Tuesday, 11 Dec 2012

Written Answers Nos. 540-556

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (540)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

540. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a club (details supplied) was deemed unsuitable for any funding from the sports capital programme despite the fact they fulfilled the criteria to receive funding; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the club works on a cross community basis and caters for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and from the traveller community; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the club facilities were also described by the Amateur Boxing Association of Ireland as among the two boxing clubs in Ireland in most need of improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55078/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

In the case of ineligible applications, I think that it would be appropriate that the designated club contact would be informed first of the reasons why an application may have been deemed invalid. My Department will be writing to all applicants in the coming weeks and the reasons why applications were deemed invalid will be outlined to the relevant applicants.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (541, 544)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

541. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to bring forward a sports capital grant programme for the period 2013/2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55082/12]

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

544. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he brings forward a sports capital grant programme for the period 2013/2014, if he will consider prioritising the applications of the unsuccessful organisations for the sport capital grant programme 2012 when setting out the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55129/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 544 together. There are no plans to advertise another round of the Sports Capital Programme until 2015.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (542)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

542. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a sports grant in respect of a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55085/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department did not receive an application from the club referred to by the Deputy under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (543)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

543. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if objective criteria was used in the allocation of sports capital grants; if he will publish the criteria and outline the methodology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55113/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

All applications received under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were first checked to ensure eligibility and then eligible applications were initially assessed against the following criteria (the final 4 criteria only apply to regional and national projects):

Selection Criteria

Increase in the levels of active participation/ improved standards of sporting performance, especially among women and older citizens

Level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area

Technical merits of the project

Financial viability of project

Level of own funding available

Extent to which applicant will be able to maintain project after completion

Current and planned levels of sport and/or recreational sport facilities in the area

Current or proposed sharing of facilities with other sporting groups or schools

Level of SCP (or other Government) funding received in the past

Strategies to be used to attract people from disadvantaged areas

Priority of proposed improvements/ facility in relation to existing facilities

Priorities as identified by the NGB (national/regional projects only)

Priority as identified by the Irish Sports Council (NGB and third level only)

Location of facility within the network of national, regional and municipal facilities (non-local projects only)

Linkages with Local Authorities Swimming Pools Programme (municipal multi-sport only)

In deciding the final allocations of funding to local projects within each county I had regard to a number of additional factors, including: the performance of each application during the assessment process; ensuring a geographic spread of projects within each county; ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and ensuring that there is a spread of projects among different sports.

Question No. 544 answered with Question No. 541.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (545)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

545. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications made for the sports capital grant programme 2012 from Limerick; the numbers of applications that were awarded to the sports capital grant and the names and number that were ineligible for the sports capital grant and the reasons for same. [55197/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the 2012 Sports capital Programme a total of 117 applications were received from Limerick. Of these 6 applications were for national or regional projects and allocations to such projects will be announced shortly.  In the allocations announced on 2 December, 22 separate projects in Limerick were funded with a total value of just under €1,000,000. In the case of ineligible applications I believe it would be appropriate that the designated club contact would be informed first of the reason or reasons why the application was deemed invalid and my Department will be writing to all applicants in the coming weeks and the reasons why applications were deemed invalid will be outlined to the relevant applicants.

Some of the reasons why local applications from Limerick were deemed invalid include: insufficient own funding or no evidence of own funding; work on project already commenced; no evidence of freehold/leasehold/letter from landlord; no quotations/estimates submitted; and no evidence of planning permission or application for same or letter from technical supervisor stating that planning permission is not needed.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (546)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

546. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will detail all applications from County Donegal to the sports capital programme in tabular format and include the amount applied for and the reason that the application was approved or rejected. [55203/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Details of all local applications received under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme from County Donegal and the amount of funding sought is set out in the following table. There were also 7 non-local (i.e. national and regional) applications from Donegal, and allocations to non-local projects will be announced shortly.

