Written Answers Nos. 477-496
477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which a qualified able seaman would update their qualifications and acquire a discharge book in order to return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17238/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to Marine Notice No. 6 of 2014 which advises on the transition of Able Seaman certificates issued prior to 1st January 2012 to the Able Seafarer (Deck) Certificate of Proficiency. Such certificates were valid until 31st December 2016 providing that holders completed the transition to Able Seafarer (Deck) before that date.
Persons failing to meet this deadline must now make a fresh application to obtain an Able Seafarer Deck Certificate in line with the requirements set out in the Marine Notice.
http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/MN06of2014_TransitionFromAbleSeamantoAbleSeafarer.pdf
The eligibility criteria and application process to acquire an Irish Seafarers Discharge book can be found on my Department’s Seafarers website at the following link
https://seafarers.ie/General-Information/Seafarers-Discharge-Book-and-ID-Card#593116-seafarers-discharge-book
It should be noted that an Able Seafarer Deck Certificate is not a requirement for the acquisition of a discharge book.
478. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for the introduction of a pilot project to help fund insurance costs for rural hackney licences for new businesses; the 17 areas to be involved in the pilot project nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17289/19]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the Local Link brand.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is also a matter for the NTA under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred 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.
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a taxi licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17294/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing of vehicles within this sector, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
480. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional road traffic offences introduced from 1 January 2011 to date from when they first came into force; the details of new restrictions on blood alcohol limits, new offences which can result in the imposition of penalty points or other penalties and increases to penalties for existing offences in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to offer a few opening remarks by way of adding clarity to some of the matters referred to in the Question and in the tables which follow. In particular, I would like to explain briefly the development of legislation on intoxicated driving in the period to which the Deputy refers.
The Road Traffic Act 2010 consolidated and updated legislation across the range of intoxicated driving offences. Its core provisions, including offences relating to driving or being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling the vehicle, were commenced in 2011. Also commenced at that time were new provisions for lower legal alcohol limits. These reduced the permissible alcohol limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg. In addition, a 'specified driver' - including learner and novice drivers, truck and bus drivers, and drivers of small public service vehicles - is held to a 20mg limit.
Section 29 of the 2010 Act allowed people detected in the 50-80mg and 80-100mg alcohol brackets to receive a fixed charge notice rather than going to court in certain limited circumstances. People in the lower of these brackets receive a fixed charge of €200 and in the higher of the two a fixed charge of €400. Those in the 80-100mg group also receive a 6 month driving disqualification. Those in the 50-80mg group originally received 3 penalty points, but the Oireachtas wisely agreed that this was unduly lenient and an inadequate deterrent, and replaced it in 2018 with a 3 month disqualification.
The 2010 Act was amended in 2014 to provide for new procedures for taking specimens from drivers in hospital if they were incapacitated following a collision. Where a person is conscious and refuses to provide a specimen for testing for intoxicants they commit an offence; under the 2014 provisions the person commits an analogous offence if they refuse permission for a certificate of the test result to be issued. In 2014 provisions to allow Gardaí to conduct impairment tests - walking a straight line and so on - and refusal to comply with a requirement to undergo these tests became an offence.
In 2016 the law was amplified to add new permitted limits for three drugs - cocaine, cannabis, and heroin. At the same time new tests for drugs were introduced, with new offences for failure to comply with a requirement to undergo these tests.
In 2018 the law was amended to create a new offence for the owner of a vehicle who allows a unaccompanied learner or an unlicensed driver to drive their vehicle. The penalty is a Class D fine.
In the tables which follow, the General Penalty is the penalty prescribed by section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 102, and which applies to all road traffic offences on conviction in court, except where a different penalty for that offence is specifically provided for in the law. The General Penalty is a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence, up to €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence, and up to €2,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison for a third or subsequent offence within a 12-month period.
