Written Answers Nos. 725-749
725. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a report of his interactions with an airline (details supplied) concerning the future of same and the protection of the Dublin based pilots at the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13445/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra734. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts made to date to resolve the impasse between pilots and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13568/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra735. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will work to protect the jobs and livelihoods of those in the airline industry here when an airline (details supplied) exits examinership. [13578/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 734 and 735 together.
The aviation industry is one of the most affected by the global pandemic. All airlines have seen severe depletion of revenue and are facing various degrees of financial challenge. My Department continues to engage regularly with airlines, airports, regulators and all relevant stakeholders during the COVID-19 Pandemic with regard to its impact.
Industrial relations are a matters for the airlines, their employees and the trade unions, and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has no role. The industrial relations machinery of the State would be availabe to assist all parties to reach agreement, should the need arise.
727. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing mandatory helmet legislation for young cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13466/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational evidence is that mandatory helmet legislation acts as a major disincentive to cycling such that the net impact of the legislation on public health is significantly negative. Therefore I do not propose to introduce such legislation.
728. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the operational expenditure and capital expenditure funding for a facility (details supplied) from 2010, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13467/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately I am not in a position to respond to the Deputy as I have not received from the Deputy the details of the facility in question
729. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of staff employed and the grade of each at the Road Safety Authority offices in Ballina, County Mayo; his plans to expand the offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13468/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
730. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the proposed national velodrome at Abbotstown, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.
The National Development Plan 2018-2027 included a commitment to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposal at that time comprised a 250-metre cycling track, 12-16 Badminton Courts in the in-track area, spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space.
A review of the original design scheme for the project was undertaken by Sport Ireland in 2019 to assess the suitability and fitness of the design for present and future purposes. The review, which was completed in October 2019, proposed a number of design changes.
Sport Ireland submitted a revised business case for the project to my Department in May. This is currently being examined by my officials in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.
Any decision on this project will be subject to Ministerial approval and the availability of funding.
731. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial supports available or planned for those in the bed and breakfast sector that have suffered losses due to Covid-19 restrictions and that are not eligible for the restart grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13479/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs.
The measures put in place by the Government to support businesses were initially focused on supporting those who have lost their jobs and in supporting businesses to remain viable during this difficult time with specifically targeted supports to assist companies to stay operational and retain their staff.
As a result, many tourism businesses are now availing of the various cross-sectoral economic supports that the Government has already put in place such as; the wage subsidy scheme, increased unemployment benefits, the state credit guarantee scheme, working capital loan schemes, enterprise support schemes and deferrals of tax liabilities, VAT, social contributions and local authority rates.
Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.
Fáilte Ireland has set up a COVID-19 Industry Advisory Group which meets weekly. The purpose of this group is to provide support to the tourism industry and to facilitate the timely sharing of information and insights to help improve the sector's understanding and response to the crisis. Fáilte Ireland has also developed a COVID-19 Business Support Hub which offers a suite of targeted supports for tourism businesses including a series of webinars from experts in each field, as well as advice guides with detailed FAQs and templates where necessary.
Fáilte Ireland unveiled its new national domestic marketing campaign, ‘Ireland, make a break for it’, to the tourism and hospitality industry last week and it has since gone live across all media this weekend. This is a major drive to encourage people to take domestic breaks this summer. They have also launched a new COVID-19 Safety Charter initiative designed to boost public confidence in the safety of businesses as the tourism sector reopens from 29th June.
To assist tourism businesses reopening in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, Fáilte Ireland published guidelines for the tourism sector, prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities. These guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice.
As the Deputy is aware, the Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established on 20th May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. A dedicated page has been set up on the Gov.ie website which gives regular updates on the status of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and includes minutes from meetings and documention relating to the work of the Taskforce. The Taskforce presented an initial report last week which will inform Government thinking on the recovery in the sector.
733. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has an established “working from home” policy or e-working policy that has been in effect since January 2015. The policy outlines the circumstances and the employees who are permitted to work from home, along with the frequency and the environment under which e- working can be undertaken with the approval of the individual employee's manager or Head of Function.
However, due to the restrictions imposed in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, immediate adaptations to this policy were required as the majority of staff in my Department moved to working from home. The roadmap for reopening society and businesses is clear that remote working should continue for all those who can do so. My Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and other Government Departments on the development of guidelines to underpin these arrangements. The further adaptation of my Department's working from home or e-working policy will take account of the experience with working from home in the context of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and any further principles or guidelines developed centrally.
736. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the support mechanisms available to assist commercial bus operators that are currently operating services at reduced capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13580/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 25th of June, Government announced changes to the existing public transport social distancing restrictions. It has been agreed to move from 2 metres social distancing on public transport to 50% capacity. This will help to underpin public transport during these unprecedented times for the sector, with a view to safeguarding public transport capacity in Phases 3 and 4 of the of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. The Government also decided to legally require the mandatory wearing of face coverings on public transport, with the exception of those who cannot do so for health reasons or due to age (under 13). These measures will protect both passengers and staff and significantly help ease the pressure on operators by reducing the gap between public transport supply and demand.
Further, on the 25th of June Government agreed new temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, will be introduced for the licensed bus sector. Licensed operators provide essential transport services for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery. These supports are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The package will be restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and will be targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and revenues generated on the services. The National Transport Authority (NTA), as the public transport licensing agency, will administer the support package through the establishment of contracts between the NTA and the relevant operators.
Furthermore, the Government previously introduced a €12bn package of supports for impacted businesses of all sizes, which include: the wage subsidy scheme, the pandemic unemployment payment for the self-employed, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow amongst SMEs.
737. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the work of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce; if the impacts of Covid-19 on the events industry and business tourism sectors have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. A dedicated page has been set up on the Gov.ie website which gives regular updates on the status of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and includes minutes from meetings and documentation relating to the work of the Taskforce. The Taskforce presented an initial report last week which will inform Government thinking on the recovery in the sector.
The Taskforce is made up of an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy, tourism enterprise, international, private and public service. The members were selected on the basis of each person's capacity to bring his/her personal knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability, strategic leadership and ideas to the work of the group. The individuals appointed will work together for the good of Irish Tourism as a whole.
738. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional financial supports which can be provided for local authority sports centres that are facing considerably increased financial costs (details supplied) but wish to continue providing their services to the marginalised, older persons, socially disadvantaged and disabled users they serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13583/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall responsibility for local authority policy and finance rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
In relation to my Department's responsibilities, the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP), provides capital funding for the construction of swimming pools. This programme is for capital purposes only however, and has never provided current funding for operational costs associated with these pools.
Sport Ireland, which is the statutory body for the development of sport, supports a network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) throughout the country. My Department, through Sport Ireland, supports LSPs as a model for collaboration between Sport Ireland and the local authorities with the purpose of delivering sports and physical activity programmes in local facilities, including local authority sport centres.
The additional funding package for the sport sector announced on 19 June includes a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m. A proportion of this funding, which will be administered and disbursed by Sport Ireland, will be channelled to the network of LSPs for new programmes at a local level over the coming months. While funding at local level may be provided to swimming programmes, funding will not be provided to swimming pool operators. This is a matter for the pool owners, including local authorities.
More generally, the Government is committed to ensuring as many businesses as possible survive this challenging period, and it will continue to look at how we can support businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. In recent months a substantial and wide range of financial supports and guidance to help businesses impacted by the Covid 19 crisis have been put in place. Details of these are available on the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation website at the following link https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/
739. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the waiting list figures for counties Longford and Westmeath by testing centre and number of persons awaiting driver tests in tabular form. [13584/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
740. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional resources which will be put in place in counties Longford and Westmeath to reduce the backlog of persons waiting for their driver tests [13585/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been reveived within ten days.
741. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional campaigns and resources that will be made available to Fáilte Ireland to encourage tourism and staycations in Ireland’s Ancient East and Hidden Heartlands regions for the remainder of 2020. [13599/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the tourism agencies is the subject of the annual estimates discussion with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
The development and delivery of any campaigns to encourage tourism and staycations in the Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands' regions is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's Question to that agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
742. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application by Galway City Council for funding under the carbon tax 2020 fund for the Galway Bearna greenway; the closing date for the applications; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13603/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra743. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications received for funding under the carbon tax 2020 fund by local authority area; the number of applications for which a decision has been made; the number awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 743 together.
The Carbon Tax Fund call for Greenway proposals was announced in January 2020. The aim of the funding call was to support feasibility, design and planning costs of Greenway projects so that my Department would have a pipeline of projects that would be sufficiently progressed in time for the next round of construction funding. The deadline for receipt of applications was 31st January of this year and 40 applications were received as follows:
|
County |
No of Applications Received |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
|
Clare |
1 |
|
Cork - County |
1 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
|
Galway City Council |
1 |
|
Galway County Council |
3 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
2 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Louth County Council |
1 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
|
Meath |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
1 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
2 |
|
Waterways Ireland (Limerick & Clare) |
1 |
|
Wexford County Council |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
|
Total number of Applications Received |
40 |
I expect that a decision on funding to be provided will be made in the near future.
744. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA will be instructed to extend the validity of travel wide annual Dublin Bus tickets purchased prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13684/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. The NTA issued a press statement on the 1st May which provides an outline as to how customers of the TaxSaver monthly and annual public transport tickets are to be accommodated.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
745. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if NPHET will be requested to provide detailed guidelines on recommended measures driving instructors should take to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13685/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the revised Roadmap announced by Government, driving tests will resume from this week starting on the 29 June on a phased basis. With the resumption of driving tests, driving instruction will also need to resume.
