Written Answers Nos 215-227
215. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1146 of 21 March 2017, when the strategic environmental assessment of the draft national bioenergy plan, which was drafted in 2014 and has remained in draft form since, will be published and put to public consultation; and the reason for the disruption to the timeframe stated in the reply. [53480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft Bioenergy Plan was published in 2014. There are a wide range of Government Departments, agencies and State bodies that are critical enablers for the development of bioenergy by virtue of their responsibility for areas such as forestry, agriculture, waste, research funding and business development. The draft Bioenergy Plan sets out the policy areas that must be coordinated to support the development of the bioenergy sector in Ireland. It identifies a number of supply-side and demand-side measures to support the sustainable development of the sector.
Since its publication, a number of the actions set out have progressed significantly. In particular, I would note the increase of the Biofuel Obligation Rate from 6% to 8% in January 2017, the current public consultation on potential future increases in the Biofuel Obligation Rate in January 2019 and January 2020, and the approval by Government last week of a new Support Scheme for Renewable Heat.
Notwithstanding the progress made on the actions set out in the plan, the plan itself has not yet been finalised. The publication of the Energy White Paper (Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future) and the National Mitigation Plan have provided an updated policy context. The draft bioenergy Plan is being updated to reflect these and other policy developments. An updated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and NATURA Impact Statement (NIS) are currently being prepared. I expect the draft plan, SEA and NIS to be published early in the new year for public consultation.
216. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter relating to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53314/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. It does not become involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
While the Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital programmes. Similarly, it does not have discretionary funds at its disposal to assist with tourism proposals.
I have received separate correspondence on this matter and I have asked Fáílte Ireland to revert to the person involved. I have provided the person with a contact name in Fáilte Ireland.
I have also asked Fáílte Ireland to reply direct to the Deputy on the matter. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply from Fáilte Ireland within ten working days.
217. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for the sports facilities affected by floods in County Donegal specifically in the areas of Finn Valley and Inishowen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53288/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving visited Donegal immediately after the severe flooding incident at the end of August, I am aware of the challenges faced by a number of sports clubs in the area and have previously stated that I am eager to assist in any way I can. In this regard, my Department made contact with relevant sports clubs impacted by the flooding but whose damage was deemed to be outside the terms of the previously announced Irish Red Cross Scheme. Responses setting out the needs of the clubs in question have been received and Minister Ross and I have decided to provide funding for these clubs. My officials will be in touch with the clubs in the coming days to finalise the exact amount required.
218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Sligo municipal district of Sligo County Council at its meeting on 24 April 2017 unanimously adopted a motion relating to funding being specifically provided under the CLÁR and RAPID programmes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the college referred to by the Deputy, earlier this year my Department was made aware of local concerns relating to the continued sporting use of facilities which had previously received funding under the Sports Capital Programme. The facilities also received CLAR and RAPID funding from the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. On foot of the concerns raised, my Department engaged in a series of correspondence with the college to seek clarification in this regard and assurances that the grant aided facilities would remain in sporting use. My Department also inspected the site in June of this year to ensure that the terms and conditions of the original grant were being adhered to. It should be noted that the concerns raised related to one particular room within the overall sports complex which was previously being used as a gymnasium.
Following this inspection, the college was asked to provide a report on the usage of the overall facility and to provide evidence of how it was proposed to continue the sporting usage of the room which was the subject of the original complaint. The college provided this material in October including details of the external users of the facility, the charges being imposed and also included evidence of efforts to secure additional users for the facilities in the future.
Accordingly, my Department is satisfied that the college is currently in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme and the deed of covenant and charge which guarantees that the facilities will stay in sporting use for a period of 15 years from the date of the payment of the last instalment of the grant. The period of the deed will expire in 2023. My Department will however, continue to monitor the usage of the facility and engage further with the college if considered necessary.
In relation to any additional educational resources required by the college, this is of course a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
219. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount allocated for capital investment in rail infrastructure in each of the years 2017 to 2021. [53338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides capital funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the development of public transport infrastructure, including rail infrastructure, in the Greater Dublin Area. My Department also provides capital funding to Iarnród Éireann for the maintenance and renewal of the heavy rail network under the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC), in accordance with the requirements of EU law. In 2017, capital investment of over €240 million has been provided to the NTA and Iarnród Éireann for rail infrastructure.
As the Deputy is aware, 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 to 2021. Allocations from this funding envelope will become firmer in line with more detailed planning at project and programme level, but the present indicative plans are that there will be investment of over €1.5 billion in rail infrastructure for the period 2018-2021 with €280 million in 2018, €320 million in 2019, €340 million in 2020 and over €600 million in 2021.
220. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for upgrading the N4. [53339/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for upgrading the construction of a dual carriageway upgrade of the N14, A5, N2 and the Letterkenny and Derry to Dublin roads. [53340/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for the Limerick to Rosslare road. [53341/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for the Cork to Limerick motorway. [53342/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for the New Ross bypass. [53343/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for the A5 upgrade. [53344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 225, inclusive, 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 in relation to the national roads in the South to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
As regards the A5, the planning and implementation of the upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. This Agreement reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that the 1st phase of the project from Newbuildings to north of Strabane could commence once Northern Ireland authorities are in a position to start work on the project. Following consideration of the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission report on the scheme, the Department for Infrastructure announced its decision to proceed with the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme last month.
226. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated for the Narrow Water Bridge development. [53346/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOptions are still being appraised in accordance with the terms of the Fresh Start Agreement in relation to the proposed bridge at Narrow Water and there is, therefore, no cost estimate or time frame available for the completion of the project.
227. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected cost, the number of years it would take to deliver and the amount allocated to deepen a berth at Rosslare Europort from seven metres to nine metres. [53347/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that Rosslare Europort is unique among the State owned ports as it is not a company operating under the Harbours Acts, but is instead operated as a division of Iarnród Éireann.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
