Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

859. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be further derogations for the postponement of CPC. [8344/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

860. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the impacts which social distancing guidelines will have on the ability of CPC training companies to deliver training safely; and if he is considering financial subvention to the sector in view of the reduced capacity which it will experience as a result of social distancing. [8345/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

861. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase enforcement of the CPC requirement and to increase awareness of its existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8346/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

862. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to engage representatives of CPC training organisations in future discussions and decisions regarding legislative changes to the professional driving sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8347/20]

Tourism Policy

Marc MacSharry

873. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the membership of the tourism recovery task force was decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8428/20]

Tourism Policy

Marc MacSharry

874. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether it is appropriate that the pub industry here is not represented on the tourism recovery task force in view of the links between pubs and the tourism industry. [8429/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

888. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the impact of Covid-19 on Irish hauliers such as data on a decline in their activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8627/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

889. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of empty trailers that travelled on ferries to and from Ireland in February, March and April 2020; and the number of empty trailers that did so in the same time periods in 2018 and 2019. [8628/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

890. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered simplifying the process through which hauliers can apply for a tax rebate on vehicles that are temporarily off the road due to Covid-19. [8629/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Marc MacSharry

891. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered extending a temporary exemption from tolls to hauliers in view of Covid-19; and the estimated quarterly cost of introducing such a measure. [8630/20]

Pyrite Incidence

Marc MacSharry

1175. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if houses in County Sligo will be included for compensation regarding pyrite defects in their construction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8542/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

42. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered extending the temporary wage subsidy scheme for the tourism and hospitality sector in view of the long-term impacts of Covid-19 for these businesses. [7612/20]

Hardship Grant Scheme

Marc MacSharry

665. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim who was refused the hardship grant even though their herd is restricted will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7667/20]

Consumer Rights

Marc MacSharry

767. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if persons who have flight reservations for flights which are not cancelled but which depart from an airport which is outside of the permissible travel area around their homes, for example, 5 kilometres or 20 kilometres from 8 June 2020 are entitled to a full refund or free cancellation or booking change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7397/20]

Consumer Rights

Marc MacSharry

798. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if passengers who hold bookings for flights to destinations abroad that have not been cancelled and are scheduled to depart during the summer are entitled to change their booking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7611/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

799. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered specific supports for scheduled services in the tourism sector such as grants to adapt vehicles. [7613/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Marc MacSharry

800. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered launching a public transport recovery taskforce in order to identify challenges and solutions for the public transport system here with regard to Covid-19 restrictions. [7614/20]

Medical Cards

Marc MacSharry

768. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when the increased income threshold limits announced in Budget 2020 will be implemented for persons over 70 years of age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6481/20]

Afforestation Programme

Marc MacSharry

892. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will have their appeal heard against the refusal of an afforestation application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6421/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Marc MacSharry

1003. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capital expenditure of his Department from 1 January to 31 December 2019 under tshe heading B8.1 Smarter Travel/Sustainable Urban Transport; the individual projects and associated expenditure of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6120/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

1004. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver tests conducted in respect of category B driving licences in each month in 2019, in tabular form. [6122/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

1005. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if temporary or alternative measures are being considered to support learner drivers unable to sit their test owing to Covid-19. [6123/20]

Driver Test

Marc MacSharry

1006. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time equivalent driver test instructors currently employed. [6124/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Marc MacSharry

1245. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend the entitlement to the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment to persons who have an established historical work pattern of annual substitute teaching, exam aide, invigilator or exam superintendent and are currently precluded from receiving the payment in view of the fact they were not in employment before 13 March 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6224/20]

Driver Licence Renewals

Marc MacSharry

1061. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered offering temporary extensions to elderly drivers that need medical or optical certificates of fitness to renew their licences and that are presently unable to access such services due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. [5103/20]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Marc MacSharry

593. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a legal requirement for haulage companies to pay agreed upon subsistence rates to drivers that are separate to drivers’ wages; and if there is an agency or body to which drivers can take grievances in relation to the matter. [52871/19]

