Written Answers Nos. 2220-2239
2220. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he plans to open the next round of the sports capital grant programme for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33653/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
2221. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of privately owned vehicles still on the road from pre-2008 that are taxed on the basis of their engine capacity; the number of privately owned vehicles on the road from 2008 onwards that are taxed on CO2 emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33679/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 30 June 2018, there were 794,357 private vehicles taxed on the basis of engine capacity, with a further 52,889 declared off the road.
There were 1,310,527 private vehicles under current taxation on the basis of CO2 emissions on that date, with a further 3,262 declared off the road.
2222. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of county councils that have county transport plans; his plans to make it a statutory requirement for each county council to have a plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33681/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning and transport policies are highly interdependent. A key element in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 was the introduction of the requirement for the inclusion of an evidence-based “Core Strategy” in local authority development plans. The Core Strategy of local authority development plans outline a number of factors including the detail of transport plans. In that way all county development plans address transport as part of their statutory plan process and include objectives for the development of transport.
The 3 Regional Assemblies, established as part of the Government’s reform of local government, are currently preparing their own Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) in accordance with the Framework set by the National Planning Framework. These are intended to replace the Regional Planning Guidelines (RPGs) and are expected to be completed by early 2019. These regional strategies will also include new Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans for the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
In order to ensure the RSESs are practical and realistically aligned to the level of available investment resources, each Regional Assembly has establishing high-level steering groups comprising senior officials from local authorities, Government Departments/Agencies and commercial-State companies to oversee the preparation of the RSESs. Both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) contribute at these steering groups. County and City Development Plan review cycles will then fall in to line with their respective regional strategies, ensuring that the shared vision is carried through to the local planning level.
Establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2009 was intended to deliver a more focused and integrated approach to the planning and delivery of integrated transport infrastructure and services both on a national basis generally and especially in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) where the NTA has a more detailed remit. The NTA has responsibility for preparing a Transport Strategy for the GDA, alongside the responsibility for preparing the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy by the Regional Assembly and both must be consistent with each other. The statutory requirement for mutual consistency between the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy and the Transport Strategy is unique to the GDA and is not a statutory requirement in any other part of the country. However, the NTA has worked successfully on an administrative, non-statutory basis to assist several local authorities across Ireland’s cities in preparing transport related strategies or implementing transport related projects. For example, the NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council, also produced a transport plan for Galway City (the ‘Galway Transport Strategy’) which was incorporated into the Galway City Development Plan 2017 -2023. The NTA is currently preparing a Transport Strategy for the Cork Metropolitan Area, and will commence work on a transport strategy for the Limerick Metropolitan Area shortly.
Finally, the NPF includes a policy objective to extend the statutory arrangements between spatial and transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area to other cities to strengthen the levels of integration between spatial planning and transport planning across the country, to the benefit of the economy and society.
2223. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and names of the groups he met each month to date in 2018 that fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33718/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy diary is published on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/about-us/2018/minister-ross-diary. The diary as available covers the period 1 January to 1 July 2018.
In addition, and as the Deputy is aware, the Register of Lobbying is also published on a regular basis and the www.lobbying.ie website provides a fully searchable return of lobbying activities (including meetings) registered by relevant lobbyists.
2224. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason some of those who applied for a driver test in Tullamore in January 2017 have still not been called; and the steps being taken to rectify same. [33815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver tester service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within 10 days.
2225. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has raised with Louth County Council the concerns of residents who live on Mullanstown Road, Townspark Road and Silverhill Road about plans for the N52 to create cul-de-sacs on the roads. [33826/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2226. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is scope for Louth County Council to produce a supplementary or additional plan providing for two overpasses which would avoid disruption to the residents of Mullanstown Road, Townspark Road and Silverhill Road. [33849/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2227. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding for additional infrastructure will be considered for an additional or supplementary plan produced by Louth County Council for overpasses to the proposed N52 Ardee bypass on the Mullanstown Road, Townspark Road and Silverhill Road. [33850/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2225 to 2227, inclusive, together.
As 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.
