Tuesday, 20 Mar 2018

Written Answers Nos 826-843

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (826)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

826. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if asylum seekers are entitled to driver licences; and the legal basis for this decision. [11964/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under EU law, Member States issue driving licences to those normally resident in their jurisdiction.

Asylum-seekers are, by definition, people whose residence status has yet to be decided.  As such, we cannot issue them with driving licences.

National Driver Licensing Service

Ceisteanna (827, 832)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

827. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the section of legislation that allows the National Driver Licensing Service to make public services cards compulsory for persons seeking a new driver licence; the exact wording that makes this possible; and if neither is available, his views on State bodies setting mandatory requirements that are not underpinned by existing law. [11972/18]

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

832. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the requirement for a person to produce a public services card to access services offered by the National Driver Licensing Service; the specific legal basis that the NDLS is using to make the card compulsory to access services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12004/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 827 and 832 together.

Under section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, I as Minister am empowered to prescribe in regulations the form and manner of an application for a driving licence, and the documents which must accompany an application.

The revision of the driver licensing application process to allow for the inclusion of the Public Services Card (PSC) as evidence of identity verification and authentication will be provided for in regulations, which are currently being drafted.

The use of the PSC to confirm identity authentication to the SAFE2 standard across a growing range of public services will be beneficial for both citizens and the State, by allowing people to verify their ID once for the PSC, rather than having to provide a range of documentation to prove their identity each time they apply for different public services.

Taxi Data

Ceisteanna (828, 829, 830, 831)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

828. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the pass rate for taxi licence tests in County Louth in each of the past five years. [11979/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

829. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the pass rate for the two sections of the taxi licence test in County Louth in the past five years. [11980/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

830. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who took the taxi licence test in County Louth in each of the past five years; and the number of those that were repeat tests. [11981/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

831. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average number of times a person took the taxi licence test in County Louth before passing it in the past five years. [11982/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 828 to 831, inclusive, together.

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing and testing of drivers within this sector, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.

I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Question No. 832 answered with Question No. 827.

National Vehicle and Driver File Data

Ceisteanna (833, 834)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

833. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles within the entertainment sector that are registered with vehicle registration tax by county in tabular form. [12023/18]

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

834. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vehicles in the motor insurance market here that are listed and categorised as entertainment use by county in tabular form. [12024/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 833 and 834 together.

The details requested by the Deputy regarding the number of vehicles within the entertainment sector that are registered with vehicle registration tax and in the motor insurance market is not available on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF). The NVDF does not record vehicles under business sector category, but does record vehicles under motor tax category. The following table contains the details recorded on the NVDF under motor tax category, which might be of assistance to you in your query:

Number of vehicles on the NVDF with a current motor tax by Taxation Class at 31 December 2017.

Taxation Class	Number of Vehicles
Private Cars	2,066,112
Goods Vehicles	349,143
Agricultural Tractors	79,674
Motorcycles	39,873
Small Public Service Vehicles	21,345
Exempt Vehicles	30,843
Vintage Vehicles	48,930
Motor Caravans	11,225
Large Public Service Vehicles	10,371
Mobile Machines	5,319
Excavators, Trench, Diggers etc.	5,982
Small Dumpers and Forklift Truck	2,880
General Haulage, Tractors	800
Schoolbuses	719
Hearses	981
Youth/Community Buses	863
Island Vehicles	789
Off Road Dumpers	30
TOTAL	2,675,879

Driver Test

Ceisteanna (835)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

835. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 17 October 2017, the status of plans to introduce a more streamlined and shorter assessment programme for foreign-issued driver licence holders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12055/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

This matter relates to the requirement for people who take up residence in this jurisdiction and hold a driving licence which is not exchangeable for an Irish licence. 

In these cases, people are currently required to undergo the full driver learning process in order to obtain an Irish driving licence, with the sole difference being that they are not required to be a learner for the usual six months before applying for a driving test.

The principal source of cost and time in this process is the requirement to undertake the mandatory 12-lesson Essential Driver Training (EDT) programme.  I had indicated before that I was considering whether a shortened programme might be more appropriate, and this is a matter which has been discussed in detail with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).  I also considered ending the requirement to take these lessons entirely, but I decided on balance that it is better to retain some lessons, both to help people to adjust to specifically Irish driving conditions and to help them prepare for the driving test.

On 21 February of this year, I announced my decision to proceed with a plan to create a 'Short EDT' of 6 lessons for people in this situation. Regulations are currently being prepared for this new arrangement.  I am not in a position at present to provide a date as to when the new system will be introduced.