Table 1 - Intoxicated Driving Offences (commenced 2011 unless otherwise stated)
|
Offence |
Penalty |
|
|
|
|
Driving a mechanically propelled while under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling the vehicle; exceeding alcohol limit |
Fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison |
|
Being in charge of a mechanically propelled while under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling the vehicle; exceeding alcohol limit |
Fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison |
|
Being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling an animal-drawn vehicle |
fine up to €3,000 for a first offence and/or up to 1 month in prison fine up to €5,000 and/or up to 3 months in prison for a second or subsequent offence |
|
Being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of controlling a pedal cycle |
fine of up to €2,000 |
|
Refusal or failure to comply with a preliminary breath test |
Class A fine (previously maximum €1,000) and/or up to 6 months in prison |
|
Failure to comply with a requirement to undergo impairment testing |
Class A fine and/or up to 6 months in prison (commenced 2014) |
|
Refusal or failure to provide specimen of blood, breath or urine after arrest |
Fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison |
|
Refusal to sign and return statement of evidential breath test result |
Fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to 3 months in prison |
|
Refusal or failure to provide oral fluid specimen following arrest |
Class A fine and/or up to 6 months in prison (amendment commenced 2017) |
|
Refusal or failure to provide blood specimen when suspected of certain offences involving drugs |
Class A fine and/or up to 6 months in prison (amendment commenced 2017) |
|
Refusal or failure to provide blood or urine specimen while in hospital |
Class A fine and/or up to 6 months in prison (amendment commenced 2014) |
|
Refusal or failure to agree to issue of completed certificate of test on specimen taken while driver was incapacitated |
Class A fine and/or up to 6 months in prison (amendment commenced 2014) |
|
Failure to produce driving licence to Gardaí after commission of a road traffic offence |
General Penalty |
|
Failure to provide address when required by member of Garda |
General Penalty |
|
Exceeding limit of cannabis, cocaine or heroin |
Fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to 6 months in prison (amendment 2016) |
|
Singing a medical exemption certificate (for prescribed cannabis) which the person knows to contain false information |
Class C fine |
In addition, there have been various changes in regard to penalty points since the start of 2011. The attached table sets out the information requested by the Deputy.
|
Road Traffic Offence |
New/Amended Penalties |
Date Commenced |
Penalty Points/on Conviction |
|
Using a vehicle (a) whole weight unladen exceeds maximum permitted weight (b) whose weight laden exceeds maximum permitted weight, or (c) any part of which transmits to ground greater weight than maximum permitted weight |
New |
3/8/2012 |
1/3 |
|
Driver of car or goods vehicle not wearing safety belt |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driver permitting person under specified age to occupy a seat when not wearing a safety belt |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child under 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driver of car or goods vehicle permitting child over 3 years of age to travel in it without being restrained by appropriate child restraint |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driver of car or good vehicle permitting child to be restrained by rearward facing child restraint fitted to a seat protected by active frontal airbag |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driver of bus not wearing a safety belt |
Amended |
3/08/2012 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Careless Driving |
Amended |
20/3/2014 |
3/5 (from direct summons/5) |
|
Holder of learner permit when not accompanied by and under supervision of qualified person where so required |
Amended |
20/3/2014 |
1/3 (from 2/4) |
|
Using vehicle without Certificate of Roadworthiness |
New |
17/11/2014 |
Summons/5 |
|
Using vehicle not equipped with a speed limitation device or using a vehicle equipped with a speed limitation device not complying with requirements specified in Reg 4, 5 or 6 |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Using vehicle without test certificate |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 1/3) |
|
Exceeding a speed limit |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 1/3) |
|
Failure to stop at school warden sign |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
2/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Driving a vehicle while holding a mobile phone |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Parking in a dangerous position |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Failure to display N-plate or tabard |
New |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 |
|
Contravention of ban on U-turns |
New |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 |
|
Learner permit holder driving unaccompanied by qualified person |
New |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 |
|
Contravention of rules for use of mini-roundabouts |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond no entry to vehicles sign |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond maximum vehicle length sign where length exceeds maximum displayed |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond maximum vehicle width sign where width exceeds maximum displayed |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond maximum design gross vehicle weight (safety) sign where design gross vehicle weight exceeds maximum displayed |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond maximum vehicle axle loading weight sign where vehicle axle loading weight exceeds maximum specified |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Proceeding beyond a traffic lane control sign other than in accordance with such sign without yielding |
New |
8/12/2014 |
1/3 |
|
Using vehicle in a public place without an authorisation plate |
New |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 |
|
Using vehicle in a public place that has been modified or altered such that authorisation plate is inaccurate |
New |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 |
|
Contravention of general speed restriction for vehicles |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Dangerous overtaking |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Failure to stop vehicle before stop sign or stop line |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Failure of vehicle to yield right of way at yield sign or yield line |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Crossing of white line by vehicle (continuous white line) |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Failure by vehicle to obey traffic lights or to halt at traffic sign adjacent to such lights |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
3/5 (from 2/4) |
|
Failure to drive on left |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 (from 1/3) |
|
Contravention of prohibition of driving vehicle along or across median strip |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 (from 1/3) |
|
Failure of vehicle to comply with mandatory traffic signs |
Amended |
8/12/2014 |
2/4 (from 1/3) |
|
Using a vehicle which exceeds the maximum permissible width |
New |
17/04/2016 |
1/3 |
|
Using a vehicle which exceeds the maximum permissible length |
New |
17/04/2016 |
1/3 |
|
Using a vehicle with defective or worn tyres |
New |
17/04/2016 |
2/4 |
|
Driver with blood alcohol above 50 milligrammes but not exceeding 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood |
Amended |
22/12/2018 |
3 month disqualification (from 3/5) |
481. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or the National Transport Authority, NTA, plan to review the rule regarding the age limit for vehicles which operate as taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17362/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of age rules for these vehicles, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the particular role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
482. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a passport is not accepted as proof of identity at an NCT centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17388/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017), provide the legal basis under which proof of identification is required by an NCT Test Centre when a vehicle is presented for roadworthiness testing. The Regulations permit an NCT Test Centre to withhold a vehicle’s test certificate until identification has been produced. The Data Protection Commissioner has deemed a driving licence to be the most appropriate form of identification for this purpose, as a driver is required to produce a driving licence when operating a vehicle in a public place.
