and security related projects to assist the airports in continuing to satisfy safety and other regulatory criteria, subject to the availability of funding.
In addition to the capital support, the Programme also provides for current funding. The bulk of this comprises PSO payments in respect of two air services connecting Dublin with Donegal and Kerry, which are paid to the airline at an approximate cost of € 7.6m annually. The remainder of the current provision is used for operational cost support for the airports in the areas of safety and security.
Budget allocations for capital and current funding under the Regional Airports Programme for 2018 and 2019, are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Capital €m |
Current €m |
|
2018 |
4.85 |
8.8 |
|
2019 |
5.2 |
8.8 |
Specifically in relation to capital funding, the allocations for the years 2020 to 2022 are included in the Capital Plan 2016-2022 as set out in the following table.
|
Year |
€m |
|
2020 |
4 |
|
2021 |
4 |
|
2022 |
4.5 |
In early 2016, as part of a €4b jobs fund, the Taoiseach annouced an extra €10m for the regional airports to guarantee their future. This commitment, together with other Programme for Government commitments of a capital nature, are currently under review as part of the Capital Plan mid-term review being undertaken by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In relation to funding requirements, applications for capital funding are invited by the Department on an annual basis. Although some projects may be multiannual in nature, generally the projects applied for are relatively modest in scale (under €1m with most under €500,000).
The four airports have submitted their project applications for 2017 for evaluation. I expect to make an annoucement on the funding allocations shortly.
The process for current funding is also undertaken on an annual basis and will be completed later this year as is normal under the Programme.
