Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a barrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13331/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad Projects
Ceisteanna (251)
Freagraí scríofa
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. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Sports Capital Programme Administration
Ceisteanna (252)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:252. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the sports capital programme grant application process will be opened annually from 2018. [13342/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) closed for applications on the 24th February 2017. 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. Following these announcements, 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 prior to the deadlines. 35 of these appeals were upheld by the reviewers looking at these appeals and all appellants have now been informed of the result of the appeals process.
In relation to future rounds of the SCP, my Department is now undertaking a general review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. 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.
Sports Capital Programme Eligibility
Ceisteanna (253, 254, 257)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:253. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the qualifying criteria for clubs or organisations to be eligible to apply for sports capital grants. [13343/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:254. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind private organisations, including schools and sporting clubs, being eligible to apply for sports capital grants in view of the fact that State funding is being granted to improve services available for private enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13344/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:257. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the qualifying criteria for sports capital programme grant funding, in particular, the matter of private organisations, clubs and schools being eligible to apply for State funding under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13393/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 257 together.
The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) as operated by my Department provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. The programme is designed to improve facilities throughout the country in order to maximise the number of people participating in sport.
The eligibility criteria for who could apply for funding under the 2017 round of the SCP did not change from previous rounds. The SCP is open to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools can also apply as long as they do so in association with a registered sports club or organisation. This requirement is designed to ensure that the proposed facilities benefit the community as a whole rather than just the schools themselves.
All SCP applicants must sign a declaration guaranteeing that they will not deny anybody access to any facility for which they have received a grant on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, or membership of the Traveller Community without just, reasonable and proper cause. Clubs applying for grant assistance must also be open for new members to join at the time of the assessment process.
In relation to future rounds of the SCP, the Department is undertaking a review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This review will consider any changes required to the eligibility criteria and is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. This review will be complete shortly and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.
A value for money review of the programme is also being carried out within the Department that will examine, among other things, the impact that the programme is having on participation in sport.
Bus Services
Ceisteanna (255)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:255. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the new town and rural bus services that will be provided under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 by county in tabular form. [13347/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy may wish to note that the National Development Plan 2018-27 (NDP) is a Capital Plan so its focus is on Capital expenditure for investment in infrastructure; the NDP does not relate to Current expenditure, such as funding for PSO subvention for public transport service operation which is the main type of funding relevant to the introduction of additional new services.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport passenger services nationally, including the provision of PSO bus services. The NTA also has responsibility for managing the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question 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.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (256)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding to be allocated to each county under the sports capital programme and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund as committed under the National Development Plan 2018-2027. [13349/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government’s primary method of providing support to sports clubs and organisations for capital projects. Under the National Development Plan (NDP), over €100 million in capital funding has been allocated for the SCP for the coming four years.
The NDP also commits to the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for larger sports projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amounts available under the SCP. €100m is available for this fund over the next four years. My officials will draft the terms and conditions of the new scheme over the coming months.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of the 2017 round of the SCP with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. 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 in the coming months and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.
Given that the review of SCP is ongoing and the terms and conditions of the new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund are still being finalised, it is not possible to say how much will be allocated under either scheme on a county basis. It should also be noted that it is expected that the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund would be used to fund a small number of large projects rather than projects in each county.
Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 253.
Rail Services Data
Ceisteanna (258)
John Curran
Ceist:258. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the operation of both the Luas red and green lines will be reviewed; the number of times there have been delays on each line over the past six months; the number of these delays caused by signal failures, breakdowns and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13417/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, there have been issues with tram availability on the Green Line which are currently being addressed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
The wider issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the NTA in conjunction with TII and Transdev. In the context of the PSO contracts for the provision of transport services, 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.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Ceisteanna (259)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:259. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to anti-social behaviour along the Royal Canal path between the Luas stop at Broombridge and Ashtown; the measures he will introduce to make this area safer for patrons using the path to access the Luas stop; if CCTV cameras will be installed in the area to make it safer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Anti-social behaviour in a public space accessing a Luas stop is first and foremost a matter for An Garda Síochána in conjunction with Transdev as the Luas operator, as appropriate.
The Deputy is aware that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has statutory resposibilites in relation to the oversight of contractual matters relating to Luas and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
National Vehicle and Driver File
Ceisteanna (260)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:260. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the national vehicle and driver file database will be updated to differentiate between full licences and learner permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Vehicle and Driver File database already differentiates between full licences and learner permits. There were 246,148 learner permits and 2,620,014 full licences current as of 31st December 2017.
Maritime Safety Regulations
Ceisteanna (261)
Tom Neville
Ceist:261. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an alternative engineering certification in respect of a boat (details supplied) in County Kerry can be accepted in respect of a P5 licence certification application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13507/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand from the Marine Survey Office that the vessel in question does not comply with the specific requirements for hull construction for a new P5 passenger boat as set out in Reg. 9 (2) (a) of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat Regulations), 2002. It is defined as a “new” passenger boat under the relevant Regulation.
The relevant clause in the Regulation (9 (2) (a)) reads as follows:
"the hull of every new vessel shall be constructed in such manner as is considered appropriate by the Minister. The Minister may accept a hull where the scantlings, quality of materials and workmanship used, are in accordance with the relevant requirements of a recognised organisation such as an Irish Loadline Assigning Authority. Evidence will be required to show that the hull was constructed in a manner acceptable to the Minister. This may take the form of survey under construction by a surveyor, appointed by the Minister, a construction certificate issued by another administration acceptable to the Minister, a construction certificate issued by a recognised organisation or other documentation acceptable to the Minister".
I am informed that no evidence as stipulated above has been presented. Also, there is no equivalence available for “new” P5 passenger boats which have been constructed in glass reinforced plastic therefore an alternative engineering certification cannot be accepted.