Written Answers Nos. 410-429
410. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 756 of 18 October 2016, the final percentage of the 310 MW of renewable energy achieved in relation to the REFIT 3 scheme, in view of the fact that at the time of the previous reply, his Department was still in the process of making final decisions on applications. [52689/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe REFIT 3 (Renewable Energy Feed in Tariff) scheme closed at the end of 2015 and was designed to incentivise the addition of 310 MW of renewable electricity from biomass technologies to the Irish electricity grid.
My officials are continuing to liaise with the remaining non-compliant REFIT 3 applicants for outstanding documentation required in order to be eligible for this Scheme. REFIT 3 applicants have until the 31st December 2017 to submit this documentation. Currently 254 MW (amounting to 82% of the capacity available) of renewable electricity projects are compliant under the REFIT 3 scheme and have received a letter of offer from my Department. However, not all of these projects are fully operational and exporting energy as yet and therefore not all are currently in receipt of payments via the REFIT 3 Scheme. Projects must be operational by September 2019 to be eligible for REFIT 3 support.
411. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a location (details supplied) will be supplied with fibre broadband. [52748/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The premises referred to by the Deputy is in an AMBER area and will be able to access a high speed broadband connection via the planned State led intervention.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and rollout. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises (including over 13,000 in Kildare) that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
412. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the post offices which closed in County Clare in each of the years 2002 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and not one in which I, as Minister, have a statutory function.
413. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fibre optic high-speed broadband will be provided to a person (details supplied) who is 100 m from connection to the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The map shows that there are 141 premises in the townland of Ticknevin, Co Kildare of which 27 premises fall within the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. The remaining 114 premises fall within the LIGHT BLUE area and are to be covered by eir's planned rural deployment. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in an AMBER, BLUE or LIGHT BLUE area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available from eir at http://fibrerollout.ie/eircode-lookup/
Concerning the specific premises referenced by the Deputy, and following contact between the Deputy's office with a view to establishing the eircode of the premise I can confirm that the referenced premises is in the AMBER area and will be part of the State led intervention under the NBP. While I note that the premises is close to eir's ongoing rural deployment of high speed broadband to 300,000 premises it is important to understand that decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market and are not decisions in which I have a statutory role.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. The “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature. As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales and plans to priority areas, for the network build and rollout.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises (including the 27 premises in Ticknevin) that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and rollout. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
414. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the procurement process for the national broadband plan; the status and timeframe of the work carried out in the process to date; when the procurement process will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52942/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the areas in County Mayo and the number of households that will be designated and included in the category of State intervention areas in relation to the implementation of the national broadband plan, in tabular form; when roll-out of the project will commence; when the project will be completed; if the plan and roll-out will include the provision of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52943/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together.
The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. This is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an on-going procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The map shows that over 36,000 (44%) premises in Mayo fall within the AMBER area. Nearly 32,000 (38%) fall within the BLUE area and approximately 14,500 (18%) are LIGHT BLUE.
Individuals can themselves check whether their premises are in an AMBER, BLUE or LIGHT BLUE area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
In December 2015 my Department began a formal procurement process to select a bidder or bidders who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. Having moved through the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) and Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) stages, that procurement process is now at an advanced stage. “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales, for the network build and rollout. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract. Bidders have indicated to officials in my Department that they intend to use a mostly Fibre to the Home solution for the State intervention network.
416. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions being taken to ensure that commercial operators follow through on their commitments to deliver high-speed broadband services to areas marked in blue and light blue on the high-speed broadband map; the deadline within which such works must be completed by commercial operators; the estimated completion dates for each blue and light blue area in County Mayo, in tabular form; if there is a provision for redesignation of these areas as State intervention areas if the services are not delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide High speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. Under the terms of this Commitment Agreement, eir has committed to passing these premises by the end of 2018. The number of premises to be passed every quarter is set out in the Commitment Agreement a copy of which is available on my Department's website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Estimated deployment dates are provided for the eir's rural deployment on its website www.fibrerollout.ie. The following table indicates the estimated dates relating to eir's rural deployment in Co. Mayo.
