Written Answers Nos. 453-471
460. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if security services will be provided on all-night trains from Dublin to County Kildare; if so, the station the security will remain on board until; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
461. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver licences that were required to be surrendered and those that were actually surrendered, respectively, in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirement to surrender a driver licence is the result of two different scenarios, one is following a disqualification arising from a conviction in Court and the other is on the accumulation of 12 penalty points (7 penalty points in the case of a learner or novice driver).
The number of licences that were actually surrendered in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018 is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred this part of 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.
462. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of car parking spaces provided for staff working within the cities of Dublin, Limerick and Cork and to agencies therein. [52013/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has two offices located in Dublin city, both of which have car parking spaces allocated to staff. My Department's main office, which is in Leeson Lane, Dublin 2 has 31 car parking spaces allocated to staff and my other Department's office, which is in Clare Street, Dublin 2 has 7 car parking spaces allocated to staff.
With regard to Cork city the Marine Survey Office of my Department, which is located in Centre Park Road, Cork, has 5 car parking spaces allocated to staff .
My Department does not have an office in Limerick city.
The position regarding the agencies under the remit of my Department is a matter for them. I have forwarded a copy of your question to them for direct reply. If you have not heard from the agencies within 10 working days please contact my private office.
463. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of women and men, respectively employed in his Department and the agencies under the remit of his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52063/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the ratio of males to females employed in his Department; the agencies under the remit of his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52097/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 463 and 465 together.
As at 30th November 2018, the ratio of males to females employed in my Department is 301:256.
In relation to the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, I have asked the agencies to provide the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not have a reply from the agencies within ten working days please advise my private office.
464. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the various grades in which males and females are employed in his Department and the agencies under the remit of his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBelow are details of staff in my Department by gender and by grade as at 30th November 2018.
|
Grade |
Male |
Female |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
14 |
7 |
|
Assistant Principal |
27 |
36 |
|
Administrative Officer |
10 |
14 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
45 |
44 |
|
Executive Officer |
42 |
57 |
|
Clerical Officer |
39 |
86 |
|
Service Officers / Attendants / Store Keeper |
9 |
2 |
|
Professional / Technical |
106 |
5 |
|
Ministerial Staff |
5 |
2 |
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy with the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, please advise my private office.
466. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if problems are anticipated in sustaining tourism growth in 2019 in view of the potential effects of Brexit; the steps he is taking to ensure the continued success of the tourism industry here despite threats to the British market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52112/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the recent launch of its 2019 marketing strategy and plans, Tourism Ireland set out its targets for 2019. Next year, it aims to grow overseas tourism revenue by +6% to €6.5 billion for the island of Ireland and to grow visitor numbers to 11.67 million (+4%). 2019 will undoubtedly present some challenges – not least the continued uncertainty around Brexit, which may impact on consumer confidence and, in turn, on outbound travel from Britain. Competitiveness and value for money will continue to be a key message in Britain and elsewhere next year. Other challenges include economic and geo-political uncertainty, as well as the potential for oil price inflation.
Budget 2019 provided for the largest increase in the tourism budget in 15 years. Additional funding has been allocated to both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to respond to the impact of Brexit and to spread the economic benefits of tourism across the year and around the country. The detailed plans of the agencies are an operational matter for the boards and management of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. I have referred this part of the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
467. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date with the BusConnects scheme in Dublin; when the service will be fully operational; and if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by the elderly and mobility challenged groups concerning the change from certain direct routes to indirect routes. [52113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area including BusConnects.
Noting their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
468. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce mandatory training for drivers of large public service vehicles in respect of wheelchair clamping and the operation of passenger lifts on such vehicles. [52124/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra469. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce minimum standards similar to the wheelchair passport in the UK for wheelchairs suitable for transport on large public service vehicles. [52125/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the governing body that has legislative responsibility for the inspection of wheelchair lifts on large public service vehicles; and the number of such inspections carried out in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by county. [52126/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 470, inclusive, together.
I have no role in relation to the setting of standards for wheelchairs and I refer the Deputy to my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, who has oversight of the National Standards Authority of Ireland.
An Garda Síochána is the body that has responsibility for the inspection of wheelchair lifts on large public service vehicles and I refer the Deputy to my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the details regarding such inspections.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for driver licensing, including the driver training programme. I am referring your question in relation to mandatory training in respect of wheelchair clamping and the operation of passenger lifts to the RSA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response from the RSA within 10 working days.
471. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when it is proposed to roll out the Leap card on additional Bus Éireann and local link services in County Sligo. [52127/18]
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 infrastructure including ticketing technology.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the 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.
