Written Answers Nos. 1561-1585
1561. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the motor taxation classification that is applicable to vehicles used by circuses and funfairs to transport funfair components and machinery from one site to another. [35087/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra1562. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered introducing a new specific classification for the vehicles used by circuses and funfairs to transport funfair components and machinery from one site to another. [35088/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1561 and 1562 together.
Vehicles used by circuses and funfair components and machinery can either be taxed at the goods rate or the machine/workshop/contrivance rate, depending on the structure of the vehicle.
The goods rate of motor tax applies where a vehicle is being used to carry goods in the course of trade or business. The machine/workshop/contrivance rate applies where a vehicle is used for the transport of a machine/workshop/contrivance which is built into the vehicle or permanently attached to it.
There are no plans to introduce a separate motor tax class for such vehicles.
1563. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to regulate insurance costs for hackney drivers that are starting out, particularly in rural areas in which public transport is very limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35097/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsurance companies are private companies and the pricing of insurance products is a commercial issue for those companies. Neither a Government Minister, nor the Central Bank (which regulates the insurance industry generally) has the power to direct insurance companies on the pricing of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products.
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 regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry - which encompasses taxis, hackneys and limousines, and for the management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the Local Link brand.
The NTA has recently announced that it is embarking on two pilot schemes to test possible approaches to addressing some of the needs of people living in rural areas with particularly limited transport options: these are the Designated Local Area Hackney pilot scheme and the Community Transport Service pilot. In light of the NTA's initiatives in this area, 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 ten working days.
1564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35120/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. No application has been submitted by the club in question but the type of equipment referred to by the Deputy is eligible for funding under the programme.
Work is now nearing completion on the assessment of the remaining applications under the 2018 round of the SCP and no new applications are being accepted. Any organisation planning to make an application under a future round of the Programme should register on the Department's online application system OSCaR (www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie ) as soon as possible as applications are only accepted through this. I expect a new round of the SCP will be open for applications before the end of this year and all registered OSCaR users will receive an email notification in this regard.
1565. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the risk of potential traffic chaos at Rosslare Harbour in view of Brexit and the need to develop ports; his plans to provide special funding to develop the roads to, in and around Rosslare Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35126/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the issue of Ports development, I can advise that strengthening access routes to Ireland’s Ports through investment to upgrade and enhance the road transport network is, and remains, a Government priority. My Department is in consultation with TII regarding the relationship between Ports development and road infrastructure development in order to ensure that the best options for accessibility and connectivity are achieved.
The UK’s exit from the EU highlights the importance of high quality international maritime connectivity and the importance of continuing investment to further improve the quality of Port facilities. This is relevant to all our Ports of National Significance, both Tier 1 and Tier 2 (Ports of Waterford and Rosslare), given their potential role in maintaining transportation linkages with crucial EU markets.
In terms of Brexit, a whole-of-Government approach has been adopted in relation to our key Ports through the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Committee to ensure that Ports have the necessary infrastructure in place for Brexit.
All three Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) – Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes – are currently undertaking major capital infrastructure programmes. These programmes will enhance national and international connectivity, and provide for future increases in trade and national Port capacity requirements by facilitating more vessels, larger sized vessels and increased tonnage and throughput. All of these developments must be financed by the companies themselves without recourse to the Exchequer.
Rosslare Europort as a division of Iarnród Éireann is effectively managing operations at the Port and looking at the potential of the Port to develop further and take advantage of any new opportunities. The Port is targeting growth and new business opportunities, and in 2018 received the approval of the Iarnród Éireann Board for a strategic plan to grow the Port’s business. This includes investment plans for up to €25 million in customer facilities and Port infrastructure, Port assets, and new technology.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction, including the operation of individual roads, is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads. TII also has responsibility for the management and distribution of the roads national capital programme budget.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply on the issues raised concerning national road infrastructure developments. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1566. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of grant funding allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath through the sports capital programme since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35138/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
Details of the allocations (listed on a county basis) under the Sports Capital Programme for the years in question are available on the Department’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/
1567. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of grant funding his Department and associated agencies have allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35139/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the amount of grant funding my Department has allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath since 2016 for Greenways and Bike Week activities:
|
County |
Greenways |
Bike Week activities |
|
Longford |
€513,000.00 (Abbeyshrule to Ballymahon Greenway) |
€27,950.00 |
|
Westmeath |
€2,176,457.00 (Garrycastle to Whitegates Greenway) |
€14,592.50 |
Details of all grants allocated under the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pools Programmes are published on the gov.ie website: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/
In relation to regional and local roads, details of the 2019 grant allocations to Longford and Westmeath can be found in the 2019 Regional and Local Road allocation booklet available in the Oireachtas library. Details of grant payments for previous years are set out in the Regional and Local Road grant payment booklets which are also available in the Oireachtas library.
