Parliamentary questions

Road Tolls

Imelda Munster

1806. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if persons who drive cars registered in the North have to pay higher toll and toll penalty rates than persons who drive cars registered in the South; and if so, the reason for this anomaly. [25750/16]

Road Tolls

Imelda Munster

1807. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by persons who do not have accounts with road tolling companies and who therefore cannot make toll payments by 8 p.m. the day following their journey, as required on the M50; and the remedies that exist in this case to allow motorists to avoid large fines in cases where they are genuinely unable to pay the toll within the required time limit. [25751/16]

Road Tolls

Imelda Munster

1808. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Exchequer receives a portion of the fines charged by private tolling companies. [25752/16]

Road Tolls

Imelda Munster

1809. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the companies that are currently in the Irish tolling market and which collect tolls and fines on roads here. [25753/16]

Taxi Licences

Imelda Munster

1810. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that taxi drivers have been experiencing with taxi licences when they choose to use their names in Irish where they previously may have used the English version of their names; and if the National Transport Authority recognises both Irish and English versions of names for licensing purposes. [25754/16]

Bus Éireann Fleet

Imelda Munster

1811. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and detail of CIÉ bus routes that have been deemed to be wheelchair accessible by Bus Éireann. [25775/16]

Driving Test Waiting Lists

Imelda Munster

1812. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average amount of time that persons have to wait between applying for a driving test and being allocated a date for the test, by county, in tabular form. [25776/16]

Bus Éireann Services

Imelda Munster

1826. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to proposed changes or the removal of Bus Éireann services from Galway county, in particular Ballinasloe to Athlone IT. [26014/16]

National Transport Authority Expenditure

Imelda Munster

1830. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount annually since its formation that the NTA has spent on outside consultants, by department or section within the NTA. [26060/16]

Greenways Development

Imelda Munster

1831. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA has provided him with a new start date for the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, phase four of the Royal Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city scheme, the Drury Street cycle parking project and the Heuston to Chapelizod greenway, which have all been suspended by the NTA. [26061/16]

National Transport Authority Staff

Imelda Munster

1832. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new staff members recruited by the NTA since 2011 to date in 2016; and the number of vacancies which have been filled through contracts with outside contracting companies in the same period. [26062/16]

Public Transport Provision

Imelda Munster

1833. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the process of examining transport service provision for young persons with a disability as outlined in the programme for a partnership Government. [26063/16]

Public Transport Provision

Imelda Munster

1834. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is currently working towards the next sectoral plan for accessible transport; if so, when he plans to have it published; and the progress achieved to date since the last plan was published. [26064/16]

Rail Services Provision

Imelda Munster

1835. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects, that under Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers’ rights, he will apply for a further exemption to the sections of that regulation which stipulate that a member state will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that trains and other rail services are accessible and will provide assistance free of charge on board trains and during boarding and disembarking from trains; if so, the reason he expects that decision to be made; and if, in the meantime, he is working towards providing these services to disabled members of society. [26065/16]

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Imelda Munster

803. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recently launched Wild Atlantic Way passport is bilingual, or if it is available as Gaeilge; if not, his views regarding this omission given that many parts of the Wild Atlantic Way are in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23601/16]

Insurance Costs

Imelda Munster

97. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance the steps he is taking to address the huge increases in insurance quotes for taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/16]

Coras Iompair Éireann

Imelda Munster

406. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider increasing the public service obligation payments received by CIE, given that despite the increase in fare revenue and commercial income in 2015, CIE recorded a net loss of €26.4 million in 2015, according to its annual report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23025/16]

Coras Iompair Éireann

Imelda Munster

417. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on increasing the public service obligation payments received by CIE, given that despite the increase in fare revenue and commercial income in 2015, CIE recorded a net loss of €26.4 million in 2015, according to its annual report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/16]

Road Safety

Imelda Munster

33. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the issue of cars which have been written off in other jurisdictions being brought here, given the grave safety concerns for road users, especially with the lengthy delay in bringing forward legislation to deal with this matter; the measures he intends to take to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22794/16]

Road Tolls

Imelda Munster

35. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to consider a review of the toll charge imposed on the M1 at Drogheda and in particular the slip road tolls where persons have to pay a toll on entry and exit to the town and the detrimental effect it is having on local businesses, small hauliers and tourism and investment, in addition to adding to the congestion in an already congested town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22795/16]

Sports Capital Programme

Imelda Munster

39. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision as to whether sports capital grants will be made available for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22490/16]

Proposed Legislation

Imelda Munster

55. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered banning the use of rickshaws as a method of transport and as a method of carrying passengers until regulations have been introduced by legislation or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22486/16]

UK Referendum on EU Membership

Imelda Munster

71. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans, in view of the British vote to leave the EU, to manage the potential losses to the tourism market given the dramatic fall in value of sterling and the fact that 40% of tourists to Ireland come from Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22489/16]

Industrial Disputes

Imelda Munster

77. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent Luas drivers' industrial dispute and ongoing talks in the Labour Court between CIE and transport unions, his plans to manage public transport services should another industrial dispute take place in 2016 on the public transport services, be that rail or bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22488/16]

Rail Services Provision

Imelda Munster

84. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans his Department and the National Transport Authority have to deal with the increasing numbers of rail passengers, increasing from 36.74 million in 2013 to 39.66 million in 2015 according to the NTA, given that many routes are very overcrowded, particularly at rush hour, including on the Dundalk to Dublin route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22487/16]

Proposed Legislation

Imelda Munster

828. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered banning the use of rickshaws as a method of transport and as a method of carrying passengers until regulations have been introduced by legislation or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22187/16]

