Written Answers Nos. 31 - 50
31. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the way in which Dún Laoghaire could benefit more from Dublin's tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he is satisfied that Fingal County Council has the requisite expertise in environmental impact assessments, noise, aviation and other matters to fulfil the function of competent authority under EU Regulation 598/2014 as proposed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7738/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale for appointing Fingal County Council as the official independent noise monitor for Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7543/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra77. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason his Department formed the view that the measures that would be necessary to safeguard independence in the conduct of the competent authority functions under EU Regulation 598/2014 by the IAA would render the assignment of those functions to that body impractical. [7739/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 73 and 77 together.
The Government has recently approved my proposal to designate Fingal County Council as the Noise Regulator for Dublin Airport in order that Ireland fully complies with EU Regulation 598/2014, which came into effect in 2016.
As the Deputies will be aware, an earlier proposal was that the Irish Aviation Authority would be designated as the Noise Regulator for the purpose of EU Regulation 598/2014. However, as I have explained previously, when this approach was subject to final legal review it was found to be inpracticable in light of emerging EU case law. Ultimately, the measures necessary to ensure the functional separation and independence of a noise regulation unit within IAA would have been impractical to implement from a corporate governance point of view.
The Government's decision to designate Fingal County Council as the noise regulator followed discussions between my Department, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Communications, Climate Change and Environment and Fingal County Council.
Options were limited in terms of identifying a State body that had the capability to take on this new function and make it work. Whichever body was chosen would need to build up new capacity to carry out what is an entirely new function. The decision was therefore heavily influenced by which bodies already had some of the required capabilities and structures and which also could be expected to build up the other requirements within a reasonable timeframe. I have every confidence in the suitability and capacity of Fingal County Council to carry out this important role.
The full details of how the Regulation will be implemented, including the role and responsibilities of Fingal County Council, will be set out in primary legislation, the drafting of which Government has mandated to commence immediately. I can assure the Deputies that the draft legislation will include a provision for additional funding for Fingal to ensure that it will have the necessary resources to carry out airport noise regulation. There is no question of Fingal having to carry out this new function from within existing resource levels. It is my intention to publish a draft Bill later in the year which will also include the appointment of An Bord Pleanála as the Appeals Body for purposes of the Regulation.
33. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the progress made on the roll-out of park and ride facilities in Galway city; the sites identified; the completion date for the roll-out in view of the fact these objectives were first identified in the city development plan in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7742/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including provision of park and ride facilities across the country.
As the Deputy is aware, Park & Ride is a key component of the Galway Transport Strategy (GTS)published by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in 2016, and developed by the Councils with support from the National Transport Authority (NTA). The GTS has since been adopted into the development plans of the two local authorities and was a key factor in Galway City winning the European Green Leaf designation for 2017. The provision of particular infrastructure under the GTS, such as Park & Ride facilities at specific sites, is a matter for the relevant local authorities in the first instance.
I understand that there is engagement currently underway with the NTA with regard to potential funding towards developing Park & Ride sites under the Sustainable Urban Grants programme and also the roll-out of BusConnects to Regional Cities in the context of the upcoming 10 year National Developmemt Plan.
34. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeframe for completion of the construction work on extra lanes on the N7 motorway. [7634/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the upgraded section of the N7 will be to motorway status or as a three lane carriageway. [7635/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 44 together.
Regarding the classification of the widened Naas Bypass project I can confirm that the widened Naas Bypass will remain a motorway.
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.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
36. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to get primary school children living healthier and more active lives; if he is planning new initiatives in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7527/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Physical Activity Plan, launched in early 2016, contains a series of actions designed to foster increased physical activity by children and young people, including primary school children. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, exercises lead responsibility for the majority of these actions.
Significant progress has been made in relation to these actions, details of which are available in a progress report published on the Healthy Ireland website in December 2017
(http://www.healthyireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/NPAP-Summary-Progress-Report.pdf)
In the context of a new National Sports Policy that I am currently finalising and which I expect to publish in the coming weeks, there will be a strong focus on increasing participation levels in sport and physical activity at all ages and particularly for children and young people.