Public Transport Subsidies

Marc MacSharry

595. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of PSO funding that will be provided to each State public transport operator in 2020. [52919/19]

Rail Network Expansion

Marc MacSharry

596. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average cost of preparing a light rail feasibility study. [52920/19]

Rail Network Expansion

Marc MacSharry

597. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average cost of preparing a heavy rail feasibility study. [52921/19]

Public Service Vehicles

Marc MacSharry

604. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the purposes of a PSV inspection and CVR test with reference to the aspects of these inspections that may overlap. [53058/19]

Carer's Allowance Applications

Marc MacSharry

676. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on their application for a carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52590/19]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Marc MacSharry

703. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a decision on an application for an invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53042/19]

Sports Facilities Expenditure

Marc MacSharry

313. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid in respect of the National Indoor Arena since 1 January 2014 by his Department or an agency under his remit; the date of the final payment; the reason the final amount paid exceeded the final tender price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52359/19]

Rail Network Safety

Marc MacSharry

268. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are limits on the number of passengers an intercity or passenger train can carry; if they are communicated to station staff and passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51920/19]

Rail Network Safety

Marc MacSharry

269. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the relevant health and safety legislation or regulations that apply to the operation of train carriages. [51921/19]

Rail Network Safety

Marc MacSharry

270. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail maintains public liability insurance for its passengers; and if so, if the insurance policy sets out passenger limits that must be obeyed. [51922/19]

Road Safety

Marc MacSharry

271. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has engaged with the Road Safety Authority regarding the decision to turn off lights near the junction 17 near Athenry, County Galway; and if safety assessments were carried out in advance of this decision. [51979/19]

Road Safety

Marc MacSharry

272. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the slipway and sleeper lanes in the area near the M6 plaza have been closed; if this has an impact on road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51980/19]

Garda Operations

Marc MacSharry

151. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána will be seeking to emulate the successful informational campaign that was carried out by police forces in the UK following the introduction of safe passing distance legislation. [51074/19]

Garda Operations

Marc MacSharry

152. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department or agencies within his remit plan to purchase additional safe passing mats as donated by a company (details supplied) to An Garda Síochána in 2019. [51075/19]

Rail Network Expansion

Marc MacSharry

318. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Irish Rail survey for the Athenry to Claremorris line; and the date by which the results of the survey will be published. [50769/19]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Marc MacSharry

319. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the funding to implement the Climate Action Plan 2019 action 97 of the National Cycle Policy Framework with a focus on commuter specific development of greenways which satisfies the requirements of the action; the oversight needed at design stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50779/19]

Haulage Industry Regulation

Marc MacSharry

497. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the extra regulations that will be in place on the haulage and freight industry following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49703/19]

Motor Tax Rates

Marc MacSharry

498. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that motor tax customers who choose to pay their motor tax in instalments rather than in one sum pay higher rates of motor tax; and if he has considered the inconvenience that this may present to customers who are financially unable to meet the entire cost at once. [49756/19]

Hospital Waiting Lists Action Plans

Marc MacSharry

76. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health when he expects to see a reduction in the number of persons waiting more than a year for an outpatient appointment in Sligo University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48880/19]

Pension Provisions

Marc MacSharry

177. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 153 of 1 October 2019, when a determination will be made on the appeal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48654/19]

Invalidity Pension Applications

Marc MacSharry

500. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on an invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49083/19]

Invalidity Pension Appeals

Marc MacSharry

501. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a decision on an invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49090/19]

Roads Maintenance Funding

Marc MacSharry

1. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there is sufficient funding provided for maintenance and improvement of local and regional roads in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48417/19]

National Transport Authority Staff

Marc MacSharry

11. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NTA offers significantly higher salaries on average to external agency staff than it does to permanent members of staff; his views on whether this is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48146/19]

Sports Capital Programme

Marc MacSharry

18. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the sports capital funds allocated for 2019 are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48145/19]

