Written Answers Nos. 344-355
Regional Road Network
344. Deputy Imelda Munster   asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received applications in 2017 and or for 2018 from Louth County Council for funding for the port access northern cross route project in Drogheda; if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44970/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. My Department has no grant application on hand in relation to the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Port Access road.
Given the cutbacks in State funding for regional and local roads since the financial crisis, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. The bulk of the funding allocated under the Capital Plan published in 2015 is, therefore, earmarked for the maintenance and renewal of the road network with some limited investment in the new projects.
The Drogheda Port Access Northern Cross Route is not provided for in the Capital Plan.
Vehicle Clamping
345. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the changes the recent enactment of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2017, SI 211/2017, will bring to motorists that have had their vehicles clamped; the differences between the new clamping regime and the previous one that was permitted before the enactment of this new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44976/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 (Commencement) Order 2017 (SI Number 211/2017) provided for the 1st June 2017 and the 1st October 2017 to be the operative dates for the purposes of the Act.
On the 1st June 2017 a certain number of sections of the Act were commenced to allow the NTA commence a public consultation process in relation to draft Regulations relating to clamping, signage and clamp release charges.
The Order stated that all other sections of the Act would be operative from the 1st October 2017.
On October 1st the National Transport Authority (NTA) assumed its responsibilities as the regulator of vehicle clamping activities in both statutory and non-statutory (privately owned) clamping places throughout the State.
The principal provisions of the Act include the:
- regulation of clamping and related activities;
- establishment of a two-tier appeals process to hear appeals against clamping or relocation;
- provision for appropriate signage in places where clamping is operated;
- setting of maximum clamp release and vehicle relocation charges;
- establishment of a code of practice; and
- provision of necessary enforcement and investigate powers to investigate and prosecute any alleged breaches of regulations made.
As required under the Act the NTA has prescribed €125 as the maximum clamp release fee permitted for non-statutory clamping places.
Under the Act the appeals and complaints procedures came into force on 1st October 2017. From that date the NTA processes all second-stage clamping appeals arising from clamping activities anywhere in the State including such appeals against on-street clamping in Dublin City which were previously administered by Dublin City Council.
The NTA will also prepare a draft code of practice providing practical guidance regarding compliance with the Act and the regulations and establishing standards in relation to the general behaviour, performance of duties and conduct of parking controllers and clamping operators with regard to clamping activities.
The full Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 along with the Vehicle Clamping and Signage Regulations can be viewed on the National Transport Authority website at the following link:
www.nationaltransport.ie/vehicle-clamping.
National Car Test
346. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44982/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers, requires, from 20 May 2018, the mandatory periodic testing of tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h (category T5), and which are used mainly on the public road for commercial road haulage purposes. There is, however, no requirement on Member States to introduce compulsory testing for T5 tractors when being used for agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishery purposes mainly on the terrain where such activity takes place. The RSA will engage with affected stakeholders to provide them with guidance in relation to the practical implementation of its requirements.
The penalties for failure to have a certificate of roadworthiness when using a commercial vehicle on the public road are set out in the RSA (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, and are enforced by An Garda Síochána. On conviction in Court a person is currently liable to 5 penalty points, a Class A fine (not exceeding €5,000) and/or imprisonment of up to 3 months. It is expected that T5 tractors required to be tested under the Directive will be considered as commercial vehicles, and therefore similar penalties will apply.
Light Rail Projects
347. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans with regard to the proposed connection that would allow metro north and the Luas green line south of St. Stephen's Green to run as an uninterrupted line from Estuary to Cherrywood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44986/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2016-2035 provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades.
The strategy includes a number of proposals to further develop the light rail and metro network in the GDA. This includes the new Metro North project and an upgrading of the Luas Green line to metro standard through the extension of new Metro North southwards, via a tunnel, to join the Green line.
Funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government's Capital Plan for planning, design and to begin construction of new Metro North. Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction to commence in 2021 and passenger services starting in 2027. The NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have commenced preparatory work on the planning and design of new Metro North and a dedicated project Steering Group has been established which is meeting on a regular basis. The NTA, in collaboration with TII, is undertaking an option analysis and selection study of possible metro alignments and station locations. Arising from this work a final route and station configuration will be established. It is my understanding that the NTA and TII expect that this process will be complete by the end of 2017, after which a public consultation process will be undertaken in 2018.
The 10-year National Investment Plan to be published in the coming months will include the funding for the period to complete the new Metro North project. The metro extension southwards will be considered in the context of future investment plans, including the forthcoming 10 year Capital Plan.
Severe Weather Events Response
348. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has investigated the apparent failure by a company (details supplied) to maintain a back-up emergency control room facility during the recent Storm Ophelia emergency; and if he will review the operator's licence in this regard [44990/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The issue raised is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Road Network
349. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the lack of proper access for emergency services to the Great Island and Cobh during Storm Ophelia; and if his attention has been drawn to the need to upgrade the Fota Road to improve such access. [44995/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these moneys is a matter for each local authority. The Department has not received a recent submission in relation to access to Cobh.
Bus Services
350. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding in budget 2018 in order to improve Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus services, respectively, for their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45023/17]
351. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding in budget 2018 in order to improve Iarnród Éireann services for its customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45024/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): I propose to take Questions Nos. 350 and 351 together.
Throughout the year I committed publicly to further increasing Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding levels in the future as resources allowed. In Budget 2018 I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO services throughout the country. This means that in 2018 over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years.
The Deputy has asked about the proposed 2018 PSO allocations to individual companies. As is normal, the precise allocations to the companies will be decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
Sports Events
352. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contribution his Department will be making to Dublin City Council in preparation for the Euro 2020 competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45065/17]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The hosting of four matches in Dublin as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament is a collaborative effort between Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and Dublin City Council (DCC), with the support of the Government.
The cost of hosting the matches is being shared by the FAI, UEFA, Dublin City Council and Government. The Government will contribute to the costs of a public transport programme, policing and security costs, and a promotional programme. Work is ongoing on the design and content of those programmes and following that the tournament budget will be finalised.
Commencement of Legislation
353. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017 will be commenced; when the section that provides for the adoption of a child by their step parent without the requirement for the child's other parent to adopt their own child will be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44593/17]
363. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the commencement of all sections of the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017, in particular the adoption of a child by their step parent without the requirement for the child’s other parent to adopt his or her own child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44670/17]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I propose to take Questions Nos. 353 and 363 together.
I have signed the Commencement Order to give effect to the provisions in the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2017. All the provisions of the Act other than Section 24(1)(a) were commenced on the 19th of October 2017.
Section 24(1)(a) provides that before making an application for a child to be adopted because of parental failure, Tusla - the Child and Family Agency must be satisfied that every reasonable effort has been made to support the parents of the child in question. This provision will come in to operation on the 1st of February 2018.
Departmental Reports
354. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); her plans to implement same nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44601/17]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): My Department received the report in recent days and it is actively considering the report and its recommendations.
Family Resource Centres
355. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider the funding application for a centre (details supplied). [44606/17]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): Tusla has advised that there has been no cut in its funding of the Togher Family Centre which receives annual funding from Tusla through the Grants Register mechanism. The core budget funding in 2017 was €144,060, supplemented by an additional amount of €26,000 recently. Tusla considers that the Togher Family Centre provides an excellent service in line with the principles of Tusla’s Partnership, Participation and Family Support Programme and multiple services are provided by the centre. The core budget for 2018 has been increased to €177,000. |
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