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Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 2445-2469

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (2445)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

2445. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when County Cavan will receive funding from the large scale sport infrastructure fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33621/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund opened for applications on 19th November 2018 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 17th April.

72 applications were received in total including one application from Cavan County Council. My officials are currently undertaking an initial assessment of the applications received. Details of all applications received have been published on the Department's website.

In view of the detailed information contained in each application, I am advised that it will take a number of months to have all of them assessed. Accordingly, I expect that it will be towards the end of this year before any allocations are announced.

Questions Nos. 2446 and 2447 answered with Question No. 2348.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (2448, 2449)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

2448. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to fund the extension of the M3 Motorway to Cavan town and the east-west link which are urgently needed in the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33649/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

2449. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to fund the extension of the M3 motorway to Cavan town and the east-west link which are urgently needed in the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33721/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2448 and 2449 together.

As I have previously outlined on 9th July, 2019, proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.

As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal which are the subject of this PQ, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.

This year I gave an allocation of €100,000 to Cavan County Council to enable the Council to undertake a detailed appraisal, in line with the current requirements in the Public Spending Code and the Capital Appraisal Framework, of the Cavan to Dundalk section of the route. The aim of the detailed appraisal would be to assess the extent to which the scheme or elements of it can be justified in terms of appraisal and advanced for further consideration in relation to schemes for development post 2021. Preparation of the appraisal is the responsibility of the Council.

Regarding your reference to extending the M3 motorway to Cavan town, as 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, construction and operation of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In that regard, I understand that TII on 17th July, 2019, issued a detailed response in relation to this matter.

Planning Guidelines

Ceisteanna (2450)

Catherine Martin

Ceist:

2450. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement his Department and the National Transport Authority will have in reviewing the design manual for urban roads and streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33783/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) is a joint publication by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG). The manual has undergone a recent review, with the review being overseen by a Steering Committee of which the National Transport Authority is a member. Minor amendments have been made to various chapters of the 2013 Manual and 4 new Advice Notes have been provided.

Advice Note 1 on Transition Zones defines the meaning and function of Gateways and Transition Zones as they apply to our towns and villages. Advice Note 2 on Materials and Specifications sets out to expand on the concepts of quality, durability and function and to provide guidance in terms of construction and design, material selection and specification. Advice Note 3 documents the background research and considerations used in the development of the DMURS Geometric Standards and Advice Note 4 on Quality Audits provides a system of design checks that can be carried out to promote 'best practise' design solutions.

A new DMURS website has also been developed and is available at www.dmurs.ie. The website contains all updates and supplementary material, including the advice notes, available for download. This website is designed to be a resource tool with workshop/presentation material available, along with links to key publications and case study material. Local Authorities and private practitioners are also invited to submit projects that demonstrate the application of the principles, approaches and design measures contained within DMURS. These will serve to illustrate 'best practise' street design and place making that will inform practitioners, students and interested persons.

Brexit Preparations

Ceisteanna (2451)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

2451. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if officials from each port have met collectively to discuss Brexit to date in 2019; if there is an agreed plan in place between each port if a no-deal Brexit materialises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33870/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Brexit has been identified as my Department’s highest strategic risk and my Department along with other Government Departments and key Agencies, has been preparing for Brexit for three years. My Department participates in the co-ordination structures established to facilitate a whole-of-Government response to the issues raised by Brexit, including participation in the interdepartmental group on the EU and Brexit and the Brexit co-ordinators' group. My Department has been participating in the process of preparedness and contingency planning through these cross-departmental structures, and this process is ongoing.

As regards planning for our ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit, my Department participates in an Inter-Departmental group established to consider the adequacy of port and airport infrastructure and facilities, post-Brexit, chaired by the Revenue Commissioners. This group includes representatives from Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Department of Health, the HSE’s Environmental Health Service (EHS), the OPW, the Department of Justice and Equality, An Garda Síochána, and from my Department. This group has considered the requirements at ports for both the ‘Central Case’ and the ‘no-deal’ scenarios and the physical infrastructure requirements to facilitate and support the movement of trade, including the requirements of Revenue; DAFM; and the HSE’s EHS, to carry out necessary Customs interventions and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks at ports and airports. The group has identified infrastructure required at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort, as well as at Dublin Airport, and has agreed proposals on the nature and scale of new or extended facilities that would be required.

Consultations by my Department regarding Brexit with key maritime stakeholders including ports has included a Transport and Logistics All Island Sectorial meeting in Dundalk in January 2017, three Brexit Maritime Transport Workshops/Seminars (in April 2017, March 2018, and in January 2019) with a further Maritime Transport Workshop/Seminar planned for September 2019. Brexit is a key focus in discussions between the maritime side of my Department and individual Irish ports in 2018 and 2019 to date. Two Dublin Port Brexit Workshops have been held (in February and May, 2018), and 18 Meetings were held by my Department at individual ports where Brexit has been discussed during 2018 alone. Ports have continued their preparations for the UK’s departure from the EU by examining all possible options to avoid delays to goods transiting through their facilities, and by adjusting their infrastructural plans and they, as well as shipping companies, continue to examine possible new trade routes to mainland Europe, avoiding the land bridge through the UK.

