Written Answers Nos. 1354-1373
1354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated and actually distributed to local authorities for swimming pools between 2014 and 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans to launch a new schemes of funding for such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the numbers of requests from local authorities for funding for swimming pools in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if funding was approved. [35374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1354 and 1355 together.
The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.
In January 2016, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations. There were three expressions of interest received for new pools, two of which were valid and both in Dublin. Having assessed existing commitments and the funding available, it was was decided to include the proposal from South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for a new swimming pool in Lucan in the LASPP. Accordingly, there are now four swimming pool projects in the current programme and the priority in 2017 is on progressing these projects.
Regarding payments between 2014 and 2016, details of all allocations and payments under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme are published on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/allocations-and-payments
In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, my Department is currently undertaking a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities including swimming pools in the years ahead.
1356. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine the possibility of funding a new water sports and activity centre in Athy, County Kildare, in view of the fact that Athy has both a river and a canal and many groups and clubs would benefit from such a new centre. [35406/17]
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 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on 24 February last. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. All of the applications are currently being assessed and I understand that a number of applications have been received from water sports organisations in the Athy area.
The total amount available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging and unfortunately there will be many valid applications which we cannot fund on this occasion. It will take a further number of weeks to complete the assessment process and I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
In relation to future rounds of the SCP, the type of project referred to by the Deputy may be suitable for funding once it complies with the terms and conditions as set out in the guide to making an application. Any organisation that wishes to make an application under future rounds must first register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. More generally, my Department is also currently undertaking a review of national sports policy. This includes a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities in the years ahead.
1357. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase funding to Cavan, Monaghan and Meath County Councils to repair roads in bad need of upgrade and maintenance works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' 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.
The transport element of the Capital Plan is based on a gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from the current relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works. Funding continues to be tight in 2017, however, it is expected that funding will be stepped up in 2018 and 2019 and then a significant ramp up will follow from 2020. My Department has to work within the budgets included in the Capital Plan.
All funding for regional and local roads in 2017 has been fully allocated.
It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area and it is also open to County Councils to fund works from their own resources.
1358. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is necessary to have a public services card to apply for a provisional or full driver licence; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35438/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application process for a driving licence does not currently require the production of a Public Services Card (PSC). It is however intended to make this a requirement at some point in 2018.
The PSC is governed by the terms of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. That Act lists a number of what are called 'specified bodies' which may request production of a PSC. The Road Safety Authority is a specified body under the 2005 Act.
The reason for this is to streamline processes and benefit citizens. Many public services exist which require proof of identity. This creates burdensome duplication for the individual citizen, who is required to bring a variety of documentation to prove their identity as part of an application for numerous public services. The intention for the PSC from the start was that it would function as a 'one-stop shop' for identity verification, after which it could be used to prove identity in transactions with a wide range of public agencies.
It is Government policy to require robust proof of identity to a level referred to as SAFE 2. The identity verification process for the PSC meets the SAFE 2 requirements. Introducing the requirement to produce a PSC as part of the driver licence application process will save time and be more efficient for citizens, as it will be necessary to prove their identity to SAFE 2 level only once - for the PSC. The alternative would be to extend and complicate the existing identity verification process for the driver licence application to meet SAFE 2 criteria.
1359. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reintroduce the local improvement scheme so that rural lanes and roads which are in bad need of repair can access funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1360. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the community involvement scheme is not the same scheme as the local improvement scheme; his further views on the fact that the lack of the local improvement scheme is leaving lanes and byroads in poor repair; his views on whether this will take billions of euro to address in future years; if he will reintroduce the local improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1359 and 1360 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.
I would like to explain that the difference between Local Improvement Schemes (LIS) and Community Involvement Schemes (CIS) is that the LIS relates to works on private roads while the CIS relates to works on public roads which would usually only be considered towards the end of a County Council's roads programme.
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 LIS. The approved scheme remains intact and local authorities can use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant (15%) for the 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.
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.
1361. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department on taxi and or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department operates a travel policy which states clearly that officers should only use taxis when it is absolutely necessary and there is no cheaper method of public transport available. That is adhered to within my Department. The total expenditure by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on taxi fares in the past two years to date is set out in the following table:
|
Year |
From |
To |
Amount |
|
2015 |
January |
December |
€9,284 |
|
2016 |
January |
December |
€9,616 |
|
2017 |
January |
July |
€5,312 |
As you can see, the spend in 2017 to date indicates that my Department is on course to maintain a consistent low level of expenditure on taxis.
1362. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average and longest wait time respectively in weeks by category (details supplied) in each test centre, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a 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.
