Written Answers Nos 877-893
877. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he met his EU counterparts formally in the past six months to discuss transport-related issues post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have held a number of meetings with my EU and UK counterparts and the European Commissioner for Transport in relation to Brexit and the border since early 2017. These meetings were very useful in promoting an understanding of transport Brexit-related implications for Ireland, including the impacts of Brexit on the border areas and the details are summarised in the table.
|
Date of meeting |
Representative |
Title |
Area |
- |
|
04/04/17 |
Prof. Péter Balázs |
European Coordinator for the North Sea Med Corridor Connecting Europe Facility Core Corridor |
EU: European Commission |
Implications of Brexit on TEN-T |
|
25/05/17 |
Minister Anna Johansson |
Minister for Infrastructure |
Sweden |
Brexit, Road safety |
|
26/05/17 |
A. Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling |
Secretary of State, Department for Transport |
UK |
Brexit |
|
08/06/17 |
Commissioner Violeta Bulc |
European Commissioner for Transport |
EU: European Commission |
Brexit and European Issues |
|
08/06/17 |
Jörg Leichtfried |
Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology |
Austria |
Brexit and Road Safety |
|
15/09/17 |
Ken Skates AM*phone call |
Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure |
Wales |
Brexit, Wales, Ireland |
|
19/10/17 |
Commissioner Violeta Bulc |
European Commissioner for Transport |
EU: European Commission |
Brexit |
|
5/12/17 |
A. Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling |
Secretary of State, Department for Transport |
UK |
Brexit |
878. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12932/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) in Monaghan is the statutory responsibility of Monaghan County 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 a matter for the local authority.
My Department allocates funding at local authority level and allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for the Council. Monaghan County Council is best placed to advise the Deputy in relation to the rationale for the funding decisions taken within the County in 2018.
On 26th of September 2017 my Department sought applications for funding of safety improvement works on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities during 2018. Monaghan applied for funding for 7 schemes to the sum of €227,000. The Council was notified of approval of funding for 5 of these projects to the sum of €185,000.
The pedestrian crossing on the Dundalk road, Carrickmacross, however, was not among the applications submitted for funding to the Department. It is up to individual local authorities to submit applications in order of priority.
It is open to Councils to fund road improvement projects from their own resources. The purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities.
879. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the State supports and sponsorships, including funding, provided to the organisers of an event (details supplied) in each of the years since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Open is a very important part of the Irish sporting calendar and has received Government support through Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, is the statutory body with responsibility for the encouragement, promotion and support of tourism.
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and coordination of sport in Ireland including responsibility for the allocation of funding.
I have referred the Deputy’s Question to Sport Ireland and Failte Ireland for direct reply in relation to funding provided by both agencies. I would ask the deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
880. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the criteria used to select the golf course on which an event (details supplied) is played each year; the degree of involvement he has in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Tour is responsible for the operation of the Irish Open and is therefore responsible for the selection of the golf course for the event. Neither Sport Ireland or my Department has any role in the selection process.
881. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the capacity and frequency of Luas services; if more trams will be purchased in addition to the 73 that will be in circulation by the end of May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12947/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the light rail network. They have advised that passenger numbers on the Luas Green Line have increased by over 28% since the commencement of Luas Cross City last December. While it is welcomed that so many new customers are using the extended Green Line, it has meant that, at certain times of the day, some trams are operating at capacity.
The Luas Cross City project included the purchase of seven additional new trams which, at 55 metre length, have a higher passenger capacity than existing trams, carrying up to 379 passengers per tram and increasing overall capacity on the Green Line. In advance of putting these seven new 55m trams into service, seven trams have now been transferred from the Red Line to the Green Line to provide additional capacity with the introduction of Luas Cross City.
I am advised the NTA and TII that two of the 55m trams entered service in February, however, an unforeseen technical fault has arisen with the longer trams. A specialist team from France have been flown in to urgently resolve this electrical problem. Building works at the Sandyford depot reduced maintenance capacity resulting in fewer trams being available for peak time service. These works have been expedited, will be completed shortly and will speed up turn-around time for maintenance thereby increasing the number of trams available for peak services. Extra maintenance crews have also been transferred from the Red to the Green line and the new Broombridge depot is now in use to assist with maintenance activities.
All of the longer 55 trams - following the necessary final testing and commissioning - will be put into service progressively between now and end of May. Once all seven new trams are fully deployed they, together with the existing fleet, will provide additional passenger capacity on the Green Line in the short-term. Furthermore, the NTA has also advised of planned changes to the Luas Green Line timetable in May to improve the frequency of service between Broombridge and Brides Glen, particularly in the morning and evening peak periods on the Green and Red Lines.
