Written Answers Nos. 461-480
461. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the ESB is no longer rolling out a new charging infrastructure in the form of charging points for electric vehicles; the measures he is putting in place to remedy this; and the funding amounts and timelines for same. [27965/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. In addition, up to the end of 2017, the ESB installed free home charge points for the purchasers of new electric vehicles.
In March 2014, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities approved an application from ESB Networks to recover the costs to a maximum of €25 million from network charges to cover the rollout of this infrastructure. Following a public consultation process, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities published its independent regulatory decision in October 2017. A key outcome of the decision is that expansions of the public charging network and the installation of home charging points could no longer be funded from network charges.
The vast majority of electric vehicle charging happens at home, which aligns with both technology and patterns of use of vehicles. To support home charging, I introduced the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant scheme this year. This scheme, which came into operation on 1 January 2018, supports the cost of installing a home charger up to a maximum of €600 for buyers of both new and second-hand electric vehicles.
The regulatory decision by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities also set out the need for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure to operate on a commercial basis. In the absence of State-led support, this is unlikely to happen in the near term. Capital funding of €1.5m has, therefore, been allocated in my Department's budget this year to support the provision of public charging.
A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, involves examining how best to support the development of the public charging network. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focuses on electric vehicles, is nearing completion and I expect to bring forward proposals that will support the provision of effective and efficient publically accessible electric vehicle charging later this year.
Funding for public charging in local communities is already available through the Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, supports community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area.
462. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the provision of broadband services in Ballymore, County Westmeath; if work is still scheduled to take place in autumn 2018; and if a more detailed timeline will be provided. [27695/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may recall that I have in previous replies dated 17 and 24 April 2018 respectively detailed the position in relation to the rollout of broadband in the townland of Ballymore, Co Westmeath. I am happy to provide a further update.
My Department's High Speed Broadband Map (www.broadband.gov.ie) shows that 99% (134 premises) of the townland of Ballymore, Co Westmeath are due to receive access to a high speed broadband connection via eir’s ongoing rural fibre deployment.
In April 2017, I signed a Commitment Agreement with eir in relation to its plans to provide high speed broadband to 300,000 premises in rural areas on a commercial basis. eir has committed to completing this rollout by the end of this year. Information on eir's ongoing rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie. A copy of the Commitment Agreement is available on my Department’s website www.dccae.gov.ie.
Quarterly updates on eir's rural deployment are published on this website. eir has passed a total of 145,000 of the committed premises as of Q1 2018. This figure includes 3,600 premises in Westmeath passed to date. The Deputy will recall that in my previous reply I indicated that 4,000 premises in Westmeath remained to be passed. As of Q1 2018 this number has reduced to approximately 3,100 and therefore the incremental progress of eir's rollout can be seen.
My Department meets with eir on a monthly basis to review the company’s performance on its on-going rural deployment project in line with its obligations under a Commitment Agreement signed with me in April 2017. The Commitment Agreement provides that action will be taken by eir, within a window of six months of missing a quarterly target for an area. In line with this requirement, eir has signalled that there would likely be knock on effects to their 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma. I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.
The remaining 2 premises in the townland of Ballymore will receive access to high speed broadband via the State led intervention. My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.
463. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 19 June 2018, the amount collected from the plastic bag levy in each of the years from 2013 to 2017; the number of the 70 cent or more bags that have been sold in the same period by commercial and retail outlets; and his views on whether, by pricing the bags at 70 cent or more, retail outlets are evading their responsibilities by denying the State revenue, encouraging more plastic into the environment and discouraging recycling. [27795/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question Nos 454 and 455 of 19 June 2018.
Receipts from the plastic bag levy for each year are published in the Environment Fund Annual Accounts. The 2017 Annual Accounts will be published on my Department’s website after they have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, while copies of the Annual Accounts, up to and including 2016, are available on my Department’s website at the following weblink: https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/environmental-protection-and-awareness/environmental-fund/Pages/default.aspx.
