Written Answers Nos. 267-291
267. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action he has taken or plans to take to review the safety and regulation of the use of electric scooters, electric hoverboards and uniwheels. [11026/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the increasing use of eScooters, electrically powered skateboards and other such vehicles on our roads. I have requested the Road Safety Authority to research how such vehicles (classified as mechanically propelled vehicles in the Road Traffic Acts) are dealt with (i.e. regulated) in other countries, particularly other Member States. I am keen to understand the road safety implications of the use of such vehicles on public roads, especially when interacting with other vehicles. Any decision to be taken on whether or not to amend existing legislation will depend on the outcome of the Authority’s research.
268. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver test demand scenario planning submission which was sent to his Department by the RSA; if the 67 proposed additional driver testers and 17 staff were appointed; if approval was given for same; when the decision was taken; the number of testers and staff appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11027/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2018, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) submitted a Potential Surge in Driving Test Demand Scenario Planning document to my Department, requesting approval to appoint additional staff to manage the possible surge in driving test applications. This possible surge was being planned for based on the introduction of additional sanctions for learner drivers driving unaccompanied contained in the Road Traffic Bill (now the Road Traffic Act 2018) going through the Houses of the Oireachtas at that time.
I approved in May 2018, following sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the appointment of 67 additional driver testers and 17 support staff, on a phased basis for a period of 12-18 months.
Since then, the RSA has recruited 52 driver testers, and there are currently a further 14 testers undergoing training. In addition, it is planned to recruit an additional 8 driver testers in March. Including the 14 driver testers currently being trained, there are now 147.94 full time equivalent driver testers available for deployment and this provides an annual capacity of 260,000 driving tests.
269. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parking infrastructure planned for Newbridge train station, County Kildare, to match the increase in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/19]
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 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 Newbridge railway station.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for an update on the issue raised and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
270. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 641 of 12 February 2019, if the free InterRail travel will include students who are 19, 20, 21 and 22 years of age and not only those aged 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11092/19]
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. My Department has no role in this and I would suggest that the Deputy might contact the European Commission directly in relation to the detail of the operation of the scheme.
271. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11129/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
272. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount spent by company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
273. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in the event of a no-deal Brexit, particularly in the context of the implications for the landbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11156/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission’s legislative proposal aimed at ensuring basic road connectivity with the UK in a no deal Brexit will allow UK hauliers to access the EU market for a temporary 9 month period, subject to reciprocal measures being put in place by the UK to grant similar access to EU hauliers. This measure, if adopted, will significantly mitigate the risk to our hauliers of accessing the UK market and using the landbridge.
I am very concerned at the potential for serious disruption at UK ports, in particular Dover, and also in Calais. This may make the use of the landbridge at least in the short term commercially unviable for some operators.
I updated cabinet on 15 January 2019 on the capacity on direct shipping routes to EU continental ports as a potential alternative to the landbridge. Based on consultations by my Department with the main shipping companies, I am advised that the market is sufficiently responsive to respond to the demands of Brexit. I have asked the Irish Maritime Development Office and my officials to continue to keep this matter under review.
The Irish Maritime Development Office (the “IMDO”) carried out a study for the Department concerning the implications of Brexit on the use of the UK landbridge. The study, published last year, found that 3 million tonnes of merchandise trade with the EU moves between Ireland and the EU continent via the UK landbridge. The IMDO estimates that this equates to approximately 150,000 Heavy Goods Vehicles each year and the total value of our trade using the landbridge was estimated to be €21 billion. This route is a strategically important route to market for many Irish importers and exporters and certain sectors of the economy may be adversely affected, mainly those that trade in time sensitive goods, e.g. Agrifood and seafood.
The Landbridge Project Group, chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and including officials from my own Department, the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and others has been working closely with the European Commission and other affected Member States (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden) with a view to preparing EU ports to facilitate the transit of EU products through the UK once it becomes a third country through the use of EU rules on internal transit as set out under the Union’s Custom Code. The EU has agreed that the UK may join the Common Transit Convention upon its departure from the EU on 29 March 2019, and a number of formal steps were taken to allow this to happen on 4 December 2018 which will enable the use of the EU’s internal transit procedure. The Landbridge Project Group has also visited France and the Netherlands, and will visit Calais on 6 March.