Achieving such increased participation levels is a significant challenge that will require the development of new projects and programmes in the future as well as continued implementation of existing successful initiatives. I consider that a fundamental requirement in this context is to maintain and strengthen links between the various Government Departments, agencies and sporting organisations. The means to address this requirement will be set out in the new Policy.
37. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budgetary allocation in 2018 for the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway; when he expects to progress to statutory planning; the overall timeframe for the delivery of the new motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
38. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to rectify the significant maintenance issues with local and regional roads in counties Carlow and Kilkenny following critical under-investment in maintaining regional and local roads networks since 2012; his views on funding allocations for 2018 being far below that which is required for maintaining regional and local roads across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County or City Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
As regards State grants for regional and local roads, the recession resulted in a major reduction in funding for the road network and these cuts had to be applied across the board.
The publication of the Capital Plan 2016-2021 in 2015 marked a move in the right direction in terms of restoring capital funding for the transport sector and this has been enhanced by the extra funding allocated under the Capital Plan Review. Maintenance and renewal of the road network will be the main priority over the capital plan period and most of the roads capital budget is earmarked for such essential work. In this context the Capital Plan provides for a gradual build up in capital funding towards the levels needed to support the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network.
Grant allocations this year represent a significant increase with Carlow County Council receiving a total allocation of €4,488,690 and Kilkenny County Council a total allocation of €11,972,000. In addition ring-fenced funding of €10 million is being provided for the Community Involvement Scheme this year and local authorities will be able to apply for funding under that heading.
I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating own resources. It is a matter for each local authority to assess its priorities and draw up a roadworks programme for the year based on the State grant funding and own resources available to it.
39. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's main capital investment priorities in the context of the ongoing review of the capital investment plan; and the status of the key capital projects within his Department's scope. [7745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government has proposed that a ten year capital plan will be set out which will take account of the National Planning Framework. In relation to transport infrastructure, the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport sets out the overarching priorities for investment in our transport network. My Department has worked closely with relevant Departmental colleagues on the development of both the ten year plan and the new National Planning Framework and I look forward to the publication of both in the coming days.
The Deputy is also aware that in last year’s mid-term review of the current capital plan - Building on Recovery – I secured the largest increase in capital funding of all Departments out to the period 2021. That increase will allow for accelerated delivery of projects across the transport, tourism and sport areas of my Department’s work programme.
In public transport for example, over €770million has been allocated for the implementation of the Bus Connects programme which commenced last year and which will continue throughout 2018. Increased allocations have also been provided to Iarnród Éireann to invest in its heavy rail maintenance programme, as well as improved signalling and a national train control centre which will benefit the network as a whole. Funding has also been provided to move ahead with the DART Expansion programme with electrification of the Northern rail line as far as Balbriggan expected to be delivered in 2022 and work commenced on the Maynooth line.
In roads, construction has already started on the M7 Naas to Newbridge motorway widening, Sallins By-Pass and Osberstown Interchange scheme together with the Grange Castle Business park approach roads (Adamstown & Nangor road upgrades), while the rolling programme of improvements on the N56 in Donegal is also continuing. The additional money provided in last year’s mid-term review will allow for a number of additional roads projects to commence, such as: the Sligo Western distributor road, the Tralee northern relief road and the Killaloe bypass and R494 upgrade.
In relation to tourism, a new Greenways Strategy is currently being finalised which will provide the policy backdrop to the improved funding programme I announced in last year’s Budget while development of the new brand for the Midlands region will also be completed.
In sports, I have announced a commitment of €16 million euros to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021 while I have also announced the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund to bring a more strategic approach to Government support of national and regional sporting facilities.
As the Deputy can see, there are significant projects underway or in preparation across my Department’s remit and I look forward to the completion of these projects and the further development of our transport, tourism and sports infrastructure in the coming years.