1363. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to observe traffic flow at Reen Cross, County Kerry, (details supplied) with a view to finding an effective solution to resolving hazards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35665/17]
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. He should 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.
1364. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish the report by a company (details supplied) on Rosslare Europort; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35678/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out in 2013 by Indecon economic consultants.
Their confidential report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult given the Port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the Port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment my Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by my Department.
In the context of the ongoing consideration of issues, it is not yet proposed to publish the strategic review report.
1365. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the Road Safety Authority to address the issue of waiting times for driving tests in County Kerry; the plans of the authority to increase the numbers of testers in both test centres in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35734/17]
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 reply has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1366. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the profit earned at Rosslare Europort; his plans for Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 1057 which I answered on Thursday, 13 July 2017 (copy attached).
REPLY
The most recently available audited financial accounts for Iarnród Éireann is for 2015 and shows that Rosslare Europort division made a surplus after tax of €2.345m.
In relation to the future of the port, the Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State-owned ports as it is not a commercial company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann. The status of the port, and whether its current status potentially inhibits its development, was most recently considered in a strategic review, commissioned by my Department, and carried out by Indecon economic consultants.
Their report concluded that the creation of an independent port authority would be extremely difficult given the Port's complex legal structure. Instead, it was recommended that the Port remain in public ownership and that the possibilities for increased private sector involvement be investigated.
In order to assist Iarnród Éireann's overall consideration of how best to move forward, the company then engaged consultants to assess market interest. The assessment was largely positive in terms of the potential for increased private sector investment in the port; however, it did identify possible implementation issues due to the complicated legislative basis of the port.
Following that assessment my Department sought and received detailed advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the matter. That advice identified a number of legal issues with any such proposal and those issues remain under consideration by my Department.
1367. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a separate funding stream for schools that wish to introduce road safety measures at their facilities and cannot access funding locally due to Government cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35752/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council'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.
Applications were sought last year from local authorities for funding in 2017 for my Department's Safety Improvement Works Programme and it is open to local authorities to submit road safety measures at schools for consideration under this grant category. Alternatively, it is also open to local authorities to consider funding such projects from their Discretionary Grant or their own resources. Applications in respect of funding for 2018 will be sought in the coming months.
It is important to reiterate that it is a matter for the local authority to select, prioritise and agree the works to be funded and progressed each year as part of its annual works programme. In addition, the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of the local authority, not to meet the full cost of a local authority's roads programme.
All funding for regional and local roads in 2017 has been fully allocated.
As regards national roads, while 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 under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this I have also referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. I ask her to advise my private office if she does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1368. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the greenway west of Athlone. [35801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, concerns were expressed by a number of landowners in Galway following the publication of the initial 'preferred route' identified for the Greenway from Athlone to Galway and my predecessor instructed Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Galway County Council to consult landowners along the route in relation to their concerns. Following the publication of the TII report on these consultations, a decision was taken in late 2015 to pause development of the Greenway west of Athlone to allow all stakeholders to consider how best to progress this project. It is now recognised that the approach taken initially in relation to the preferred route was sub-optimal and lessons have been learned from that experience.
My Department recently completed a public consultation process to inform the development of a Strategy for the future development of greenways in Ireland. The objective of the new strategy will be to set out a cohesive and forward-looking approach to the development, funding and promotion of greenways generally. The issues affecting the delivery of a greenway between Athlone and Galway will be among those considered.
A substantial number of submissions have been received by my Department in response to the public consultation process. I was pleased with the level of interest shown by private citizens and stakeholders alike whose views will now be considered in the coming weeks and months as the strategy is being developed.
Details of the submissions received will be available in the public domain in due course.
1369. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he is not a member of the Cabinet Committee B in view of the fact that public transport is a key public service. [35807/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is proposed that Cabinet Committee B will cover Social Policy and Public Services including Education, Children, Equality, Social Inclusion, Justice, Arts, Irish and the Gaeltacht and Public and Civil Service Reform. The appointment of individual Ministers and Ministers of State to Cabinet Committees is done at the discretion of An Taoiseach.
1370. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding sought by each local authority for the upgrade and maintenance of roads prior to the most recent allocation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35808/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1371. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation by local authority for the upgrade and maintenance of roads, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35809/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1370 and 1371 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
The 2017 regional and local road grants were provided to local authorities in January. The three main grant categories (Restoration Improvement, Restoration Maintenance and Discretionary Grant) are based on road lengths in each local authority's area of responsibility and no applications are sought in respect of these grant categories.
Arising from the substantial cutbacks in grant funding for roads during the financial crisis, local authorities were notified that a number of the Department's Grant programmes had to be curtailed (including the Specific Grant Programme and Strategic Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme) in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repairs. The Department is not, therefore, operating an annual application process for these Programmes at present.
