Written Answers Nos. 635-656
638. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of training undertaken by driver test examiners nationally; the frequency examiners are retrained in the rules of the road and the way in which to conduct a test; and his plans to put an amnesty in place for older drivers that may not have a full driver licence. [6940/19]
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.
639. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Leap cards will be introduced for commuters at stations in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6961/19]
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, 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.
640. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting driver test dates by county; the average waiting time; and the longest waiting time, in tabular form. [6962/19]
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.
641. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his engagement on the proposed plans for free inter-rail travel across the EU for students including those over 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6964/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal for free InterRail across the EU referred to by the Deputy is a European Commission initiative, which was launched following a proposal from the European Parliament. I understand that just over 14,500 free travel passes have been allocated to 18-year-olds from across the European Union for travel in 2019.
The passes were allocated by means of an online competition and the successful applicants will be able to travel up to a maximum of 30 days and visit up to four different country destinations between April and October of this year.
The Commission is planning to launch the next application round in summer 2019. Specific dates and further information will be announced on the European Youth Portal in due course.
642. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider allowing the use of Leap cards on rail and bus services to areas outside of the short hop zone in north County Dublin and County Louth in view of the fact that the short hop fare zone does not extend beyond Balbriggan going north from Dublin city; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Leap cards are accepted on private coach services to these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6974/19]
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 regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
643. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding safety measures at Kyle Cross between Enniscorthy and Wexford on the N11; if TII has examined this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6992/19]
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 national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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.
644. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the most recent occasion he formally met a person (details supplied); the issues discussed; and when he will next meet formally with the CEO. [6997/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met with Dalton Philips, CEO of daa, on Friday, 23 November 2018. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for daa to present to me the company’s plans for the short to medium-term development of Dublin Airport.
I am scheduled to meet the CEO again next Thursday, 14 February 2019, when I attend the sod-turning ceremony for the new North Runway at Dublin Airport.
645. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow consumers who choose to utilise renewable compressed natural gas made from biomass to fuel their vehicles the same benefits as those being extended to electric cars in the interest of encouraging rural transport changes for which range anxiety is a major issue. [7001/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would highlight to the Deputy that battery technology in electric vehicles (EVs) has substantially developed over recent years. Models currently available in Ireland can achieve ranges of up to 400km on a single charge. As battery technology continues to improve, it can be assumed that in time all consumers, including those based in very isolated rural areas, will be able to confidently transition away from traditionally fuelled vehicles to EVs. It is clear that this transition is already underway, with a marked increase in EV sales in the first month of this year. Of course, EVs are not the only alternative fuel or technology available to reduce transport emissions. A wider range of alternative fuels and technologies, particularly for the heavy duty sector, must be incorporated into the national fuel mix if we are to decarbonise the sector.
The potential future role of compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane is currently being evaluated by the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, which is jointly chaired by my Department and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. CNG is particularly considered a suitable alternative to diesel in the freight sector. It is reported to emit few emissions, particularly NOx, SOx and particulate matter and importantly, acts as a pathway fuel to renewable biomethane which can dramatically reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector. The anaerobic digestion industry, which produces biomethane, is also an important developing industry which could support a circular economy between the transport and agricultural sectors, while improving national fuel security and contributing towards sectoral targets to 2030 under the Renewable Energy Directive.
It is important to note that a number of valuable measures are already in place to encourage the uptake of CNG and biomethane vehicles in Ireland. In Budget 2015 the Government committed to maintaining the duty levels for natural gas and biomethane as a propellant at the EU minimum rate of €2.60 per GJ for a period of eight years, putting natural gas in a very competitive price position with diesel. In Budget 2019 an accelerated capital allowance scheme was also introduced for gas-propelled vehicles and related equipment. This enables businesses to write down the purchase cost of such vehicles or equipment up-front in the year of purchase rather than spread over 8 years. Furthermore, the on-going deliberations of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce will include, inter alia, the role of further incentives, potential obligation schemes, and the requirement for additional fuelling infrastructure in promoting alternative and low emitting fuels including CNG. It is expected that the Taskforce will deliver its findings and recommendations to the Government later this year.
646. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a sports capital grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7035/19]
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, 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. Furthermore, officials from the Sports Capital Division in my Department have also been in direct contact with the club to give guidance as to aspects of the grants process they have to complete in order to progress the application.
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.
647. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a TII licence application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7049/19]
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 management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred this matter to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
648. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans the NTA has in place to provide wheelchair accessible buses and infrastructure on the route 64 service from Galway to Derry, specifically at the Donegal town, Ballyshannon and Sligo stops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7076/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra649. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA filled the recently advertised position of transport accessibility manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7077/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra653. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the remit of the transport accessibility manager of the NTA will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7081/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 649 and 653 together.
As 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 statutory 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 questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
650. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person or body responsible for the provision of the physical infrastructure at bus stops to accommodate wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7078/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra651. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a specific budget for the provision of the physical infrastructure at bus stops to accommodate wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7079/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.
As 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 provision of bus stops and the Accessibility Retrofit Programme.
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.
652. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding has been committed specifically for the construction of Fintra bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7080/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra654. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated final cost for the refurbishment of Tír Chonaill bridge, Donegal town, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7082/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 654 together.
The 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 local authorities' 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.
Before the financial crisis, local authorities could apply on a regular basis for grants for Specific (schemes costing less than €5m) and Strategic Improvement Grants (schemes costing more than €5m) for the strengthening, widening or realignment of regional and local roads. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the crisis meant this grant scheme had to be curtailed from 2013 because expenditure on maintenance/renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.
The current Capital Plan does provide for the gradual build-up in funding for the road network but it will take some years yet to reach the level required even for the basic maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason, there continues to be very limited scope for funding new or additional projects under the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under these Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF) and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
As regards the Tir Chonaill bridge, Donegal town, the 2019 grant allocation for the rehabilitation of the bridge is €900,000. The estimated total cost of the project is €1.8 million.
In relation to Fintra bridge, an allocation of €150,000 is being provided in 2019 for the scheme which is at route option selection stage.
655. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action taken to date to address the severe shortage of car parking spaces at Sallins train station, County Kildare; the progress on the issue to date; when it is expected that substantive action will be taken on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7086/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area. Iarnród Éireann receive Exchequer funding via the NTA in relation to the provision of car parking at train stations on the heavy rail network in the GDA, including Sallins railway station.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when plans will be advanced to combat the traffic congestion on the M50 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7087/19]
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 national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply to you in respect of improvement measures for the M50. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
