Written Answers Nos. 221-240
221. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review by the National Transport Authority, NTA, and transport co-ordination units, TCUs, of existing and potential routes in the rural transport programme. [48604/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the "Local Link" brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. 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.
222. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has provided funding for the replacement of buses in use by the rural transport programme. [48605/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides both current and capital funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has, since 2012, national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the RTP. The RTP now operates under the "Local Link" brand.
On 07 November last I replied to the Deputy's Question (ref no 47034) regarding the amounts of current funding allocated to the RTP.
My Department has provided approximately €2.5m in capital funding towards the RTP from 2012 to 2016. The capital allocation for this year is €650,000 and this level has been maintained for next year under Budget 2018. Capital funding is provided for projects such as the development of an Integrated Transport Management System, IT hardware and software and the development of a driver/passenger App. No capital funding has been provided for the replacement of buses used in the provision of Local Link services.
223. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with each of the agencies and companies under the aegis of his Department since assuming office. [48606/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table.
|
Organisation |
Number of meetings |
|
Bus Éireann |
6 |
|
Dublin Bus |
2 |
|
Irish Rail |
4 |
|
CIE |
2 |
|
Commission for Railway Regulation |
2 |
|
NTA |
5 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
9 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
4 |
|
daa |
6 |
|
IAA |
3 |
|
TII |
9 |
|
Dublin Port |
3 |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
4 |
|
Tourism Ireland |
4 |
|
Sport Ireland |
5 |
As the Deputy is aware, in addition to the above formal meetings, I have often met with Chairs, Chief Executives and senior representatives of the above companies and agencies on other less structured occasions with additional parties present, to discuss matters of mutual interest.
224. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been awarded to each of the regional airports under the future jobs investment fund since February 2016. [48607/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to the commitment of an additional €10m in funding for the regional airports, announced in February 2016 and incorporated into the Programme for Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, that commitment, along with other Programme for Government
commitments of a capital nature, was part of the mid-term review of the current Capital Plan that was carried out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
I am pleased to be able to inform the Deputy that my Department secured over €17 million in additional capital funding for the Regional Airports Programme to support the four smaller airports in Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford, with these additional resources coming into play in the period 2019 to 2021.
This is considerably in excess of the €10 million in extra Capital Plan funding that was originally mooted in the Programme for Government.
The Regional Airports Programme will continue to support necessary safety and security investments by these airports to ensure that they can continue to contribute to enhanced regional connectivity for businesses and tourism.
Details of Exchequer support, both capital and current , provided to the four regional airports in 2016 are set out in the following table:
2016 Exchequer grant support - Regional Airports Programme (€uro)
|
Donegal |
IWAK |
Kerry |
Waterford |
Total |
|
937,557 |
2,933,419 |
1,038,596 |
807,909 |
5,717,481 |
Details of capital grant funding approved to date in 2017 are as follows:-
2017 Approved Exchequer Capital Funding to date - Regional Airports Programme (€uro)
|
Donegal |
IWAK |
Kerry |
Waterford |
Total |
|
22,500* |
1,213,932 |
722,296 |
39,330 |
1,998,058 |
*approved project deferred to 2018
My Department is currently considering the applications received recently from the airports in respect of grant assistance towards (current ) operational costs and expenses in the areas of safety and security for 2017 and I will be making an announcement in this regard before year end.
225. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the Government agency or Department responsible for the oversight of search and rescue services. [48608/17]
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.
As regards the Irish Coast Guard's Search and Rescue (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.
226. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the transfer of responsibility for the five ports of regional significance to local authority structures. [48609/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Ports Policy 2013 recommends that the five Ports of Regional Significance, Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross and Wicklow, be transferred to more appropriate local authority-led governance structures. The Harbours Act 2015 provides the necessary primary legislative basis to facilitate the transfers of these ports to relevant local authority control.
