Written Answers Nos. 530-547
530. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for the upgrade and maintenance of regional and secondary roads over each of the past ten years; and the expected allocation for the upgrade and maintenance of these roads for 2018. [23379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of maintenance in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018 on national roads; and the expected spend in 2019. [23387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of maintenance in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date 2018 on regional and local roads; and the expected spend in 2019. [23388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530, 537 and 538 together.
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. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.
The tables included in the payment and allocation booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main road Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS) This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
This year ring-fenced funding is being made available for Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) and a Drainage Programme. The CIS facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads while the purpose of the Drainage Grant is to promote network resilience.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5 million.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5 million.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
The total draw down of grant funding to date in 2018 is €55 million.
As regards national roads, within its annual budget, allocations to individual local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within ten working days.
In relation to 2019 expenditure on national, regional and local road maintenance, the allocations will be decided as part of the annual Estimates process.
531. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for public cycle lanes over each of the past ten years; the breakdown of maintenance on existing cycle lanes and spend on new cycle lanes; and the expected allocation for 2019. [23380/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, I wish to refer the Deputy to my previous reply in response to Dáil Question number 594 on 13 February 2018 from the Deputy on a similar question.
Over recent years, Exchequer investment in cycling infrastructure has been made under a number of different programmes and schemes.
The table below sets out the combined investment that occurred under the National Cycle Network programme and the Active Travel Towns programme (both of which commenced in 2012), and the Smarter Travel Areas programme (which commenced in 2009). Projects funded under the Active Travel Towns programme and Smarter Travel Areas 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 this context it is not possible to isolate specific expenditure on cycling infrastructure alone.
In addition to the funding set out in the table, since 2010 my Department has also provided funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation 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.
Please see attached correspondence from the NTA setting out the expenditure by year under cycling and walking for the Greater Dublin Area and the Regional Cities for the years 2011 to 2017 inclusive also in response to Dáil Question number 594 on 13 February 2018.
Looking to the future and following the recent mid-term review of the Capital Plan, investment of over €110 million will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over the next four years (2018-2021). This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure.
In addition to these cycling-specific investments, BusConnects, that will involve re-configuring the bus network and infrastructure, will also entail construction of significant new cycling facilities alongside bus routes on the key radial routes into the city centre and provide safe cycling arrangements, largely segregated from other traffic along those corridors. These substantial investments will allow us to further increase the numbers cycling, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our cities.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the maintenance of existing cycle lanes. As this is the function of the local authorities it is appropriate that this issue is be better addressed by my colleague the Minister for the Department of Housing Planning and local Government.
In relation to the expected allocation of funding for 2019 the NTA working with the local authorities will determine the 2019 allocation in the latter part of this year.
|
Year |
Funding (€) |
|
2009 |
7,001,000 |
|
2010 |
8,383,000 |
|
2011 |
16,366,000 |
|
2012 |
10,943,000 |
|
2013 |
11,580,000 |
|
2014 |
12,483,000 |
|
2015 |
18,891,000 |
|
2016 |
10,488,000 |
|
2017 |
6,985,000 |
532. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for the PSO in each of the years 2011 to 2017; the allocation for 2018; and the planned allocation for 2019, in tabular form. [23382/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of increasing the Exchequer subvention to CIÉ by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. [23383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra534. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of the PSO in each of the years 2011 to 2017 into each of its CIÉ recipients, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann; the allocation for 2018; and the planned allocation for 2019. [23384/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532 to 534, inclusive, together.
Since 2010 my Department no longer pays subvention for public transport services paid directly to operators.
The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days .
As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for Public Service Obligation and I can confirm that €284,967 million is available to the National Transport Authority in 2018.
The Deputy has asked about the planned PSO allocation for 2019. The allocation for PSO public transport services is subject to the annual Budgetary process and therefore the 2019 allocation is yet to be determined in the context of the Estimates process.
535. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of both current and capital investment needed to put Iarnród Éireann on an economically sustainable footing. [23385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of both current and capital investment needed to put Bus Éireann on an economically sustainable footing. [23386/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The Deputy is aware that the taxpayer makes a significant and recurring contribution each year to both Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann. This contribution takes the form of both current, Public Service obligation (PSO), funding and also capital funding.
The Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding to transport operators for providing subvented public transport (i.e. bus and rail) services is paid by the National Transport Authority from the current expenditure monies that are made available to the Department's Vote annually as part of the Estimates process. Decisions on the PSO allocations to particular operators are made annually by the NTA having regard to the Authority's statutory role and the PSO contracts that it has in place with each of the individual providers.