Since 2016, one small public service vehicle (SPSV) driver from Westmeath received a grant of €6,000 towards the purchase of an electric vehicle under the Electric SPSV Grant Scheme.
Under the Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme, electric vehicle drivers passing the toll on the M4 Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath to Kilcock, Co. Kildare are eligible for a discounted toll on each journey up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles.
I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
1568. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the income the Road Safety Authority, RSA, derives from driver tests annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35155/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on driver testing income is included in the Annual Reports of the Road Safety Authority which can be read at https://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/About-Us/Reporting-on-our-progress/. I would remind the Deputy that the driving test is not a profit-driven operation and that the cost of the test is not particularly high when measured against the cost of providing the service.
1569. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken to address the failure rate in driver test centres of circa 50%; and when the matter was last discussed with the Road Safety Authority, RSA. [35156/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority's Driver Testing Service sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that an applicant must demonstrate if he or she is to become a fully licensed driver. An effective Driving Test provides learner drivers with a consistent evaluation process which ensures that candidates have attained a sufficient level of competency to drive unaccompanied.
Pass and failure rates are determined by two factors: the standards set out in the assessment itself and the level of skill and experience acquired by candidates in preparation for that assessment. The individual assessable components examined on the driving test are set out in a series of EU directives on driver testing and licensing, the current informing directive being EU Directive 2006/126/EC which sets minimum driving test standards, training and quality assurance for driver testers. Driving up overall pass rates by providing for a somehow 'easier' test, therefore, would be a breach of both EU law and indeed the very spirit of Irish road safety policy. An appropriately stringent test at a high standard is an essential component if we are to ensure safe and responsible behaviour on our roads.
Essential Driver Training (EDT) was introduced in 2011 with the express purpose of preparing candidates for the test in a more structured and focused way. The breakdown of pass and failure rates as captured in the Road Safety Authority's Annual Reports ( https://www.rsa.ie/Utility/About-Us/Reporting-on-our-progress/) clearly indicates higher pass rates among learners who have taken the EDT lessons than those who have not.
1570. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process by which driver tests are organised, that is, by way of contract with a third party and the Road Safety Authority, RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35157/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a matter for the Road Safety Authority I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response. Please contact my office if no reply has been received within 10 working days.
1571. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the driver test failure and pass statistics for each county other than Dublin in each of the years 2016 to 2018. [35158/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website at www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Driving-Test-Centre/Pass-Rates/.
1572. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the reappearance of rickshaws on the streets of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you may be aware, last year, the Cabinet gave approval for publication of a General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 so as to provide for the regulation of rickshaws. Work is underway to advance the drafting of this Bill.
Rickshaws can be powered in a number of different ways - pedal powered, pedal-assisted and motorised. This Bill will introduce comprehensive new detention powers which will ensure effective enforcement of a ban on motorised rickshaws carrying passengers for reward. The Bill will also introduce a licensing regime for non-motorised rickshaws only. These new measures will ensure that rickshaws drivers and vehicles are vetted and registered and I am confident that this will significantly improve safety for passengers and for all road users.
1573. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided for a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35189/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. No applications has been submitted by the club in question but the type of equipment referred to by the Deputy is eligible for funding under the programme.
Work is now nearing completion on the assessment of the remaining applications under the 2018 round of the SCP and no new applications are being accepted. Any organisation planning to make an application under a future round of the Programme should register on the Department's online application system OSCaR (www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie) as soon as possible as applications are only accepted through this. I expect a new round of the Programme will be open for applications before the end of this year and all registered OSCaR users will receive an email notification in this regard.
1574. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the roads and other transport infrastructure being built and for which there are plans to commence building in the next five years; and the estimated cost and timetable for each project in tabular form. [35193/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040 provides indicative allocations over the next ten years for a range of public transport related projects and programmes.
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 completion dates where applicable 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.gov.ie/en/publication/6db7c4-investment-projects-and-programmes-tracker/.