The origins of the plastic bag levy lay in addressing the high instances of plastic bag littering which blighted our country. The levy has effected sustainable behavioural changes and practices resulting in a positive impact on litter and our environment generally. The type of bags referred to in the Question fall outside of the scope of the regulations and statistics on the level of their sales are not held by my Department. People tend to reuse such bags and not dispose of them as quickly. For that reason they have not been subject to a levy.
Environmental enforcement inspections in relation to the plastic bag levy are undertaken by local authorities. In addition to the role of the local authorities in carrying out environmental enforcement inspections, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is responsible for compliance in relation to the collection of the levy. Such responsibilities include, inter alia, the identification of accountable persons; carrying out verification checks relating to the accuracy of the returns received; and pursuing accountable persons who fail to deliver returns and payments within the statutory time limits.
464. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cumarsáide, Gníomhaithe ar son na hAeráide agus Comhshaoil an bhfuil oifigeach Gaeilge ceaptha dá Roinn; an post lánaimseartha atá ann nó an bhfuil dualgais bhreise ar an oifigeach Gaeilge; cén grád atá ag an oifigeach Gaeilge; an bhfuil sé nó sí ábalta a ghnó nó a gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [27802/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBa mhaith liom a chur in iúl don Teachta Dála gur ceapadh aon Oifigeach Gaeilge amháin sa Roinn seo agamsa chun ábhair a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge a láimhseáil. Tá an t-oifigeach seo lonnaithe san Aonad um Fhorbairt Straitéiseach agus Chumarsáid, agus ‘sé atá freagrach as comhairle, tacaíocht agus cúnamh a thabhairt do na rannáin agus na haonaid sa Roinn, mar a bhaineann sé le cúrsaí Gaeilge.
Tá an duine seo ag grád an Oifigigh Feidhmiúcháin, agus is féidir liom a dheimhniú go mbíonn freagrachtaí eile air sa bhreis ar an méid atá faoina chúram mar Oifigeach Gaeilge. Bhí scéim teanga nua daingnithe leis an Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta le déanaí, áfach, agus faoin scéim seo, ainmníodh post an Oifigigh Gaeilge mar phost lena ghabhann ard-inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge mar riachtanas d’aon duine ceaptha sa ról sin.
Tá an t-ardchaighdeán seo bainte amach ag an oifigeach seo, agus tá sé in ann a chuid oibre a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge, nuair is gá.
Tá líon teoranta de phoist eile ann sa Roinn lena ngabhann inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge mar riachtanas, amhail Rúnaí Príobháideach an Aire Stáit. Ina theannta sin, tá baill foirne éagsúla ann ar fud na Roinne freisin, a bhfuil raon leathan cumais acu ó thaobh na Gaeilge de.
Mar fhocal scoir, mar chuid d’athscrúdú na Roinne ar phlean an lucht saothair, measfar na riachtanais eile atá ann i dtaobh na teanga, agus cuimseofar iad sin inár bpleananna earcaíochta agus comharbais as seo amach.
465. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects the Waste Reduction Bill 2017 will be enacted; his views on a campaign (details supplied); his views on the principles of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Waste Reduction Bill is a Private Members Bill sponsored by the Green Party.
The Ceann Comhairle has determined that this Bill could place a cost on the exchequer and as such, at this juncture the Bill can only progress in accordance with the procedures of the Oireachtas. The Ceann Comhairle may write to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform requesting a money message which informs both the Committee and the sponsors of the Bill as to the decision received.
As for the substance of the Bill, while I have made it clear that I support its principles, I cannot agree to the compulsory introduction of a national Deposit and Return Scheme. To agree to a mandatory scheme without proper analysis on the likely effect of increased costs for families and householders or evidence of its effectiveness in improving the recycling rates in this jurisdiction would be financially reckless.
However, the EU recently published its proposal to address the top ten single use plastic items that make up approximately 70% of beach litter. I will not delay in introducing the necessary measures in the proposal when the EU legislation is finalised.
