Written Answers Nos. 430-449
430. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to prioritise the need for a safer speed limit going through Glenflesk village and to improve the street lights also (details supplied). [52792/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads, elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for deciding on and making appropriate Special Speed Limit bye-laws for roads within their administrative area, and in the case of national roads, such as the N22 in this case, subject to the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's updated Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland, which is available to all local authorities, reiterates the statutory responsibilities of elected members in relation to the making of such Special Speed Limit bye-laws, subject to following Department Guidelines.
Therefore, any decision as to whether to reduce the speed limit on the N22 in Glenflesk village and from Lisivigeen Roundabout to the bottom of Pike Hill in Killarney is a matter for Kerry County Council with the prior written consent of TII.
The provision of street lighting also comes under the remit of the local authority in the first instance.
Noting the foregoing position, I have therefore 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 Pat Casey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a fishing vessel other than a vessel (detail supplied) has been required to be lengthened due to stability failings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department does not require Irish Fishing Vessel owners to lengthen their vessels. However they do carry out surveys on the Irish Fishing Vessels to ensure they are complying with the relevant regulations. Any decision to lengthen fishing vessels is a matter for each owner.
432. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times fishing vessels over 15 m have been stability tested or witnessed for same by the Marine Survey Office in each of the years 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department does not collate data on fishing vessel surveys based on stability testing so unfortunately the data requested is not available. The table below however provides a breakdown of fishing vessel surveys carried out from 2009 – 2017 based on general headings to cover all Fishing Vessel survey and certification activities which may help.
|
Dates |
Fishing Vessels >24m |
Fishing Vessels 15-24m |
|
2009 |
11 |
38 |
|
2010 |
23 |
102 |
|
2011 |
6 |
107 |
|
2012 |
21 |
64 |
|
2013 |
12 |
129 |
|
2014 |
36 |
149 |
|
2015 |
33 |
96 |
|
2016 |
38 |
81 |
|
2017 |
28 |
69 |
433. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a new class of public service vehicle which would cater for the specific needs of ceremonial cars and limousines that do not run up high mileage or engage in every day usage (details supplied). [52827/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the making of licensing regulations for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Under current legislation, there are three categories of SPSV licence available to those applying for a first-time licence, namely wheelchair accessible taxi, wheelchair accessible hackney, and limousine. I have no plans at present to change policy relating to categories of licence for SPSVs.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have referred your question to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
434. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the decision to opt for the green option on the route selection for the Foynes to Adare road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52828/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra435. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the methodology and assessments carried out when choosing the green option for the route selection for the Foynes to Adare road project; if copies of these assessments are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52829/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra436. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of community consultation that was involved when choosing the green option for the route selection for the Foynes to Adare road project in view of the fact that many farms will be split should this green option go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52830/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 434 to 436, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
437. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason National Car Testing, NCT, services are not open to the tendering process as is the case in other European countries; and the reason no competition is allowed in this regard. [52832/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation and oversight of the National Car Test (NCT), including the tendering process involved with the NCT, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
438. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if design plans for the electrification of the Maynooth rail line in 2018 will be completed in order to have the project in a state of readiness ahead of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the progress made to date regarding the design work that has been carried out on the proposed electrification of the Maynooth train line will be published; his plans to extend this project to Kilcock; if consideration has been given to extending the project further in view of the fact that these areas are part of the suburban rail network price and-or fare structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in line with the Government’s budgetary framework set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 published in September 2015, the Government's recently announced Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021.
This includes funding in the region of €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement. This will enable commencement of the initial stages of the DART Expansion programme, focussing on additional fleet and extending the electrified DART system. It will also allow further progress to be made on the electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line.
Limited design work has been carried out on the electrification of the Northern Line to Maynooth to date. Following the additional funding announced as a result of the capital plan review, it is intended to reactivate the design and planning work for this project during 2018.
At this stage it is not possible to be prescriptive on the construction commencement date as this can only be finalised following the completion of initial design work. However, it is likely to be 2021 before building work starts, subject to receipt of the necessary statutory planning approval. Planning consent is likely to be sought during 2020.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 which provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades does not envisage an extension of the line beyond Maynooth.
In light of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for further information on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
440. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if grants are offered by his Department that pay for a taxi service for elderly and immobile persons who live alone and cannot avail of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52867/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. There is no grant available from my Department to fund the type of taxi service outlined by the Deputy.
My Department's high-level policy goal for accessible public transport is embodied in the concept of Transport Access for All. This policy is based on the provisions of the Disability Act 2005 and related Government strategies, in particular the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 launched in July last. The NDIS includes a number of transport-related actions, for which the Department, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and-or passenger transport operators have lead responsibility for implementing.
Funding is provided to the NTA by my Department for the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the "Local Link" brand. Its mission statement is to provide a quality nationwide community based public transport system in rural Ireland which responds to local needs. Core objectives include addressing social exclusion arising from unmet transport needs and greater integration of its services with other public transport services.
441. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the plans for a cycle path and footbridge over the N40 in Cork which will link the Grange area to the Tramore Valley Park, by way of funding. [52891/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual 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.
442. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to implement and administer a 2018 sports capital grant fund; and when applications will be open. [52892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 and in order to allow as many worthwhile projects as possible to receive some funding, significant extra resources were secured to allocate under the round.
The allocations in respect of all local applications were announced on Thursday 30th November and full details of these allocations are available on my Department's website. The priority in the medium term will be on advancing these projects. A decision on the timing of the next round of the programme will be taken next year and all clubs and sports organisations registered with my Department will be informed at the time.
443. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 23 November 2017, the programmes he plans to implement to address congestion in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52937/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure short-term and medium-term relief for severe congestion on the Swords Road and the Drumcondra Road corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52938/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that following the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, Budget 2018 provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. The increased funding will allow rollout of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system to address congestion in the greater Dublin area and I would like to set these out as follows.
The four-year capital envelope for public transport includes investment of over €770 million for the BusConnects programme to address growing congestion in the Dublin region in the short to medium term. This programme, which was launched earlier this year by the National Transport Authority (NTA), is a plan to fundamentally transform Dublin’s bus system, so that journeys for passengers by bus will be fast, reliable, punctual, convenient and affordable. It represents a reimagining of bus transport for the Dublin region. At the heart of this is a proposal to develop continuous bus lanes as far as is practicable along the busiest bus corridors along with a network of park and ride facilities at key locations. Work is ongoing on the redesign of the bus services network and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme. When this work is completed the proposals will be launched for public consultation in the first half of next year. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign and the Core Bus Corridors including specific routes and corridors.
The four-year capital envelope for public transport will also enable increased investment in the order of €130 for sustainable transport projects in our main cities including Dublin. This investment is aimed at traffic management measures, bus priority and other smarter travel projects in order to allow transport infrastructure to function more effectively and to ease traffic congestion.
Over €110 million will also be invested in new urban cycling and walking routes in our main cities, including Dublin, which will provide additional sustainable travel options to complement increased capacity and faster, higher quality public transport.
Around €230 million is being provided to progress DART Expansion and associated mainline rail enhancements. This will enable acceleration of the initial stages of the overall DART Expansion Programme, focusing on providing additional fleet to enhance capacity, and extending the electrified DART system. Specifically, it will allow substantial progress on electrification of both the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan and the Maynooth line. Notwithstanding the funding constraints over the last few years, a major upgrading of the City Centre Re-signalling programme was progressed and is already well advanced to completion. Furthermore, limited design work has been carried out on electrification of the Northern Line to Balbriggan to date. Following the additional funding announced as a result of the capital plan review, it is intended to reactivate the design and planning work for this project during 2018.
I wish to also advise the Deputy that in the interim, the NTA, in conjunction with Irish Rail, continues to examine short and medium term options for meeting increased commuter demand on the Northern commuter line. This includes reconfiguring existing maintenance practices and refurbishment of existing rolling stock that can be put into service in 2019 coupled with the commencement of a procurement process to invest in a new fleet to meet longer terms demands.
As a follow-on project from Luas Cross City, I was delighted to recently announce plans for the Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project which will commence in 2018. The purpose of the project is to address current capacity limits at peak hours on the Luas Green Line and to cater for future demands. This will include lengthening of the existing Green Line tram fleet and the purchase of additional trams to meet future passenger demand. In advance of this Luas capacity enhancement project, a complementary project to lengthen the platforms at Green Line stations has already been successfully carried out.
While a longer term solution to address congestion in the greater Dublin area, the 4-year capital envelope progresses preparation of the Metro North project. Construction work on this project will start in 2021, with passenger services starting in 2027. The 10-year capital plan to be published in the coming months will include the funding for the period to complete this significant addition to public transport.
445. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to reports that the National Transport Authority, NTA, and Dublin City Council intend to ban taxis travelling from east to west and west to east through College Green in Dublin; the future plans for College Green; when the plan will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52981/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the much anticipated new Luas cross city line opened on Saturday 9th December. It will not only serve to reduce traffic congestion in the run up to Christmas but should also result in a reduced need for cars to travel into and through the city centre into the future.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for transport policy matters generally. However, in relation to the specifics of traffic planning and management in particular areas, such as the possibilities referenced in the Deputy's question, responsibility for these issues rests with Dublin City Council working closely with the National Transport Authority.