1575. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget available for the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; when the funding will be awarded; the number of applicants by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35273/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Development Plan confirmed the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) with at least €100m available over the coming years. The scheme is designed to provide a transparent and robust system for funding sports capital projects where the Government contribution exceeds the amount which is currently available under the Sports Capital Programme. Initially, the scheme has a particular focus on National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities.
The 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. 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.
1576. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the revenue raised from the start date of a contract with a company (details supplied) to date in 2019 on a route-by-route basis in the context of gross cost contract between the National Transport Authority, NTA, and the company; the figures from cash and Leap fares respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35274/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1577. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress in each of the key performance indicators in the national sports policy to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35305/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA comprehensive set of key performance indicators (KPIs) covering all elements of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is currently being finalised in the context of the development of an Action Plan for the period to end 2022. This process includes in particular the development of KPIs for children and young people. As indicated in the policy, these will be set following publication later this month of the 2018 Children's Sport Participation and Physical Activity (CSPPA) Study.
1578. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a nationwide audit of sport facilities will take place as per the national sports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35306/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current position is that my Department is engaging with Sport Ireland in relation to the possible integration of an audit of all sports facilities with the development of a comprehensive national database of Sport & Recreation Amenities, which the Agency is separately considering already. I believe that a comprehensive database of all general recreation amenities such as public parks, walks, trails, cycle paths and swimming areas, in addition to specific sports facilities, has considerable potential to benefit many different user groups. Such groups would include the general public, doctors / healthcare professionals, planners, tourists, persons with a disability, the emergency services and app developers. The full audit itself is likely to take a number of years to complete and consideration will need to be given to undertaking the work on a phased basis.
The question of how best to proceed will also be discussed by the Sports Leadership Group and other stakeholders such as Healthy Ireland and local authorities in the coming weeks. Following these discussions, it is hoped to have a strategy settled for how the audit will be undertaken before the end of this year.
1579. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made on reviewing swimming pool provision; if the findings of such a review will be provided; and when the review will be concluded. [35307/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs indicated in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, a review of swimming pool provision will be undertaken as part of the development of a coherent national strategy for swimming. Arrangements for the development of this strategy are currently being progressed by my Department with an indicative completion timescale of the latter part of 2020.
In relation to existing programmes, the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP), as operated by my Department, provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. To date 52 pools have been completed and three swimming pool projects remain in the current LASPP. Swimming pools are also eligible for funding under the new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The closing date for receipt of applications under the LSSIF was 17th April 2019. 72 applications were received and my officials are currently assessing these. Details of all applications, including those for swimming pools, are available on my Department’s website. Allocations under the LSSIF are expected towards the end of this year.
1580. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason links from search engines or other sources to documents found on the website of his Department now link to a Departmental home page rather than the document itself; his plans to rectify the situation; the advice taken before the change was implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35332/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment department websites are currently undergoing a significant change in how they present online content to citizens and businesses, with a view to making them easier to use and more accessible to all members of society. Over time, department websites are being moved to one single website, gov.ie, giving people a one stop shop for accessing information on government services and organisations.
It is generally seen as best practice to pursue the consolidation of public service information into one consistent accessible website. The most digitally advanced countries within the EU (see the EU eGovernment Benchmark 2018 - Denmark, Estonia, Austria, Latvia and Malta), have already moved to a single digital gateway approach. Furthermore, a 2016 market research exercise carried out by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform found that the concept of a single, online portal for government was positively received by both the general public and representative bodies alike. This view was again confirmed by a subsequent market research exercise carried out in late 2018.
Following a government decision to migrate all ministerial department websites to gov.ie, work has proceeded on this basis. So far, five departments have moved their website content to gov.ie - the Departments of the Taoiseach; Public Expenditure and Reform; Rural and Community Development; Transport, Tourism and Sport; and Finance.
As a part of the migration to gov.ie, content from websites are reworked and moved into the gov.ie website (for example, efforts are made to make the services content easier to understand through the use of plain English). Post migration, the internet addresses for the new content within gov.ie is different from the addresses of the content, including documents, on the old websites.
The migration of a website to a new one with a different address necessarily breaks links to the old website content from external sources. This is suffered for all website migrations, including the department websites in question. This issue is temporary in nature as search engines re-index content on the internet, and also as external sites (that are not search indexes) update their links to point to the new location of content. Over time, the issue of finding broken links and being redirected to a department’s homepage on gov.ie will become less and less frequent, and will eventually cease to occur.
