Written Answers Nos. 620-635
620. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for TEN-T routes in County Donegal further to the further public consultations; the timeline for the projects in view of the input from local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31662/18]
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 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.
621. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to situation by which owners of vehicles over ten years old which have valid NCTs have significant difficulties in insuring these vehicles at a reasonable price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31675/18]
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. These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis.
The National Car Test which was introduced to comply with an EU Roadworthiness Testing Directive, is aimed at helping to prevent avoidable accidents and improving road safety, and a car which passes this test may be driven on our roads.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group, chaired by Minister of State Michael D'Arcy at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, is examining the cost of motor insurance including an examination as to why there is no direct link between the NCT and the availability of insurance. The Report of that Group and subsequent updates can be found here - http://www.finance.gov.ie/what-we-do/insurance/the-cost-of-insurance-working-group/.
The Cost of Insurance Working Group Report commented that an ‘older vehicle may have a greater risk of injury due to its lack of safety features compared to a modern vehicle’ (See Point 2.4 Underwriting Risks and Coverages, Section vii. Vehicle details on page 29 of the Report). Research by the Road Safety Authority indicates that in the event of a collision, the level of personal injury to an individual in an older car can be significantly higher than if that person was driving a new car. Safety features on newer cars can include greater use of airbags, electronic stability, improved braking systems, roll-over protection, etc., all of which are designed to reduce the impact of a collision on the occupants. A higher overall level of personal injury payout may be one factor that leads some insurance companies to consider older cars a higher risk in terms of potential payouts when underwriting a policy.
If a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance or feels that the premium proposed or the terms are so excessive that it amounts to a refusal to give them motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 Postcode DO1 E7E8 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement email: declined@insuranceireland.eu, Tel. 01.6761820.
622. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the ratio of men and women at each Civil Service grade within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31700/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices and I fully support that commitment.
The ratio of men and women at each civil service grade within my Department is given in the tables below in the format Male: Female.
|
Secretary General |
Assistant Secretary |
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Administrative Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
|
1:0 |
3:3 |
13:9 |
25:33 |
13:13 |
40:41 |
40:53 |
|
Clerical Officer (including Temporary Clerical Officers) |
Professional/Technical Staff |
Services Officers/Attendants/Storekeeper |
|
34:90 |
100:8 |
9:2 |
623. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to facilitate online applications for a driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31728/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I understand from the Authority that the position is as follows.
The RSA is introducing an online system for driving licence applications on a phased basis. Phase I provides an online service for customers who are renewing their licence/learner permit and have no change to make in either their personal information or the licence categories for which they are applying. This Phase is already operational.
Work is under way on Phase II, which is likely to go live in early 2019. Phase II may deal with all remaining categories of customers, but this depends on how the development of the Phase progresses. If it is not possible to cover all classes of customers at that point, any remaining customers will be addressed in a Phase III.
624. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the classification of tolls differ between the M50 and M1 on a particular vehicle; if this anomaly will be amended to ensure that the toll is the same on each route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31745/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII (for national roads) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
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.
625. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a second runway at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31747/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe daa - which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop Dublin Airport – announced the commencement of the North Runway project in April 2016. Preliminary works under the first phase of construction, including preparation of the site, realignment/building of new roads, fencing and landscaping, were completed in late 2017. The procurement process for the main construction works on the runway itself is now underway and is expected to be completed by Q3 2018 with construction to commence thereafter.
All pre-construction conditions attached to the 2007 planning permission were completed to the satisfaction of Fingal County Council prior to the commencement of preliminary works. This included the putting in place of a voluntary purchase scheme for dwellings, together with a property insulation scheme for homes and schools.
The daa has also undertaken a range of other measures to communicate with all stakeholders, e.g., written communications, newsletters, public meetings, information sessions and on-to-one meetings where requested. I have also personally met with a number of residents groups to hear their views and concerns and ensured that these concerns were passed on to the daa.
The daa expect that the runway will be operational in 2021.
626. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public transport plans he has to support the development of Clonburris SDZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
In 2016 the NTA published its Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 - 2035 which provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades.
As I previously informed the Deputy, the NTA has worked closely with South Dublin County Council on the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) on the public transport considerations for the scheme, such as the future of Kishogue rail station, rail services and bus services in the Clonburris, Lucan and Clondalkin areas.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please inform my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
627. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the year in which capital funding will be available for park-and-ride facilities as part of BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra628. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of capital funding available for BusConnects in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the year in which capital funding will be available to start construction of the BusConnects super frequent spines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra630. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the proposed BusConnects plan not to have a super frequent spine proposed for the Clondalkin area of Dublin as part of the improved bus network will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31752/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 to 630, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, the National Development Plan (NDP), published in February as part of Project Ireland 2040, identifies the delivery of the full BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities (inclusive of ticketing systems, bus corridors, additional capacity, new bus stops and bus shelters etc.) as a key investment priority over the period of the Plan. The plan provides an outline provision of €2.4 billion for the entire programme, €2 billion for Bus Connects in Dublin and €0.4 billion for Bus Connects programmes in our regional cities.
Budget 2018 provided for over €750 million over the next 4 years to progress the initial stages of BusConnects. The costs of the various elements of the overall BusConnects programme will be confirmed as part of the appropriate appraisal and procurement processes required under the Public Spending Code.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and implementation of public transport projects and programmes in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the BusConnects programme.
The NTA recently published a discussion document focussed on the 16 core bus routes, pathways and cycle tracks/lanes that are emerging as the likely core bus corridors in and out of Dublin city. A second document “Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign Public Consultation Report” was published by NTA last week.
This report notes that the existing bus network in Dublin is very complex and is designed primarily around overlapping and long radial routes taking people into the city centre, but with very few orbital routes. Recent improvements to the rail and tram networks require changes to the bus services to exploit the full potential of these investments. Finally the city is growing and changing as are the bus journeys people are taking.
The report identifies 4 key strategies to address the issues with the current network: standardise service categories; simplify radial services; build frequent orbitals; and grow suburban feeder networks. While there will be concern about any change, these strategies will deliver considerable benefits for the customer: much simpler city services; much simpler fare structure; and more frequent all day services through new and frequent strong orbital services interchanging with local services and high frequency radial spines.
Full public consultation on the network redesign proposals, involving Dublin Bus, and using local brochures, local face-to-face events, digital imaging of the network, on-line surveys and consultation with user groups will commence from the 16th July and will continue for 8 weeks. NTA will launch a full public consultation process on the proposed core bus corridors later this year.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Authority for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
631. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made regarding the establishment of a motor insurance database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to his identical question of 29 May 2018 PQRef 23713/18. Recommendation 28 of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance concerns the establishment of a motor insurance database, known as the Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) insurance database, to identify uninsured driving. Phase 1 relating to privately owned motor vehicles will provide insured and uninsured vehicle lists to An Garda Síochána based on vehicle licence plate number and insurer name. This includes providing a list of uninsured vehicles that can be loaded into the An Garda Síochána Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System.
Phase 2 of the project, which includes the capturing of driver numbers, has an expected date for its completion of Quarter 3 2020.
I acknowledge the commitment of the insurance industry, including their financial commitment, to deliver the MTPL insurance database project as soon as possible. In tandem with the efforts of the insurance industry, my Department will do everything possible to support the efforts of the industry, including through any road traffic legislative measures necessary to support these efforts, in developing the database. This includes an amendment to the Road Traffic Act 1961 which was submitted at Report stage of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017, which is currently making its passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
632. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it will take until 2020 to have operational variable speeds on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31755/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly it should be noted that the provision and operation of a comprehensive system of variable speed limits on the M50 will require amendments to primary road traffic legislation. This work has commenced within the Department and is expected to take approximately one year. In parallel with this legislative work, detailed work on the planning and implementation of this major project in relation to variable speed limits must be undertaken by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy (including legislation) and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects (including variable speed limits on the M50) 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.
633. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make funding available for a western orbital route to help alleviate traffic congestion on the M50 especially between the N4 and N7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31756/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransport Infrastructure Ireland, in association with South Dublin County Council, undertook and published a N4/N7 Corridor Study last year. This Study assessed future traffic patterns in this area and possible measures to address forecast travel demand. A Western Orbital Route is one of the possible measures examined.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts the four Dublin Councils became self funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories from 2015.
As regards the possible measures identified in the TII/ South County Dublin County Council N4/N7 Corridor Study, the further assessment of options is a matter for the local authority taking into account the National Transport Authority's Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area.
634. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the steps he has taken to date to alleviate city centre traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31757/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA multi-agency approach is being taken to alleviate congestion in Dublin city centre. The National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin City Council (DCC) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with public transport operators, are progressing various measures to ensure efficient functioning of transport within the city centre. This includes a range of measures set out in the 2015 Dublin City Centre Transport Study to facilitate additional capacity for public transport, cycling and walking in the city. As anticipated by the study and in advance of the introduction of Luas Cross City, NTA introduced additional bus lanes along the North and South Quays. In addition, there has been a host of other junction and traffic signal changes implemented in advance of the Luas Cross City becoming operational. Furthermore, the NTA, in collaboration with Dublin Bus and Dublin City Council, have reduced bus vehicle volumes passing through the College Green area including changes to access for taxis too. This has further alleviated congestion in this area during morning peak. These parties continue to keep the situation under review.
These measures complement recent investment in public transport infrastructure in the Dublin region which has expanded public transport passenger journey capacity to provide an alternative to private car use. As the Deputy is aware, this includes the city centre rail resignalling project, the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel with direct Kildare Route services to the Docklands; Luas Cross City; ongoing bus fleet replacement; the expansion of public bicycle share schemes, accessibility enhancements, introduction of Real time passenger information (RTPI) and online and app-based RTPI services for bus services and integrated ticketing system (Leap) as a platform for further enhancements to fare and ticketing systems; and sustainable transport projects such as junction upgrades, traffic management measures and bus, cycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The National Development Plan 2018-2027 includes a number of key public transport priorities for Dublin including BusConnects, MetroLink and priority elements of the DART Expansion Programme. These projects will provide further viable alternatives to car transport for commuters into the city centre to reduce congestion. To supplement these larger projects, a range of other measures are being taken in the short and medium term to deliver additional transport capacity which will have a positive impact on traffic in Dublin city centre. These include:
- A 10 minute all day service on the core DART network will be provided later this year;
- Passengers who use the recently opened Kildare route Phoenix Park tunnel services to Grand Canal Dock will see these services extended to off-peak periods, as well as peak periods later this year;
- The introduction of 28 refurbished rail carriages to re-enter service in 2019;
- An order is expected to be placed in 2019 for diesel-electric rail fleet to provide an extended DART service across the Dublin rail network;
- TII are currently in the design and procurement phase for a new mandatory variable speed limit and lane control system on the M50, with the intention of commencing operations in late 2019/early 2020.
- A new service timetable has been introduced across the Luas network to make optimum use of the new 55m longer trams in service on the Green Line and the introduction of additional capacity between Heuston and the City Centre on the Red Line.
- Over the medium term, further Green Line capacity will be added by lengthening the 26 existing trams to 55m over the period 2019 to 2021. A further 8 new 55m trams will also be delivered in 2021;
- Additional bus fleet will be acquired in 2018 adding extra capacity on busy routes currently experiencing high passenger numbers in peak hours;
- Additional investment in park and ride provision; and in cycling projects.
All of this planned investment in public and sustainable transport combined will greatly improve choice and services and ease congestion in Dublin city.
635. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make funding available to provide a proper road intersection at the junction of Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 and the N4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31758/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to explain that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
As regards funding, roadworks on regional and local roads are funded from each local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main road grant categories.
