Written Answers Nos. 892-911
892. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the payment of a sports capital grant for a club (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54037/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
Given the substantial investments made under the programme, it is a requirement that where grants or cumulative grants reach a certain threshold, that the State's investment is protected by way of deeds of covenant and charge against the grantee's property. This provides the Department with a guarantee that grant aided facilities will continue to be used for sporting purposes. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor acts on behalf of the Department to ensure that all legal requirements are completed.
In order for the Department to issue formal approval and allow for the subsequent payment to the club referred to by the Deputy, the Chief State Solicitor's Office must confirm that the legal formalities are complete. I understand the Chief State Solicitor's Office have been in communication with the Club's solicitor in order to get all outstanding matters resolved. Once my Department receives confirmation that the legal formalities have been complete, there will be no undue delay in paying the grant subject to the other terms and conditions of the SCP being adhered to.
893. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date on the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan link road, which forms part of Project Ireland 2040; if the pre-appraisal works on the project have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54069/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, and for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
894. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) can apply for a full driving licence. [54081/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred 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.
895. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date of the development of a project (details supplied); when the project will proceed to next stage; the grant aid that will be available for the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding call for projects under the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways closed on November 30th. Twenty two detailed applications were received from sixteen Local Authorities and State Agencies, including applications for the projects referred to by the Deputy.
My Department is currently in the process of assessing each application that was received based on the criteria laid out in the Strategy which I launched in July 2018. This assessment will take time and will be very competitive given the number and quality of applications received. I hope to be in a position to make allocations in Q2 2019.
896. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status and timeline of completion of the N73 national secondary road realignment. [54128/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
897. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost incurred by his Department in 2018 for the use of taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54218/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018 my Department incurred costs of €13,196.86 for the use of taxi services.
898. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the exclusion of taxis from the publication by the National Transport Authority entitled Operation Open City 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54249/18]
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 in the Greater Dublin Area. Furthermore, under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, the NTA is the Regulator of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector.
Given the role of the NTA in this regard, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
899. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date for each of the 41 action points made in the mobile phone and broadband task force report published in December 2016 in which his Department has lead or joint responsibility for implementing; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes set out in tabular form. [54282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department participates in the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force Implementation Group. This Group meets quarterly and publishes progress reports each quarter. The Reports are available on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment website and also on the website of the Department of Rural and Community Development. In addition, a 2017 Implementation Review was published on 21 February 2018.
These reports detail progress with the actions outlined in the original Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force in addition to new actions outlined in the 2018 Work Programme. A number of the actions for which my Department has lead responsibility have already been delivered while significant progress has been made with others.
900. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be taken in relation to the application submitted on behalf of Waterford Airport, Waterford City and County Council and other interested investors to extend the runway at the airport; if the necessary extra capital of €5 million will be provided to facilitate the extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54334/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, no scheduled air services have operated out of Waterford Airport since June 2016. Accordingly, no capital funding from the Regional Airports Programme (RAP) has been provided to the airport since that time and grant aid towards operational expenses ceased from 2017. In December 2016, I advised the airport that it would be untenable for my Department to continue to disburse taxpayers’ money to an airport where no scheduled passenger services were operating. As a result of the foregoing, Waterford Airport advised the Department of its challenging financial state in December 2017.
On foot of requests made by the airport, and to ensure that there would be no disruption to the Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue (SAR) service, I sanctioned the provision of €750,000 in grant funding to the airport last year. Two payments of €375,000 were made to the airport in January and December. These were exceptional measures and were provided to allow time for appropriate consideration of the issues arising at Waterford Airport.
In light of the situation outlined, my Department procured the services of independent consultants, Ernst & Young (EY) to advise on the future options for the airport. As part of this review, EY have considered the application submitted by the airport to extend its runway, which included a request for Exchequer support.
In early October 2018, at a meeting of Government, I updated my Cabinet colleagues on the process to consider future options for Waterford Airport. Following that meeting, a copy of the review was provided to the airport and it is my intention, upon receipt and consideration of any views received from the airport by my Department, to bring proposals on the matter to Government.
901. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce legislation that would result in driving disqualifications for persons convicted of illegal dumping while using a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54357/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriving disqualifications under road traffic law are imposed to address serious breaches of that law from a road safety perspective. To introduce such a sanction for non-road safety related offences, such as using a mechanically propelled vehicle in the course of illegal dumping activities, would not be in the interests of promoting the safe use of our roads.
902. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with TII to secure the installation of temporary traffic lights to allow the safe crossing of schoolgoing children over a bridge with the least impact on through traffic on the bridge over the Owenriff river on the N59 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54358/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation, improvement and maintenance of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
903. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 902 of 6 November 2018, the timeline for an agreed design for upgrade works on the N11; when works will commence on each identified phase; when all works will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54370/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have already explained, in my role as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
904. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway; the estimated timeframe for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54394/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
905. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the draft Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy is currently being finalised by Cork City Council and Cork County Council, in partnership with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The strategy will provide a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services across the Cork Metropolitan Area, for the period up to 2040.
The strategy will include a range of proposed transport interventions across all modes of transport, along with complementary measures including transport demand management, Intelligent Transport Systems and Park and Ride.
I understand from the NTA that a draft Transport Strategy will be published for public consultation in the first quarter of this year. The purpose of this consultation process will be to elicit feedback on any issues or concerns arising in relation to the various proposals. The strategy will then be finalised in light of feedback received.
906. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns to date in 2018 and to date 2019, by month and company engaged, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54446/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on all contracts and external expenditure is published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
The information is published on a six monthly basis. The second part of 2018 (July to December) will be published in quarter one of 2019.
907. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget and spend in his Department for marketing, media and social media in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the projected spend for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54472/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on all external expenditure is published on my Department's website and can be found at the following link: ww.dthttp://wtas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
The information is published on a six monthly basis. The second part of 2018 (July to December) will be published early in 2019.
Just to note my Department has no expenditure on social media including Facebook and Twitter. It is currently not the Department's intention to have any social media expenditure in 2019.
908. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff in his Department employed to work on marketing, media and social media in 2018. [54489/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, my Department's Press Office had 3 full time staff who dealt with media queries. My Department additionally had 2 full-time equivalent staff working on Communications. My Department does not employ staff to work on marketing or social media. In addition, one of my Special Advisers appointed under section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 works primarily on matters relating to press and communications.
909. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recent service issues with the 109B bus route through Kilmessan, County Meath will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Bus 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.
910. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application (details supplied) by Leitrim County Council under the low cost safety scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54525/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
When applications for funding under the Department's Safety Improvement Scheme are invited local authorities are asked to submit applications in order of priority. In this context it is up to each local authority to decide its priorities. Allocations are made by the Department taking into account the terms applying to the Scheme and the available budget.
The applications received under the Safety Improvement Scheme, including the junction on the R201 Mohill to Carrick on Shannon road at Laheenamona R201/LS7483 Junction at Ussaun, are under consideration at present. The regional and local road grant allocations will be announced shortly.
911. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the decision of a company (details supplied) to withdraw its service between Rosslare and France; his views on whether its decision reflects the need for the development of Rosslare Europort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54526/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Ferries is a private sector company that operates international ferry services from Ireland and it is one of the ferry companies that sail from Rosslare Europort. As part of its business at that port in 2018, Irish Ferries ran three weekly sailings to France (Cherbourg or Roscoff) between April to October, but in December the company announced that it is unlikely to have a ferry service from Rosslare to France in 2019. The company has indicated that its service between Dublin Port and Cherbourg best serves its customers' needs, and it has stated that its investment of €150m on a new ship to provide ferry services between Ireland and France will significantly increase its year-round freight capacity between the two countries and increase the company’s summer tourism capacity by 20%.
The Deputy will understand that decisions by ferry operators – including Irish Ferries – in relation to their provision, alteration or suspension of services are operating and commercial decisions of these private companies, subject to any appropriate regulatory frameworks.
Within this overall context, I met the CEO of Irish Ferries earlier this month and discussed the company’s announced decision.
The Deputy also asks about Rosslare Europort. As he is aware, the port is owned by Iarnród Éireann and operated and managed as a division of that company which is a commercial State body. As Minister, I am not involved in the management or operations.
Iarnód Éireann has recently completed a detailed report on the development potential of Rosslare and a €15 million plan to transform Rosslare Europort has been approved by the board of Irish Rail. Investment in the port is a matter for the company and Iarnród Éireann is currently examining how it will raise the capital necessary for planned investment. As the Deputy will be aware from previous questions, Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort briefed my Department late last year on the company's plans for strategic development of the port over the coming years.
Separately, I recognise that Brexit will have implications for a number of key ports and airports, and Rosslare continues to work closely with my Department and a range of other relevant Government Departments and Offices in preparing for the additional border controls that will arise from Brexit. In this context, my Department has met Rosslare Port management on a number of occasions over the past year, most recently yesterday, about the infrastructure requirements of the Port in connection with Brexit. My Department has also been meeting ferry and shipping companies regarding their plans for dealing with the challenges of Brexit, including meeting with Irish Ferries last week.
