Written Answers Nos. 512-530
512. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be made available to Kerry County Council to fully recondition the Dale Road, Abbeydorney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13533/18]
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.
Before the financial crisis, local authorities could apply on a regular basis for grants for specific improvement grants for the strengthening, widening or realignment of rural roads, including bridges, where the proposed scheme cost generally less than €5 million. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the crisis meant this grant scheme had to be curtailed after 2013 because expenditure on maintenance/renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.
The capital plan does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there is limited scope at present for funding projects under the specific grant programme.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the specific grant programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the public spending code and my Department's capital appraisal framework and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
All grant funding available to my Department has been allocated for this year. I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when allocating their 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.
513. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change the system for driver tests (details supplied). [13586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver testing in Ireland is carried out directly by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, to a standard that complies with the EU directive on driving licences. Studies show that young drivers and inexperienced drivers are more likely to die or be seriously injured in collisions, and the essential driver training, EDT, the course of 12 one-hour lessons, is one of several measures introduced by the RSA to help improve critical driving knowledge, skills and behaviours of new drivers. However, the completion of the 12 certified lessons does not guarantee that a learner driver has reached the required level of competence in driving. This is proven by the fact that the fail rate of driving tests undertaken by candidates who completed EDT lessons was 47.38% in 2016. This fail rate is the average rate across all test centres, not just in Mullingar.
I appreciate that there is a cost involved in the process of obtaining a driving licence, however I believe that the cost of the driving test is not particularly high as against the cost to the authority concerned to provide the service. The fee is for a certificate of competency which must be produced to obtain a driving licence. The driving test is the means to determine the competency of a driver. It would not be appropriate to offer a reduced fee to a driver if they have failed to meet the criteria and have to sit the test again.
514. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of the National Transport Authority in each of the years 2014 to 2017; the key functions of this body; the way in which the carrying out of these functions are invigilated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13600/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority, NTA, was established under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and its functions are set out under the Act. The Annual Report and Financial Statements of the NTA are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year. The last such report was for 2016. Exchequer funding is allocated to the NTA through my Department's Vote towards its administration costs. Funding for the years 2014-2017 inclusive was as follows:
2014: €4,562,000
2015: €4,816,000
2016: €5,016,000
2017: €5,172,000
My Department has an oversight and performance delivery agreement in place with the NTA as required under the 2016 DPER code of practice for the governance of State bodies. Monitoring meetings between the Department and the NTA executive team are held on a monthly basis.
515. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has been in contact with Dublin City Council on continuing traffic gridlock, especially at thoroughfares and bridges crossing the River Liffey; his views on whether this traffic management function is being adequately carried out by the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13601/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has been in contact with Dublin City Council on ensuring the smooth maintenance of cross-city traffic in central Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13602/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
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 the development of public transport infrastructure in the greater Dublin area, GDA, including traffic management. As the Deputy is aware, the NTA's 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.
NTA and DCC jointly published the Dublin City Centre Transport Study in 2015 which sets out the various measures proposed for Dublin's city centre to ensure the efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. In preparing the study, Dublin City Council and the NTA reviewed the current and future transportation needs of the city centre, and the report noted that as the economy continues its recovery and employment rises, without positive intervention, increased congestion and longer journey times on the key routes to Dublin City, and within the city centre itself, will become an increasing feature of the city. The report also acknowledged that with the introduction of the Luas cross city project, Luas trams would be caught up in traffic congestion, and that the service reliability would be prone to disruption due to general traffic. Similarly the report also acknowledged the impact to the reliability of the bus network given the interaction with other road traffic. The report recognised that a rebalancing of the available road space will be required on various streets to facilitate the introduction of additional capacity for public transport, cycling and walking. Significant changes to the traffic network in the city centre will be necessary, with the objective of guaranteeing that the overall transport system is capable of operating efficiently and reliably, with consistent journey times.
NTA and DCC, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, are progressively implementing the measures set out in that document to enable the continued development and growth of the city with the objective of guaranteeing that the overall transport system is capable of operating efficiently and reliably, with consistent journey times. As the Deputy is aware, the City Council's College Green plaza proposal is currently with An Bord Pleanála for determination, and if approved, would remove a lot of the conflicting traffic movements that currently exist in College Green.
Looking to the future, as Minister for Transport I have ensured that Budget 2018 increased the multi-annual capital investment funding envelopes for the coming four-year period, including providing an enhanced capital envelope of €2.7 billion for a multi-modal public transport investment programme between 2018 and 2021. The 4 year envelope will allocate investment to fund projects such as BusConnects, MetroLink, DART expansion, will continue investment in Dublin's light rail network, cycling and walking and traffic management measures in our capital and beyond. These programmes will be implemented by the NTA which has statutory responsibility for development of Public Transport in the GDA.
Furthermore, Government’s Public Transport investment priorities are also set out in the recently published National Development Plan, NDP. The NDP seeks to protect the quality and value of the existing assets and deliver a multi-modal public transport network that will provide high-quality passenger interchange points, which facilitate convenient transfer between efficient and integrated public transport services. All the planned investment in public transport combined will add greatly to the choice and experience of the travelling public, connecting more people with more places and ease congestion in Ireland’s cities.
517. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 28 February 2018, the details of the additional fields in the electronic traffic incident record; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I stated in my response to you in Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 28 February 2018, the subject matter raised is one for the Road Safety Authority and I referred the question to the RSA for direct reply to you. I am aware that the RSA have since replied to you with information on that question.
