Written Answers Nos. 291-304
291. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if phase one of the national broadband plan roll-out by a company will service a property (details supplied). [12582/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map, which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP. This intervention is the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will return to Government shortly with a recommendation.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
292. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the recommendations of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the future funding of public service broadcasting will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12624/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn light of the recommendations in the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment Report on Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting, the Working Group on the Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting was set up by Government decision in July 2018 to examine options for the reform of TV licence collection. The Group's work is ongoing and it is scheduled to report to me shortly.
293. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he will publish amending broadcasting legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12625/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposed amendment to the Broadcasting, Act 2009 is currently at an advanced drafting stage. My Department continues to work closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in order to progress this work with a view to having the Broadcasting Bill published in Q2 this year. The matters in this amendment are complex and as such it is important that proper due diligence is done and that the legislative changes are robust.
294. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of prosecutions initiated in respect of roadworthiness infringements against HGV operators in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of such prosecutions against out-of-State operators; the country of origin of each; the number of convictions secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12468/19]
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.
295. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of roadworthiness inspections of HGV operators carried out by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, and An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2016 to 2018; the number of prosecutions arising from such inspections; the number of such inspections and prosecutions concerning out-of-State operators for the same period; the country of origin of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12471/19]
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.
296. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12518/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra297. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12535/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is currently being collated by my officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy within 10 working days.
|
Year |
Projects in County Galway |
Projects in Count Roscommon |
Funding allocated Yes/No |
Funding drawn down Yes/No |
Amount Galway € |
Amount Roscommon € |
|
2016 |
Galway to Moycullen -National Cycle Network |
Yes |
Yes |
16,816.38 |
||
|
Boyle to Lough Key Forest Park |
Yes |
Yes |
28,319.11 |
|||
|
Bike Week |
Bike Week |
Yes |
Yes |
24,712.59 |
1,500.00 |
|
|
2017 |
Galway to Moycullen -National Cycle Network |
Yes |
Yes |
73,522.58 |
||
|
Bike Week |
Bike Week |
Yes |
Yes |
23,857.42 |
4,750.00 |
|
|
2018 |
Bike Week |
Bike Week |
Yes |
Yes |
23,310.63 |
5,000.00 |
|
2019 |
298. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of the €3 billion allocation for the development and construction of MetroLink; the current planning stage of the project; the estimated commencement date for construction; the estimated completion date of the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12584/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra299. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the light rail system from the city centre to Swords as part of the MetroLink project; the projected commencement date; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the light rail system from the city centre to Sandyford as part of the MetroLink project; the projected commencement date; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12586/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed DART underground, as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date of the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12587/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra302. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas green line extensions, as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12588/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas red line extensions, as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12589/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas line to Lucan, as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12590/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 298 to 304, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, Project Ireland 2040 provides indicative allocations over the next ten years for a range of projects and programmes, including the development of MetroLink.
As noted in Project Ireland 2040 individual projects and programmes remain subject to compliance with the Public Spending Code, including its requirements in relation to appraisal and Sanctioning Authority approval points.
Details regarding indicative allocations, current status and expected construction commencement dates are published on the Project Ireland 2040 Tracker as published by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform and available at the following link: https://www.per.gov.ie/en/investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/ .
In relation to the various Luas projects referred to by the Deputy as featuring on pg. 55 of the National Development Plan, the Deputy will note that pg. 54 of the Plan states that funding provided under Project Ireland 2040 relates to appraisal, planning and design of the particular projects rather than construction and therefore the detail requested by the Deputy is not yet available.
With regard to DART Underground, the Plan makes clear that the DART Expansion Programme as proposed to be funded under Project Ireland 2040 does not include the Underground element but that instead the route for the Underground Tunnel will be established and protected to allow for its future delivery.
