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Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 243-251

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (243)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

243. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to revise the conditions of the sports capital programme for clubs that may not own their own property in order that they can apply for grant aid that may give them the opportunity to purchase and further develop their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20305/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. The full terms and conditions of the most recent round of the SCP are published on my Department's website (www.dttas.ie). The purchase of lands and buildings has always been outside the terms and conditions of the SCP. 

Where the applicant does not own land or have a long lease, a smaller capital grant (€25,000 in the case of the 2017 round of the SCP) can still be applied for.  In these cases the property owner must fill out a template confirming continued access to property for a minimum of five years. It is also open for any club or organisation to apply for funding for sports equipment up to the maximum level of grant (under the 2017 round of the SCP this equated to €150,000 for local projects and €200,000 for regional projects) even if the applicant does not have title to the property in question. In these cases the owner of the land is simply required to confirm that he/she has no intention of taking the facility away from the applicant for a minimum of five years.

A review of the 2017 round of the SCP has also been published on the Department's website. This review highlights  aspects of the 2017 round of the SCP that worked well but also suggests some further improvements. These and any other required amendments to the terms and conditions of the SCP will be fully considered prior to the announcement of the next round. An announcement in relation to the timing of this next round is expected in the coming weeks.

Departmental Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (244)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

244. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contracts awarded by his Department or an agency under his remit to a company (details supplied) since March 2011, by year in tabular form; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20319/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.

The information is updated twice yearly. The first six months of 2018 will be published later in the year.

My Department does not hold the information requested for the Agencies by the Deputy. However I have forwarded your request to all Agencies under the remit of my Department for direct reply to you. If you do not hear within ten working days please contact my private office.

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

Road Safety Strategy

Ceisteanna (245)

John Curran

Ceist:

245. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to select a preferred approach to regulate and legislate, if necessary, the use of rickshaws for public hire in view of the fact that the NTA conducted a public consultation and published a report with recommendations in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20331/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has been considering a range of options for regulating rickshaws from the perspectives of proportionality, public safety and enforcement, as well as regarding the question of costs and benefits. 

I intend to select a preferred approach before the end of this Dáil term, with any corresponding legislative provisions to be developed thereafter.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (246)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

246. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's specific financial codes which are used to monitor expenditure under the heading of land transport. [20341/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Spending Code is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that these standards are upheld across the Irish public service. The Code brings together in one place all of the elements of the value-for-money framework that has been in force up to now, updated and reformed in some respects. The Code is maintained under the management of the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform as a resource for the entire Irish public service. See www.publicspendingcode.per.gov.ie.

Circular 13/2014 outlines public financial management principles, procedures and additional reporting requirements for the management of grant funding from public money as well as the reclassification of grants and grants in aid. The overall principle is transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. See http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2014/13.pdf.

All State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are obliged to act under the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies 2016.  As part of that there are a number of financial requirements set out and outcome and output metrics for the State bodies involved. As well as deadlines for financial and annual reports, the State bodies  are overseen  by a Shareholder Expectation letter for commercial State bodies and a Performance Delivery Agreement and Oversight Agreement for non-commercial State bodies.

All State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are also obliged to treat public funds with care, and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. 

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (247)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

247. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on plans to create a unified and identical livery for all buses in receipt of a PSO payment; the potential impacts that this would have on brand recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20400/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility under section 5 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 to secure the development and implementation of a single public transport brand. I have therefore 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.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (248)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

248. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding available to assist farms with the cost of installing a road underpass; his views on the safety implications of farms not being able to afford these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20417/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

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 national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authority 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.

As regards regional and local roads, these roads are the statutory responsibility of each local authority.  My Department does not operate a grant programme for the provision of road underpasses. 

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

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (249)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

249. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital allocation across his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [20458/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Capital Allocation for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2018 to 2022 can be found in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027, available at http://www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040/.

Capital Allocation

 2018

 2019

 2020

 2021

 2022

 €'000

 €'000

 €'000

 €'000

 €'000

1,327

 1,643

 2,058

 2,526

 2,405

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (250, 251)

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

250. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's capital allocation for projects under way and projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually. [20475/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

251. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's capital allocation in each of the years 2018 to 2022 disaggregated according to capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. [20492/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.

The Capital Allocation for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the years 2018 to 2022 can be found in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027, available at http://www.gov.ie/en/project-ireland-2040/. The table contains the total Capital allocation for my Department.

Capital Allocation

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

1,327

1,643

2,058

2,526

2,405

The Deputy has requested the capital allocated to projects under way, projects contractually committed to and projects yet to be initiated. A detailed note of these projects is included for the Deputy's information while information on projects which fall under the remit of agencies has been requested and replies will issue to the Deputy in due course.