I am aware of the campaign "Sick of Plastic" and congratulate the Friends of the Earth organisation for the high profile achieved for the discussion around plastic. Informed citizens are key to our shared objectives around tackling plastic waste. My focus now is to work with our EU colleagues to ensure that we can collectively deliver a Union-wide package of measures which citizens, business and governments can get behind.
466. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amounts, nature and dates of hazardous material or hazardous waste exported from Haulbowline Island for decontamination; and the destination of same in each of the years from 2007 to 2013. [27873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information in the time available, as the records relating to this material are being held by a number of agencies. I have asked my officials to arrange for the information to be retrieved and conveyed to the deputy by the earliest possible date.
467. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if personnel in his Department have been removed from their position, have been transferred to another role or had their employment terminated in the past four years due to breaches of departmental standards or professional misconduct or incompetence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo member of staff in my Department was removed from their position, transferred to another role or had their employment terminated, due to breaches of departmental standards, professional misconduct or incompetence in the past four years.
468. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the per capita waste management and enforcement staff numbers in the EPA and waste officers in local authorities here compared to the UK, Germany, Sweden and Belgium. [27962/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy commitment to supporting waste enforcement activities on the ground is demonstrated through the continued annual investment of €7.4 million in the network of 150 local authority waste enforcement officers, increased resources for the Environmental Protection Agency with an allocation of €34.8 million this year and the further development of the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority Offices with an annual budget in excess of €1 million. My Department has also provided €3.3 million to support the national anti-dumping initiative in the past two years.
Notwithstanding this support provided from the centre, it is a matter for local authorities to ensure that the statutory functions that they are charged with delivering are adequately resourced, that they engage proactively with the other resources available through the EPA’s NIECE Enforcement Network and that staff avail of the multitude of training and development opportunities to them as professional waste enforcement practitioners.
While the per capita waste management and staff numbers of other EU Member States are not recorded by my Department, a European Council evaluation report, entitled “The practical implementation and operation of European policies on preventing and combatting environmental crime in Ireland”, which was published this year states that “The commitment of the Irish Government to supporting the enforcement of environmental regulation in Ireland has been demonstrated through continued investment in the network of local authority waste enforcement officers, increased resources for the EPA and the further development of the WERLA”. The report further states that “the evaluation team found in the Irish system many examples of best practices to be shared with the other Member States.”
469. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the reason the publication of the studies on the North-South interconnector has been delayed; the timeframe for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27983/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017 I commissioned two studies designed to address the main points of the motions passed in Dáil and Seanad Éireann as well as key concerns expressed by the parties opposed to the development of the North South Interconnector as an overhead line. The first is an independent study to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the interconnector. The second study is focused on the levels of compensation provided to land and property owners in proximity to high-voltage transmission lines in a European context.
I indicated previously that the Consultants undertaking the two studies have finalised their reports and it is my intention that these will be brought to Government and made publicly available. I expect to bring both reports to Government shortly.
470. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the annual support of €75 for medical incontinence wear has been introduced; if so, the way in which it can be applied for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27990/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn annual support of €75 per person is to be made available for persons with lifelong or long-term medical incontinence. This will help people meet the average annual cost for the disposal of medical incontinence products. My Department is in discussion with the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner regarding the administrative details and arrangements of the support, as well as engaging with the relevant stakeholders. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to finalising the details for this support as soon as possible.
In line with the commitments set out in A Resource Opportunity - Waste Management Policy in Ireland, published in 2012, and in the interest of encouraging further waste prevention and greater recycling, flat-rate fees for kerbside household waste collection are being phased out over the period autumn 2017 to autumn 2018, as customers contracts come up for renewal. The necessary regulatory steps have been put in place to give effect to this measure.
It is worth noting that this measure is not ‘new’ for about half of kerbside household waste customers, who are already on an incentivised usage pricing plan, i.e., a plan which contains a per lift or a weight related fee.
As announced in mid-2017, mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging is not being introduced. Allowing for a range of charging options, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste, provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances.
The Price Monitoring Group has considered nine months of data to date. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend is relative price stability. The Price Monitoring Group has reported that there are currently 9 different types of price models on the market. The main price examples include (i) a service charge plus charge per bin lift, with an excess per kg charge, and (ii) a service charge plus per kg weight charge. The most popular service offering now is the ‘service charge including weight allowance, plus per kg charge for excess above allowance’.
