Written Answers Nos 221-230
221. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has received correspondence or had discussions with his UK counterpart with regard to the UK's decision to exit Euratom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the Euratom Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the United Kingdom. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss Brexit related issues, including Euratom.
I have exchanged written correspondence with Minister Richard Harrington, Under-Secretary of State for Industry and Energy, on the importance of maintaining our bilateral contacts on radiological issues post-Brexit and have received reassurance that the United Kingdom is taking all necessary steps to ensure that it will continue to operate as a responsible nuclear State, and will maintain the appropriate safeguards under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Officials from my Department will continue to engage on this, and other related matters, with their United Kingdom counterparts through the United Kingdom-Ireland Contact Group on Radiological Matters. The Group met most recently on 18 April last, and that meeting included a briefing from the United Kingdom on measures being developed to ensure that the United Kingdom meets its obligations under international conventions on nuclear safety post-Brexit.
222. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be allocated to Monaghan County Council in 2018 for the essential repair of roads damaged by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21857/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position remains as outlined previously to the Deputy. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, 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 local authority.
I announced the 2018 regional and local road allocations on 29th January and all grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated. It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme on that basis, taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. There is no additional funding available to my Department at present.
223. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional children cycling to school as a result of 2017 Cycle Right training; the criteria or metric his Department uses to evaluate the success or failure of Cycle Right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21730/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no data available on the number of children cycling to school directly as a result of Cycle Right Training.
The overall purpose of the Cycle Right training programme is to provide practical cycle safety and skills training to support more competent and confident cycling. Cycle Right is supported by my Department, the Road Safety Authority and administered through Cycling Ireland, with input from central and local agencies, including Sport Ireland Coaching, An Taisce Green Schools, An Gárda Siochána and local authorities.
In 2017, 15,245 pupils participated in Cycle Right training in 428 schools across 22 counties. This cycle training, which includes an on-road element, will result, over time, in an increase in the number of responsible cyclists on our roads. As Cycle Right is essentially a training programme, we will continue to monitor it based on the number of participants, which show that it has proven extremely popular since its inception.
My Department also funds the Green Schools Travel Flag programme which is overseen by the NTA and delivered by An Taisce. This programme monitors the numbers of children travelling to school by Active Travel means. Survey results from that programme indicate that levels of children cycling to participating schools increased from 3% to 4% over the two year period 2015-2017.
224. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the upgrade to the N67 involves replacing stone walls with stake and wire fencing in view of the fact this is not in keeping with the heritage and landscape of the area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21772/18]
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.
225. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some insurance companies are refusing to quote persons if they are not VAT registered; his views on whether this is impeding small businesses carrying out their work; his plans to ensure this practice is withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21794/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance companies are private companies. Neither my Department nor the Central Bank of Ireland has the power to direct insurance companies on the pricing of insurance products. The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks.
Insurance Ireland operates a free insurance information service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. All cases regarding refusal to quote, or quotations that are so excessive as to be in effect a refusal, should be directed to Insurance Ireland by phone at (01) 676 1820, or by email at declined@insuranceireland.eu or by post at 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1, D01 E7E8 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement. The Declined Cases Agreement is administered by a Committee made up of representatives of insurance companies, and including a representative of the Consumers' Association of Ireland and the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau. All motor insurance providers in Ireland must agree to abide by the Declined Cases Agreement under the General Good Requirements For Insurance and Reinsurance Undertakings of the Central Bank of Ireland (see page 6 of https://www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/Regulation/insurance-reinsurance/solvency-ii/requirements-and-guidance/general-good-requirements-2012.pdf?sfvrsn=4
226. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding opportunities available for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21864/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's grant programmes. Similarly, the Department does not have discretionary funds at its disposal to assist with individual tourism proposals.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to respond to the Deputy directly with further information on what supports may be available. Please contact my private office if you do not hear within ten working days.
227. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated publication date of the upcoming Road Safety Authority report on cycling deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21892/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
228. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital investment in cycling infrastructure in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21893/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years, Exchequer investment in cycling infrastructure has been made under a number of different programmes and schemes administered by my Department. Projects funded under the Smarter Travel programme involved integrated initiatives across a number of aspects of active/smarter travel and incorporated measures such as investment in cycle lanes, bike parking, footpaths, traffic calming measures, shared streets and other interventions that encourage and support modal shift to walking and cycling.
In addition since 2010 my Department has also provided funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities Programme to implement sustainable transport projects, including providing cycling infrastructure, in the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Therefore, for the period 2011 to 2017 it is not possible at this time to isolate specific expenditure on cycling infrastructure alone.
