Results 12,401-12,420 of 31,374 for speaker:Eamon Ryan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Infrastructure Provision (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I am unsure as regards which particular Luas extension is referred to by the Deputy's question; however, during the summer I was pleased to be able to launch a public consultation on the proposed Luas Finglas extension. As the Deputy may be aware, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As 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...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I recognise that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on public transport and the small public service vehicle industry. Passenger demand for taxis and other small public service vehicle (SPSV) services has fallen considerably and many operators stopped working temporarily. I understand that at present demand for taxis is about 30% of normal levels and my Department and the National Transport...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I recognise that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on public transport and the small public service vehicle industry, and that many limousine operators have been acutely affected due to their particular dependence on overseas tourism. In recognition of this nexus between limousine operators and the tourism industry, in July it was arranged to have the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Transport Policy (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government encompasses a wide and ambitious range of commitments for public transport, one of which is the establishment of a national level forum in relation to public transport. The Deputy will also be aware that my Department has already been undertaking a review of sustainable mobility policy, which incorporates public transport and active...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: There is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government commits to making active travel and public transport better and more accessible. Among the measures we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage and can confirm that having considered the difficulties facing Shannon Heritage and the importance of Bunratty Castle and Folkpark and King Johns Castle to the local economy and the region, Minister of State Naughton has committed to provide funding to Shannon Group to ensure that these two landmark tourist...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: No, I have not had any such discussions although I am meeting with the Deputy on this topic and very much look forward to hearing her views. I am informed that Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) has no current plans to reopen this line, nor to undertake a feasibility study at this time. I am also informed that a potential re-opening of the line does not feature in the relevant Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. As regards the regional road aspect of the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has been working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure public transport services continue and to plan for the provision of enhanced public transport services in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. In this context, the NTA is engaging directly with both public service obligation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: School Transport (23 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The day-to-day management and operational aspects of public transport are the responsibility of the individual operators, in this case Dublin Bus, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). Within this context, I understand that Dublin Bus decided in June of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in respect of public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport including management of the rural transport programme, which now...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: The Deputy is correct that this is not the only example. It is a cruel and critical problem for every family affected. If I recall correctly, 20,000 students throughout the country are on bus services not provided by the Department of Education and Skills. Many of these services are in particular difficulty because of the 50% rule concerning capacity of bus services. The local Flexibus...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: My apologies.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: School Transport (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Those 20,000 children have not been excluded. That was an historic reference to the number of children who were on private bus services not operated by the Department of Education and Skills. In most instances, these children travel longer distances than to the local school. For that reason, they are not included within the scheme run by the Department of Education and Skills. The Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I met delegates from four taxi representative groups the week before last. It was a useful and productive meeting at which I had an opportunity to hear about the impact of Covid-19 on the taxi industry and the representatives' proposals as to how the industry can best be supported through this difficult time. I undertook to meet representatives again in the near future once I had an...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I cannot give clear commitments on the matter now because we must sit down again with taxi representative groups in advance of so doing. As I stated to those groups, I wish to sit down with the Department and the NTA. I discussed the matter with the NTA this week. My Department had similar meetings with the NTA and will do so again next week before we have further discussions with the taxi...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Taxi Regulations (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: We will act quickly on this issue but we need to get it right. I need to work with the Department and the NTA to make sure we go back to the industry representatives with clear measures that are doable. Not all of them will be doable, but wherever a measure is possible, we will act, such as by extending the PUP into next year. The Government has not ruled out further revising the PUP if...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: Rather than reading out the full reply I have before me, I will focus on the financial aspect of this issue. The fundamental problem is that there is no way to replace the passenger demand for taxis that has been lost during the pandemic. It will only return as the pandemic is brought under control and economic activity across all sectors recovers. However, the Government measures should...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Sep 2020)

Eamon Ryan: I would appreciate if the Deputy would provide me with details of the examples he gave. If there is an eight-week delay in processing the applications for the enterprise support grant, I would be keen to know that and I would check up with the relevant authorities as to why that happened. Similarly, if there are instances where an application under the credit guarantee scheme was refused...