41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of discretionary funding from his Department's financial allocations to local authorities that was for non-public LIS roads in 2016, 2017 and 2018; the amount that will be available for LIS in each of the years 2019 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's 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 2016 and 2017 local authorities were able to use up to 15% of their Discretionary Grant for LIS.
As my colleague Minister Ring has indicated that he will be allocating €10 million in ring-fenced funding to LIS in 2018, the option of using this Department's Discretionary Grant funding for LIS is not applicable this year. I have taken funding initiatives in two areas and set aside €10 million for both the Community Involvement Scheme and for Drainage Grants.
I will be liaising with Government colleagues in relation to funding arrangements for future years.
42. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the lakelands project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7533/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the development, implementation or management of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Similarly, I do not have a direct role in relation to the development, implementation or management of branding strategies.
I can inform the Deputy that an initial capital investment of €1m was secured in Budget 2018 to allow Fáilte Ireland to progress its preparatory work on creating a distinctive tourism brand for the Midlands during 2018. Additional current funding of approximately €1.9m has also been provided to Fáilte Ireland in 2018 for Brexit-related activities and the development of the Midlands brand. The breakdown of this funding is a matter for Fáilte Ireland.
The nature of the project to develop a compelling proposition to attract substantial numbers of tourists into the Midlands means that very significant capital funding would be required over many years to provide the tourism products and attractions necessary. As a first step of this multi-annual project, Fáilte Ireland has developed an operational plan for the Midlands and the brand name and identity is scheduled to go live by the end of Q2 2018. It is important to note that the operational plan for the branding is the first step in a project that will require very significant capital and current funding and several years to deliver.
I am referring the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
43. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department is taking to mitigate the impacts of Brexit on the tourism sector; the steps he is taking to address the drop in UK visitor numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts to ease the impact of Brexit on the tourism industry. [7526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 84 together.
I welcome the overall growth in visit numbers to Ireland in 2017. However, the decline in the numbers visiting from Great Britain remains a concern. The fall in the value of sterling against the euro following the Brexit vote in the UK has been the primary factor in this.
Tourism Ireland has a programme of marketing activity in place for 2018 to ensure Ireland is marketed appropriately with potential visitors from Britain. That marketing effort will continue throughout the year. In addition, Minister Griffin recently joined Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to launch an initiative, specially designed to boost tourist numbers from Britain to the Wild Atlantic Way. A €1.35 million marketing campaign in Britain will be complemented by a Fáilte Ireland €500,000 programme to support businesses along the Wild Atlantic Way to position themselves to benefit from the campaign, as well as to boost its own marketing campaigns in Northern Ireland.
Additionally, Fáilte Ireland’s 'Get Brexit Ready' programme offers a suite of industry supports, designed to help businesses meet specific Brexit-related challenges. The programme allows individual businesses to self-assess their exposures and risks and provides a range of interventions to match their needs.
Finally, in Budget 2018 €2m in capital funding was secured for Tourism Ireland to invest in strengthening its digital infrastructure, deepening its understanding of the all-important overseas consumer and developing new creative content. This will give Ireland real stand-out and inspire and motivate people across the world to visit Ireland.
45. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding plans to host a number of UEFA Euro 2020 games here. [7525/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2014, Dublin won the right to host 4 matches of the UEFA EURO2020 tournament comprising three group games and one second round game. The bid to host was a collaborative effort between the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Since then a Local Organising Structure (LOS) has been developed with the participation of the three main stakeholders and other organisations key to delivering the tournament. This structure includes a Project Board to oversee the overall project, a Project Working Group to manage it on a day-to-day basis and a number of sectoral sub-groups. The LOS is working closely with UEFA to meet their hosting requirements for EURO 2020 in areas such as the presentation of the stadium, broadcasting facilities, fanzones and spectator experience, transport, security, commercial rights protection, and national promotion.