I have also met my UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling and have set out the importance of continued transport connectivity between Ireland and the UK, highlighting the importance of the UK landbridge for Ireland as a route to European markets, and the need for Irish trade to move efficiently through ports. I also met France’s Transport Minister Borne on Brexit matters including the landbridge, in November, and France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean Yves Le Drian on 19 February.
Businesses must however prepare for Brexit and examine their supply chains. The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, on 4 March urged businesses to make sure that they are ready to avail of the customs transit procedure for moving goods through the UK landbridge post-Brexit. The transit procedure allows goods to pass across customs borders with all duties and other charges suspended until arrival at their destination. In order to avail of the Transit procedure, businesses will need to have a Revenue-approved comprehensive financial guarantee in place. This comprehensive guarantee is required as financial security to cover all potential and actual customs debts such as customs and taxes.
274. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to ensure there is no disruption to supply chains both east-west and North-South in the event of a hard or no-deal Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11181/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of key supply chain risks have significantly reduced as a result of contingency measures proposed by the European Commission. The proposed measures were due to interventions by a number of Member States including Ireland. While these measures are temporary in nature, they will, if adopted, ensure the immediate continued access for our road hauliers to the UK market and also for direct flights to and from the UK, including for air freight. However, significant challenges remain and disruption cannot be fully avoided in all areas.
In relation to North - South, the Government is not planning for a hard border and the EU is fully supportive of this position.
In relation to east-west supply chains, the continued use of the landbridge as a key route connecting Ireland with the continent is a crucial concern given the level of imports and exports that are transported via this route, with 16% of the HGV traffic between Ireland and GB estimated to constitute landbridge traffic. The total value of our trade using the landbridge has been estimated to be approximately €21 billion. Goods using the landbridge include many time-sensitive or perishable goods, and are transported by truck on Roll-on / Roll-Off shipping services to and through the UK. Dublin and Rosslare ports handle almost all of this traffic.
In a no-deal scenario, the ease with which these movements of goods currently take place will no longer be guaranteed. Additional customs, agriculture and health controls will be required at EU ports that trade with the UK. In the case of the landbridge route, the ports of Dublin, Rosslare, Holyhead and the Dover-Calais link are of paramount concern. In Ireland, the OPW, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Health and the Revenue Commissioners are already preparing by developing the necessary plans within Dublin and Rosslare Ports to allow for these controls. I am aware that similar preparations are ongoing in Calais.
Some trade currently using the landbridge route may, depending on the nature of the product, switch to the direct routes to the continent. For others, some delays at UK and other EU ports may not be such as to constitute a significant deterrent to the continued use of the landbridge. However, the use of the landbridge for some other products that are perishable or very time sensitive may become unviable and may also not be viable on the longer direct maritime links.
I updated cabinet on 15 January 2019 on the capacity on direct shipping routes to EU continental ports. In doing so, I set out the importance of the UK landbridge as a critical route for Irish trade and the importance of alternative direct shipping routes should traffic on the landbridge become disrupted as a result of Brexit. My view then was that sufficient capacity on the direct shipping routes to continental EU ports was available to meet the demands of Brexit and that the market was sufficiently flexible to cater for any increase in demand.
This understanding of the likely response of shipping companies to Brexit-related challenges was tested in a series of meetings with senior representatives of shipping companies, including both immediately before and after I briefed Government. While I remain of this view and I re-iterated it at Cabinet yesterday, I have asked that the IMDO and my Department continue to keep this under review.
275. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details and timing of proposed works on the N11 southbound at Kilmacanogue, including but not limited to the creation of a third lane; the physical separation between lanes and the development of a greenway at the southern cross roundabout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11192/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 improvement 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.
276. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person who holds an EU driver licence and then swaps this licence for an Irish driver licence is treated as a new licence; and if not, if the date of issuance of the Irish licence reflects the original licence. [11194/19]
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.
277. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to insurance premium increases being levied on licence holders who have swapped their driver licence for an Irish licence. [11233/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance companies are private companies. Neither the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport nor the Central Bank of Ireland has the power to direct insurance companies on the pricing of insurance products. The EU framework for insurance expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. The provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for insurance companies and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept and adequate provisioning to meet those risks. These are considered by insurance companies on a case by case basis.
?Insurance Ireland operates a free insurance information service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. All calls regarding refusal to quote, or quotations that are so excessive as to be in effect a refusal, should be directed to Insurance Ireland by phone at (01) 676 1820, by email at declined@insuranceireland .eu or by post at 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement.
