Written Answers Nos. 257-271
257. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority are not answering email queries from either the public or public representatives; the steps that will be taken to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47278/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA and Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.
258. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the proposed large-scale sport infrastructure fund that is being established for larger sports projects; the application process for same; when the scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Sports Policy contain a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years.
It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the Sports Capital Programme. The fund will initially focus on the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities who will be invited to apply for funding. The detailed terms and conditions of the new scheme are currently being finalised in my Department and an announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made shortly.
259. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will introduce the amendment to the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 that will ensure that a ban on motorised rickshaws carrying passengers will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47358/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 was approved at Cabinet last week and is now available online. This General Scheme is expected to be taken for pre legislation scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport shortly. My Department is engaging with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to advance the drafting of the Bill with a view to publication after the New Year.
260. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 18 October 2018, if funding has been allocated under the existing capital plan or other Exchequer funding sources towards the construction of the DART underground project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47359/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027 provides an indicative allocation of €2 billion toward the DART Expansion Programme.
The NDP specifically states that the initial sequencing of investment will focus on delivery of non-tunnel elements of the Programme. These elements include -
- electrification of the Northern Line to Drogheda
- electrification of Kildare Line to Hazelhatch
- electrification of Maynooth Line to Maynooth and M3 Parkway
- better utilisation of the Phoenix Park Tunnel
- purchase of additional bi-mode rail fleet
- other measures such as re-signalling and junction/station changes.
Funding allocations in the coming years will be directed toward delivery of these elements and the Deputy will no doubt acknowledge that delivery will significantly improve services for passengers across the commuter rail network in the Greater Dublin Area.
In addition to the above priority elements, the DART Expansion Programme's remaining element is the DART Underground Tunnel and the NDP commits toward establishing its route and ensuring its protection to allow for its future delivery.
Noting the National Transport Authority's statutory responsibilities in relation to the delivery of public transport infrastructure I have directed the question to it for further more detailed reply. Please contact my Office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
261. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the upgrading and development works for the Royal Canal cycleway and walkway for the area between Ashtown to Phibsborough and into the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the Royal Canal cycleway and walkway.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
262. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to address the imbalance in pension increases for members of a fund (details supplied) in view of the fact that the rate of payment has remained static for this group for ten years and the fact that its members cannot qualify for a State pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47435/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
263. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 981 of 6 November 2018, if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47247/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases of children who availed of overage exemptions. Every application is considered on its own merits and in general no exemptions are granted to children who have availed of their full eligibility under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. However, in an extremely limited number of exceptional circumstances overage exemptions were granted for children who had availed of their full eligibility under ECCE. Officials in my Department are aware of two cases in the last number of years where this was granted.
My Department and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to ensure that early years and school age education policies are consistent and meet the best interest of children.
264. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when adoption records from the Protestant adoption board will be available. [47300/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe the Deputy is in fact referring to the Pact, formally known as the Protestant Adoption Society.
Here2Help currently holds the records for adopted persons, birth parents and relatives of those placed by the Protestant Adoption Society or Pact. Here2Help is also currently accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland under section 4 of the Adoption Act 2010 to provide information and tracing services to these people.
These records are covered under the relevant provisions of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. The Bill will create for the first time a statutory right for adopted persons to birth certificate information as well as other types of information. It will also provide for the transfer of relevant records to the custody of the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in the recording of abuse claims, the field "founded or unfounded" exists on the National Childcare Information System, NCCIS, as used by Tusla; the protocols for the use of this categorisation if it exists in the NCCIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47364/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. A further reply will issue when I have received their response.
266. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a burial site (details supplied) of historical importance can be accessed by members of the public for historical review in view of the fact that it is apparently landlocked and is situated on private land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has policy and legislative responsibility for local authority burial grounds.
Local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of local authority burial grounds in their functional areas.
Following enquiries by my Department, the relevant local authority has indicated that the burial site referenced in the Deputy's question is not registered to the local authority and the surrounding field is in private ownership, with no right-of-way registered on the land registry map. Access to the burial site is therefore, a matter for the relevant landowner(s).
The local authority indicated that the graveyard is not protected under the National Monuments Acts and there are no burial records held with the relevant local authority library service for this site.
267. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Donegal town library, which was recently sanctioned; the timeline for the delivery and the completion date of this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47279/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that will invest some €29m in 19 projects, as well as the My Open Library service, between 2016 and 2022. The programme includes a proposed new library for Donegal Town in respect of which I announced a €1m contribution in May 2018.
The provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, progress on the new library in Donegal Town, and the timeline for completing the project, is first and foremost a matter for Donegal County Council. That said, I understand Donegal County Council expects to complete construction of the library by end-2020.
268. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an application for funding by an organisation (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47342/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Fund provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability.
These measures are delivered across a range of Government Departments, as outlined in the annual Dormant Accounts Action Plans which are available on my Department's website at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/dormant-accounts-fund/.
One of the measures which falls under my own Department's remit provides supports for social enterprises. The aim of this measure, which is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, is to increase the impact of social enterprises by enhancing their capacity to deliver services and generate traded income through the provision of small capital grants.
A call for applications under this measure was announced on 18th July 2018, with a closing date of 31st August 2018. This deadline was subsequently extended to 5th September 2018 to facilitate applicants.
All applications are currently being assessed by Pobal on behalf of my Department, and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful applications in the coming weeks. I do not have details of individual applications under this measure, as proposals were submitted directly to Pobal by the applicants.
269. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a carer's benefit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care. An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people.
To qualify a person has to show that they have the required level of PRSI contributions, that they have left full-time employment, that they are providing full-time care and attention and that the person being cared for has such a disability that they require full-time care and attention.
An application for carer's benefit (CARB) was received from the person concerned on 30 July 2018 in respect of two care recipients.
Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 3 November 2018.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a disability allowance appeal by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [47231/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 18th September 2018. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 27th September 2018 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47301/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe illness benefit claim for the person concerned has now been processed and paid to 10th November.
It is certified to 11th November 2018. If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible so that further payments can issue.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