Looking to the future, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Budget 2018 I managed to secure over €110m in capital funding which is specifically allocated to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018-2021. This programme will provide "active travel" (i.e. cycling and walking) routes, which can help alleviate congestion by improving the viability of these particular forms of travel, and doing so in a way that provides useful connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure. Allocation of funding and details of individual projects are managed by the National Transport Authority in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. In addition to this, €55m will be spent in this same four year period on Greenways outside of the 5 cities, and the greenway programme will be largely aimed at providing an enhanced tourism and leisure amenity.
A further €135m capital funding has been allocated over this same period for investment in Sustainable Urban Transport projects. These will include projects that will provide either direct or indirect improvements for urban cycling. This programme builds on investment to date to deliver improvements in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in the regional cities and the GDA. It includes traffic management, bus priority and other smarter travel projects, which will allow transport infrastructure to function more effectively and will help relieve traffic congestion. Again, allocation of funding and details of individual projects are managed by the National Transport Authority in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Furthermore, investment of more than €750m on the BusConnects Programme in the same period, will deliver a transformative investment package that will finance new and expanded bus routes, greatly improve bus access, and includes designated segregated cycle lanes.
In addition to funding for the provision of infrastructure, my Department continues to be very active in promoting behavioural change to encourage more people to take up cycling and to cycle safely. We provide funding to the NTA on an annual basis for the delivery of behavioural change programmes such as Workplace and Campus travel programmes and the Green Schools Programmes. My Department also engaged Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which was rolled out in January 2017 to approximately 15,000 primary school students. My Department supports the great work that is being done by RSA in the promotion of safe roads for all road users, including the more vulnerable users such as cyclists and pedestrians. In addition my Department provides funding to local authorities throughout the country to assist in organising events and activities during Bike Week which further serve to promote cycling.
As part of an overall coordinated approach to the provision of an integrated sustainable transport network of cycling, walking and public transport, these various investments will support and lead to a further increase in the numbers cycling safely, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our towns and cities; the investment will, I believe, have a lasting transformative effect on our transport network over the coming years.
The detailed information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by programme and local authority and will be forwarded in due course in line with Standing Orders.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your Dáil Question 228 of 17th May 2018, a copy of which is attached for ease of reference. The information you requested has now been collated by my officials.
As set out in my response to you Dáil Question, past Exchequer investment in cycling infrastructure has been made under a number of different programmes and schemes administered by my Department, namely the Smarter Travel programme, Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities Programme.
Projects funded under the Smarter Travel programme involved integrated initiatives across a number of aspects of active/smarter travel and incorporated measures such as investment in cycle lanes, bike parking, footpaths, traffic calming measures, shared streets and other interventions that encourage and support modal shift to walking and cycling.
In addition since 2010 my Department has also provided funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities Programme to implement sustainable transport projects, including providing cycling infrastructure, in the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Given the overarching scope of these programmes, it is not possible at this time to isolate specific expenditure on cycling infrastructure alone for the period 2011 to 2017.
Having said that, please see table below which outlines funding allocated by the NTA and invested by local authorities between years 2012 -2017 in respect of cycling and walking projects (it is not possible to provide a breakdown by local authority of 2011 funding ) under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG ) and Regional Cities Programmes.
NTA Funding to local Authorities 2012 - 2017
|
STMG Programme |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Local Authority |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Dublin City Co |
- |
5.1 |
5.7 |
2.5 |
5.1 |
7.5 |
3.7 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown cc |
- |
1.5 |
3 |
2.6 |
4.6 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
|
Fingal cc |
- |
0.9 |
2.3 |
2.4 |
0.2 |
0.1 |
0.5 |
|
Kildare cc |
- |
1.2 |
0.4 |
0.9 |
0.6 |
0.8 |
0.6 |
|
Meath cc |
- |
1.1 |
1.7 |
2.1 |
2.4 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
Sth Dublin cc |
- |
1.6 |
3.1 |
4.1 |
3.7 |
5.7 |
1.7 |
|
Wicklow cc |
- |
1.9 |
1.3 |
0.9 |
1 |
1.6 |
0.5 |
|
Total : |
12.5 |
13.4 |
17.5 |
15.7 |
17.7 |
17.5 |
9.3 |
|
- |
|||||||
|
Regional Cities Programme |
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Local Authority |
- |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
Cork City co |
- |
1.06 |
2.72 |
1.19 |
1.24 |
0.48 |
1.23 |
|
Cork cc |
- |
0.52 |
0.23 |
0.36 |
0.7 |
0.24 |
0.59 |
|
Galway cc |
- |
0.24 |
0.42 |
1.09 |
0.48 |
0.23 |
0.02 |
|
Limerick City & cc |
- |
- |
- |
0.13 |
0.06 |
- |
0.01 |
|
Waterford City & cc |
- |
- |
- |
0.11 |
0.07 |
0.25 |
0.45 |
|
Total : |
- |
1.82 |
3.38 |
2.88 |
2.55 |
1.2 |
2.3 |
Please also see below table which outlines funding invested by local authorities for years 2011 – 2017 under Smarter Travel Programmes.