I am committed to the public transport system continuing to provide and develop services that are essential for local communities. That commitment is evidenced by the 8% increase secured in Budget 2018 for PSO services across both the bus and rail networks. That means that a total of over €285 million will be allocated in 2018 to support the delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services across the public transport companies. Budget 2018 also provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. This represents a 30% increase over the original Capital Plan allocations for 2018-2021 and includes investment of over €1 billion in heavy rail maintenance and infrastructure.
The Rail Review Report was undertaken jointly by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann and was published in 2016. The purpose of the Review was:
- to look at the existing rail network;
- to identify the funding required both to maintain the network and to provide for necessary capital works;
- and to consider the gap in funding.
Since the Rail Review was published, there have been significant developments in relation to the level of funding available for rail investment and services. The public consultation process held by the NTA following the publication of the Rail Review in 2016 helped to begin an informed discussion about the current and future role of rail transport in Ireland. Over 300 submissions were received in response to that consultation process. The NTA has prepared a report of those submissions, which it recently updated to reflect the increased funding made available in Budget 2018 for both current subvention and, in particular, the Capital Plan 2018 to 2021.
The NTA’s updated report on the consultation was received by my Department in February. I intend to bring the updated consultation report to Government shortly and I would expect that the consultation report would then be published thereafter by the NTA.
In relation to Bus Éireann specifically, capital investment of over €44 million has been provided in the last two years for PSO bus fleet replacement and refurbishment and accessibility projects. In addition, current PSO subvention in 2017 was over €52 million, an increase of 28% on 2016. The Deputy is aware that implementation of last year’s Labour Court's Recommendation is now complete and a review is currently underway between the Company and its employees. I believe implementation of that recommendation can provide for a successful and sustainable future for Bus Éireann.
539. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost of restoring funding for secondary roads improvement schemes to 2008 levels. [23389/18]
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 on national primary and national secondary routes 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.
540. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost of restoring funding to the sports capital programme to 2008 levels. [23390/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost of increasing funding to the sports capital programme by 1%, 2%, 3% and 5%, respectively. [23391/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra545. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation to the sports capital grant scheme in each of the years 2008 to 2018; and the distributions to sports bodies and associated allocations in 2016, 2017 and 2018. [23395/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 541 and 545 together.
Details of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) since 1998 and all payments since 2007 are available on my Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. There were annual rounds of the SCP from 1998-2008. Subsequent to this there were new rounds of the SCP in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017. I hope to make an announcement in relation to a 2018 round of the SCP in the coming weeks.
Due to the nature of the SCP, it can take some grantees a number of years to draw down the grants allocated to them. Accordingly, the amount required in the relevant subhead to cover drawdowns under the programme does not equate to the allocations made in that particular year. In 2008, €50.25 million was allocated whereas a total of €62.168 million was allocated in respect of applications under the 2017 round of the programme. The amounts allocated under each of the general rounds of the SCP since 2008 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Total Funding Allocated |
|
2008 |
€50,250,000 |
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2012 |
€31,000,000 |
|
2013 |
|
|
2014 |
€40,486,132 |
|
2015 |
€41,126,179 |
|
2016 |
|
|
2017* (includes allocations made in early 2018 on foot of the appeals process) |
€62,168,056 |
The SCP sub-head contains €49 million this year and this is sufficient to meet all existing commitments under the programme including the allocations under the 2017 round. The cost of increasing this 2017 sub-head amount by 1%, 2%, 3% and 5% is set out in the table below.
|
2017 sub-head |
1% |
2% |
3% |
5% |
|
€49,010,000 |
€49,500,100 |
€49,990,200 |
€50,480,300 |
€51,460,500 |
The Department moved to a new IT system in 2014 which provides a single system for managing all aspect of the SCP. Details of all grants allocated directly to the National Governing Bodies of Sport since 2016 are set out in the table below. Separately, thousands of individual clubs and other units at county and provincial levels which are affiliated to the various National Governing Bodies have received SCP funding over the years and all such grants are available on the website.
|
Organisation |
Amount Allocated |
|
Canoeing Ireland |
€39,000 |
|
Cricket Ireland |
€60,500 |
|
Eventing Ireland |
€18,000 |
|
FENCING IRELAND |
€11,000 |
|
Irish Amateur Boxing Association |
€151,500 |
|
Irish Amateur Wrestling Association |
€6,500 |
|
Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Association |
€28,500 |
|
Irish Girl Guides |
€2,500 |
|
Irish Martial Arts Commission |
€25,000 |
|
IRISH PONY CLUB |
€7,000 |
|
Irish Rugby Football Union |
€55,500 |
|
Irish Table Tennis Association |
€25,000 |
|
Irish Tenpin Bowling Association |
€5,000 |
|
Irish Tug of War Association |
€2,500 |
|
Irish Waterski & Wakeboard Federation Ltd |
€17,500 |
|
Irish Wheelchair Association-Sport |
€10,000 |
|
Ladies Gaelic Football Association |
€22,000 |
|
Mountaineering Ireland |
€7,500 |
|
Padel Federation of Ireland |
€2,000 |
|
Pentathlon Ireland |
€8,000 |
|
Rowing Ireland |
€66,500 |
|
Scouting Ireland Ltd., |
€6,500 |
|
Special Olympics Ireland |
€16,500 |
|
Swim Ireland |
€56,000 |
|
The Association of Irish Riding Clubs Limited |
€5,000 |
|
The Football Association of Ireland |
€130,000 |
|
Weightlifting Ireland |
€18,000 |
|
Weightlifting Ireland |
€18,000 |
542. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018; and the breakdown of the distributions of the funding to sports bodies and each of their associated allocations in each of those years. [23392/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding provided by my Department to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy for each of the years 2016 to 2018 is outlined in the table below.