To reduce the impact of the temporary ill effects caused by these website migrations, the occurrence of visitors to broken links within gov.ie is monitored via site analytics. In conjunction with each department’s content manager, work is continuously being undertaken where possible to redirect such broken links to the correct and new location within gov.ie. Furthermore, prior to website migration into gov.ie, work is undertaken to pre-emptively set up such redirects to popular content so as to reduce the likelihood of this issue arising.
Between search engine re-indexing and the ongoing efforts based on website analytics, the user experience of gov.ie in regards to the matter the Deputy refers will improve over time.
1581. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount expended on the renewal of licences (details supplied) by his Department since 2009 to date in 2019; the amount projected to be spent on the renewal of such licences by his Department over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35348/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department had no expenditure on the renewal of Lotus Notes licences from 2009 to 2019 and it is not currently the Department's intention to have any expenditure, for this purpose, over the next 5 years.
1582. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of implementing the new national search and rescue, SAR, plan; his plans to fund the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35358/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI published the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Plan on the 19 July of this year. The plan replaces the existing National Maritime SAR Framework dating from 2010. The Plan sets out the governance and oversight of SAR activities in Ireland and is intended to meet Ireland's international and national obligations in this area. It is an interdepartmental and interagency framework document which clarifies the roles, relationships and responsibilities of all the stakeholders in the SAR community in Ireland. It was developed as a direct result of recommendations arising from a recent independent review of SAR aviation oversight as well as a recent MCIB report. The key new elements of this plan relate to providing assurance in relation to mechanisms and procedures to ensure the safe conduct of SAR activities at all levels.
There are no estimates available in relation to the potential costs for each organisation in complying with these requirements or for the regulatory entities involved in ensuring compliance. It is possible that some organisations involved will incur additional costs. It is also clear that such costs are justified and necessary given the level of risk associated with SAR activities. There will also be some administrative costs associated with the creation of new structures such as the National SAR Committee and the National SAR Consultative Committee - which will be key to ensuring a coherent implementation of the plan. These costs will be met from within my Department's existing budget.
1583. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if it is mandatory for all second-hand private cars to receive a national car testing, NCT, certificate prior to being registered here. [35422/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation and practices governing the importation and registration of motor vehicles in Ireland is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the legal basis for the matter described by the Deputy is Chapter IV of the Finance Act 1992 and the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations.
While my Department does not have a function in respect of the registration of vehicles, it should be noted that all motor vehicles are required to undergo mandatory roadworthiness inspections once the vehicle has reached a certain age, generally 4 years for passenger vehicles and 1 year for commercial vehicles. These rules also apply to an imported used vehicle which must also undergo a roadworthiness inspection before that vehicle can be used on a public road (once that vehicle has reached the age previously indicated). As the roadworthiness testing regime is an EU-wide system (governed by Directive 2014/45/EU), the unexpired portion of a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by another Member State will be recognised by the State.
1584. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the impact on traditional bed and breakfasts of the use of purpose-built student accommodation for short-term lettings while the third-level institutions are not in session; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. Fáilte Ireland has operational responsibility in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion. They also have responsibility for the regulation of certain types of tourist accommodation.
Fáilte Ireland has not conducted any research into the impact on B&B's of short-term letting of student accommodation while third level institutions are not in session.
In recent years, the lack of hotel capacity in certain areas has been an issue for Irish tourism. In today's market, offering a wide variety of tourist accommodation which increases capacity for tourists is important for the Irish Tourism Industry. Additional accommodation types enhances supply, which is particularly important in areas of high demand during peak periods. This also helps ensure that new and emerging consumer needs and preferences can be catered for, by providing alternative types of accommodation which is popular with tourists.
1585. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of external consultancies that delivered and continue to deliver advice and training on all aspects of GDPR in the context of preparedness and ongoing upskilling of staff regarding the regulation; the cost expended on the external advice and training of same to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35583/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the names of the external consultants that delivered training and provided advice to my Department in the context of GDPR preparedness, and the associated costs expended on each for the period 1st January 2017 to 31st August 2019 are set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Company Name |
Cost (€) |
|
2017 |
BSI Cybersecurity and Information Resilience (Ireland ) Ltd. |
118,075.39 |
|
2018 |
BSI Cybersecurity and Information Resilience (Ireland ) Ltd. |
90,068.31 |
|
2019 |
Irish Academy of Computer Training Ltd. (IACT) |
2,664.00 |
|
2019 |
CMG Training |
1,185.00 |