I note your follow-up question, based on the RSA's response to you regarding Parliamentary Question No. 195, in which you are seeking the details of the additional fields in the electronic traffic incident record for collisions that the RSA now have access to. This is again a matter for the authority and I have referred the question to the authority for direct reply to you. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
518. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a compulsory purchase order overrules a way leave; if so, if the way leave stands as a legal document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/18]
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.
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.
519. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that decibel levels are above allowable limits at areas beside the M50 at Castleknock; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that no mitigating measures were installed to reduce noise in his regard; the way in which he plans to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13728/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
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.
520. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to fund pilot programmes for dockless bike share programmes in Cork city and county similar to those are operated in other cities such as Singapore and London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13732/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure including the management of public bikes schemes.
Decisions regarding the operation and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes in the regional cities fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority, NTA.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
521. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of legislation to make Fingal County Council the competent independent authority for noise regulation. [13746/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the key stakeholders (details supplied) he has met in advance of his decision to and since deciding Fingal County Council was to become the competent authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.
As the Deputy is aware, I am proposing to bring forward primary legislation to give effect to the Government decision to appoint Fingal County Council as the competent authority for the purpose of the EU airport noise regulation, 598/2014. Work is ongoing in my Department on the drafting of Heads of a Bill, as a first step in this process.
523. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to an issue with the de-icer operators at Dublin Airport and that this issue caused delays during recent adverse weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, DAA has statutory responsibility for the development, management and operation of Dublin Airport.
I have been informed that the de-icing of aircraft at an airport is the sole responsibility of airlines or their nominated ground handling agents. DAA is not involved in aircraft de-icing in any way.
Dublin Airport is responsible for clearing snow from the runway, taxiways and apron areas on the airfield. The Deputy will recall that this task was done successfully throughout the recent snow and ice weather events.
524. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will seek applications for the large scale sport infrastructure fund as announced in budget 2018; the number of years this scheme will run for; the level of funding that will be put in place for each year of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUp to now, the sports capital programme, SCP, has been the primary means of providing Government support to sports clubs and organisations for sports capital works.
In relation to future investment, the recently published national development plan, NDP, contains a commitment to establish a new large scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, with at least €100 million available over the coming years. As part of the annual Estimates process, the multi-annual capital allocations will be reviewed and extended annually on a rolling basis to cover the subsequent five years period. This will provide Government with an annual opportunity to review the allocations in light of any implementation issues arising and/or new priorities which may emerge as the national development plan is implemented. The NDP also commits to a full mid-term review of the national development plan in 2022, to allow the Government to take stock of progress in terms of delivery of the planned projects and programmes, and to allow Government to review and confirm its investment priorities. The review will be carried out in order to prepare and publish a new updated 10 year plan for public capital investment in 2023, covering the period 2023 to 2032.
My officials will draft the terms and conditions of the new LSSIF over the coming months. The fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution would exceed the amount currently available for individual larger projects under the SCP. All projects funded under the scheme will be subject to the public spending code and State aid requirements. In terms of calls for proposals, it is envisaged that the views of the national governing bodies of sport and local authorities would be sought regarding the prioritisation of projects for possible inclusion.
525. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the appeal under the sports capital grant scheme as submitted by a sports club (details supplied) whose original application was declined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13818/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the appeal under the sports capital grant scheme as submitted by a sports club (details supplied) whose original application was declined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13819/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra527. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the appeal under the sports capital grant scheme as submitted by a sports club (details supplied) whose original application was declined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13820/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 527, inclusive, together.
Each of the organisations referred to by the Deputy made applications under the 2017 sports capital programme, SCP, but were deemed invalid at assessment stage for reasons which were notified to the clubs. 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 upheld where the appellant demonstrated that the Department erred in its decision to make the application invalid, where it was agreed that the Department's own guide to making an application was not sufficiently clear or where it was felt the original decision involved an overly strict interpretation of the SCP terms and conditions. The appeals submitted by the organisations referred to by the Deputy were not upheld however and the clubs have been informed of this decision.
All clubs with applications that remain invalid have been informed that they can resubmit their 2017 application, along with any corrected documentation to make their application valid for the next round of the SCP without the necessity of submitting a full new application. I expect an announcement will be made shortly regarding when the new round of the programme will be open for applications.
528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his position articulated during a debate in Seanad Éireann on 15 February 2017, that there is no need to place the Irish Coast Guard on an additional statutory footing still remains the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra529. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for his comments made during a debate in Seanad Éireann on 15 February 2017, that legislating for a voluntary group would give rise to very complex matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13837/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra530. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the volunteer element of the Irish Coast Guard regarding its legislative standing; if he has received correspondence in relation to same; if he has received meeting requests from members of the Irish Coast Guard in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 to 530, inclusive, together.
On 15 February 2017 as a Commencement Matter in the Seanad, I comprehensively addressed the matter of Coast Guard Services, raised by Senator Keith Swanick, particularly Senator Swanick's proposition that the Coast Guard should be designated as a stand-alone primary response agency. I advised at that time that it is difficult to identify any the benefit or added value for legislation, or clearly identify what the purpose of any legislation would be, to establish a stand alone Coast Guard. I have not heard any compelling arguments to convince me otherwise in the meantime. The Coast Guard is functioning very effectively as a Division of my Department and its role is supported through various legislative instruments.
Legislating for a stand alone agency is an inherently complex task and the volunteer dimension of the Coast Guard's activities adds to that complexity. Volunteers are not, as individuals, bound by employee or contract law and offer their services freely on a voluntary basis. In my address to the Seanad, I cited the example of the Civil Defence Act, which does not contain any provisions in respect of its large volunteer force. My records show that I last received an external representation concerning legislating for the Coast Guard in May 2017. I have had no recent representations from volunteers on the matter.