To date, two of the five Ports of Regional Significance have successfully transferred to the control of the relevant local authorities. On 30 August 2016, Wicklow Port Company transferred to the control of Wicklow County Council. On that date, the company was dissolved and all of its assets, liabilities and staff transferred to the Council. Subsequently on 2 October 2017, Drogheda Port Company was transferred under a transfer of shareholding model to Louth County Council. On that date ownership of all shares in the share capital of the company vested in Louth County Council.
Work on the transfers of the three remaining port companies (Dún Laoghaire, New Ross, and Galway) is also progressing and I expect these to transfer in the coming months.
227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's climate adaption plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48610/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransport plays a vital role in tackling Ireland's climate change challenge; not only must the sector decarbonise through mitigating measures but it must also safeguard critical transport infrastructure and services from the negative impacts of climate change.
To this end, an Adaptation Scheme for the Transport Sector has been prepared within my Department which I will consider and expect to publish soon. Furthermore, and very importantly, my Department plays a central role in supporting transport stakeholders to develop their own evidence-based responses to the challenges presented by climate change.
The Department for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment are leading the national response to climate change adaptation, with support from key Departments such as my own. A statutory National Adaptation Framework is being developed under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, 2015 and will, I understand, be submitted to Government by Minister Naughten for approval before the end of 2017. Following approval of the Framework by Government, work in this Department will be focussed on the preparation of a statutory adaptation plan for the transport sector.
229. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his Department's value for money review of the tourism marketing fund. [48612/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Value for Money review of the Tourism Marketing fund began in Autumn 2017. The Steering Group has met, and Terms of Reference have been agreed for the work. Research is ongoing, and a final report is expected in the first half of 2018.
230. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the national sports policy framework. [48613/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I launched a public consultation process for the National Sports Policy in November 2016. Submissions were invited up to mid-January 2017, however submissions continue to be received. To date 54 submissions have been received from a number of stakeholders including Government Departments, National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and private individuals.
My Department and I have taken the time to examine the content of these submissions in detail in the period following the public consultation. In addition, my officials have held a number of bilateral meetings with relevant Government Departments and other stakeholders during the drafting process in order to inform our decision making on various complex issues relating to sport.
The drafting of the National Sports Policy is almost at completion. I hope to submit the Policy for approval by the Government in the coming months. If approved, it will be published very shortly thereafter.
231. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of grant aid provided to the private company providing a service (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the RTP which now operates under the "Local Link" brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. 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.
232. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheme referred to by the Deputy is run by the Revenue Commissioners in the form of tax relief on vehicles. A previous Parliamentary Question on this matter was answered by the Minister for Finance on the 7 November (PQ 46556 refers). The Drivers/Passengers with Disabilities Scheme is not under the remit of my Department.
233. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017, other than Section 24(1)(a) was commenced on the 19th of October 2017. Section 24(1)(a) which will come in to operation on the 1st February 2018, provides that before making an application for a child to be adopted because of parental failure, Tusla – the Child and Family Agency must be satisfied that every reasonable effort has been made to support the parents of the child in question.
234. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the significant increase in waiting times for counselling appointments at rape crisis centres; the way in which she plans to respond to this increased demand for services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48539/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of sexual and domestic violence are being met in the best way possible.
In 2017, my Department provided Tusla with €22.1 million in funding to support the provision of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services, an increase of €1.5 million over 2016 funding. Additional funding has been targeted at improving access to services including measures to address waiting times and enhancing outreach services to increase equity in access to services across the country. Funding of just under €4.27m has been allocated to organisations specifically providing services to sexual violence victims this year.
Rape crisis centres offer counselling and therapy to victims of sexual violence. Counselling services can experience increase in demand from time to time, creating longer waiting lists.
I am aware, in this regard, that particular pressures were being experienced in the Dublin are. In order to alleviate pressures, Tusla provided additional funding of €44,000 in 2017 to put Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's core services on a more sustainable footing and to resource additional counselling hours to reduce waiting lists and waiting times for services. Tusla was informed that the waiting list situation had improved as a result of the additional counselling resources provided.