The Regulations also permit the details on the form of identification to be recorded by an NCT Test Centre. The data recorded is held for a period of 12 months and then deleted. As the Data Protection Commissioner would not permit the recording and retention of passport details, the use of a passport for identification purposes was stopped.
The recorded identification details allows the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to trace cars for follow-up quality inspections, particularly where there has been a recent change in ownership. In addition, the application of these measures also acts as a deterrent to fraudulent activity in relation to roadworthiness testing. It is important information to help identify and investigate unusual patterns of activity relating to test quality or outcomes, where a common thread in such unusual patterns may involve the presenter of the vehicle(s).
483. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost if the budget for the regional co-operative market access scheme of Tourism Ireland increased by 33%. [17430/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the regional co-operative market access scheme is allocated to Tourism Ireland under the Tourism Marketing Fund. This year, €1,250,000 has been allocated to the scheme. Accordingly, a 33% increase would cost €412,500 on a full year basis.
484. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost if the public service obligation increased by 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17471/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The award of public service obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
The Exchequer allocation for PSO services to be delivered in 2019 is €287m which, if increased by 12.5%, would rise to €323m.
485. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full year cost of increasing funding to the secondary roads improvement scheme by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant 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, where applicable. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and local road grant categories.
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.
As indicated in the payment and allocation booklets grants are allocated by type of grant programme not categories of road. For the Deputy's information in assessing the cost of increasing particular grant programmes by 10%, an explanation of the purpose of the main road Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS) : This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Ring-fenced funding is available for the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) and a Drainage Programme. The CIS facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of public roads while the purpose of the Drainage Grant is to promote network resilience.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
Overall grant funding for regional and local roads in 2019 is €483 million. The start of year amount in 2017 was €324 million. This represents a 49% increase between 2017 and 2019.
486. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number or percentage of employees with intellectual disabilities in his Department, and in the agencies under his aegis; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department, and the agencies under his aegis, track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17512/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
Under the Disability Act 2005 and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy there is no obligation on Public Bodies to collate information on the type of disability that a staff member has chosen to disclose. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) an Employee’s medical history, including a disability, is classified as “sensitive personal data”, this allows it additional protections under GDPR. In the interest of complying with the terms of GDPR, and protecting an individual’s anonymity, the numbers of staff members who disclose intellectual disabilities are not specifically tracked by the Department and there are no plans to do so.
The Department actively promotes opportunities and support for individuals with disclosed disabilities. This includes participation in the Willing Able Mentoring Programme (WAM), which is a work placement graduate programme for individuals with disabilities, and the appointment of a designated Disability Liaison Officer who provides advice and support to staff members who have disclosed a disability and to line managers of staff members who have disclosed a disability.
Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024. The National Disability Authority’s (NDA) most recently published report confirms that 3.9% of staff within this Department have a disclosed disability.
I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with a statement on the information requested. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.
488. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of a €1.2 million grant paid to an organisation (details supplied) in 2014; if the application by the organisation for the additional grant stream will be provided; if his officials consulted with the organisation at that time; if he followed-up with the organisation regarding the way in which funds were allocated; if issues of concern were identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17614/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there was no grant allocation of that amount to the organisation referred to by the Deputy in 2014, six allocations of €200,000 each were made to individual clubs in 2014 following a submission from the organisation. The letter seeking this funding will be provided to the Deputy under separate cover.