Reply by Programme

Programme A – Civil Aviation

The capital allocation in 2018 for grant support towards safety and security projects at the regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme is €3.85 million.

Applications for grant support under the Programme are invited on an annual basis and these applications are assessed by my Department, in conjunction with the IAA, against the criteria set out in the Programme.

My Department is currently finalising its consideration of this year’s applications from the airports and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard shortly.

Programme B- Public Transport

Budget 2018 provided a four-year enhanced capital envelope for public transport of over €2.7 billion to 2021 including funding of over €400 million for investment in public transport in 2018. This increased funding will allow rollout of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on our public transport system across our cities. It includes:

- investment of more than €750m for the BusConnects programme - a transformative investment to enhance and expand the bus network, improving bus access through and around the Capital, and including designated segregated cycle lanes.

- over €110 million for new urban cycling and walking routes in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), and in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford Cities areas, which will provide additional sustainable travel options to complement increased capacity and faster, higher quality public transport in our main cities.

- over €220 million capital investment in additional heavy rail infrastructure between now and 2021. This will deliver: the City Centre Re-signalling Project to improve speeds on mainline rail; a new rail Central Traffic Control Centre; progress on the DART Expansion Programme to include increase rail fleet and further progress on electrification of both the Northern rail line to Balbriggan and the Maynooth line.

- funding of almost €460 million investment in light rail for additional Luas capacity - with additional trams and longer trams across the Luas network - and to progress the Metro Link, with construction work starting on the project in 2021, and passenger services commencing in 2027.

- investment in maintenance and safety projects to maintain safety and service levels in railway operations of our national railway system.

- multi-annual funding of almost €30 million over the next four years to continue the programme of retro-fitting older, existing public transport facilities to improve their accessibility features. This effectively triples the previously planned investment amount.

- funding in the region of €130 million over the next four years for traffic management, bus priority and other smarter travel projects in our cities.

- €35 million to back new ideas that will help decarbonise the transport sector, including pilot initiatives for low emission technologies.

This is complemented by the investing of €15 million in lower energy lighting on national roads.

The recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which will run from 2018 to 2027, builds on this enhanced 4-year capital allocation and will enable extensive investment across Ireland's transport sector, supporting the overall development of an integrated and sustainable national public transport system.

It is worth noting that as part of the annual Estimates process, the multi-annual capital allocations for Government Departments under the NDP will be reviewed and extended annually on a rolling basis to cover the coming 5-year 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 NDP is implemented.

The NDP also commits to a full mid-term review of the Plan in 2022, to allow Government to take stock of progress in terms of delivery of the planned projects and programmes, and to allow Government to review and reaffirm its investment priorities. It is envisaged that 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.

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) and Irish Rail have responsibility for the development and implementation of public transport infrastructure projects and therefore I have referred the Deputy’s question to both organisations for further information on the issues raised.

Programme B. Roads

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority 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. Each local authority is the contracting authority for the purpose of implementation of regional and local road improvement projects.

My Department is committed to providing grant funding to 13 projects at present under the capital investment plan. The current status of each of these projects is set out in the table below. As regards grant expenditure to date for these projects, this information is included in the Regional and Local Roads Payment and Allocations Booklets which are available in the Oireachtas library.

Capital Plan Regional and Local Road Projects

DTTaS Grant

€m

Current

Status

Dingle Relief Road - Phase 4

4

At construction

Bettystown to Laytown Link Road

5

At planning stage

Adamstown & Nangor Road Upgrade

18

At Construction

Sallins By-Pass / Osberstown

57

At Construction

Shannon Crossing Bridge at Killaloe

16

At land acquisition stage

Athy Southern Distributor Road

34

Land acquisition & advance works

Portlaoise Southern Relief Road

7

At tender stage

Sligo Eastern Garavogue Link Road

18

Land acquisition & advance works

Sligo Western Distributor road

11

Land Acquisition & advance works

Tralee Northern Relief Road

11

Detailed Appraisal

R498 Latteragh Realignment

15

At planning stage

Killaloe Bypass/R494 Upgrade

34

At land acquisition stage

Coonagh to Knockalisheen

42

At land acquisition & advance works

In relation to the national road projects, 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.

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. I have, therefore 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.

Programme D. Sports and Recreation Services

We do have commitments in relation to some large individual projects such as Parc Ui Chaoimh, Kerry Sports Academy at IT Tralee and swimming pool projects like Castlebar. Our existing capital envelopes cover all such commitments.

The two projects below are currently underway at the National Sports Campus.

- Worked on the development of Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena is underway and is due for completion in mid-2019

- Work on new office accommodation for Sport Ireland and a National Governing Body of sport is underway with completion expected in mid-2018.

Programme E. Tourism Services

Capital projects already tendered or committed to spending contractually is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have therefore referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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