The first major event of EURO 2020 will be the live televised draw for the qualifying groups which will take place on December 2, 2018. In September last, the Dublin LOS won the bid to host this event and accordingly attendees representing UEFA's 55 National Associations will come to the Convention Centre Dublin for the event next December. It is expected that there will be 650 guests, including almost 300 delegates from the participating countries, 350 media representatives accredited to cover the event, and more than 70 broadcasters to show the draw live to an audience of 140 million around the world
Separately, UEFA decided last December that qualifying groups in the finals will be staged in "paired cities" and Dublin has been paired with Bilbao for its group. The full pairings are
Group A: Rome and Baku
Group B: Saint Petersburg and Copenhagen
Group C: Amsterdam and Bucharest
Group D: London and Glasgow
Group E: Bilbao and Dublin
Group F: Munich and Budapest
Preparations for EURO 2020 will intensify over the next two years with tickets going on sale in 2019 and qualifying being completed in March 2020.
46. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reports he has received on roadside drug testing since its implementation; if further legislative measures need to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7513/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation on preliminary drug testing for road traffic offences is implemented by An Garda Síochána. There is no formal reporting mechanism in place, nor do I intend putting one in place, in respect of the implementation of the legislation.
However, my Department remains in constant contact with An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and no additional legislation in this area have been identified as necessary to date.
47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected the upgrade of road and rail transport can be provided for in the proposed capital plan; the degree to which adequate funding will be provided in tandem with the objectives of the national development strategy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government's new 10-year National Development Plan (NDP) will be published shortly. In line with the recommendations of my Department's 2015 Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport, a continuing key priority for investment in transport under the NDP will be to protect the quality and value of the existing extensive road and rail networks to ensure quality levels of service, accessibility and connectivity. Prioritisation of this type of investment is also a key finding of a recent Public Investment Management Assessment which was conducted by the International Monetary Fund at the invitation of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The National Development Plan will also prioritise key investment actions to progress new key capital transport programmes and projects over the period to 2027. Investment in any new public transport programmes under the National Development Plan will be subject to the relevant appraisal processes and value for money tests as required under the Public Spending Code.
48. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for the roll-out of the strategy on the future development of greenways and rural cycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7519/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Strategy for the future development of Greenways will assist and expedite the strategic development of Greenways in key locations around Ireland. The strategy will also ensure that Greenways are constructed to an appropriately high standard in order to provide a quality experience for all users. The Strategy will focus on Greenways rather than cycling infrastructure in the wider sense.
Following publication of the Strategy my Department will announce a Greenway funding call to local authorities. The current budget available to my Department for the delivery of Greenways in the period 2018 to 2021 is almost €56m. I expect to announce the criteria for awarding funding at the same time as the Strategy is published, with funding awarded late in 2018. This is to provide local authorities with as much time as possible to progress the planning of their Greenway proposals. The Strategy will be published during Q2 of 2018.
49. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to vindicate the rights of persons with disabilities using public transport in view of the imminent ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7515/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government announced last month its decision to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).
Article 4.2 of the Convention provides for the progressive realisation of accessibility rights which would include practical progress on public transport accessibility. This is broadly the approach adopted in Ireland in relation to public transport.
Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids, are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage. Newer systems such as LUAS are fully accessible. However, there are legacy issues in relation to older infrastructure and facilities, for example Victorian era railway infrastructure. Significant investment has and will continue to be made to fund retro-fitting of older existing public transport facilities to enhance accessibility
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 17 and 26 earlier today.
50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the policy regarding charging motor tax on blood bikes; if his Department has considered the recent policy changes in the United Kingdom in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3947/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current motor tax legislation exemptions are allowed for certain categories of vehicles, including State-owned vehicles and vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances and those used exclusively for mountain and cave rescue. Under the current system there is no provision for the exemption of motor tax for vehicles such as those used by Blood Bikes. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the U.K. has advised that there have been no policy changes regarding the payment of vehicle excise duty for such vehicles.
I have no plans at present to extend the list of vehicles which are exempt from motor tax.