I understand that prior to approving the allocations the then Minister and the Minister of State asked that officials in the Department would seek further information from the organisation in relation to each project prior to progressing the grant applications. This information was provided to the satisfaction of the Department prior to the issuing of letters of provisional allocation. As with all grants, the usual terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme had to be met prior to issuing formal approval for the grants in question. Similarly the relevant terms and conditions of the Programme were also met prior to any payments being made.
489. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is policy to provide Irish Sign Language interpreters under the provisions of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 at public consultations such as BusConnects and MetroLink. [17664/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the public consultation for MetroLink taking place in April 2019 is not providing access to Irish Sign Language interpreters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17665/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 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 development and implementation of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink and BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
491. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the contract to operate the online motor tax facility; if the operator is based in the UK or here; and his views regarding the operation of the contract in view of the decision by the UK to withdraw from the European Union. [17681/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra492. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied regarding the data privacy arrangements with the online motor tax facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17682/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 491 and 492 together.
The Online Motor Tax facility (at www.motortax.ie ) is operated by my Department, with both the websites production and disaster recovery environments physically hosted in Ireland.
A small element of the service concerns the provision of bulk email services by a UK based company. The service provider has a proven track in the provision of such services and meets my Department's requirements. In the event of the UK leaving the EU the existing contract will be amended with an appropriate contractual clause.
493. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to establish a dedicated cycling unit in his Department; and if a national cycling officer has been appointed to date. [17701/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is presumably aware that there already exists a Division within my Department that deals with cycling related matters. Obviously given the multifaceted nature of these matters it is the case that the Division works with other Departmental and Government colleagues on issues which require such cross-,and/or inter-, Departmental input.
In relation to the issue of a national cycling officer I have previously announced that I have requested the National Transport Authority (NTA) to establish a new Cycling Delivery Office which will focus on the timely delivery of cycling infrastructure in line with the increased levels of funding available. This new Office will be established this year and will, I believe, be of significant benefit in delivering improved cycling infrastructure.
494. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if autistic spectrum disorder, ASD will be recognised as eligibility to apply for disabled parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17711/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind. In 2010 the Department conducted a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme, in consultation with various stakeholders. One of the issues examined was eligibility for the scheme. Disability groups in particular were unhappy at the fact that some people were being issued with Disabled Parking Permits because they had particular medical conditions rather than an actual mobility impairment. As a result of the review the scheme was revised so that permits are now given on the basis of mobility impairment rather than the diagnosis of a particular condition or illness. This is in line with the original intention of the scheme.
The possibility of extending the eligibility criteria for the scheme to include people with autism and other invisible disabilities has been raised on a number of occasions and the Department has consulted extensively with the joint issuing authorities of the scheme, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), on this matter. In light of this consultation there are currently no plans to change the criteria, though the Department will continue to keep the matter under review.
495. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in place to build a sports facility in County Cavan; and the funding available to complete such a facility. [17736/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no plans to build a sports facility in County Cavan. While my Department does not provide sports facilities directly, grant assistance is available to sports clubs, national governing bodies of sport, schools and local authorities for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Full details of the relevant schemes are available on my Department's website.
The 2018 round of the SCP closed for applications last October when a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. The assessment of these new 2018 applications is continuing. As soon as allocations have been made, my Department will carry out a review of all aspects of the 2018 round of the programme to include any possible improvements for the future. This review will include consideration of the timing and scale of the next round but I fully expect that the SCP will again be open for new applications before the end of this year.
In relation to larger sports projects. the National Sports Policy was published on 25th July 2018 and provided for a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years. The fund was launched in November 2018 and closes for applications on Wednesday of this week (17th April 2019). The fund is initially focused on the requirements and development plans of National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities, all of which received letters inviting them to make applications. Decisions on the timing of the next round of the LSSIF will be taken once the assessment of all applications is complete and grants have been announced.
496. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17749/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe driving test service is run by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have no input into the scheduling of appointments.
The RSA provides a facility where driving test cancellations are made available to applicants who may need an urgent appointment. An applicant should contact the RSA directly and request that they be placed on the cancellation list. In order to be fair to all applicants, cancellation places will be assigned in order of the date of placement on the list. If an applicant requires a driving test urgently the RSA will make every effort to accommodate them.