I note that the question refers to persons who have swapped licences, presumably from overseas, for Irish licences. Such circumstances only arise when individuals change residence and presumably therefore the level of risk to which they are exposed while driving would also change in those circumstances, with consequences for insurance premia.
278. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11015/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 has passed Second Stage in the Seanad.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the Bill seeks to respect the rights to identity and privacy, which sometimes conflict with one another. Given the constitutional context, striking the balance between these rights is proving challenging. Members of the Oireachtas, stakeholders and lobby groups have expressed concerns about these specific aspects of the Bill, and in particular, the requirement for adopted people to sign an undertaking declaring that they would not contact their birth parent.
Having listened to these concerns, I engaged again with the Office of the Attorney General seeking to revisit the privacy provisions and strengthen the right to identity. I recently secured Government approval to draft amendments to revise these provisions in the Bill.
Once these amendments are finalised, it is my intention to progress to Committee Stage of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 in the Seanad Éireann as soon as possible.
279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11115/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019; the amount spent by company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11132/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
My Department is examining its records in relation to these matters raised by the Deputy and a reply will be issued in the near future.
281. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on social media advertising and online promoted content (details supplied) in 2018 and to date in 2019, by campaign and social media platform used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11127/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has engaged and-or consulted with a public relations online advertising agency regarding social media advertising and online promoted content in 2018 and to date in 2019 by amount and company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11144/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
My Department did not engage with or consult any agency or other body regarding social media advertising or online promoted content in 2018 and has not done so to date in 2019.
Furthermore, my Department did not incur any expenditure on social media advertising or online promoted content, as per the details supplied in the Deputy's question, in 2018 or to date in 2019.
283. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding sources available for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11190/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding may be available through my Department’s Town & Village Renewal Scheme or the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in the second half of 2016 and, to date, almost €53 million has been approved under the scheme for more than 670 projects across the country. These projects cover a range of activities, from improving the public realm to make towns and villages more attractive for locals and visitors alike, to job-creation initiatives such as the development of enterprise hubs and digital hubs. Applications for renovations to community facilities such as a community hall could be considered under this scheme.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. Selection of projects under the scheme is by means of a competitive process. Details of the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme are currently being finalised by my officials and I anticipate that the scheme will be announced shortly.
LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 1,700 projects have been approved under the current LEADER programme for funding of almost €59 million.
Funding can be provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. The Social Inclusion theme of the LEADER programme focuses on the provision of services for people living in rural and remote areas and, in that context, support for the works outlined by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available.
The Implementing Partner for the area of Donegal referred to by the Deputy is Inishowen Development Partnership, Pound Street Business Park, Pound Street, Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Contact details for Inishowen Development Partnership are as follows:
- Telephone: 074 9373083
- Email: info@inishowen.ie.
284. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if projects approved under category one and category two of the second round of funding under the rural regeneration and development fund were required to have planning permission in place before funding could be approved; the specific applications for which funding was approved in which planning permission was in place; if funding was approved for projects without planning permission being in place; if so, the projects for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11224/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities. €315m is allocated to the Fund for 2019-2022.
There were 280 applications received to the first call under the Fund. 126 applications related to Category 1, "shovel ready" projects while 154 related to Category 2 projects - those which needed development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications.
In November 2018, I announced the first set of 18 successful Category 1 projects, providing €24.4m in funding for projects with an overall value of €34.6m.
In February 2019, I announced another 20 successful Category 1 projects and 46 Category 2 projects which will benefit from support from the Fund of €62m, with a total project value of €83m.
For the first call to the Fund only Category 1 projects that had the relevant permissions in place were approved for funding. The Department is currently finalising a standard process of due diligence with successful applicants. Part of the process will be to confirm that projects are indeed ready to proceed with all consents in place as applicants have stated.
Category 2 proposals are projects that need further development to enable them to be potentially submitted as Category 1 proposals in future calls to the Fund and were not required to shovel-ready at that point - with consents in place.
Table 1 sets out the list of successful Category 1 projects to the first call under the Fund.
Table 2 sets out the list of successful Category 2 projects.