2228. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the marine search and rescue region will be widened beyond its limits on the eastern shore of the Inishowen Peninsula and further out around County Donegal to enable the Coast Guard co-ordination centre at Malin Head to more effectively co-ordinate the local response to marine emergencies in the region. [33852/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the 1979 Search and Rescue Convention, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee divided the world's oceans into 13 search and rescue areas, in each of which the countries concerned have delimited search and rescue regions (SRR) for which they are responsible. The limits of the Irish Maritime Search and Rescue Region (IMSRR) correspond with those of the Irish Flight Information Region (FIR) and of Ireland's Aeronautical SAR Region - approximately 200 miles off the West Coast, 30 miles off the South Coast and dividing the Irish Sea. The whole process of international Search and Rescue is based on close co-operation between the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the IMO.
On foot of being aligned to the FIR some areas of the delineation are close to the Donegal coast. Responsibility for coordination of incidents occurring proximate to the North West but falling within the UK SRR are often passed to the Coast Guard Coordination Centre at Malin by the UK Coastguards Operations Centre at Belfast. This transfer is enabled by prompt and efficient cooperation between Coast Guard operational staff and their equivalents in the UK Coastguard, following arrangements prescribed in an MOU between the two bodies. At this time there is no consideration being given to extending the limits of the IMSRR as this would separate the alignment with the Ireland's aeronautical zones. Re-alignment may only take place with the mutual agreement of all States affected.
2229. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reintroducing financial assistance to the City of Derry Airport to reflect the high percentage of passengers from County Donegal using the airport. [33853/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously indicated, there are no plans to provide Exchequer funding to the City of Derry Airport and I understand that the airport authorities in Derry are aware of the position in this regard.
My Department currently administers our Regional Airports Programme which provides targeted supports in the areas of safety and security to our smaller regional airports. The Exchequer funding available over the lifetime of this Programme will be fully required to provide these limited supports, and to support air services on our two existing PSO routes to Donegal and Kerry.
2230. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann buses and trains that are wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33972/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
2231. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of insurance under headings (details supplied) for his Department and each body under its aegis; the cost of the premium for 2018 or the premium paid in 2018 if the policy year straddles two calendar years; the comparable premium amount paid in 2017; the number of outstanding insurance claims against his Department or bodies under its aegis; the estimated cost of those claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34007/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department and the bodies under my aegis operate under State Indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. This approach is set out in the Public Financial Procedures at C8 Section 11 whereby the general rule is that no insurance should be effected against the risk of any loss which, if it arose would fall wholly and directly on public funds. This is based on the understanding that the risks for which the Government is liable are innumerable and widely distributed and that losses maturing in any one year are never so large as to materially disturb the financial position of the year, so that it is cheaper in the long term for the Exchequer to "carry its own insurance".
The National Treasury Management Agency is designated as the State Claims Agency (SCA) when performing the claims and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000. Since the establishment of the SCA, the management of claims functions has been delegated to the agency. It currently manages claims and risks on behalf of 139 delegated State Authorities.
2232. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of removing the toll at the Dublin Port tunnel for taxi drivers for 2019. [34016/18]
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, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.
2233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on a €100 million capital investment in the Wild Atlantic Way and greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34071/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister of State, Deputy Griffin and I were pleased to launch the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways in Moate last Friday (20 July). I was delighted to secure funding of €53m in the NDP for projects to be constructed in 2019 to 2021 and I expect to be in a position to award funding in early 2019.
I also secured an additional €32.6m for tourism product development as part of the review of the Capital Plan which means that now there is now just under €133 million available for investment up to the end of 2022. This capital funding will be invested in Fáilte Ireland's experience brands including the Wild Atlantic Way. While the Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in these experience brands, it does not have a role in managing or developing these projects. Accordingly, I am referring this aspect of the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
2234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on €10 million in additional funding for regional airports; the capital expenditure allocation made for this commitment in 2016, 2017 and 2018; the amount expended for each such year to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34072/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the €10 million extra funding for the regional airports in the Programme for Government, along with other Programme commitments of a capital nature, were part of a mid-term review of the Capital Plan that was carried out last year by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As a result of that review, my Department secured over €17 million in additional capital funding for the Regional Airports Programme with these additional resources coming into play in the period 2019 to 2021. This is considerably in excess of the €10 million that was originally envisaged in the Programme for Government.
Details of Exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme, both capital and current, for the regional airports in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 are set out in the following table.