Into the future, passenger numbers are expected to increase further on the Green Line over the next few years, and the Green Line Capacity Enhancement project - which was recently approved by Government - is the next step in the medium term to further expand capacity, especially at peak hours, so as to cater for future demands along the Line. The project features in the NTA’s published GDA Strategy. It involves the lengthening of the 26 existing Green line trams from 43 metres to 55 metres and the purchase of a further 8 new 55 metre-long trams which will greatly increase the passenger capacity of the fleet to meet future passenger demand. The capacity increases at peak periods which will be provided by the project will assist in reducing crowding on the Green Line and enhance accessibility for mobility and sensory impaired users during these periods. A necessary complementary investment project, known as the Green Line Infrastructure Upgrade - an investment project to lengthen the platforms at the existing Green Line stations - was completed towards the end of last year and enables the use of the new, longer trams.
882. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Bus Éireann recently made changes to its timetable (details supplied) for the express services from Donegal town to Dublin from 9 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12948/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
883. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under his Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12997/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to Dáil Question 479 of 8 March 2018.
As per Dáil Question 479 I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the relevant agencies for a more detailed reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days please contact my private office.
884. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that all files associated with Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in County Cork are being held in a safe and secure unit; the nature of the storage; the location of the unit; the efforts being made to preserve the physical integrity of the files; if they are digitally stored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12043/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe records referred to by the Deputy are held by Tusla. I have asked Tulsa to reply to the Deputy directly on this matter.
885. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost to her Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11731/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department incurred negative interest charges of €4,598.52 in 2017. Negative interest rates are charges relating to depositing cash with a bank overnight. My Department's Vote administered over €1.2 billion during the period concerned.
Information relating to negative interest charges to agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter and I have referred the question to the attention of each agency for direct reply.
The referred replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
886. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by her Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11761/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested in relation to my own Department is set out out in the table.
The Deputy might note that the overall objective is to keep costs of this nature to a minimum and that these services are only used when deemed necessary in the course of Departmental activity.
|
Date |
Company |
Cost |
|
February 2017 |
Media Vest |
€32,773.01 |
|
March 2017 |
Media Vest |
€25,431.05 |
|
April 2017 |
Mandy Johnson |
€4,750.00 |
|
April 2017 |
|
€3.00 |
|
June 2017 |
Havas Media |
€29,722.15 |
|
June 2017 |
Havas Media |
€188,453.22 |
|
July 2017 |
Media Vest |
€32,966.64 |
|
September 2017 |
Persuasion Republic |
€66,075.59 |
|
January 2018 |
Irish Association of Social Workers |
€200.00 |
The information requested relating to agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter and I have requested the agencies concerned to supply the information directly to the Deputy.
887. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in her Department who entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11852/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 2nd June 2011. Since that date, the staff who have entered the department of Children and Youth Affairs via a route other than through open competition are as follows.
Following the dissolution of the Children's Act Advisory Board on 8th September 2011, three members of staff transferred from the Board to the Department and following acceptance by the Public Appointments Service, qualified for appointment to established positions at the grades of Executive Officer and Higher Executive Officer in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Ministerial Appointments to the positions of Special Adviser and Civilian Driver are not subject to open competitions run by PAS but are deemed to be appointments to temporary unestablished positions in the civil service and require the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and when such appointments are made from outside the Civil Service also require the sanction of the Taoiseach. I have appointed two Special Advisers and two civilian drivers through this process.
Two individuals from the voluntary sector are on secondment to my Department for a specified period to provide specialist advice and support. They hold the unestablished positions of Economist and Early Years Communications and Consultations Lead respectively.
My Department also participates in the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which offers 6 month placements at EO level to graduates with disabilities. While the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) runs this programme, it works with PAS in identifying suitable candidates for this programme.
888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the directions provided for the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service that fall under the direction of her Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11869/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaff in my Department who were not on leave and who stayed at home due to our offices being closed during Storm Emma were paid as normal. Staff who were already on annual leave had annual leave deducted as normal.
My Department did not provide direction to agencies under its remit in this regard.
889. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; and if an overage exemption will be granted. [11910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's records show that the exemption request referred to was granted and this was communicated to the parent named on the 15th of December, 2017. If the parent named has any further questions regarding the overage exemption they should contact officials in my Department at eyqueries@dcya.gov.ie who will be happy to assist.
890. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 6 February 2018, if a substantive response from Tusla is likely to be forthcoming soon. [11994/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Deputy's original question, my Department forwarded the request to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for attention and direct reply.
I have followed up on this query again with Tusla, and have asked the Agency to respond as soon as possible to the Deputy with the requested information.
891. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available to develop youth café initiatives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12013/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are now more than 150 youth cafés throughout the country which in the main have been developed, over the years, by local communities with the support of different funding sources. Between 2011 and 2013, capital funding provided by this Department supported the development and fit-out of new youth café proposals.
My Department does not have available to it in 2018 a capital fund for the development of new youth cafés. The development of further youth cafés may be considered as part of a needs-based decision making process for any capital funding that becomes available to my Department in future years.
892. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding that was provided to each family resource centre in each of the years 2015 to 2017, and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [12037/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised relates to operations funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have asked Tusla to supply the relevant information to the Deputy directly.
893. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of sending a youth in care to a residential home in England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12048/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have written Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to request an estimated cost of a residential care placement in England and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