471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to publish legislation to facilitate the installation of services along public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27376/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Roads Act 1993 I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to public roads in Ireland. The road infrastructure is the largest asset managed by local authorities and the State. Its efficient management (both day to day and in the long term) is essential to economic activity as the majority of commuting and haulage occurs using it.
Objectives typically include:
- The protection of the road pavement asset and avoidance of injury to the travelling public.
- The management of road works to avoid disruption to businesses and the travelling public.
- The efficient management of space in the road pavement for use by utilities.
With regard to the Deputy’s question, I would welcome clarity around the specific services the Deputy is referring to, as there are several different pieces of legislation relating to the general issue, depending on the service concerned. Unfortunately, in the absence of such clarity, I am not currently in a position to furnish the Deputy with a more detailed and specific reply. However, I can confirm that I have no plans at present to publish legislation at this time in relation to installation of services along public roads.
472. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a cost assessment has been conducted in connection with the establishment of a national cycling office; and if so, the estimated cost of same. [27378/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. With the increased multi-annual capital funding that I secured as part of Budget 2018, there is over €110 million specifically allocated to developing "active travel" (i.e. cycling and walking) at a national level over the period 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. This investment is in addition to the substantial improvement in cycling infrastructure that will be carried out as part of both the roll-out of BusConnects national programme and the investment that is allocated for sustainable urban transport initiatives.
I am not, however, involved in the day-to-day delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure projects. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities. My Department provides funding to the NTA who distribute this to the various local authorities nationally in relation to cycle scheme proposals that they put forward. In this regard, and in conjunction with the NTA, Local Authorities have a key role to play in advancing cycling schemes; both the elected members and executive through the planning and construction phases.
My Department also funds the development and roll-out of Cycle Right the national cycling training standard, developed by Cycling Ireland with the involvement of stakeholders including the RSA, An Garda Síochána, An Taisce (who operate the Green Schools Scheme), Coaching Ireland and local authorities. Cycle Right training aims to give trainees the confidence, skill and road safety knowledge to use their bike safely. Over a series of stages, cyclists will increase their proficiency and safe journeying on the road network. A key element to this training are the rules of the road. Cycle Right roll-out in our schools and communities is a key component of the resources made available by me in training participants to cycle safely and to move towards more active, healthy lifestyles. This Cycle Right programme, that currently costs €430,000 per annum, is accessible to primary schools across the country with a current uptake of over 15,000 pupils annually with an ambition to build on these numbers.
In the context of the work underway reviewing Public Transport Policy as committed to in the Programme for Government, my Department is turning its attention to considering the effectiveness of institutional arrangements in this area into the future, including the provision of a National Cycling Office, and having regard to the importance of ensuring strong outcomes with the budgetary increases that have been secured for the provision of enhanced cycling infrastructure and through training programmes.
473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the proposed BusConnects budget allocated to cycling, including the creation of new cycle paths, upgrading existing cycle paths and other cycling related projects under the BusConnects plan; and the cost of same. [27379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the BusConnects Programme, in addition to transforming the bus system in Dublin including a full redesign of the bus network, will also provide much needed cycling facilities and make it easier and more attractive to cycle around the city region. Given the increasing number of cyclists across Dublin there is an imperative to provide safe and segregated cycling facilities where possible.
Last week, the NTA published a discussion document outlining the Core Bus Corridor Project that is part of a wider BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities, starting in Dublin and rolling out to Galway, Cork and Ireland’s remaining cities.
The NTA’s document provides an update on the 230 km of continuous bus priority across 16 core bus routes, expected to achieve up to 40%-50% savings on current journey times, that are emerging as the likely core bus corridors in and out of Dublin city under this new investment Programme. These main bus corridors are also the main cycling arteries. The widening of roads for these bus lanes provides the opportunity to transform the cycling infrastructure at this time.
