I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 262, 267, 268 and 271 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the employment prospects from the various sectors under my Department's remit. The Action Plan for Jobs was published on Monday last and sets out a co-ordinated Government approach to job creation. It places a particular emphasis on tourism as one of the key areas for the generation of employment. Transport demand on the other hand is primarily derived from the outputs of the other economic sectors. In addition to directly generated jobs on transport projects, increased employment in the transport sector will flow from increased economic activity generally.
The main actions in the plan relating to the transport, tourism and sport sectors are as follows:
The targeting by Fáilte Ireland of capital grants from the €21 million fund available to it to develop new tourism attractions and to upgrade existing ones;
Preparations for ‘The Gathering 2013' initiative which aims to attract an additional 325,000 visitors to Ireland in 2013;
Delivery of a new round of the Sports Capital Programme;
The development of niche tourism activities and products where Ireland has a comparative advantage;
Selected road and public transport projects with a clear impact on economic development, competitiveness and market access;
A review of public transport regulation to identify the potential to reduce costs;
The continuing offer to abolish the remaining €3 travel tax subject to acceptable commitments from the carriers to additional inbound flights to Ireland;
Use of the €40 million Tourism Marketing fund to focus on the four core source markets of Great Britain, the United States, Germany and France which are essential to supporting employment in the sector;
Participation in key trade missions to promote tourism;
Continuation of Fáilte Ireland support for training and building business capability.
In developing its overall policy approach under the Action Plan, the Department consulted with a range of stakeholders. I am confident that the actions under the transport,tourism and sport sectors will contribute to the overall objective in the Plan of creating 100,000 jobs by 2016.