Table 1. List of Successful Category 1 Projects
|
Successful Lead Applicant |
Project Title |
Sum of RRDF Funding (€) |
|
Ballyhoura Development CLG |
Glenbrohane Local Hub, Murroe Community Hub |
4,442,820 |
|
Carlow County Council |
Borris Railway Viaduct |
654,820 |
|
Cavan County Council |
Cootehill Industrial Estate |
867,174 |
|
Clare County Council |
Lahinch Seaworld and Town Upgrade Project |
2,860,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
Vandeleur Estate |
1,720,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
Loop Head Visitor Attraction |
868,500 |
|
Clare County Council |
Ennistymon Innovation Centre |
1,023,300 |
|
Coillte |
International Mountain Biking Project |
10,262,900 |
|
Cork County Council |
Kinsale Library Project |
2,157,375 |
|
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
National Parks |
3,915,000 |
|
Donegal County Council |
Swan Park, Buncrana |
1,728,042 |
|
Galway County Council |
Athenry/Bia Innovator |
3,554,000 |
|
IRD Duhallow CLG |
Banteer Amenity Project |
1,128,000 |
|
Kerry County Council |
Valentia Trans-Atlantic Cable Station |
1,270,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Athy/Ernest Shackleton Project |
2,707,500 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
Thomastown Regeneration |
2,080,486 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
Callan Town Regeneration |
561,750 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
Great Southern Greenway Limerick |
2,724,657 |
|
Longford County Council |
Historic Granard Motte Project |
2,872,434 |
|
Longford County Council |
Edgeworthstown Regeneration |
1,269,019 |
|
Louth County Council |
Ardee Castle |
2,147,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
Ballinrobe Regeneration |
825,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Castleblayney Enterprise Centre |
2,138,560 |
|
Office of Public Works |
Emo Court |
1,200,000 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
Boyle Regeneration |
1,705,705 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
An Chistin Project |
1,545,000 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd |
An Bealach Project |
1,656,750 |
|
Sligo County Council |
The Yeats Trail, National Centre of Excellence for Surfing |
1,115,752 |
|
Sligo LEADER Partnership CLG |
Claremorris Indoor Sports Facility |
2,100,000 |
|
TEAGASC |
Johnstown Castle & Gardens |
658,696 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
Tipperary Town Regeneration |
600,000 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
gteic Hubs |
2,843,949 |
|
Western Development Commission |
DigiWest |
644,734 |
|
Western Development Commission |
Tullycross Residential Education Centre |
1,728,000
|
Table 2. List of Successful Category 2 Projects
|
Successful Lead Applicant |
Project Title |
Sum of RRDF Funding (€) |
|
OPW |
Altmont House and Gardens |
450,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
Ballyjamesduff Regeneration Strategy |
90,000 |
|
Cavan County Council |
Cootehill Technology Park |
56,000 |
|
Clare County Council |
Inis Cealtra Island |
920,500 |
|
Clare County Council |
Doolin Pier |
465,571 |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
Wild Atlantic Way |
666,300 |
|
Avondhu Blackwater partnership CLG |
Rathcormac Strategy for Development |
122,025 |
|
Cork County Council |
Ballydesmond |
56,250 |
|
Cork County Council |
Digital Innovation Hub Strategy |
206,168 |
|
OPW |
Anne’s Grove |
375,000 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Coláiste Íosagáin Campus |
180,000 |
|
Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Ocean Innovation Centre Ireland |
293,436 |
|
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht - NPWS |
Ireland’s National Parks |
1,466,250 |
|
Galway County Council |
Dunmore Regeneration |
960,909 |
|
Galway County Council |
Tuam Regeneration Strategy |
175,000 |
|
Galway County Council |
Kinvara Boardwalk and Walkway |
124,781 |
|
Kerry County Council |
Ceann Mara Net Factory Development |
275,000 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Dingle Workhouse Masterplan |
415,000 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Baile na Fheirtéaraigh Development |
292,500 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
Úibh Ráthach Action Plan |
174,351 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Monasterevin Town Centre Regeneration |
78,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
Athy Town Centre Regenerations |
80,000 |
|
Kilkenny LEADER Partnership |
Community Shops, Kilkenny |
60,000 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
Smart Green Mohill |
37,500 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
West Limerick Tourism Gateway |
330,000 |
|
Louth County Council |
Ardee Regeneration |
526,744 |
|
Mayo County Council |
Cycle Network |
75,000 |
|
Mayo County Council |
Tourism Experiences |
56,000 |
|
Geological Survey Ireland |
Geopark Development |
969,387 |
|
Meath County Council |
Boyne Navigation and Greenway |
845,250 |
|
Meath County Council |
Community Facilities, Enfield |
726,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
Trim Castle |
262,500 |
|
Meath County Council |
Kells Heritage Development |
210,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Carrickmacross Town Centre Renewal |
632,000 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Ballybay Regeneration |
410,400 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Clones Regeneration |
377,250 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
The Clones Terminus |
325,000 |
|
Offaly County Council |
Edenderry Masterplan |
75,000 |
|
Roscommon Integrated Development Company Ltd |
Creative Studios, Ballaghdarreen |
20,250 |
|
Sligo County Council |
The Cliff Bath House |
131,250 |
|
Waterford Leader Partnership |
Blackwater River Valley |
128,842 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
Kinnegad Regeneration |
600,000 |
