Written Answers Nos. 42-61
42. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the amount expended on access to online and hard-copy media publications since May 2020 to date; and the breakdown of online and hard-copy subscriptions including the publications to which his Department subscribes. [27636/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA detailed breakdown of expenditure by my Department on online media publications since May 2020 to date is set out in the table below. Delivery of hard copy newspapers to my Department's HQ in Adelaide Road was cancelled in March of this year.
|
Publication |
Type |
Amount |
|
Politico Pro – 1 Year Subscription |
Online |
€11,380 |
|
Times Online Ireland Edition |
Online |
€25 |
|
The Times / Sunday Times Ireland Edition |
Online |
€108 |
|
Irish Times |
Online |
€ 264 |
|
Financial Times |
Online |
€2288 |
|
Business Post |
Online |
€170 |
|
Irish Independent |
Online |
€179 |
|
The Currency |
Online |
€125 |
|
The Economist |
Online |
€275 |
|
Upstream |
Online |
€386 |
|
Total |
|
€15,200 |
44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of completing the western rail corridor; the status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27372/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Iarnród Éireann commissioned a financial and economic appraisal of a proposed reopening of Phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor, and, I can confirm that my Department has received from Iarnród Éireann a copy of the final report on the proposal. That report had been prepared in accordance with the commitment given in the current National Development Plan.
An independent review is currently being conducted by JASPERS, an agency established by the European Union and the European Investment Bank. JASPERS has vast experience in advising Member States and public authorities on regional development proposals, such as the proposed reopening of Phases 2 and 3 of the Corridor. Their analysis will provide a broader perspective on issues such as the potential wider economic impact, freight services, climate impact and a view on the potential for securing EU funds if it were to go ahead. That work is expected to be completed very shortly.
I intend to publish these analyses as soon as is practical, including details of cost estimation; however, in line with the Programme for Government commitment I will first bring the matter to Government.
45. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of completing the rail line from Dunboyne to Navan; the status of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27373/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area in the first instance.
The issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan was considered by the NTA during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035. The Strategy concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level
of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre was insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at that time.
However, it was also stated that as part of the statutorily required review of the Strategy, the likely future usage of a rail connection to Navan would be reassessed, taking into account the level of development that will have taken place over the intervening period in Navan and Dunshaughlin and their environs. Obviously the issue of cost will be one of the considerations of any such reassessment.
I can inform the Deputy that the NTA has commenced preparatory work on the review of the Strategy and it intends to hold a full public consultation next year with the process expected to be fully concluded within the next 18 months.
46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the funding options or mechanisms available from the European Union to develop the rail network here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27374/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most significant EU grant funding mechanism, in terms of rail infrastructure development, is the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). CEF provides co-funding to projects that submit applications through competitve calls for proposals, and supports projects on the EU's Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T). The focus is on cross-border projects, removing capacity and service bottlenecks along the main sections of the TEN-T network, and projects with a high EU added-value. The rate of co-funding varies depending on the type of project but is usually a maximum of 20-30% of overall costs for works projects, with a maximum of 50% for projects classified as studies.
The current CEF funding programme runs from 2014 - 2020. My Department together with Iarnród Éireann have successfully bid for two rail projects in that time. The first of these, the City-Centre Resignalling Project, which will remove an existing capacity bottleneck in the rail network, is in receipt of €10.9 million in CEF co-funding and is due to be completed in 2021.
On 16 July the results of the most recent call for proposals were announced and it was confirmed that another rail project is to be awarded €8.8 million from CEF. This project, which is part of the Government's DART+ programme, will focus on the DART South-West line and consists of studies and prepatory work to be carried out, including obtaining of necessary permits, before moving to the construction phase. My Department and Iarnród Éireann are currently working with the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) to finalise this grant agreement.
Futher details on these, and other successful Irish projects under the CEF programme, can be accessed on the European Commission's website at https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/connecting-europe-facility/cef-transport/projects-by-country/ireland.
