Written Answers Nos. 423-438
423. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a request for funding has been made to his Department from Louth County Council; if not, if such a request will be considered if made to improve road safety and pedestrian safety at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth County Council, 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.
I announced the 2017 regional and load road allocations in January this year, including an allocation of €45,000 to Louth County Council for safety improvement works to be carried out at the junction of the Rathmullen Road and the R132. Implementation of the works is the responsibility of the Council. To date, Louth County Council has not drawn down the allocation for this project.
424. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a van for personal use needs a yearly commercial vehicle test whereas a car van for commercial use needs a bi-annual national car test; and if so, the reason therefor. [47758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the NCT and CVRT is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in individual cases. 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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
425. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a service station on the M9 between Kilcullen and the next exit at Ballytore going south has not been delivered (details supplied); and the amount that has been spent to date on this project. [47759/17]
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 under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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 deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
426. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has had recent contact with the National Transport Authority in the context of car pooling; his plans to rollout an initiative to encourage car pooling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47761/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst my Department has responsibility for sustainable and public transport policy and funding, the National Transport Authority (NTA) is the responsible body at an operational level for car-pooling and related initiatives. To assist with your query, I have forwarded your correspondence to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
427. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided to carry out works on the M11-N11 in response to the findings of a needs assessment report commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in support of the M11-N11 corridor study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47778/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when works will be carried out on the M11-N11 in response to the findings of a needs assessment report commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in support of the M11-N11 corridor study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47780/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 429 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 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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
428. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding has been secured to allow works to commence on the N81 secondary road between Tallaght and Hollywood Cross in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when works will commence on the N81 secondary road between Tallaght and Hollywood Cross in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47781/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 430 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 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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
431. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision regarding the extension of the Luas to Bray, County Wicklow will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47782/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades that will be subject to a number of influencing factors including funding availability. The proposed sequencing of the delivery of the infrastructure elements of the Strategy includes a number of light rail projects, to further develop the light rail network in the GDA. These include a proposal for an extension of the Luas Green Line to Bray in the latter stages of this strategy.
Building on from the Mid-Term review of the Capital Plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, the 10-year National Investment Plan to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the near future will include funding envelopes for the period up to 2028. This will inform the successors to the current Integrated Implementation Plan developed by the NTA to support its Strategy and that will set out the investment priorities and proposals over this period. It is also noted that, subject to the availability of funding, future projects will be subject to appraisal and evaluation (including review of a detailed business case) under the Public Spending Code.
432. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of installing a twin railway track on the Sligo line as far as Mullingar and Longford; his plans regarding same with a view to enhancing the speed and frequency of trains servicing these towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47869/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no provision in the 4 year capital plan announced recently in Budget 2018 for the project mentioned by the Deputy.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) held a public consultation process to start a national debate on the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. Over 300 submissions were received by the NTA in response to that consultation process which have now all been examined and the NTA has submitted a report of those submissions to me. I will shortly provide an update to Government of the report when I have had an opportunity to read and consider its contents.
As noted within the Rail Review Report, its analysis predates the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Once agreed by Government, the approach which that Framework adopts toward land-use planning and settlement patterns for the country will have significant impacts on the potential of rail and other transport infrastructure and services into the future.
433. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legal fees incurred to date by the Olympic Council of Ireland in relation to the controversy surrounding the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro; the percentage of fees covered by his Department, the resources of the organisation and by an insurance policy, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe payment of these legal fees is a matter solely for the Olympic Council of Ireland, which is an independent, autonomous body. My Department has not paid any part of these fees.
434. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Sports Ireland will reinstate its funding to the Olympic Council of Ireland in view of the fact that it has exited the contract with a company (details supplied) and the new committee and new governance structure at the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47871/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously indicated to the House, considerable progress has been made in improving corporate governance within the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) since the election of the new OCI Executive Board in February of this year. There has been a demonstrable commitment to change and reform. I also consider that the recent contract termination to which the Deputy refers represents a positive and welcome development.
I recognise the importance of ensuring that the preparation of athletes for Olympic Games should not be adversely affected by the withholding of state funding to the OCI. In this context, it is noteworthy that funding outstanding to the OCI in respect of 2016 has already been paid.
In relation to funding for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle, from 2017 onwards, I am hopeful of a resolution being achieved in the near future. Subject to a number of matters in the Moran Inquiry Report being addressed satisfactorily, I believe that we are now close to a position where we can restore normal funding arrangements with the OCI. There is an ongoing Sport Ireland engagement with the OCI in relation to this matter, which I requested in late September and which my Department is monitoring.
435. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of high performance funding his Department has provided to the various sporting bodies in each year since 2011, in tabular form. [47874/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of high performance funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport.
As this question is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred it to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
436. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allocate some of the additional sports capital funding of 5% to sporting bodies in order to support high performance athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47875/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the support provided directly to high performance athletes, this is primarily a matter for Sport Ireland. I understand that in 2017, €7.2 million will be invested directly into High Performance programmes, with a further €1.8 million available to support athletes under the International Carding Scheme which provides income support to elite athletes.
With regard to the Sports Capital Programme, this is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sports and local authorities. The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. When the programme was launched, it was envisaged that €30m would be available which would have made the allocation of grants particularly challenging. Following the conclusion of the budget discussions, I am pleased that significant extra resources have been secured to allocate under this round. The increased funding will ensure that many additional projects, including facilities utilised by our high performance athletes, can now be funded. The assessment of all the 2,320 applications is now nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to announce full details of the allocations in the coming weeks
437. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person or body that has ultimate responsibility to ensure the safety of the Coast Guard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47877/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of ensuring the safety of Irish Coast Guard volunteers, the Irish Coast Guard, which is a Division of my Department, ensures the volunteer units are appropriately equipped and trained to carry out the type of activities for which they may be tasked. The Coast Guard carry out regular audits to determine operational readiness.
The Department is currently engaged in a recruitment process for three additional Coastal Unit Sector Managers and a Health and Safety Officer to further support the Coast Guard and its volunteers, in delivering its service on our coast.
As regards the Irish Coast Guard's SAR helicopter service, the Irish Aviation Authority issues a national SAR Approval to CHCI DAC, who are the operator contracted by the Irish Coast Guard to deliver this service. Through this practice, there is a system in place to validate the suitability of the CHCI SAR helicopters, crew, training and operational standards for SAR operations.
438. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department responded to the declaration of the status red alert weather warning in relation to its own employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47936/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group on Severe Weather on Sunday 15 October 2017, staff based in counties covered by the red weather warnings at that stage were contacted. The advice given was that, unless absolutely necessary, they should not travel to work on Monday 16th October.
Met Eireann issued a further red weather warning at 20:00 hrs for all counties and this advice was circulated to staff in all Department locations. Staff were advised they should work from home where possible and stay contactable.