|
Wexford County Council |
Esmonde Street, Gorey |
95,224 |
|
Wexford County Council |
Market House Gorey |
429,145 |
|
Wexford County Council |
Enterprise Hub New Ross |
328,407 |
|
Wexford County Council |
Ferrycarraig and the Hook Peninsuala |
€1,087,270 |
285. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the recruitment, training and qualification process for celebrants of weddings and similar services; her views on whether the role would benefit from a standardised qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11188/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 53 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 provides that An tArd-Chláraitheoir (Registrar General) shall establish and maintain a Register of Solemnisers to solemnise marriages. The Registrar General has no role in the recruitment, training, or qualification process for marriage solemnisers. This is a matter for the individual bodies that may apply, under section 54 of the Act, to have a person entered in the Register of Solemnisers. These bodies are: the Health Service Executive, a religious body, or a secular body, as defined in section 45 of the Act.
286. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the situation of contracted employees of a company (details supplied); and the assistance that can be provided. [10974/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not received any correspondence or communication in relation to the matter referred to and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this specific issue.
There is an extensive range of legislation in Ireland which protects the employment rights of workers in relation to employment contracts and related matters. It is the responsibility of the employer in the first instance to ensure that their employees receive their employment rights.
Where an employee considers that their rights have been breached, the individual can bring a claim under the appropriate legislation to the Workplace Relations Commission. In addition, the WRC is responsible for monitoring a range of employment rights through its Inspection Service.
The Workplace Relations Customer Service Section can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 80 80 90 or via its website www.workplacerelations.ie. The Single Complaint Form for submitting complaints regarding breaches of employment rights is also available at www.workplacerelations.ie .
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
287. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when payment will issue pertaining to a working family payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10993/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant must be engaged in full-time paid employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. WFP is not payable while an applicant is in receipt of Illness Benefit (IB) at the time of application.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 24th August 2018.
Their application was disallowed on 21 December 2018 as they were in receipt of IB and therefore did not satisfy the above employment condition.
However, following receipt of updated information from the person concerned, WFP was awarded with effect from 11 October 2018 to 09 October 2019. The first weekly payment and all arrears owing were issued to their nominated bank account on 28 February 2019.
The person concerned was notified of this decision on 25 February 2019 and of their right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
288. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the length of time it is taking to process disability allowance applications; and the number of applications waiting to be processed. [10995/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to making decisions on entitlement as quickly as possible.
In general, social welfare schemes with a number of complex qualifying conditions can take longer to process. Before a decision can be made on entitlement to disability allowance (DA), evidence must be provided in respect of the person’s medical condition, the extent to which it restricts them from taking up employment, their means and their habitual residency.
In January 2019, the average waiting time for new DA applications was 14 weeks and the number of applications waiting to be processed was 5,374. Work is on-going to improve these times and reduce the claims on hand.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
289. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); when a decision is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10996/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gentleman referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 31 January 2019. Payment will issue to his nominated post office on 14 March 2019. Any arrears due from 31 January 2019 to 14 March 2019 will issue as soon as possible. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on 27 February 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
290. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and when they can expect a decision on their case. [11009/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 19 December 2018. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 20 March 2019.
Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
291. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of referrals for sanctions that have been made in each of the years since 2015 by those made by JobPath providers and elsewhere in other activation programmes, respectively; and the number of referrals implemented by deciding officers by JobPath providers and those made elsewhere in activation processes, respectively. [11030/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data sought by the Deputy is not readily available. My department will be in contact with the Deputy's office to discuss what is required and how that may be provided.