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
REV 2018 |
|
Current |
€49.2m |
€51.3m |
€51.6m |
|
Capital |
€29.2m |
€10.5m |
€6.7m |
|
Total |
€78.4m |
€61.8m |
€58.3m |
In addition to the above, Dormant Accounts Funding was allocated to Sport Ireland for sport measures in each of the three years, as outlined below;
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
REV 2018 |
|
Current |
€3.7m |
€3.7m |
€4m |
|
Capital |
€0.8m |
€0.9m |
€1m |
|
Total |
€4.5m |
€4.6m |
€5m |
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including responsibility for the allocation of funding to the National Governing Bodies of sport. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the allocation of funding to sporting bodies for 2016, 2017 and 2018. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
543. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2008 to 2018. [23393/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including responsibility for the allocation of current expenditure funding to the National Governing Bodies of Sport. In addition, Exchequer capital funding of €500,000 was provided through Sport Ireland during the period mentioned, under a Partnership Agreement between Sport Ireland and the organisation, to facilitate works relating to the development of pitches for the relevant sport at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the allocation of funding to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy in each of the years 2008 to 2018. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
In relation to assistance for capital projects, 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 throughout the country. The Department moved to a new IT system in 2014 which provides a single system for managing all aspects of the SCP. No grants were allocated directly to the organisation referred to by the Deputy since this new IT system was introduced. However, thousands of individual clubs and other units at county and provincial levels which are affiliated to the organisation referred to by the Deputy have received SCP funding over the years. Details of all allocations to all clubs and organisations under the SCP since 1998 are published on the Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
544. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2008 to 2018. [23394/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including responsibility for the allocation of current expenditure funding to the organisation referred to by the Deputy. In addition, Exchequer capital funding of €500,000 was provided through Sport Ireland during the period mentioned, under a Partnership Agreement between Sport Ireland and the organisation, to facilitate works relating to the development of pitches for the relevant sport at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the allocation of funding to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy in each of the years 2008 to 2018. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
In relation to assistance for capital projects, 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 throughout the country. The Department moved to a new IT system in 2014 which provides a single system for managing all aspects of the SCP. Since this new IT system was introduced, grants amounting to €550,000 have been allocated directly to the organisation referred to by the Deputy. Separately, numerous individual clubs and other units at county and provincial levels which are affiliated to the organisation referred to by the Deputy have received SCP funding over the years. Details of all allocations to all clubs and organisations under the SCP since 1998 are published on the Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.
546. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of updating trains and rail infrastructure to cope with projected capacity increases in each of the years 2018 to 2022. [23396/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra547. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of upgrading heavy rail to operate on electricity. [23397/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra549. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of upgrading rail systems to include critical safety control and communications systems such as a system for mobile communications, a national train control centre and automatic train protection. [23399/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 547 and 549 together.
As the Deputy is aware, 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 the roll-out of a number of key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints and enhance safety on our public transport system across our cities.
In response to the Deputy I am assuming the question relates to the heavy rail network. Over €220 million capital investment in heavy rail infrastructure is allocated 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, and currently a contract is underway to introduce 28 rail carriages that are expected to re-enter service in 2019. Additionally, Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are assessing the availability of additional fleet that could be introduced to passenger service on the rail network in Ireland in the short-term, prior to the delivery of new diesel electric trains expected in 2022.
Capital funding also includes investment in maintenance and safety projects including the development of an automatic train protection system and enhanced communications system, 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 will continue the programme of retro-fitting older, existing public transport facilities to improve their accessibility features. This effectively triples the previously planned investment amount.
In addition to capital funding allocations, there are also a number other heavy rail measures being taken in the short-term to deliver additional transport capacity, including a 10 minute DART service that will be provided later this year and the current peak time rail services from the Kildare Rail Line linking with the City Centre through the Phoenix Park Tunnel will be expanded to provide an all-day service.
