Written Answers Nos. 951-970
951. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if customers are now required to pre-book Irish Rail seats in advance of travel; and the effect this will have on free travel recipients. [45179/19]
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 issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
952. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will respond to the demands put forward by an organisation (details supplied) for inclusive public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45180/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport which are matters for the individual operators, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) as appropriate.
As the issues raised in this case come under the remit of Irish Rail, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days
953. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a motorist with an Irish registration who has received a fine for a parking violation in Northern Ireland can be pursued for same here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45210/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for the authorities in Northern Ireland to enforce Northern Ireland law. If there are any reciprocal enforcement arrangements they would be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
954. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will next meet with the chairpersons of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. [45263/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not currently have any plans to meet with the chairpersons of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
955. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the bus services to Ashbourne and Ratoath, County Meath, in terms of reliability and cost comparison with other locations equidistant from Dublin; if he is satisfied that the Bus Éireann 103 service is meeting the terms of its contract obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45291/19]
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 issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann 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 response within ten working days.
956. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which the next round of applications for the sports capital programme will commence; the date on which the current round will cease granting to successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45293/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra970. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when sports capital funding will be made available in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45390/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 970 together.
2,337 applications were submitted under the 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced in May.
Work is now being finalised on the remaining applications for capital works and I expect the allocations to be announced shortly. As soon as these grants have been announced a review into the operation of the 2018 SCP will be undertaken. Part of the review will include consideration of timing of the next round but it is anticipated that the SCP will be open for applications again in the coming months.
957. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for the N2 upgrade between the Rath roundabout and Kilmoon Cross, County Meath; the position of the project in the list of roads infrastructure priorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45298/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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, including any upgrade works for 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.
958. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to respond to the request by the National Transport Authority that it be given power to enforce the laws in relation to bus lane usage; if new legislation is being progressed which will give the authority the power to use automatic number plate recognition to carry out enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45303/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA proposal was submitted to my Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to the enforcement of restrictions applying to bus lanes and the possible use of a camera based enforcement system to combat illegal usage of bus lanes. I understand from the NTA that this issue has also arisen during the recent public consultation on BusConnects.
Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides the legal vires for establishing prima facie proof of a commitment of an offence under the Road Traffic Acts (including section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994), and may be discharged by tendering evidence from electronic or other apparatus, including cameras. In relation to bus lanes usage, the prohibitions and restrictions applying to bus lanes are provided for in regulations made by the Minister under Section 35 of the 1994 Act, with enforcement being primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána. Such offences fall within the remit of the fixed charge system, which is administered by the Gardaí. There are no plans at present to confer such an enforcement role on the NTA.
959. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding commuters who wish to take their bicycles onto trains, trams and buses; his plans to ensure that greater provision can be made for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/19]
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 issues raised are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the relevant transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA and TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
960. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagement he has had on the provision of the north ring road in Cork city. [45312/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
963. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of sports capital applications received as part of the current programme; the number of applications that have been validated to date; the number that have been rejected; and the number under internal review by county in tabular form (details supplied). [45362/19]
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.
2,337 applications were submitted under the 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme seeking a total of €162m in funding.
186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced to these organisations in May.
Work is now being finalised on the remaining applications for capital works and I expect the allocations to be announced shortly.
The following table sets out the results of the assessment of all applications to date.
