Written Answers Nos. 803-819
803. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocation for the maintenance of national routes in County Cork in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30450/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual national roads 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
804. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting times for driver tests in each of the testing centres in County Cork; the steps he is taking to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average waiting times for driving tests at all centres around the country are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website www.rsa.ie. This information is updated weekly.
The RSA is undertaking initiatives in order to increase capacity to deliver extra driving tests. These initiatives include the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates, and systems to reduce the number of no-shows and non-conducted driving tests. The Authority plans to introduce a new test booking system that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice.
The overall average wait time for a driving test has reduced from 13.9 weeks earlier in the year to 11.9 weeks at present. I am assured that the measures being put in place are having the desired effect of reducing waiting times for the public.
805. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of travel expenses for him and those that travel with him since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30519/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation relating to travel expenses since my appointment as Minister is available on the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport website, under the heading of Ministerial Expenses, at this link.
806. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met his officials regarding Project Ireland 2040 since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30560/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I recently launched Linking People and Places which outlines the investment planned in the transport, tourism and sport sectors over the lifetime of the National Development Plan.
As detailed at that launch, my Department and its agencies have a key role to play in delivering on the ambition contained within Project Ireland 2040 and I look forward to its implementation in the coming years.
Given this key role, it is the case that almost all areas of my Department are impacted by different projects and programmes contained within Project Ireland 2040. As an example, I recently launched the next phase of consultations on the BusConnects programme while in the coming weeks I expect to launch a new Greenways Strategy and a new Sports Policy all of which are referenced within Project Ireland 2040.
As the Deputy can appreciate I meet with my officials on a continuous basis. Delivery of the projects and programmes contained within Project Ireland 2040 is inherent in all discussions I have with my officials in relation to capital expenditure.
807. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of FOI requests his Department has received since January 2018; the number of refusals; the number that have been appealed and that are ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30577/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of FOI Requests received in my Department this year is 222.
51 of these requests were refused in full and 57 included refusal of some records or parts of records, (with others released).
14 requests are ongoing, that is, subject to the making of a final decision.
4 decisions were appealed and subject to an Internal Review as provided for by the Act. Of those four, three were consequent upon full refusal decisions and one upon a partly refused decision.
808. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of vacancies on state boards under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30594/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link State Boards.
It should be noted that there a number of competitions currently nearing completion which will result in appointments being made in the coming weeks.
809. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided towards the implementation of essential safety measures at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30680/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads 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.
810. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding roadworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads 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.
811. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason transport coordination units must be tendered for. [30722/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including, since 2012, management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the "Local Link" brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding Local Link services, including the issue raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
812. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30738/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) attracted a record 2,320 applications. In November and December last, the Minister, Deputy 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 and the amount available shortly. All clubs and organisations registered on the Department's online application system will be notified at that time.
Under the terms and conditions of the SCP, work which has already commenced (or equipment which has already been purchased) before grants are announced is not eligible for funding. If an application is successful under the SCP, the organisation is given a provisional allocation. Certain terms and conditions must be met to secure formal approval. The organisation should not sign any contracts or start any work on the facility until the Department has issued formal approval. Once formal approval has been secured the organisation can start work and draw down the grant.
813. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30754/18]
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.
814. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be project trials funded under the Carbon Reduction Programme in 2018 other than vehicle trials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to place the transport sector on a decarbonisation pathway a diverse range of mitigation measures must be employed. Key among them being investing in public and sustainable transport to expand capacity and provide attractive alternatives to private car use where feasible; incentivising the transition from fossil fuels to alternative fuels and technologies; and making the conventional fuel mix more sustainable by incrementally increasing the blend ratio under the Biofuel Obligation Scheme. The suite of transport's emission mitigation measures - both in-use and under consideration - are described in the National Mitigation Plan at this link.
A series of measures announced in Budget 2018 clearly reflected this Government’s determination to make progress on decarbonising transport. I am pleased to have secured significant funding commitments to actively address the climate challenge on three key fronts. Firstly, we are working to enhance the capacity and quality of public transport to ensure that, as far as possible and practical, our increased transport demand is met by greener public transport (over €400 million will be invested in public transport infrastructure in 2018 alone with a four year capital envelope of over €2.5 billion). Secondly, we will invest over €100 million in a multi-annual cycling and walking programme to support greater uptake of active travel. And, as recommended by the Low Emissions Vehicle Taskforce, a suite of tax and expenditure measures was announced to clearly indicate the Government’s commitment to a low-carbon electric vehicle future. In addition, €5.5 million was assigned in Budget 2018 under the Carbon Reduction Programme.
In 2018 it is envisaged that the Carbon Reduction Programme will be mainly employed to: support alternatively fuelled urban bus trials to help inform purchasing decisions for new buses over the coming years; support the transition of the national car fleet towards electrification through a reduced EV toll regime (launched 1 July) and an EV SPSV Grant Scheme (launched in February); and begin to support research projects in areas such as modal shift and reducing emissions in the Heavy Duty Vehicle sector.
815. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding available under the green public transport fund in 2017 and 2018; the projects funded under this programme in 2017 and 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30764/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin my Department's overall funding allocation, €5.5m was assigned in Budget 2018, and €29 million from 2019-2021, specifically to provide for a Carbon Reduction Programme to support measures which aid in decarbonising the transport sector. From within this allocation, funding is sourced for the Green Public Transport Fund which was established to support the uptake of low carbon, energy efficient technologies within the public transport sector. The Fund is intended to support piloting and uptake of energy efficient and alternatively fuelled technologies for PSO operators within the bus fleet and small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, as well as bridging the price differential between such technologies and conventionally fuelled vehicles.
In 2017, no funding was drawn down; later this year an up-to-date and comprehensive set of vehicle trials is being planned to commence to help inform purchasing decisions for new buses over the coming years. It is envisaged that in 2018 the NTA will employ the Fund to support these urban bus fleet trials. In addition, the Fund is also supporting the transition of the national SPSV fleet to alternative technologies through the establishment of a new Electric Vehicle SPSV Grant Scheme. By the end of May 2018, €45,221 had been drawn down from the Fund to pay grants under this scheme.
816. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount the M7 upgrade will cost upon completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30767/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads 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.
817. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if work is carried out outside of normal working hours on the M7 road upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30768/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads 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.
818. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to have work continue throughout the night and weekends to facilitate the M7 upgrade at a faster rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30769/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads 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.