Proposed Legislation

Imelda Munster

829. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the Attorney General on the legal advice obtained by both Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority on their respective powers to regulate rickshaws; and if not, when he intends to do so. [22188/16]

Dublin Bus Services

Imelda Munster

846. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that Dublin Bus is not providing an adequate bus service to the Easton Road area of Leixlip, County Kildare, and has stated to the Celbridge-Leixlip municipal district members that it provides a peak-time service to and from Easton Road and has no plans to extend services, as it would require additional significant resources and-or the redirecting of the 66 bus route which services other parts of Leixlip; and if he will identify the additional significant resources that Dublin Bus quotes as its reason for not delivering the service to Easton Road. [22597/16]

Swimming Pool Programme Applications

Imelda Munster

254. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that Kildare County Council's proposal for a north County Kildare swimming pool that was submitted to the public swimming pool programme in 2016 has not received a response to date; and if this submission was deemed to be invalid. [21694/16]

Dublin Bus Services

Imelda Munster

255. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with Dublin Bus on the issue of transport provision earlier on Sunday mornings to customers who rely on Dublin Bus to get to work and in the absence of a bus service, are forced to pay for taxis in some parts of the city. [21703/16]

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Imelda Munster

55. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the health services that have been sought by persons who have accessed health care under the European Union cross-border health care directive in another European Union and European Economic Area member state in each year since Directive 2011/24/EU was transposed; if he will provide this information in terms of the most common services, treatments and procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20927/16]

Cross-Border Health Services Provision

Imelda Munster

67. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have accessed health care under the European Union cross-border health care directive in another European Union and European Economic Area member state in each year since Directive 2011/24/EU was transposed; the amount reimbursed in accordance with the legislation; the number of those persons who accessed health care in Northern Ireland; the amount reimbursed in respect of treatment in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/16]

Local Authority Staff

Imelda Munster

339. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the chief executive officer of Louth County Council has applied for funding from his Department for a director of services specifically for Drogheda in the past 12 months. [21208/16]

Carer's Allowance Data

Imelda Munster

405. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications in Louth and east Meath for carer's allowance in the past six years; the number of those applications which have been unsuccessful; and the reasons given for turning down applications. [21207/16]

Road Projects

Imelda Munster

771. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will seek to amend the Government's capital investment plan to include funding the proposed N56 Letterkenny relief road to enable Transport Infrastructure Ireland to fund this vital project aimed at addressing the traffic gridlock that Letterkenny constantly endures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21200/16]

Road Projects Status

Imelda Munster

772. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the light of the Brexit vote, if he will make a statement reaffirming the Government's and the State's commitment to co-fund equally the A5 upgrade from Donegal and Derry to Monaghan as originally committed to at the St. Andrews Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21201/16]

Road Projects Status

Imelda Munster

296. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he can confirm the inclusion of the N52 Ardee bypass for consideration in the 2017 capital programme review. [20332/16]

Road Signage

Imelda Munster

643. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the absence of a signpost for Castleconnell at junction 27 of the M7; his plans to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19549/16]

Motor Tax Collection

Imelda Munster

112. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce regular direct debit payments for motor tax, given that paying several lump sums a year causes financial hardship for many people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18860/16]

Motor Tax Collection

Imelda Munster

113. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the rationale behind charging a higher level of motor tax for those who choose to pay quarterly; and if he has considered amending this as it is unfair on those who are not in a position to pay a large lump sum annually. [18861/16]

Motor Tax

Imelda Munster

117. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider reviewing the motor taxation system with a view to looking at other models of payment such as incorporating payment into tax on fuel to enable road users to pay tax relative to their mileage and therefore level of use of their vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18936/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Imelda Munster

121. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 15 June 2016, what commitment was given regarding the building of an extension to a school (details supplied) and to explain where the allocated funding has gone; if the loss of funding came as a result of a failure on his Department's part to budget correctly for capital projects; if this failure can be or has been remedied with the result that the project can go ahead as previously confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18121/16]

Schools Building Projects Status

Imelda Munster

122. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 91 of 15 June 2016 the reason he reneged on the commitment given to begin works on a school (details supplied) in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/16]

Road Network

Imelda Munster

521. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide the funding in 2016 to complete the process of the compulsory purchase of the land required to commence construction of the link road R150 from Bettystown to Laytown. [18184/16]

National Driver Licensing Service

Imelda Munster

524. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that persons from the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal have to travel an unreasonable distance to attain a learner permit or driving licence at the National Driving Licence Service office in Letterkenny; if he will support the locating of a new office in the Inishowen peninsula. [18256/16]

VAT Rate Application

Imelda Munster

126. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Finance his plans to raise the rate of value added tax for the tourism sector. [16830/16]

National Monuments

Imelda Munster

320. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to close St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, County Louth, to vehicular traffic to protect and preserve the structure of this ancient and historical gate, which is listed as a national monument. [16835/16]

Road Projects

Imelda Munster

534. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm that the funds promised in the capital spend programme 2015 for the urgently needed Laytown-Bettystown link road (R150) are guaranteed for the project; and when this funding will be released. [16780/16]

Traffic Management

Imelda Munster

537. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to restrict the access of higher goods vehicles and other large vehicles from St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda, County Louth, given that these vehicles are causing damage to the structure. [16834/16]

Tourism Promotion

Imelda Munster

538. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the inclusion of St. Laurence's Gate, Drogheda, County Louth in Ireland's Ancient East; and if he will identify it as a gateway to Ireland's Ancient East. [16836/16]