|
COUNTY |
AREA |
TIMEFRAME FOR ROLLOUT |
PREMISES |
|
MAYO |
ACHILL SOUND |
Second Half 2018 |
118 |
|
MAYO |
ATTYMASS |
Second Half 2018 |
130 |
|
MAYO |
AYLE |
Second Half 2018 |
203 |
|
MAYO |
BALLA |
Second Half 2018 |
370 |
|
MAYO |
BALLINA |
First Half 2018 |
621 |
|
MAYO |
BALLINDINE |
First Half 2018 |
368 |
|
MAYO |
BALLINROBE |
First Half 2018 |
436 |
|
MAYO |
BALLYCROY |
Second Half 2018 |
55 |
|
MAYO |
BALLYGLASS |
Second Half 2018 |
212 |
|
MAYO |
BALLYHAUNIS |
Second Half 2018 |
354 |
|
MAYO |
BALLYHEANE |
Second Half 2017 |
343 |
|
MAYO |
BALLYVARY |
First Half 2018 |
284 |
|
MAYO |
BANGOR ERRIS |
Second Half 2018 |
310 |
|
MAYO |
BARNATRA |
Second Half 2017 |
316 |
|
MAYO |
BEKAN CROSS |
Second Half 2018 |
206 |
|
MAYO |
BELCARRA |
First Half 2017 |
337 |
|
MAYO |
BELMULLET |
Second Half 2017 |
533 |
|
MAYO |
BINGHAMSTOWN |
Second Half 2018 |
235 |
|
MAYO |
BLACKSOD |
Second Half 2018 |
298 |
|
MAYO |
BOHOLA |
First Half 2018 |
201 |
|
MAYO |
BONNICONLON |
Second Half 2018 |
349 |
|
MAYO |
CARROWMORELACKEN |
Second Half 2018 |
153 |
|
MAYO |
CASTLEBAR |
Second Half 2017 |
1092 |
|
MAYO |
CHARLESTOWN |
Second Half 2018 |
537 |
|
MAYO |
CLAREMORRIS |
Second Half 2018 |
436 |
|
MAYO |
CLOGHANS |
Second Half 2018 |
70 |
|
MAYO |
CONG |
First Half 2018 |
354 |
|
MAYO |
CROSS |
Second Half 2018 |
60 |
|
MAYO |
CROSSMOLINA |
First Half 2018 |
233 |
|
MAYO |
CURRANE |
Second Half 2018 |
148 |
|
MAYO |
DOOLEEG |
Second Half 2018 |
17 |
|
MAYO |
FOXFORD |
First Half 2018 |
311 |
|
MAYO |
GARRANARD |
Second Half 2018 |
77 |
|
MAYO |
GEESALA |
Second Half 2018 |
389 |
|
MAYO |
GLENISLAND |
Second Half 2018 |
46 |
|
MAYO |
HOLLYMOUNT |
Second Half 2018 |
293 |
|
MAYO |
KILKELLY |
First Half 2018 |
231 |
As per the obligations of the Commitment Agreement, officials from my Department meet with eir on a monthly basis to review the company's performance. The purpose of these review meetings is for eir to report progress against each sub-milestone task and also to identify any risks or issues and their associated risk mitigation plans. These sub-milestones cover the tasks that are required to deliver high speed broadband to premises within the Planned Rural Deployment area. A detailed definition of each sub-milestone is provided in the Commitment Agreement.
Following evaluation by officials from my Department of eir's Q3 progress report I can confirm that eir has met its Q3 2017 milestone of 101,000 premises passed.
There is provision within the Commitment Agreement for the re-designation of the LIGHT BLUE areas as State intervention areas. The Commitment Agreement provides the Minister with the right to change the Intervention area and incorporate premises from the LIGHT BLUE area into the AMBER area where eir fail to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement.
There is no commitment agreement in place with commercial operators for the BLUE areas of the High Speed Broadband Map. However, my Department continues to monitor deployment progress and any issues that arise. Where commercial plans to provide access to high speed broadband to premises within a BLUE area do not materialise, it is my intention that the implementation of the NBP will ultimately overcome these issues and that all premises will be able to access high-speed broadband services.
Through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce practical initiatives will continue to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
417. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to include the replacement of windows under SEAI grants; if the replacement of windows to improve BER rating and reduce carbon footprints is in his Department's future plans; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53009/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Better Energy programme is funded by my Department and operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The measures currently offered under the Better Energy Homes (BEH) and Warmer Homes Schemes (WHS) were selected as the best balance that could be achieved between the limited resources available to the schemes, the number of homes that can receive support and the energy savings that can be delivered. In short, the measures supported under the BEH and WHS are those that can deliver the most energy savings at the lowest cost to the highest number of people. While upgrading windows and doors does improve the energy efficiency of a home, the cost of these measures is high in relation to the energy efficiency gains made.
In the case of deep renovation of homes, window upgrades are eligible for funding under the Deep retrofit programme, which funds 50% of the cost of getting a home to a Building Energy Rating of A3 or higher. The same level of funding is available for window and door upgrades under the Better Energy Communities scheme, when carried out as part of deep retrofit.