Haulage Industry

Marc MacSharry

31. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific measures planned to assist hauliers in view of the higher operating costs and considerable negative impacts that Brexit will create for the industry. [48143/19]

Public Transport

Marc MacSharry

39. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the considerable capacity issues across the public transport system; and if he will take steps in the short to medium-term to address same. [48147/19]

Public Transport Initiatives

Marc MacSharry

42. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered establishing a transport security unit to tackle widespread and dangerous antisocial behaviour on public transport and at public transport hubs. [48144/19]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Marc MacSharry

157. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the breakdown on the year-to-date distribution of the 2019 €75 million budget of the NTPF amongst each private and public hospital benefitting from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48457/19]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Marc MacSharry

158. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid to individual public hospitals receiving NTPF and other HSE funding for the purposes of insourcing and outsourcing of surgical procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48458/19]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Data

Marc MacSharry

159. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the number and types of surgical procedures and treatments carried out to date in 2019 by each public and private hospital under the NTPF scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48459/19]

Penalty Points System Offences

Marc MacSharry

208. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering measures to ensure that in circumstances in which a person is found guilty of a penalty point offence, the correct number of penalty points are endorsed on their licence. [40157/19]

Taxi Data

Marc MacSharry

216. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of taxi drivers operating illegally; the measures he is taking to follow up on such taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48452/19]

Vaccination Programme

Marc MacSharry

467. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been no BCG vaccinations for babies since May 2015 due to a shortage of the vaccine here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/19]

School Transport Administration

Marc MacSharry

183. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has requested individual accounts from Bus Éireann in view of the fact that a company (details supplied) would have to audit the separate annual profit and loss accounts for the provision of school transport in order to audit the statutory account of Bus Éireann as published in the annual reports; if he is in receipt of the audits since 1997 for his examination of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46336/19]

Air Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

468. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process by which fifth freedom aviation agreements are set out. [46123/19]

Air Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

469. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process through which the safety standards of partner airlines that are applying for or have been granted fifth freedom flight rights are verified and assessed. [46124/19]

Air Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

470. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of permits issued to airlines outside the State under the fifth freedom over the past five years. [46125/19]

Air Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

471. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the granting of fifth freedom traffic rights to an airline (details supplied) for the Dublin to Madrid route; his views on whether the decision potentially creates a competitive distortion in view of the different obligations on an airline with such rights; the policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46126/19]

Jobseeker's Benefit Eligibility

Marc MacSharry

523. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the provisions for the self-employed to have access to jobseeker's benefit will be enacted in view of the Social Welfare Act 2019 being signed on 24 October 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46013/19]

Rail Services Provision

Marc MacSharry

188. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the purchasing of additional rail carriages for Iarnród Éireann; and the date by which he expects these carriages to be delivered. [45730/19]

Rail Services

Marc MacSharry

189. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated length of time it would have taken to refurbish the 28 unused rail carriages that Irish Rail considered reintroducing into use. [45731/19]

Ministerial Meetings

Marc MacSharry

190. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met at chairperson level with each of the agencies and companies for which his Department is the parent Department between his appointment as Minister and January 2019; and the dates of these meetings in tabular form. [45732/19]

Immigration Controls

Marc MacSharry

279. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a single point of contact on migrant smuggling has been appointed as per the EU Action Plan against migrant smuggling 2015-2020. [44467/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

280. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the preventative measures in place at ports here to detect instances of migrant smuggling; and the planned changes or enhancements in view of the recent tragic death of 39 persons who travelled in a container from Bulgaria to the UK. [44473/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

281. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed to provide security checks on ships and lorries entering at each port, in tabular form. [44474/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

282. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff employed to detect possible human smuggling at ports here, in tabular form. [44475/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

283. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if staff members at ports and airports here have received training and guidance on the detection of possible migrant smuggling. [44478/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

284. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he or representatives of his Department have met with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to discuss measures to prevent migrant smuggling. [44479/19]