Applications were sought, however, for bridge rehabilitation works, safety improvement works and speed limits in housing estates for funding in 2017. Details of the funding sought by each local authority is outlined as follows:
|
LOCAL AUTHORITY |
Bridge Rehabilitation |
Safety Improvement Works |
Speed Limit Funding in Housing Estates* |
|
Carlow County Council |
€160,000 |
€80,000 |
€3,400 |
|
Cavan County Council |
€460,000 |
€445,500 |
€24,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
€895,200 |
€500,000 |
€0 |
|
Cork County Council |
€1,435,000 |
€926,000 |
€9,600 |
|
Donegal County Council |
€274,000 |
€264,000 |
€117,410 |
|
Galway County Council |
€415,000 |
€385,000 |
€34,450 |
|
Kerry County Council |
€237,637 |
€435,259 |
€104,125 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€210,350 |
€245,000 |
€17,510 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
€853,000 |
€287,000 |
€5,625 |
|
Laois County Council |
€220,000 |
€270,000 |
€26,620 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
€200,000 |
€961,000 |
€12,000 |
|
Limerick County Council |
€728,000 |
€844,000 |
€77,000 |
|
Longford County Council |
€230,000 |
€545,000 |
€48,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
€120,000 |
€510,000 |
€0 |
|
Mayo County Council |
€845,555 |
€1,557,239 |
€75,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
€435,000 |
€409,600 |
€22,300 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
€325,000 |
€570,000 |
€12,200 |
|
Offaly County Council |
€200,000 |
€495,000 |
€0 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
€270,000 |
€543,370 |
€47,850 |
|
Sligo County Council |
€291,000 |
€180,000 |
€58,800 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
€979,952 |
€786,000 |
€157,500 |
|
Waterford County Council |
€595,000 |
€813,600 |
€215,806 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
€200,700 |
€340,000 |
€56,825 |
|
Wexford County Council |
€236,000 |
€163,000 |
€13,500 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€204,000 |
€460,000 |
€100,425 |
|
Cork City Council |
€725,700 |
€368,000 |
€16,500 |
|
Galway City Council |
€100,000 |
€388,000 |
€52,580 |
|
TOTAL |
€11,846,094 |
€13,771,568 |
€1,309,026 |
* Based on specified unit costs
Details of the 2017 allocations in respect of regional and local roads are available in the Dáil Library.
As regards national roads, while 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) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Details of the initial 2017 allocations in respect of national roads are also available in the Dáil Library. The funding sought by local authorities in respect of national roads is a matter for TII.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's 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.
1372. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he has taken since committing at the recent Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport meeting to review the 42 tonne, 5 axle derogation. [35836/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo allow the haulage industry renew their then fleets, a derogation allowing an increase in the gross weight of 5-axle articulated vehicles (2-axle tractor unit towing a 3-axle trailer) from 40 tonnes to 42 tonnes was conceded by the then Minister in 2003, to end in 2008. Subsequently, this deadline was extended seven times as a further concession to the industry to move to more road-friendly articulated vehicle combinations, such as the 6-axle articulated (3+3) combination, which I understand can operate up to a maximum 46 tonne weight limit.
Given the ongoing challenges in maintaining our critical roads infrastructure with constrained resources, the derogation was ended on 30 June 2016. This was necessary to permit a decrease in road and bridge infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles and to thereby reduce the costs to the public finances in terms of maintaining and repairing vital road and bridge infrastructure.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I must have regard to the overarching need to maintain national transport infrastructure in as cost effective manner as possible. It is primarily for this reason, as well as the extensive 13-year period given to the industry to adjust, that the previously existing derogation has not been renewed. While my Department and I obviously review our legislation on a regular basis, I do not believe that the position today has changed materially so as to cause me to reconsider this necessary measure to protect our roads.
1373. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of draft statutory instruments or Bills his Department has presented to the Attorney General's Office on making the Irish Aviation Authority a competent authority in dealing with noise regulations at Dublin Airport. [35837/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously outlined to the House, officials in my Department continue to engage with the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) on the finalisation of the Statutory Instrument. I have also spoken with the new Attorney General and he has assured me that the matter is being given high priority in his office. The process of drafting legislation can be complex and protracted and this has certainly been the case with the drafting to implement Regulation 598 of 2014. The process has involved numerous and lengthy engagements with the Office of the Attorney General and the OPC on the very detailed and technical legal issues at play. The process to date has been such that it would not be possible to quantify precisely the number of engagements between my Department and the AG's Office.
