QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to reduce the long waiting times for children in need of an assessment from early intervention teams in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.  
 
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport his plans to install noise abatement measures on the M1 motorway between junctions 6 and 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise was transposed into Irish law by the Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006. This legislation requires Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads carrying in excess of 8,250 annual average daily traffic (AADT).
Once strategic noise maps have been produced, the results are used for each local authority to develop Noise Action Plans as required by the Environmental Noise Regulations. Specifically, in relation to the area between Junction 6 and Junction 7 of the M1, the designated action planning authority is Fingal County Council and issues relating to noise levels associated with road traffic is a matter for Fingal County Council.
I understand that Fingal County Council is currently preparing its Noise Action Plan 2019 - 2023.   Under the Regulations, Fingal County Council, as an Action Planning Authority, is required to consult with the public when revising their current Noise Action Plan.   All interested parties will have the opportunity to engage with the local authority when the new plan is being prepared.  The results of any public engagement will be taken into account in finalising the new Noise Action Plan and this will include any noise mitigating measures.