Earlier this year I also announced that homes with particularly low thermal efficiency, that qualify for the Warmer Homes Scheme, will also now be eligible for a deeper retrofit package in addition to the currently funded measures; this could include windows and doors if deemed necessary at point of survey. Additionally, under the Warmth & Wellbeing pilot scheme, which is led by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Health, energy efficient windows and doors are installed wherever a surveyor deems them necessary.
The Deputy may also note that the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government funds the Housing Aid for Older People scheme. This scheme is administered by Local Authorities and provides grants to older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Eligible works include repairs to (or replacement of) windows and doors.
418. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the provision of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53052/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 67% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:
- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- The Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The eircode referenced by the Deputy is located in an AMBER area and will receive access to high speed broadband under the NBP State Intervention. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in an AMBER, BLUE or LIGHT BLUE area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. The “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature.
As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales or the network build and rollout. My Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities, schools and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
419. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if repair works will be carried out at a bridge (details supplied). [53202/17]
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. In cases where a piece of bridge infrastructure is owned by a party other than the Road Authority (for example by Irish Rail or Waterways Ireland) then it is a matter for the Road Authority to liaise with the appropriate party regarding maintenance responsibilities.
It is expected that regional and local road allocations for 2018 will be notified to local authorities in January 2018.
420. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the problem of overcrowding of rail carriages on the Dublin Connolly to Maynooth line; if this issue will be considered as part of the timetable revision by Irish Rail due in early 2018; if consideration will be given to an additional peak-time service starting from Clonsilla train station at which there is a third platform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52593/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, and I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
421. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the boards and agencies within his Department's remit; the current number of vacancies on these boards or agencies; the duration of each of these vacancies; the number of vacancies that have been filled since 8 May 2016; the timeframe for filling these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52595/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
Subject to legislative requirements, it is at the Minister's discretion that vacancies arising are filled or left vacant. When a vacancy occurs or is due to occur, the justification for filling the vacancy is reviewed and a decision made by me. Insofar as possible, arrangements, such as time for the PAS selection process (details of their processes are available on their website www.stateboards.ie/stateboards/), are put in place to allow an approved vacancy to be filled as close as possible to the date that the vacancy arises.
422. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52601/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
423. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the assistance available for persons with learning difficulties who are sitting their driving theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52603/17]
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.
424. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driving test application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52677/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct rely. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
425. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for an inner orbit road from Whitemill, Clonard to Coolcotts in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52718/17]
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 Department has not received any proposal for such an inner orbit road from Wexford County Council.
426. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus stops on the Dublin Bus network; the number of bus stops that have a shelter facility; his plans to provide shelter at all Dublin bus stops; the provisions made at Dublin bus stops for persons with mobility issues and-or access issues; his plans to improve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52738/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra427. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bus stops on the Bus Éireann network; the number of bus stops that have a shelter facility; his plans to provide shelter at all Bus Éireann stops; the provisions made at Bus Éireann stops for persons with mobility issues and-or access issues; his plans to improve same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52739/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations etc in the State.
As the Deputy is aware, accessibility features are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage and new systems are fully accessible. In addition, 100% of the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann city fleets are wheelchair accessible, as well as approximately 80% of the Bus Éireann coach fleet.
With regard to existing infrastructure, there is an ongoing programme to upgrade public transport infrastructure and facilities to help improve transport accessibility across the country, including the installation of wheelchair accessible bus stops. The programme is managed by the NTA on behalf of my Department.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
428. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the appeal mechanism available under the sports capital grant scheme to clubs that were not allocated funding due to minor errors in their application; if further funding will be available to deal with such appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52760/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the 2017 Sports Capital Programme was advertised, my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which set out the Department's minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.
Applications were deemed invalid primarily for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied
- Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format
- Insufficient own funding
All applicants have now been contacted with details of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed invalid.
Organisations may appeal these decisions if they believe that an error has been made by the Department in deeming their application invalid and the details of how to make the appeal have been communicated to the clubs in question.
Separately, my Department is undertaking a general review of all invalid applications including those where incorrect or incomplete documentation was submitted. Decisions in relation to how to redress any successful appeals including funding for same and future improvements to further reduce the level of invalid applications will be taken once these reviews are complete.
429. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a club (details supplied) was deemed ineligible for a sports capital grant. [52761/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the organisation referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme.
When the 2017 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which set out the Department's minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.
While I do not think that it is appropriate to publish the specific reasons why individual applications were deemed invalid at this stage, applications were deemed invalid primarily for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied
- Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format
- Insufficient own funding
All applicants have now been contacted with details of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed invalid. Relevant organisations have also been informed that they may appeal these decisions if they believe that an error has been made in deeming their application invalid.