Funding to local Authorities 2011 – 2017
|
|
Total 2017 |
Total 2016 |
Total 2015 |
Total 2014 |
Total 2013 |
Total 2012 |
Total 2011 |
Total |
|
|
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
€ m |
|
Cavan |
0.00 |
0.39 |
0.11 |
0.00 |
0.62 |
0.06 |
0.56 |
1.74 |
|
Carlow |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.54 |
0.93 |
0.19 |
1.66 |
|
Clare |
0.00 |
0.61 |
0.36 |
0.06 |
0.00 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
1.83 |
|
Cork City |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.17 |
0.17 |
|
Cork Co |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.51 |
0.51 |
|
Donegal |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.11 |
0.61 |
0.50 |
1.22 |
|
Dublin City |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3.79 |
3.79 |
|
Dublin County |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.12 |
0.12 |
|
Dublin South Co Co |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.23 |
1.23 |
|
Dundalk Town Council |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.09 |
0.00 |
0.08 |
0.17 |
|
Fingal |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.60 |
0.00 |
0.27 |
0.87 |
|
Galway City |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3.82 |
3.82 |
|
Galway Co |
0.07 |
0.02 |
0.03 |
0.00 |
0.12 |
0.54 |
0.32 |
1.10 |
|
Kerry |
0.75 |
0.98 |
0.64 |
0.17 |
0.00 |
0.34 |
0.49 |
3.37 |
|
Kildare |
1.17 |
0.82 |
0.38 |
0.03 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
2.40 |
|
Kilkenny Borough Co |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.28 |
0.28 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Co. |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.27 |
0.10 |
0.13 |
0.50 |
|
Laois |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.17 |
0.17 |
|
Leitrim |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.42 |
0.53 |
0.95 |
|
Limerick |
0.34 |
2.04 |
3.24 |
2.35 |
0.89 |
0.65 |
1.14 |
10.65 |
|
Longford |
0.00 |
0.51 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.33 |
0.84 |
|
Louth |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.41 |
0.25 |
0.03 |
0.45 |
1.14 |
|
Mayo |
0.00 |
0.40 |
0.87 |
1.21 |
2.33 |
2.00 |
0.84 |
7.65 |
|
Meath |
2.46 |
0.46 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.50 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
3.42 |
|
Monaghan |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.52 |
0.02 |
0.25 |
0.79 |
|
Offaly |
0.00 |
0.11 |
0.74 |
0.11 |
0.00 |
0.40 |
0.40 |
1.76 |
|
Roscommon |
0.00 |
0.03 |
0.23 |
0.07 |
0.00 |
0.03 |
0.54 |
0.90 |
|
Sligo |
0.00 |
0.34 |
0.04 |
0.12 |
0.51 |
0.45 |
0.61 |
2.07 |
|
Tipperary |
0.36 |
0.95 |
0.46 |
0.13 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1.90 |
|
Tipperary North |
0.00 |
0.42 |
0.01 |
0.00 |
0.35 |
0.45 |
0.29 |
1.52 |
|
Tipperary South |
0.00 |
0.86 |
0.09 |
0.05 |
0.15 |
0.35 |
0.24 |
1.74 |
|
Waterford City |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.27 |
0.06 |
0.00 |
0.33 |
|
Waterford |
1.25 |
0.21 |
3.69 |
1.44 |
2.66 |
1.51 |
0.75 |
11.51 |
|
Westmeath |
0.08 |
0.50 |
7.35 |
0.70 |
0.52 |
0.12 |
0.39 |
9.66 |
|
Wexford |
0.00 |
0.33 |
0.29 |
0.02 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.28 |
0.92 |
|
Total - € m |
6.50 |
9.97 |
18.54 |
6.87 |
11.31 |
9.46 |
20.08 |
82.7 |
To date expenditure figures for 2018 are not yet available however I can advise that €8m has been allocated for cycling and walking infrastructure and €10m has been allocated for sustainable urban transport in the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018. In addition over €2.5m has been allocated to behavioural change programmes such as the Green Schools and Cycle Right Training Programmes.
229. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has discussed with Dublin Bus the review of its advertising standards to include the banning of advertisements of food with high salt and fat content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21894/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus 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.
230. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the types of grants available for groups wishing to rent premises for youth clubs or youth cafes on a permanent basis; the criteria involved regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. Each year, in the region of 1,700 local youth clubs are eligible to apply under the scheme. Organisations wishing to apply for funding under this scheme should contact their local Education and Training Board for more information.
Between 2011 and 2013 capital funding provided by my Department supported the development and fit out of new youth café proposals and there are now over 150 youth cafes throughout the country. My Department does not have available to it any funding to assist groups to rent premises for youth cafes in 2018. 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.