Arising from Budget 2018, I will shortly be issuing Tusla with its Performance Statement for 2018 in line with the provisions of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. Tusla will, in response to the Performance Statement, prepare a Business Plan for 2018 which will be submitted to me for consideration.
The precise level of funding to be allocated to Rape Crisis Centres will be considered by Tusla, in preparing its Business Plan, having regard to the overall level of funding available in 2018, which will exceed €753m.
235. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the gender balance on each of the State boards under her remit, in tabular form. [48558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am responsible for the appointment of members to the boards of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Gaisce (the President’s Award) and the Board of Management for Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
State Board |
Number of positions on each Board |
Positions Currently Filled |
Number of Women on Board |
Percentage of Women on Board |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) |
7 |
7 |
4 |
57% |
|
Gaisce |
15 |
15 |
8 |
53% |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
13 |
13 |
5 |
38% |
|
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) |
9 |
9 |
4 |
44% |
236. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the dog breeding establishment guideline review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48457/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments (DBE) is a matter for each local authority in whose functional area the establishment is located. The local authority is required to maintain a register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area, which must include details of applicants for inclusion on the register and the maximum number of breeding bitches that may be kept at the relevant establishment.
The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by LAs and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
The then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government agreed to begin a process of review of the current Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines in late 2015. In 2016, the review was broadened to a more formal public consultation, both for quality assurance and to address the need for openness and inclusiveness. A wide-scale formal public consultative process commenced on 1 December 2016 and closed on 28 February 2017.
Responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act transferred to my Department in July 2017. My Department has completed its review of the feedback and data received through the consultation process and the findings will be submitted shortly to the Minister with delegated responsibility for the matter, Minister of State, Sean Kyne, T.D.
237. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the libraries that will benefit from the €3.75 million investment announced on 9 November 2017; the amount provided to each library; the purpose for each grant award, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48475/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the libraries that have benefitted from the €2.7 million investment provided to date in 2017; the amount provided to each library; the purpose for each grant award, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
In 2016, my Department launched a new Libraries Capital Investment Programme for the period 2016-2021. The programme was developed on the basis of priority proposals submitted by local authorities and will invest some €22m in infrastructural projects, mobile libraries and the introduction of the My Open Library service.
Some €2.75m has been allocated in 2017 for projects on the Capital Programme. Details of these projects, their respective allocations and those expected to drawdown funding in 2017 are set out in table 1.
Libraries Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021
Projects for 2017 drawdown are noted with *
|
Local Authority |
Library Project |
Dept. Allocation |
|
Open Libraries |
20 pilot libraries |
€2.3m |
|
Dublin City |
Kevin Street * |
€1m |
|
Kildare |
Athy* |
€1.65m |
|
Laois |
Portlaoise |
€1.65m |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow Town* |
€1m |
|
Sth. Co. Dublin |
North Clondalkin |
€1m |
|
Tipperary |
Carrick-on-Suir* |
€0.15m |
|
Clare |
Ennis |
€3m |
|
Offaly |
Edenderry |
€1.7m |
|
Cavan |
Virginia |
€0.85m |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny City |
€2.45m |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan Town |
€1m |
|
Mayo |
Westport |
€1.1m |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City |
€2m |
|
Longford |
Edgeworthstown |
€1.25m |
|
Tipperary |
Schools Mobile Library |
€0.1m |
|
Wexford |
Mobile Library* |
€0.25m |
|
Kerry |
Mobile Library* |
€0.25m |
|
Total |
€22.7 |
Last week my Department announced additional capital funding of €3.75m for investment in the library service in 2017. This will be matched by €1.25m from local authorities bringing the total additional investment to almost €5m. This funding will support the purchase and installation of self-service technology across the library network; book-stock to promote literacy for children under the Right to Read Programme; and hot-desk facilities for business people and job seekers under the Work Matters Programme.
