Written Answers Nos. 2140-2159
2140. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Fáilte Ireland retains the function to encourage, promote and support the recruitment, training, education and development of persons for the purposes of employment in connection with the tourism industry. [32447/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, Fáilte Ireland is to encourage, promote and support the recruitment, training, and education and development, of persons for the purposes of employment in connection with the tourism industry in the State.
In this regard, I refer the Deputy to my response to question 29729 on the 5th July 2018 on this topic which has already been referred to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply please contact my private office.
2141. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if extra funding will be allocated to fund repairs which are required on roads in the west of Ireland (details supplied). [32448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I announced the 2018 regional and local road allocations in January and all grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated. The grants this year include provision for:
- An 18% increase in Restoration Improvement monies for road strengthening works;
- A 17% increase in Restoration Maintenance monies for surface dressing works;
- The introduction of a new grant for Drainage works (overall €10m);
- Ring fenced monies for Community Involvement Schemes (€10m allocated in early June).
It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. In this context I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.
I have to work within the resources available to me and at present there is no additional funding available to my Department.
2142. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish or make available to a company (details supplied) the report submitted to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, from a group relative to certain matters pertaining to the company; if he will request the RSA to engage with the company to resolve matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32462/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving sought clarification from the Deputy in respect of this particular matter, I regret to state that the correspondence referred to by the Deputy in his email of 23 July 2018 has not been received by my Department. Therefore, I am not in a position to address this query within the required timescale.
2143. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding renewal of contracts for a service (details supplied) further to discussions held between organisations and the National Transport Authority, NTA. [32486/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2144. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed among local providers in County Louth and elsewhere arising from proposed changes to the tendering process for services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32487/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2145. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority, NTA, has provided for commercial bus providers to be able to tender for routes (details supplied) alongside not-for-profit operators. [32488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2146. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when confirmation will be provided in respect of the public procurement process for a service (details supplied). [32489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2143 to 2146, inclusive, together.
As I have previously advised the House, the 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 procurement of Transport Co-ordination Units, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2147. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
The information is updated twice yearly.
Expenditure from January to June 2018 will be published later in the year.
2148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made in recovering €32,000 from a club (details supplied) regarding breaches of the sports capital funding programme; if sanctions have been applied to the club; if the club has made an appeal regarding the outstanding sum owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions for the Sports Capital Programme state that in instances of non-compliance, a grantee will have the relevant grant withdrawn and the organisation in question will be barred from applying for future funding.
In relation to the organisation referred to by the Deputy, my Department considered on the basis of the records available, there was an instance of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme and in July 2017 wrote to them informing them of this finding. The proposed sanctions included the repayment of €32,361.85 and the banning of the club from applying under the Sports Capital Programme for a period of 3 years, backdated to June 2016.
In accordance with the Department’s procedures for dealing with non-compliance cases, the organisation was informed that they could make a final submission to the Department if they wished to appeal this finding. This appeal was received on 9 August 2017.
This was further considered by my Department and a letter informing Bray Wanderers FC of the outcome of the appeal was sent via registered post to the Chairperson on the club on 12 January 2018. On review, it was determined that the first sanction regarding the repayment of €32,361.85 should stand. However, it was decided to backdate the 3 year ban from June 2016 to June 2015 because of the time taken to complete the examination. Therefore the organisation will be eligible to apply for funding under future rounds of the SCP once the repayment has been made in full. My Department will continue to liaise with the club in relation to this repayment.
2149. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Dublin Port Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32565/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2150. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Port of Cork Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32566/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2151. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Shannon Foynes Port Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2152. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Port of Waterford Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32568/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2154. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32570/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2155. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Galway Harbour Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32571/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2156. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the New Ross Port Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32572/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2149 to 2152, inclusive, and 2154 to 2156, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware I am responsible for a large number of commercial and non-commercial State companies that come under the aegis of my Department.
When the opportunity arises, I meet with CEOs, Chairs, Board members, and, I visit the companies.
In addition, my officials are in regular contact with port companies and are designated by me to meet with these companies on a regular basis.
2153. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Drogheda Port Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32569/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDrogheda Port Company transferred to the control of Louth County Council on the 2nd of October 2017 and is no longer under the aegis of my Department.
2157. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date of his previous meeting with the board of the Wicklow Port Company; and if he will provide the minutes thereof. [32573/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWicklow Port Company transferred to the control of Wicklow County Council on the 30th of August 2016 and is no longer under the aegis of my Department.
2158. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce governing legislation and safety regulations for the testing of driverless cars here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32574/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rapid progression of technology in the area of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) through both traditional vehicle manufacturers and technology giants means that large scale production of such vehicles is increasingly likely to become a reality, with elements of the technology already appearing in some models. This has implications for Government in areas such as transport, communications, data protection and many others.
However, there are a number of complex aspects, including the respective roles of national, EU and global standards, the implications in terms of legislation, the updating of existing road traffic legislation, and indeed what form the technology may take.
In the meantime, Government Departments and agencies, led by my own Department and the Road Safety Authority, along with industry bodies are reviewing the feasibility for Ireland to support the testing of automated vehicles and encourage companies to use Ireland in the development and research of vehicle technologies. Legislative aspects are also to be examined as part of this process. This will inform plans for any changes and what form such changes may take.
2159. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce governing legislation with regard to electric scooters; if the issues relating to these vehicles have been examined to date; and his plans to introduce legislation to bring Dublin in line with other European cities similar to EN 15194 with regard to electric bicycles. [32575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraGoverning legislation is currently in place for electric scooters that can be powered by mechanical or electrical power alone. These vehicles must comply with the safety and environmental standards as set out in Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council which came into effect on 1st January 2016 and repealed Directive 2002/24/EC.
At present, electric scooters are not subject to roadworthiness testing and it is not envisaged that this position will change in the immediate future.