Questions Nos. 2452 to 2458, inclusive, answered with Question No. 2396.

Railway Stations

Ceisteanna (2459, 2466)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

2459. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for Kilmallock railway station, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33902/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2466. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process Irish Rail and Westmeath County Council must engage in to ensure the reopening of Killucan railway station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33933/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2459 and 2466 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network including the former stations referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Airport Passenger Data

Ceisteanna (2460)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

2460. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the share of passengers in each airport in each of the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33906/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Please see the following table which contains Passenger numbers for each airport for the years 2011 to 2018 and to date in 2019 (latest figures available are to end June 2019).

Passenger Numbers

Passenger Numbers

2019 to date

2018

2017

2016

Dublin

15,548,169

31,495,604

29,582,308

27,907,384

Cork

1,204,901

2,392,821

2,308,506

2,230,564

Shannon

786,869

1,864,762

1,751,500

1,748,935

Donegal 

21,703

46,537

46,514

44,156

Kerry

171,140

365,339

335,480

325,670

Knock

288,228

771,619

749,499

733,896

Waterford

0

0

2,249

15,166

Sligo

0

0

0

0

Galway

0

0

0

0

table cntd.

Passenger Numbers

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Dublin

25,049,779

21,711,967

20,167,783

19,099,649

18,740,593

Cork

2,071,210

2,144,476

2,258,005

2,340,115

2,361,947

Shannon

1,714,872

1,639,315

1,400,032

1,395,402

1,656,504

Donegal 

36,552

35,415

33,768

29,326

40,100

Kerry

307,079

295,251

306,042

286,442

310,905

Knock

685,485

703,265

665,393

685,781

654,553

Waterford

35,528

34,607

28,209

76,554

81,521

Sligo

0

0

0

0

7,111

Galway

0

0

0

0

69,101

Question No. 2461 answered with Question No. 2396.

Driver Test Data

Ceisteanna (2462)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

2462. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting time for a driver test at each test centre; pass rate at each test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33917/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The average and longest waiting times at each individual driving test centre across the country are available to read at

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times/.

This information is updated by the Road Safety Authority on a weekly basis.

As the information requested in the second part of the Deputy's question is held by the Road Safety Authority, I have forwarded the question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Road Projects Status

Ceisteanna (2463, 2464)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

2463. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when work on the Macroom bypass will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33918/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

2464. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when work on the Macroom bypass is scheduled to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33919/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2463 and 2464 together.

As 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 construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A

Museum Projects

Ceisteanna (2465)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding streams available to a museum (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33932/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. The implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. While my Department provides capital funding to the Department for investment in tourism attractions, it does not have any role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital programmes.

I am aware, however, that the deadline for expressions of interest for Fáilte Ireland's first funding call under its Platforms for Growth tourism initiative closed on 17th July. My understanding is that Fáilte Ireland is planning further funding calls under this initiative in the future.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Question No. 2466 answered with Question No. 2459.

Ministerial Meetings

Ceisteanna (2467)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met his UK counterpart since becoming Minister in pre-arranged meetings. [33945/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have met my UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling, on three occasions over the past 2 years.

The most recent meeting of 8 November was Brexit related and the parameters of the discussion were clearly communicated to the Secretary of State in advance, in particular the need to fully respect the mandate of the EU’s Chief Negotiator in negotiating for the EU 27 and that the discussion could not stray into the area of negotiations.

Driver Test Data

Ceisteanna (2468)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2468. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the processing time of RSA drivers that have been approved a work permit. [33946/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The average and longest waiting times at each individual driving test centre across the country are available to read at

http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times.

This information is updated by the Road Safety Authority on a weekly basis.  If an applicant feels that he or she needs a licence urgently for employment purposes then he or she may wish to contact the Road Safety Authority directly and ask to be placed on the cancellation list.

As the Deputy may be aware, applicants who already hold a valid driving licence from certain recognised countries may be in a position to exchange that licence for an Irish one.   A full list of the countries and states with which Ireland currently has exchange agreements can be found at

https://www.ndls.ie/holders-of-foreign-licences.html#to-apply-to-exchange-a-foreign-driving-licence-issued-by-a-recognised-state .

Haulage Industry Cabotage Regulations

Ceisteanna (2469)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

2469. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the level of cabotage inspections and the level of prosecutions in the past years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33947/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The enforcement of cabotage regulations is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This question has been forwarded to the RSA for their direct attention and reply.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
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