My Department does not have the details of the branches that will benefit from this funding. This matter is left to the discretion of local authorities in accordance with the powers vested in them as library authorities under s.78 of the Local Government Act 2001. However, details of the global amounts approved for each local authority are set out in table 2.
|
Library Authority |
DRCD Funding |
LA Contribution |
Total Investment |
|
Carlow |
€67,940 |
€22,647 |
€90,587 |
|
Cavan |
€64,272 |
€21,425 |
€85,697 |
|
Clare |
€31,320 |
€10,440 |
€41,760 |
|
Cork City |
€165,276 |
€55,092 |
€220,368 |
|
Cork County |
€54,092 |
€18,030 |
€72,122 |
|
Donegal |
€172,762 |
€57,588 |
€230,350 |
|
Dublin City |
€105,416 |
€35,139 |
€140,555 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€75,600 |
€25,200 |
€100,800 |
|
Fingal |
€106,079 |
€35,359 |
€141,438 |
|
Galway |
€126,028 |
€42,010 |
€168,038 |
|
Kerry |
€266,750 |
€88,917 |
€355,667 |
|
Kildare |
€179,500 |
€59,833 |
€239,333 |
|
Kilkenny |
€126,582 |
€42,194 |
€168,776 |
|
Laois |
€119,477 |
€39,826 |
€159,303 |
|
Leitrim |
€78,707 |
€26,236 |
€104,943 |
|
Limerick |
€147,588 |
€49,197 |
€196,785 |
|
Longford |
€100,096 |
€33,366 |
€133,462 |
|
Louth |
€64,645 |
€21,549 |
€86,194 |
|
Mayo |
€90,925 |
€30,308 |
€121,233 |
|
Meath |
€206,644 |
€68,881 |
€275,525 |
|
Monaghan |
€55,350 |
€18,450 |
€73,800 |
|
Offaly |
€106,260 |
€35,420 |
€141,680 |
|
Roscommon |
€51,445 |
€17,148 |
€68,593 |
|
Sligo |
€91,783 |
€30,595 |
€122,378 |
|
South County Dublin |
€161,125 |
€53,708 |
€214,833 |
|
Tipperary |
€209,646 |
€69,882 |
€279,528 |
|
Waterford |
€258,427 |
€86,142 |
€344,569 |
|
Westmeath |
€135,486 |
€45,162 |
€180,648 |
|
Wexford |
€201,193 |
€67,064 |
€268,257 |
|
Wicklow |
€121,136 |
€40,379 |
€161,515 |
|
Total Investment |
€3,741,550 |
€1,247,187 |
€4,988,737 |
239. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit, in tabular form. [48570/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Rural and Community Development has the following bodies under his remit, with the ensuing breakdowns by gender:
|
Name |
Total Membership |
Female |
Male |
|
Pobal |
17 |
9 |
8 |
|
Irish Water Safety |
13 |
5 |
8 |
|
Charities Regulator |
14 |
6 |
8 |
|
Western Development Commission |
11 |
4 |
7 |
240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to develop the canal system in a manner similar to the Wild Atlantic Way and or the Waterford greenway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland, which comes under the remit of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is responsible for the development of several of the country’s main canals, including their development from an amenity perspective. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has overall responsibility for the development of Greenways, such as the Waterford Greenway.
Nonetheless, my Department implements a number of funding streams which have provided support for the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure linked to canals and greenways across the country. An example of this is the Royal Canal Waymarked Way in Longford, which was approved for €350,000 in funding under the Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2017. This particular project is a collaborate effort between Longford County Council, Waterways Ireland and the Ballymahon Royal Canal Amenities Group, with the aim of improving the canal as a recreation amenity between Longford Bridge at Ballymahon and Cloonbreany Bridge, a section totalling 6.1Km in length.
Further canal and greenway related projects may also be eligible for funding under future rounds of schemes operated by my Department, such as the Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