The RSA wrote to Approved Driving Instuctors on 22 June, informing them of the imminent resumption of driver testing. The Authority included a series of Frequently Asked Questions, which provided details of the protocols being applied to driver testing in order to comply with health requirements in line with Government's Protocol on Returning to Work Safely. These protocols may assist driving instructors in taking the necessary measures resuming their business safely.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.
746. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will be requesting a review of child safety measures and welfare in an organisation (details supplied) in view of an allegation of retrospective child abuse within the organisation being deemed founded by Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13374/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhere an organisation or individual have reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected it is their duty to contact Tusla’s local child protection social work department. If a referrer is unsure if they have reasonable grounds for concern they can contact Tusla staff who will offer guidance and support to the referrer as appropriate.
I am aware that Tusla’s Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit engaged with St. John’s Ambulance earlier in 2019 and it was deemed to have a compliant safeguarding statement.
The Principal Social Worker with responsibility for retrospective abuse referrals in this area has liaised with relevant social work staff across the Dublin Mid-Leinster Region and has reviewed records available to her. I am informed that she is satisfied that she has no information available to her at this time to suggest that there are any other allegations pertaining to persons associated with St. John’s ambulance. If there are any individuals with evidence to the contrary I would encourage them to come forward and air their concerns.
747. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if HSE guidelines for the reopening of childcare facilities from 29 June 2020 prevents parents visiting those childcare settings prior to the reopening on 29 June 2020; if he will allow parents to inspect the new arrangements of childcare facilities due to health and safety protocols implemented by the provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13569/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public health guidance which was published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on 29 May is based on two key principles:
- That services should take steps to ensure individuals with symptoms do not enter the
- service, and
- That services should take steps to reduce the chance of spread of the virus in case an
- infectious person, without symptoms, enters the building.
With these principles in mind, services should seek to restrict any unnecessary visitors to the
service. Where a service considers it necessary for a parent or guardian to enter the service, e.g. to
help settle in a new child, social distancing between the parent/guardian and other adults
should be observed as far as possible.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommends the use of cloth face coverings in enclosed indoor settings where it is not possible to keep a distance of 2 metres from others. While it is generally not appropriate for childcare workers to apply this when caring for children or when engaging with parents in the presence of their children, the NPHET recommendation on use of masks is applicable for interaction between adults in childcare settings when not caring for children.
748. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if childcare staff can be forced by their employer not to wear a mask when they return to their place of employment on 29 June 2020. [13575/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra753. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if guidelines have been issued to providers for staff wearing masks when childcare facilities reopen. [12878/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 748 and 753 together.
The guidance issued by my Department to providers of early learning and care and school-age childcare is based on the advice that the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published specifically for childcare settings. The HPSC advice is that additional PPE, over and above normal requirements for childcare services, is not required to be used by childcare practitioners while they are caring for children.
As per normal practice in early learning and care services, staff should wear disposable single-use plastic aprons, and non-powdered, non-permeable gloves when there is a risk of coming into contact with body fluids (such as when nappy changing). Supplies of these should be readily available in services.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) recommends the use of cloth face coverings in enclosed indoor settings where it is not possible to keep a distance of 2 metres from others. The HPSC has advised that it is generally not appropriate for childcare workers to apply this when caring for children or while engaging with parents in the presence of their children, but the NPHET recommendation on use of masks is applicable for interaction between adults in childcare settings when not caring for children.
The HPSC has advised that services should keep a small supply of surgical masks in a readily accessible place for use by a staff member who develops symptoms of COVID-19 or by staff members caring for a sick child if they feel they need to use them.
749. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procedure in place for registration of children on CCSP schemes that are scheduled to return to childcare from 29 June 2020; if they will they have to re-register; the way in which families will obtain supporting documentation from offices of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection closed due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12697/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in conjunction with Pobal, the agency which administers the childcare funding schemes operated by my Department, has established a simplified registration system for children who are returning to childcare on or after 29 June, and who are availing of the Department funded CCSP scheme.
Childcare service providers have been asked to contact parents to ascertain the number of hours they require, which can be done via email or other electronic means. There will be no re-check of eligibility for children re-registering under the CCSP programme for the remainder of the 2019/20 programme year, therefore it will not be necessary for families to obtain supporting documentation from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
All service providers have received detailed guidance on how to register children.
My Department has ensured that the administrative overhead for providers is kept to the minimum necessary, whilst also ensuring that Exchequer funds are managed and deployed to best effect.
Pobal and the County Childcare Committees (CCCs) are available to provide support and guidance to service providers through this process.
