Written Answers Nos. 294-306
294. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and percentage of women on each State board under the remit of his Department on 8 March 2016 and 8 March 2019, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15715/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on my Department's website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
My Department is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Group on Gender Balance on State Boards to promote greater gender balance in this area and continues to appoint persons to the State Boards under its aegis in line with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on appointments to State Boards.
295. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the report on the maritime transport forum 2008 can be accessed on the website of his Department; if not, if it will be made available; and if there are developments or public documents on the issues persons with disabilities experience at ports here since 2008. [15736/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2008 Report of the Maritime Passenger Transport Forum can be accessed on my Department’s website under Publications and at the following link:
http://www.dttas.ie/maritime/english/maritime-passenger-transport-forum-0.
The Forum was established to oversee the implementation and review of the Maritime Passenger Transport section of the Department’s Sectoral Plan prepared under the Disability Act 2005. The 2008 Report made a number of recommendations which have since been implemented, including access audits on a range of domestic passenger ships and the harbours/landing places from which they operate, the provision of disability awareness training for passenger vessel owners/operators, and the preparation of “Guidelines for Accessible Maritime Passenger Transport” in conjunction with the National Disability Authority, which were launched in March 2010. The Guidelines contain a range of practical advice and information for all those involved in providing maritime transport services including passenger vessel owners and operators, port operators and local authorities.
A review of the Department’s Sectoral Plan for Accessible Transport under the Disability Act 2005, Transport Access for All, was published in 2012 and is available to view on the Department’s website, covering all modes of transport including Maritime:.
http://www.dttas.ie/public-transport/publications/english/sectoral-plan-accessible-transport-transport-access-all. The Plan contains some user feedback on the experience of travelling by passenger vessel or ferry as reported by persons with disabilities.
A web page for the provision of travel information to people with reduced mobility, launched in June 2012, brings together information on a range of transport modes including Ferries and Ferry ports. It is located on the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) website “Transport for Ireland” and can be viewed via the following link: http://www.transportforireland.ie/accessible-travel/.
The European Union (Rights of Passengers when Travelling By Sea and Inland Waterway) Regulations 2012 [S.I. No. 394 of 2012], which apply from 18 December 2012, give full effect to Regulation (EU) No 1177/2010 of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway. The NTA is the national enforcement body for the purposes of the EU Regulation in Ireland. Further information is available on the NTA website and the Department has also published Information Notes containing general information on the Regulation including a document for passengers:
http://www.dttas.ie/maritime/maritimetrans/passenger-rights.
In recent years the Department has pursued a number of initiatives in an effort to support improvements in maritime passenger transport accessibility, including a Monitoring Programme during 2012 and 2013 to inform the Department about the extent of voluntary accessibility improvements that have been made to passenger boats and ships and related services. Arising from the findings, further disability awareness training for passenger vessel owners, operators and crew was provided, most recently in 2016.
The Department does not have current information regarding recent developments or experiences at individual ports. It is suggested that any queries in relation to a particular port might be directed to the port authority concerned.
There are three international ferry ports in the State: Cork, Dublin and Rosslare. The passenger facilities in these ports are either operated by state owned companies or in the case of Dublin Port by the Ferry Terminal Operators. These companies recognise the importance of delivering a high quality service to all passengers including those with disabilities.
The Department’s Accessibility Consultative Committee continues to provide a forum for engagement between Departmental officials and representatives of the Disability Stakeholders Group, the National Disability Authority and other relevant Agencies. No particular issues in relation to ports have been raised at recent meetings of the Committee.
296. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bicycle lockers available at public transport stations here; the cost of providing such lockers, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15762/19]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 days.
297. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if cost estimates have been provided for replacing trees that will be removed as part of the BusConnects plan. [15763/19]
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 BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 days.
298. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the expansion of the public piano initiative in public transport stations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15799/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is primarily a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.
299. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the rules governing warning signage for speed check vans will be clarified; and if under European law there is a necessity to have three warning signs on the approach road to a speed check van. [15979/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads. Matters relating to the management, including signage, of national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. For regional and local roads it is a matter for each respective local authority. The Traffic Signs Manual, which my Department has issued, contains all information on which Warning Signs are necessary. There are no provisions of EU law as it stands that apply to this matter.
I would note that traffic signs generally follow international conventions, which of course should not be confused with EU or other law.
In relation to the operation of road traffic law enforcement, this is a matter for the Garda Síochána, as with law enforcement generally.
300. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the Bus Éireann fleet nationally by depot; and the average age profile of the Bus Éireann fleet by coach, city and town bus fleet by depot. [15985/19]
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. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
301. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the fact that the National Transport Authority has failed to supply new double decker coaches to Bus Éireann at Capwell, County Cork (details supplied). [15986/19]
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 including the provision of national bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my private office if he does receive a reply within 10 days.
302. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the work of both Bus Éireann management and staff in County Cork in attempting to provide a reliable bus service despite the failure of the National Transport Authority to supply adequate resources will be acknowledged. [15987/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but I am not involved in its day-to-day operations. As the Deputy is aware, my Department has allocated €287 million in funding this year towards the delivery of public service obligation (PSO) services, which are overseen by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The precise allocations to the companies (including Bus Éireann) to operate these services is decided by the NTA, in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with the PSO service providers. I am advised that the NTA has invested in a significant improvement to subsidised bus services in Cork City and is currently reviewing bus services in the Greater Cork area. PSO services and rural transport services that respond to local needs are continuing to grow throughout the country, and some further expansion is also being facilitated.
In view of the NTA's statutory responsibility in relation to arranging for the provision of public transport, I am forwarding the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct response. I ask the Deputy to contact my Office if he does not receive a response within 10 working days.
303. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the most recent time the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann undertook a review of the accessible routes on the Bus Éireann network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15988/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra304. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the NTA in supplying Bus Éireann with the audio files to facilitate audio announcements on Bus Éireann services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15989/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority has supplied him with evidence of consultation with disabled persons on the future purchase of buses that are accessible to all in order to prevent a repeat of events (details supplied). [15990/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 to 305, inclusive, 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 the questions to the NTA for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
306. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of a bus shelter for southbound passengers in a location (details supplied) in County Cork. [15991/19]
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 provision of bus stops, bus shelters and bus stations throughout the State.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 days.