Ports Facilities

Marc MacSharry

908. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of full-time equivalent staff vacancies at each port; and the function of each role in tabular form. [44476/19]

Human Trafficking

Marc MacSharry

909. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met the Minister for Justice and Equality to discuss migrant smuggling and the preventative measures needed to detect same. [44477/19]

Local Authority Staff Data

Marc MacSharry

1134. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of full-time equivalent cycling officers employed by each local authority; and the seniority level of each officer in tabular form. [44597/19]

Departmental Budgets

Marc MacSharry

228. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the reduction by €115 million between the capital expenditure ceiling for 2020 for the Vote group published in the mid-year expenditure report 2019 and that outlined in budget 2020 will be accounted for. [43957/19]

Light Rail Projects

Marc MacSharry

229. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of conducting a feasibility study into the possibility of another Luas line in Dublin or another city. [43958/19]

Transport Policy

Marc MacSharry

230. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered measures to support carpooling such as introducing legislation to allow persons to reimburse each other for the cost of wear and tear and fuel without requiring a commercial licence or insurance. [43959/19]

Public Transport Fares

Marc MacSharry

231. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the provision of free public transport to children under 12 and 18 years of age and third level students. [43960/19]

Rail Network

Marc MacSharry

232. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of the €3 billion allocation for the development and construction of MetroLink; the planning stage of the project; the estimated commencement date for construction; the estimated completion date of the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43961/19]

Rail Network

Marc MacSharry

233. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the light rail system from the city centre to Swords as part of the MetroLink project; the projected commencement date; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43962/19]

Rail Network

Marc MacSharry

234. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the light rail system from the city centre to Sandyford as part of the MetroLink project; the projected commencement date; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43963/19]

Rail Network Expansion

Marc MacSharry

235. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed DART underground as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date of the entire project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43964/19]

Light Rail Projects

Marc MacSharry

236. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas green line extensions as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43965/19]

Light Rail Projects

Marc MacSharry

237. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas red line extensions as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43966/19]

Light Rail Projects

Marc MacSharry

238. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the proposed Luas line to Lucan as specified on page 55 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the status of the project; the projected commencement date for construction; the projected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43967/19]

Motor Insurance Costs

Marc MacSharry

239. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of each of the measures recommended by the motor insurance working group that fall within the remit of his Department. [43968/19]

Cycling Policy

Marc MacSharry

240. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering measures to support e-bikes in particular, such as raising the allowable amount under the bike to work scheme in view of the higher cost of such vehicles. [43969/19]

Public Transport Initiatives

Marc MacSharry

241. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has considered retrofitting public transport vehicles such as buses and trains with racks to carry bicycles; and the estimated cost associated with fitting a bicycle rack to a bus. [43970/19]

Rail Network

Marc MacSharry

242. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of electrifying the rail network with reference to the cost of electrifying one kilometre of railway track; and the cost of purchasing one electric train. [43971/19]

Departmental Funding

Marc MacSharry

243. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department provides funding for the provision of gymnasium or leisure centre facilities; and if so, the details of such provision in each of the last five years. [43972/19]

Public Service Obligation Data

Marc MacSharry

244. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of PSO funding that will be made available to each State public transport operator in 2020. [43973/19]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Marc MacSharry

245. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of providing a 20 bicycle parking rack for a public place. [43974/19]

Cycling Facilities Funding

Marc MacSharry

246. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that will be made available to the cycling and walking programme and sustainable urban transport programme in 2020. [43975/19]

Public Transport Fares

Marc MacSharry

247. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if public transport fares will increase as a result of the carbon tax on fuel being increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43976/19]

Legislative Programme

Marc MacSharry

251. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the road traffic (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, the Road Safety Authority (amendment) Bill and the Road Safety Authority (commercial vehicle roadworthiness) Bill. [44167/19]

National Transport Authority Staff

Marc MacSharry

252. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of additional staff members who will be hired for the National Transport Authority following the increase in the allocation to the agency in budget 2020. [44168/19]