Airlines Regulations

Ceisteanna (836)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

836. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) raised in correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12092/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Like the Deputy, I sympathise with passengers who have been adversely affected by recent weather events. The Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) is the independent regulator for the enforcement of air passenger rights in Ireland. EU Regulation 261/2004 establishes common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of flight cancellation, delays, denied boarding and downgrading.  In accordance with this Regulation airlines must provide due care and assistance to their passengers, this includes, meals and refreshments, the re-routing of flights, offering alternative flights, offering full refund of the ticket price, compensation and where necessary hotel accommodation in cases where an overnight stay becomes necessary.

The CAR website www.aviationreg.ie provides passengers with information regarding their rights and entitlements in accordance with EU Regulation 261/2004, including information on claiming refunds and compensation from airlines.

Sports Capital Programme Data

Ceisteanna (837, 849, 861)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

837. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the appeals process relating to unsuccessful applicants in the latest round of sports capital grants; when they will receive notification of a decision regarding their appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12094/18]

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

849. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of unsuccessful applications for sports capital grants in 2017 by county; the number of applications funded on appeal by county; the names of the organisations awarded grants on appeal; the amounts awarded; the reason each appeal was successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12256/18]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

861. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of invalid applications under the 2017 sports capital programme that are being reviewed by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12687/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 849 and 861 together.

The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) 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. In November and December last, Minister Ross and I announced €60m in allocations to a record 1,800 projects under the 2017 round of the SCP. 

Details of all applications, allocations and applications deemed invalid are published on my Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.

Following the announcement of the allocations at the end of last year, all applicants deemed invalid or partially invalid were invited to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt that an error had been made in the assessment process.  149 appeals were submitted and of these 35 appeals were upheld. 

Appeals were primarily upheld if my Department had erred in the original decision to make an application invalid or if it was felt that the guide to making an application was not clear on specific grounds for invalidation and a strong case was made by the appellants as to why the application should be accepted. 

Details of all successful and unsuccessful appellants are also available on my Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. All 149 appellants were informed of the outcome of their appeal earlier this month.  

Separately, my Department is undertaking a more general review of the 2017 round of the SCP including an analysis of all invalid applications where incorrect or incomplete documentation was submitted. This work is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. I expect this review to be complete shortly and an announcement regarding the next round of the SCP will be made at that stage.

Bus Éireann Services

Ceisteanna (838)

Eugene Murphy

Ceist:

838. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Bus Éireann route (details supplied) that serviced Rooskey, County Roscommon will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12133/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Tourism Project Funding

Ceisteanna (839)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

839. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount invested in the Ireland's Ancient East initiative to date in terms of overall online and offline marketing and promotion by specific project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12151/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, such as Ireland's Ancient East. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy.  Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Dublin Airport Authority

Ceisteanna (840)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

840. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 22 February 2018, if runway 16/34 at Dublin Airport will continue to be used for aircraft movements in adverse weather conditions in circumstances in which the resurfacing of runway 10/28 is completed; if runway 16/34 will be retired when the new north runway commences operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12165/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the deputy is aware, daa has statutory responsibility for the development, management and operation of Dublin Airport.

As I informed the Deputy in reply to her earlier question on this matter, the project to resurface the main runway at Dublin airport requires the use of the crosswind runway, R16/34. The runway resurfacing work can only be carried out at night between the hours of 9pm and 5am when the airport is least busy as it requires the full closure of the main runway. While the night time works are ongoing the airport has no alternative but to use its secondary runway, R16/34 to facilitate landings and take-offs during this time.

All aircraft arriving and departing Dublin Airport come under the direction of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) which provides air traffic control services in Ireland. The IAA’s decision on runway use is based on meteorological conditions at the time, usually wind direction and speed. For safety reasons aircraft must land and take off into the wind.   

When the works on the main runway are completed R16/34 will only be used in exceptional circumstances i.e. where the wind/safety reasons dictate. Once North Runway is built, R16/34 will also only be used in exceptional circumstances.

Traffic Data

Ceisteanna (841, 842, 843)

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

841. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a comparative analysis of congestion on main commuter routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12183/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

842. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of congestion on the N11-M11 for the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12184/18]

Stephen Donnelly

Ceist:

843. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of funding for works to address congestion on the N11-M11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12185/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 841 to 843, 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 operation of individual roads (including monitoring of the national road network) is a matter for the 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 questions to TII for direct reply in relation to the allocation of funding for works on the N11/M11 and regarding traffic data on commuter routes.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.

In light of this I have also forwarded the Deputy's request for information on congestion to the NTA for direct reply.

The referred replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.