|
- |
Total |
2017 Resubmitted applications |
2017 Resubmitted allocations |
2018 "Equipment only" applications |
2018 "Equipment only" allocations |
Capital applications being considered for allocations |
|
Carlow |
46 |
5 |
2 |
13 |
11 |
28 |
|
Cavan |
43 |
5 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
30 |
|
Clare |
82 |
7 |
7 |
16 |
13 |
59 |
|
Cork |
260 |
15 |
14 |
83 |
58 |
162 |
|
Donegal |
101 |
8 |
8 |
27 |
26 |
66 |
|
Dublin |
333 |
27 |
25 |
118 |
70 |
188 |
|
Galway |
160 |
14 |
12 |
40 |
29 |
106 |
|
Kerry |
123 |
8 |
8 |
37 |
33 |
78 |
|
Kildare |
98 |
8 |
8 |
25 |
19 |
65 |
|
Kilkenny |
57 |
3 |
3 |
19 |
16 |
35 |
|
Laois |
60 |
4 |
4 |
18 |
15 |
38 |
|
Leitrim |
24 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
20 |
|
Limerick |
106 |
10 |
8 |
24 |
18 |
72 |
|
Longford |
22 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
|
Louth |
52 |
4 |
4 |
15 |
11 |
33 |
|
Mayo |
85 |
5 |
5 |
19 |
15 |
61 |
|
Meath |
95 |
11 |
11 |
9 |
5 |
75 |
|
Monaghan |
43 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
5 |
31 |
|
Offaly |
51 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
5 |
41 |
|
Roscommon |
49 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
11 |
28 |
|
Sligo |
49 |
6 |
5 |
12 |
11 |
31 |
|
Tipperary |
86 |
4 |
3 |
13 |
11 |
69 |
|
Waterford |
74 |
8 |
7 |
17 |
13 |
49 |
|
Westmeath |
61 |
3 |
3 |
21 |
17 |
37 |
|
Wexford |
93 |
9 |
8 |
21 |
20 |
63 |
|
Wicklow |
84 |
5 |
5 |
27 |
21 |
52 |
|
Grand Total |
2337 |
186 |
170 |
619 |
469 |
1532 |
964. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the delivery and roll-out date of the 41 additional carriages as announced on 30 September 2019 (details supplied); the role the NTA and Irish Rail will have in the procurement in the new stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45366/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra967. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost and expected delivery date of the 41 new rail carriages announced for Irish Rail by him at the end of October 2019. [45371/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra979. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the extra commuter line facilities, such as extra rail carriages recently announced are likely to come on stream; the commuter routes likely to benefit; the extra passenger capacity arising from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45486/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 964, 967 and 979 together.
As the Deputies are aware, I announced last week the Government's approval for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann to proceed with the proposed purchase of 41 additional InterCity Railcars to increase capacity across the Greater Dublin Area rail network.
This additional stock, which will increase capacity by around 34% on the Kildare, Maynooth and Northern lines in the morning peak time, will cost approximately €150 million and is expected to commence entry into service by end 2021.
Obviously, expenditure of this nature involving the investment of considerable taxpayer resources, must comply with the Public Spending Code which sets out the roles and responsibilities of public authorities in relation to public expenditure generally. For this project, Iarnród Éireann is the Sponsoring Agency and the National Transport Authority (NTA) exercises the role of the Sanctioning Authority.
Noting the responsibility of the agencies, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for further details and direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please advise my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
965. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the volume of capital funding allocated by Fáilte Ireland by county since 1 January 2016. [45368/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. While my Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism product development, it is not directly involved in the management of individual tourism projects and has no role in the administration of the agency's grants programmes.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy with the further detail sought by the Deputy regarding capital funding allocations in the period in question. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
966. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a copy of all correspondence between his Department and Fáilte Ireland and-or Tourism Ireland regarding promotion of the greyhound industry in 2019 will be provided. [45369/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter on which the Deputy is seeking information will involve a search of Departmental records, which will require additional time beyond the usual timeframe for answering a PQ. Therefore, in accordance with Standing Order 42A, a more detailed reply will be provided to the Deputy within ten working days.
968. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a copy of all communications to and from his Department with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in October, November and December 2017. [45378/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has, on an ongoing basis, extensive communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The subject of this PQ therefore requires extensive searches of Departmental records. In these circumstances additional time is required over and above the normal timeframe for answering this PQ. It is noted that Standing Order 42A makes provision for such circumstances. It is therefore proposed to provide more detailed information to the Deputy within ten days.
969. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his current or past advisers sent or received official departmental correspondence to or from an email address that is not either Houses of the Oireachtas or departmental; and if so, if he will provide copies of all such correspondence. [45383/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I have never sent or received official Departmental correspondence from an email address that is not either provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas or my Department.
My Department has an ICT systems usage policy that provides a suite of ICT policies governing the use of ICT systems by all users, with every effort being taken to obtain a balance between IT security and the usability of the Department systems. That policy includes a section on how limited use of personal email is permitted, subject to the conditions set out in the policy document.
As regards my advisers, since I became Minister in May 2016, there have been some rare occasions where my advisers have had to communicate through their personal emails on Departmental matters. This correspondence has included engagement on a number of topics, for example;
Press queries;
Representations from local representatives seeking meetings on DTTAS matters;
Update on changes to IT systems;
Photographs from DTTAS events;
Information about sporting events.