The next programming period for CEF will run from 2021 - 2027 and there is an expected budget of €11.3 billion open to all Member States for transport projects. My Department is examining the potential for some of the Government's major public transport projects, including DART+ and MetroLink, to apply for funding in the coming period. In this regard, my Department has been engaging with the European Commission advisory service JASPERS, an agency jointly established by the Commission and the European Investment Bank to assist Member States with infrastructure development and implementation.
These major projects are on our core TEN-T network. During negotiations on the new CEF Regulation, Ireland submitted written comments to the European Commission in conjunction with two other island Member States, Cyprus and Malta, with the aim of ensuring that projects on the comprehensive TEN-T network in Member States which have no land border with another Member State could be included as eligible actions. This position was accepted by the Commission, and as a result the latest text of the proposal retains this amendment. Subject to the proposed Regulation being adopted, this means that during the period 2021 – 2027, projects on Ireland’s comprehensive TEN-T network, including the rail network, will be eligible to apply for CEF co-funding through relevant calls for proposals.
In addition, there are a number further potential options for utilising EU funding opportunities. My Department will be reviewing the potential for sustainable public transport projects, including rail, as part of the wider Government plans for availing of funding under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility in line with the European Green Deal and the concept of competitive sustainability. More immediately, the new PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027, which will build upon previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, will provide opportunities under the EU policy objective of “a more connected Europe”, contributing to the cross-border economic and territorial development of the region. In this regard, there has been significant bilateral engagement between my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to examine potential transport projects, including rail projects, that fit the PEACE PLUS criteria.
Finally, the Programme for Government, commits to a review of how we can utilise and leverage European Investment Bank funding and other opportunities for external funding to the maximum extent possible to support our recovery and transition to a low carbon future. My Department will feed into this review and will continue to examine all funding opportunities and mechanisms with potential for the development of the rail network.
47. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has explored the possibility of introducing new State-supported shipping routes directly to the continent to avoid the potential disruption on the landbridge in the UK due to Brexit; the estimated cost implications of the State introducing such routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27416/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs has been signalled since the publication of the report ‘The Implications of Brexit on the Use of the landbridge’ by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) in 2018 there is likely to be disruption to the UK landbridge when customs and border controls between the EU and the UK are introduced, which is now due to happen from January 2021. Since the publication of the 2018 report, my Department, in conjunction with the IMDO, has been keeping the issue of direct shipping routes to the Continent under close review.
Shipping companies have assured the IMDO and my officials that they will respond to any increases in demand for direct connectivity at the end of the transition period. The reality is that currently there is very significant spare capacity on the Ireland to Continental Europe route and shipping companies have been adding capacity even during the Covid-19 pandemic in mid-2020.
The Government considers that State intervention to establish new State-supported shipping routes directly to the Continent, in the current circumstances and in the context of the end of the UK’s transition period, would be likely to undermine a market response resulting in an insufficient, inadequate and costly intervention being put in place. Such an intervention would be likely to create difficulties for the State in extricating itself from the shipping market, would be likely to result in legal challenges from incumbent shipping providers, breaches of EU state aid rules and consequent requirements for repayment of the state aids with interest, with resulting adverse impacts on the viability of any companies receiving such aid.
My Department, together with the IMDO, is continuing to closely monitor and keep under review the evolving situation regarding maritime connectivity to continental ports, and will remain in close consultation with the maritime sector and other relevant stakeholders on this issue. We will also continue to engage with ports, hauliers, shipping companies and other stakeholders regarding the processes and facilities at Dublin and Rosslare Europort to deal with traffic post the end of the UK’s transition period.
As set out in the Government’s updated Brexit Readiness Action Plan, published on 9th September 2020, businesses are being asked to consider moving, in advance of the end of the transition period, to direct route options for the movement of goods from Ireland to the Continent, to avoid potential delays and the new procedures that will be introduced associated with using the UK landbridge. Shipping companies should also continue to assess expected future demand requirements and remain ready to respond to increased capacity demands, and all the indications are that this is happening. My Department, together with the IMDO and other relevant Government Departments and Agencies, is engaging in a communications campaign with stakeholders in this regard over the remaining weeks up to the year end.
48. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport his plans to make the wearing of helmets mandatory for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27420/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaking the wearing of helmets compulsory for cyclists is an issue which has arisen a number of times over the years. It is a long-standing Government policy to recommend and promote the wearing of helmets. The Rules of the Road booklet encourages the use of cycle helmets and draws attention to their safety benefits, and the Road Safety Authority, the agency responsible for public education and awareness, strongly encourages their use.
However, opinion is divided internationally on whether the wearing of safety helmets is best achieved through the introduction of statutory requirements or through other strategies. Making the wearing of helmets compulsory would raise a number of difficulties. For example, if wearing helmets were made compulsory it would be necessary to have some kind of enforcement system with penalties, presumably fines, for cycling without a helmet. Whilst enforcement might be possible, it could create considerable strain on Garda resources, and indeed on the courts.
The matter was considered in the context of the preparation of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 – 2020. Although the Strategy strongly favours encouraging the use of helmets, it stopped short of recommending making their wearing compulsory. International studies also show that making the wearing of helmets mandatory results in a decrease in the number of people cycling.
It is my view that the wearing of cycle helmets is better achieved by way of educational and publicity campaigns rather than by pursuing a punitive approach to the issue, particularly having regard to the large numbers of children and young people who cycle. Consequently I have no plans to make the wearing of bicycle safety helmets a legal requirement at this time.
49. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the evidence that demonstrates the impact of road safety advertisements; if the evidence shows that hard-hitting messages are more effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27442/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic information campaigns on road safety are 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.
50. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to clear the backlog for driver tests in Dublin in view of the closures due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27457/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be able to appreciate, Covid-19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of many services. The Driver Test service has seen its weekly capacity reduced significantly in order to comply with occupational and public health requirements. As an example, due to the additional hygiene and sanitation procedures that are now absolutely necessary, each testing slot now takes a much longer time to complete. In addition to this, the number of testers working in any centre at the one time has to be reduced to ensure physical distancing rules can be maintained.
Those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Initially, only those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA who are examining ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints. One option is the employment of additional testers, something which has been done in the past to address backlogs. However, I would like to stress, many of the issues impacting on the delivery of service are concerned with the throughput of centres themselves in light of the restrictions, rather than on the availability of staff.
In the meantime, my Department has give approval to the RSA to retain 18 driver testers on temporary contracts due to expire in October and November, and to rehire up to 19 testers whose contracts expired in May.
While I regret the inconvenience caused by the necessity to adhere to the restrictions imposed on us by NPHET and other experts, the safety of the public, whether through contracting Covid or through deaths or injuries on our roads, must be of paramount importance.
51. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if persons over 70 years of age will be allowed to renew their driver licences online, as is the case for persons under 70 years of age, in view of the advice to over-70s to limit their social contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27460/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the measures put forward to cater for issues arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, regulations were introduced to provide for the removal of the requirement for persons over 70 years of age, who do not have an identified or specified illness, to provide a medical report when applying for or renewing a driving licence beginning on the 20 March and ending on 31 December 2020. Those who are over 70 and who are renewing a one year licence, can do so by post. Further information on the process can be had by emailing info@ndls.ie.
The current driving licence online application system does not facilitate the uploading of supporting documentation, so although the medical report requirement has been removed, the online system has not yet been amended to accommodate this change.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types, and in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework or the effective operations of the stakeholders involved. The Department and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel are working on the necessary regulatory changes.
For those caling to centres, the NDLS centres have been assessed and measures have been put in place to align with the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocols. Appropriate signage, sanitation and handwashing, and social distancing measures such as reduced seating in waiting areas and customer touchpoint cleansing, have been introduced. Customers will be accompanied into and out of centres and will be required to adhere to necessary health and safety guidelines.
52. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the status of the construction of all phases of the Limerick-Clare northern distributor road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of each road authority 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.
Project Ireland 2040 identifies a programme of regional and local road improvement projects to be progressed with grant support and the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road is one of those projects. Implementation of the programme of projects is on a phased basis and progression of each project is subject to the profile of annual capital allocations available to the Department.
Implementation of the Coonagh to Knockalisheen scheme is the responsibility of Limerick City and County Council. Grant funding of €5 million has been allocated to the Council for this project in 2020. This scheme is at tender evaluation stage in relation to the main construction contract.
My Department has provided some funding to Clare County Council in relation to the proposed Limerick Northern Distributor Road, with a view to bringing the project through the route selection stage and allow the local authority the possibility of preserving a route corridor to facilitate the possible future development of the road. More recently, my Department is also facilitating further appraisal work on the scheme.
Under the National Development Plan there is, however, no Exchequer regional and local road grant funding in place at present to progress this scheme through the planning process to construction stage.
53. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if the draft Limerick metropolitan transport strategy is compatible with the climate change targets of Ireland; if the strategy will be subject to a ministerial review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27518/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the draft Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy has been developed by the National Transport Authority, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
I very much welcome the development of transport strategies for the major cities. The Deputy knows I am determined that this Government delivers a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland as committed to in the Programme for Government. We need to ensure a holistic, multi-modal approach toward transport planning and provision. In particular we need to see finalised transport strategies integrated into relevant land-use plans and used as a catalyst for the adoption by local authorities of a much more sustainable approach toward the location of housing, employment and other centres of transport demand.
As required by the current Climate Action Plan, LSMATS seeks to develop and implement –
- A metropolitan area strategic transport strategy in line with Action 98 of the Climate Action Plan;
- A comprehensive network of improved active travel infrastructure in line with Action 95;
- A transition to low emissions vehicles in the urban bus fleet and roll-out of a BusConnects Limerick in line with Actions 85 and 88; and
- A network of strategic park and ride facilities in line with Action 89.
I know there are those that argue that rail could potentially play a bigger role than that envisaged in the draft Strategy and the consultation process allows them make their voices heard in that regard.
I do not believe that many people would argue against the need to vastly improve the active travel network in Limerick or to roll-out a BusConnects Limerick for the city, and I certainly support the priority implementation of both measures.
Priority implementation of both can facilitate modal shift and will have a positive impact on transport emissions, as well as helping us towards our committed target of an additional 500,000 public transport and active travel journeys daily by 2035, based on 2018 levels.
I should point out that the predicted modal shares referred to in the draft Strategy are not an ambition or a target, but instead are the result of a strategic modelling exercise carried out by the NTA. I expect the share of sustainable modes will increase as infrastructure is delivered, services improved and local authorities develop relevant demand management measures.
I want to see a more sustainable Limerick and I am ready to work with the local authority in ensuring that happens through funding available through my Department’s sustainable mobility investment programme.
I would certainly encourage people to make their views known on this draft Strategy and also their views on the importance of prioritising delivery of active travel and public transport elements of any finalised Strategy as may be adopted by the local authority.
54. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on media monitoring services by his Department; if the role is provided by private contract operators or in-house services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27557/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUntil April 2020, media monitoring was done on an in-house basis by staff working for the press office. A move to remote working due to the covid pandemic made in house delivery of this service impractical and so since April my department has procured the services of an external media monitoring company to deliver the service. This provides a press cuttings and broadcast monitoring service covering issues of direct relevance to my Department.
A breakdown of the costs involved is detailed in the table below.
|
- |
Amount, € |
|
Subscription |
2020 |
|
Kantar Media |
€500 monthly + VAT (print media) €300 monthly + VAT (broadcast media) |
55. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons in receipt of a valid and-or current learner driver permit, an N driver permit and a full driver licence as of month end September 2020. [27574/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for details of driver licences to end of September 2020 is not available until after 30th September. I understand the Deputy has agreed that the information requested will be provided within 10 working days.
56. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if a person on a learner driver permit can use an M road here. [27575/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 7 of the Roads Regulations, 1994 (Statutory Instrument 119 of 1994) only a person holding a driving licence referred to in Section 22 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 authorising that person to drive the vehicle, may use a motorway.
Therefore, a person in possession of a learner driver permit is not permitted to use a motorway.
57. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the problem persons are experiencing with driver licence renewals; if an alternative solution can be provided for (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27589/20]
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.
58. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a study relating to the N25 Castlemartyr relief road; the expected cost of the project; and his views on whether the project will take eight years from construction. [27593/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a direct reply. I ask him to advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
59. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount expended on access to online and hard-copy media publications since May 2020 to date; and the breakdown of online and hard-copy subscriptions, including the publications to which his Department subscribes. [27651/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the time of the Deputy’s request, the amount my Department incurred in respect of access to online and hardcopy media publication since May 2020; and the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions that my Department subscribes to is provided in the table below.
|
- |
Amount, € Since May 2020 |
|
Subscription |
2020 |
|
The Times Ireland (online media) |
10.00 |
|
The Irish Independent (online media) |
29.97 |
|
The Economist (online subscription) |
325.00 |
|
The Sunday Business Post (online media) |
- |
|
Irish Times (online media) |
- |
|
The Phoenix (hardcopy subscription) |
- |
In addition to the individual media subscriptions specified above, since April 2020 my Department has procured the services of a 3rd party media monitoring company which identifies and provides copy of any national and regional media relevant to the work of the Department on a daily basis.
The costs associated with this monitoring service are detailed below.
|
- |
Amount, € |
|
Provider |
2020 |
|
Kantar Media |
€500 monthly + VAT (print media) €300 monthly + VAT (broadcast media) |
60. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged a third-party company in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 to conduct media monitoring and-or provide reports on media coverage of his Department; if so, the costs of same and the companies engaged. [27669/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUp until April 2020, media monitoring was provided by staff working for my Department's press office. A move to remote working during the covid pandemic made this system impractical. Since April 2020, my Department has procured the services of an external media monitoring company since April 2020. This service provides a press cuttings and broadcast monitoring service covering issues of direct relevance to my Department.
A breakdown of the costs involved is detailed in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
Amount, € |
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Provider |
in house |
in house |
in house |
Jan - March inhouse. From April: Kantar Media |
|
Costs |
nil |
nil |
nil |
€500 monthly + VAT (print media) €300 monthly + VAT (broadcast media) |
61. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider including small providers of accommodation in the stay-and-spend scheme in view of the fact that many such providers are not registered for VAT. [27409/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Stay and Spend scheme is to incentivise taxpayers to support registered/accredited providers of accommodation and/or food during the off-season, thus providing support to a particularly vulnerable sector that will continue to be constrained by public health limitations. All food service providers and Fáilte Ireland registered or listed providers of accommodation are eligible to take part in the scheme.
It will provide a maximum of €125 in income tax credits to tax-payers who spend up to €625 in restaurants, pubs, hotels, B&Bs and so on, in the period from October to the end of next April. Where an individual or jointly assessed tax-payer has insufficient income tax liability to fully benefit from the measure, they may still avail of the relief against their USC contributions.
In addition to having a tax clearance certificate, participating businesses must also be registered for VAT. While I acknowledge that there are many smaller businesses in the hospitality sector which are not required to register for VAT, it remains open to those businesses to do so in order to participate in the Stay and Spend cheme. However, they should carefully consider the additional compliance requirements associated with VAT registration before doing so.
More generally, as I indicated recently, when we designed this scheme, and launched it, we were launching it in the anticipation then, that our Economy would be on the way to being fully open, and there would be full mobility across our country. We know that's not the case now, for a number of reasons. I will be monitoring the scheme, to see how it works and see if there's any changes that we need to make. I'm going to be unashamed in trying new things.