Despite the fact that the project is at an early stage of planning, with the details to emerge later in the year and progressive elaboration of the overall budget, at this point NTA calculates that over 200km plus of cycle tracks/lanes and will be built or improved on as one of a number of a key components to BusConnects.
Following, last week’s launch by the NTA of a discussion document focussed on 16 core bus routes, the NTA will conduct a public consultation on the redesign of Dublin's bus network, including proposals on a major redesign of routes, schedules and fare structures. This is expected in July.
Later this year, the NTA then plans to hold a public consultation on the emerging proposals for the 16 core bus corridors, expected in September/October.
This is to ensure that the public are fully informed by NTA about the BusConnects programme as it progresses and have ample opportunity to input at various stages to its development. It should be stressed that all of the routes and options are indicative only at this stage. The detailed designs when completed will feed into the consultation process expected in September/October.
Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred your queries to the NTA for consideration and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
474. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the legislation to implement the package travel directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27383/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective EU (2015/2302) on package travel and linked travel arrangements is due to be applicable in Irish law with effect from 1 July 2018. Officials in my Department have drafted a Statutory Instrument to give effect to the provisions of the Directive by amending existing legislation, primarily the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995. This SI is currently being examined by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and will be signed into law once settled by that Office.
475. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to amend section 15 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to allow discretion on compassionate grounds, for example in cases of sudden death in which reassignment of the licence had not yet been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27420/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Section 15 of this Act provides that an SPSV licence may continue to be operated by someone who had been nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death. This is a discretionary provision and I have no plans to change it at present.
However, in order to be of assistance, I have referred your question to the NTA for consideration and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
476. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to announce application deadlines for the 2018 sports capital fund. [27454/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra484. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a new sports capital programme; the amount that will be available; and if there will be changes in the programme. [27619/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 484 together.
The 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme attracted a record 2,320 applications. In November and December last, Minister Ross and I announced allocations to a record 1,800 projects under the 2017 round. A review of the 2017 round of the programme has now been finalised and published on my Department's website (www.dttas.ie). This review highlights aspects of the 2017 round of the SCP that worked well but also suggests some further improvements which are being considered prior to the next round of the programme opening for applications. Some of these changes require amendments to the Department's online application system and work in this regard has now commenced.
I have received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for a new round and I expect to make an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round and the amount available shortly. All clubs and organisations registered on the Department's online application system will be notified at that time.
477. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to date to his Department arising from a ticketing issue and related matters during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27548/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Moran Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the receipt, distribution and sale of tickets for the Rio Olympic Games and ancillary matters carried out its work between September 2016 and June 2017. The total cost of the Inquiry amounted to €312,765. There are no outstanding amounts to be paid.
478. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for a driver test in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27549/18]
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.
479. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated waiting time for a driver test in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27550/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, the average waiting times at driving test centres around the country can be viewed on the Road Safety Authority website at www.rsa.ie. This information is updated weekly.
480. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether he or Sport Ireland have extended funding to the Olympic Council of Ireland, OCI, since 2016; whether the OCI has requested funding from his Department or Sport Ireland since 2016; the purposes for which funding was given to the OCI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27558/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have previously informed the House of the considerable progress that has been made by the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) in relation to improving its governance standards. This has involved, inter alia, the appointment of a new President and Executive Board in February 2017, a new Chief Executive Officer in April this year as well as confirmation in October 2017 that its relationship with the ticketing agency THG would be discontinued.
Taking account of this progressive improvement, I made the decision in September of last year to release outstanding 2016 funding of €150,000 to the OCI, which had been withheld following the emergence of governance issues during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This decision was made on the condition that the OCI would continue their positive steps towards governance reform and addressing legacy issues. Subsequently, in December last year, I approved 2017 funding support of €300,000 to the OCI. The Board of Sport Ireland, through whom these payments are made, was satisfied that this funding was spent on athlete related activities and was in order for reimbursement.
In relation to 2018 funding, Sport Ireland has indicated that it expects to provide funding to the OCI, subject to the usual conditions applying. The level of funding would be determined by the Board of Sport Ireland. I have referred the question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