I have referred your question to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
446. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be progress on the expansion of the DART to the Kildare line in view of the 2018 to 2021 mid-term capital review; if not, the other improvements planned between now and 2021 to improve capacity and frequency of services on the Kildare line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53014/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 proposes implementation of the DART Expansion Programme. The overall DART Expansion Programme has a key role to play in delivering an efficient transport system. When fully implemented the enhancements to the heavy rail system provided for in the NTA's Transport Strategy will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected. This integrated rail network will provide the core high capacity transit system for the region and will deliver a very substantial increase in peak-hour capacity on all lines from Drogheda, Maynooth, Hazelhatch and Greystones. The original cost of the overall DART Expansion Programme (including the DART Underground Tunnel element) was estimated at €4 billion, of which €3 billion was in respect of the tunnel as originally designed. The Government decided in September 2015 that the original proposal for the tunnel should be redesigned to provide a lower cost solution. I understand that the NTA's work on this is expected to be completed soon.
The Government’s budgetary framework for capital investment, as set out in Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021, was reviewed earlier this year in the context of the Mid-Term Review of capital priorities, delivery and funding. Following this work, Budget 2018 increased the multi-annual capital investment funding envelopes for the coming four-year period, including providing an enhanced capital envelope of €2.7 billion for public transport investment between 2018 and 2021. This includes funding in the order of €230 million for mainline rail and DART capacity enhancement. As announced, this will allow acceleration of the initial stages of the overall DART Expansion Programme, focussing particularly at this stage on providing additional fleet to enhance capacity, and extending the electrified DART system. Specifically, it will allow substantial progress on electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan - now expected to be delivered in 2022 - and commencing work on the Maynooth line. The remaining elements of the DART Expansion programme are being considered in the context of the 10 year investment plan that is expected to be published in the near future.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the Authority for further information on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
447. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change the public transport system away from fossil fuels; the funding allocated for the provision of converting public transport from fossil fuels for 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, public transport accounts for less than 5% of total emissions from the land transport sector. As part of Ireland's effort to contain emissions and mitigate climate change, I am strongly committed both to increasing the capacity of our public transport system and to facilitating the uptake of low-emission vehicles and technologies within the public transport sector. Clean and energy efficient vehicles have an important role to play in achieving Ireland's policy objectives of reducing energy consumption and lessening our levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Decisions on the acquisition of fleet rest with the relevant bodies: the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the procurement of the bus fleet for PSO services; building additional capacity and the procurement of rolling stock for light rail and metro is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII); and the procurement of buses for Dublin Bus' and Bus Éireann’s commercial services, rolling stock for the rail system as well as purchases for private bus fleets are all matters for the various individual companies.
Decarbonising transport requires a transformation across all the transport sectors. The recently launched Bus Connects proposal includes a commitment to transition the PSO bus fleet in Dublin towards new low-emission vehicle technologies. It is expected that by 2023 approximately 500 buses will be converted to low-emission vehicles, with plans for full conversion by 2030.
Commuter rail and light rail have been steadily building on the already widespread use of electricity as fuel. Funding of almost €460 million to 2021 will be invested in light rail projects including the Green Line Capacity Enhancement Project which, in addition to the recently completed Luas Cross City project, will add capacity to the light rail network in Dublin through additional and longer trams. Funding is also being allocated to progress the new Metro North and the funding required to complete this major project will be provided by the 10 year capital plan due to be published by the end of this year.
€225 million will be invested in heavy rail projects over the next 4 years including the City Centre Resignalling Project in Dublin which will improve speeds through the city centre and the new Central Traffic Control Centre which will help progress the DART Expansion Programme and also generally improve rail movements nationally. Additional funding will also increase the rail fleet and allow further progress to be made on the electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line.
€5.5m is allocated in 2018 and €29m from 2019-2021 for the Carbon Reduction Programme which funds measures to support decarbonising the transport sector. A "Green Public Transport Fund" will support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector. This Fund will assist the transition of the national bus fleet to low emission technology by, inter alia, supporting pilots, covering the price differential between the cost of a conventional diesel bus and the cost of an alternatively fuelled vehicle, as well as refuelling infrastructure. Furthermore, the National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland was published in May to support the deployment of alternative fuels for transport in Ireland and assist in removing any barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low emissions vehicles.
448. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the correct action a private bus company must take to operate a public service; and the considerations taken when a decision is being made with regard to same. [53064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
449. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the matter of regulating rickshaws, in view of the fact that he has refused to implement section 31 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 and in further view of the fact that he made a subsequent commitment to produce legislation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53100/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, following the legal advice received, the prudent decision was not to commence section 31 in the Road Traffic Act 2016. The legal risk associated with this provision was considered unacceptably high with a strong likelihood that the regulations under the provisions could be challenged and ultimately struck down. Understandably, given this information, I decided not to commence section 31.
In relation to the drafting of legislation, the Deputy will know that I tasked the National Transport Authority (NTA) with conducting a public consultation on this issue in August this year. That consultation concluded on 25 September and the NTA have submitted their report on the consultation and their related recommendations. These inputs are currently being examined and form part of the consideration as my Department prepares a Regulatory Impact Assessment regarding options for the regulation of Rickshaws.
I share the many concerns that have been raised in relation to rickshaws. It is my intention, following completion of the Regulatory Impact Assessment, to progress without delay any legislative provisions deemed necessary to address those concerns.