Exchequer funding under Regional Airports Programme (Euro)
|
Airport |
Exchequer funding |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (to date) |
|
Donegal |
Capital Current TOTAL |
451,312 356,597 807,909 |
0 667,874 667,874 |
326,700 0 326,700 |
|
Knock |
Capital Current TOTAL |
1,965,654 967,765 2,933,419 |
1,330,916 1,868,439 3,199,355 |
2,300,781 0 2,300,781 |
|
Kerry |
Capital Current TOTAL |
310,702 626,855 937,557 |
582,517 1,075,474 1,657,991 |
1,222,519 0 1,222,519 |
|
Waterford |
Capital Current TOTAL |
18,381 1,020,215 1,038,596 |
0 0 0 |
0 375,000 375,000 |
While the figures for 2016 and 2017 represent grant payments made to the airports in each of those years, the figures for Donegal, Kerry and Knock airports in 2018 represent the capital allocations for those airports that I announced on 28 May last. The works covered by those allocations are currently underway and the associated grant payments will be made when these works are completed later in the year.
2235. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on the review of the western rail corridor phase two between Athenry and Claremorris for passenger and freight use; the commitments made under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 for this action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34073/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, both the "Programme for a Partnership Government" and the recently-published "National Development Plan" commit to independent review of the costings for a proposal to extend the existing Western Rail Corridor.
My Department has been developing an approach for progressing such a review in line with these commitments, while also cognisant of the need for stakeholder consultation as part of the process.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I expect to brief Government today how I plan to give effect to the Government’s commitments (made in both the Programme for a Partnership Government and the National Development Plan) in relation to proposals for possible extension of the Western Rail Corridor.
2236. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on TEN-T transport funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34076/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in the Dáil earlier this month, my Department plans to make a submission to the European Commission, in line with the commitment contained in the Programme for Partnership Government, for the Government to apply to the EU for the revision of the TEN-T core network, including in relation to the cross-border “Western Arc”.
This submission will take account of the implications of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the UK’s departure from the EU and the impact that this will have on our future transport connectivity. It will also take account of the Government’s plans under Project 2040 and the implications of the implementation of the National Planning Framework. These issues and the intention to make a submission have already been raised by my Department with the European Commission. The submission will call for an early review of Ireland’s TEN-T Network.
2237. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on a capital budget for local and regional roads and the commitment to increase this budget by approximately 50%; the capital expenditure allocation made for this commitment in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in tabular form; the amount expended for each year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Capital Plan provides for the phased increase in capital funding for regional and local roads and in this context the following table sets out funding for the 2016 to 2018 period.
|
Regional and Local Roads |
Capital Funding |
|
2016 |
€331,500,000 |
|
2017 |
€280,913,000 |
|
2018 Allocation |
€381,245,000 |
The 2016 capital expenditure figure includes an extra allocation of €80.1 million which was allocated by Government during that year to address the impact on the regional and local road infrastructure of the severe weather which occurred in late 2015 and early 2016.
The capital grant funding drawn down by local authorities to date this year is €118,881,412 million.
2238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress as provided for under the programme for partnership Government on rural transport and the commitment that a report will be provided to the relevant Houses of the Oireachtas committee within six months examining the way in which existing routes can be made more sustainable and accessible to the public and the potential for new routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34078/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recognition of the value and benefit of rural transport to many communities, the Programme for a Partnership Government undertakes to examine how best to improve integration of services in the rural bus network within regions, and proposed that a report about this should be provided to the relevant Oireachtas Committee.
This matter is being examined and developed by my Department in the context of the wider work on which it has embarked around a review of public transport policy, which is another commitment in the Programme for Government. Work on this policy review is at an early stage. My Department is currently drawing together data and information from many sources, which will inform its work.
As part of the review process, I hosted a Round Table Discussion on Public Transport Policy in May of this year. This event included a broad – though, by no means, exhaustive – range of organisations and individuals who are closely connected with the public transport sector. Both Irish Rural Link and the Rural Transport Network were represented at this event.
A public consultation will take place over the coming months on the papers and presentations from that Round Table Discussion. This consultation will further inform the ongoing review.
2239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the successful applicants that applied for a capital sports grant in 2018 will be notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34096/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