Applications under 2012 Sports Capital Programme	-
Ballyshannon Leisure Centre Management Ltd	€95,240
Buncrana Community Leisure Centre Cooperative Society Limited	€78,256
Buncrana GAA Club	€300,000
Carndonagh GAA Club	€160,000
CLG Ard An Ratha	€234,059
CLG Gleann Fhinne	€74,630
CLG Iorras / Urris GAA Club	€224,593
Clonleigh Social Services Ltd.	€54,165
Clonmany Shamrocks Sport & Athletics Ltd.	€56,000
Cockhill Celtic Youth & Football Club	€58,898
Coiste Forbartha Dhobhair Teo	€6,055
Comhlacht Forbartha an Tearmainn, trading as Craoibhín.	€13,324
Curragh Athletic Football Club	€45,000
Desertegney Youth Club incorporating Dunree Football Club	€25,000
Donegal Bay Rowing Club	€20,000
Donegal Mountain Biking Club	€5,013
Donegal Mountain Rescue Team	€25,000
Donegal Sports Partnership	€10,000
Donegal Town Soccer Club Trust Company Ltd.- (trading as Donegal Town F.C.)	€39,328
Downstands Family Resource Centre	€15,000
Drumoghill Football Club	€88,069
Dungloe G.A.A. Club    /      Cumann Luthchleas Gael An Clochán Liath	€150,000
Dunlewey Celtic Football Club	€25,000
Finn Valley RFC	€12,791
Finn Valley Swimming Pool Limited	€153,335
Four Masters G.A.A. Club	€40,000
Galf Chumann Ghaoth Dobhair	€64,229
Glebe Sports Holdings Ltd	€105,362
Gweebarra Canoe Club	€4,000
Illistrin Community Development Association	€34,535
Indoor Street Ltd (Plaza Project)	€84,657
Inishowen Community & Recreational Carndonagh Community School Sports Development Project Company Ltd.	€200,000
Inishowen Football League	€12,000
IRD Milford Limited	€83,262
Kilmacrennan Celtic School Boys & Girls F.C	€21,000
Letterkenny Athletics Club	€73,350
Letterkenny Community Centre	€93,295
Letterkenny Rovers Football Club	€252,596
Letterkenny Sports Complex Development Limited.	€13,550
Letterkenny Youth & Family Service (LYFS)	€20,436
Lifford Athletic Club Ltd/Lifford Athletic Club	€100,000
Malin G.A.A.	€115,500
Moville Celtic Football Club	€20,000
Moville GAA Club - CLG Bun an Phobail	€92,924
Mulroy Hoops Basketball Club	€7,328
Naomh Mhuire GAA Club	€10,167
North West Golf Club	€69,681
Quigleys Point Swifts Football Club	€34,000
Ramelton Tennis Club	€25,000
Realt na Mara CLG, Bundobhráin	€13,625
Red Hughs GAA Club	€81,153
St John Bosco Ac Limited	€17,673
St. Catherine's F.C.	€17,500
Termon GAA (CLG An Tearmainn)	€48,784
Tír Chonaill Gap Cycling Club	€9,200
Trustees of Leghawney Hall Limited	€2,691
Aileach Football Club	€47,302
Aileach Youth & Community Centre	€10,000
Aodh Ruadh C.L.G. (Park/Development Committee)	€168,000
Ballyliffin Golf Club	€85,000
Buncrana Youth & Community Dev. Co. Ltd.	€192,000
C.L.G. Na Cealla Beaga	€25,000
C.L.G. na nDúnaibh	€336,850
C.L.G. Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin	€119,600
Carndonagh Boxing Club	€220,000
Cashel na Cor Learning Disability Association Ltd.	€656,483
Clonmany Tug of War Club	€4,376
Clonmany Youth & Community Resource Centre	€467,391
Cloughaneely GAA Club	€160,000
Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo	€268,182
Coole Cranford Community Centre Limited	€90,000
Creeslough & District Angling Association	€35,410
Creevy National School	€54,000
Donegal Town Rugby Football Club	€150,000
Drimarone Development Association	€100,000
Drumkeen United Football Club	€115,000
Dunree Amateur Boxing Club & Community Hall	€25,000
Fit Kidz	€63,965
Frosses Foróige	€3,000
Gleneely Colts FC Sports & Leisure Club	€25,739
Glenswilly Sports Park	€187,662
Greencastle Sports and Leisure Company Limited	€7,000
Illies Community Association & Illies Celtic Football Club.	€150,748
Illies Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club (IGG, ABC)	€246,160
Letterkenny Tennis Club	€156,657
Lifford Celtic Football Club	€129,197
Milford United Football Club	€74,364
Na Rossa Community Club	€300,000
Naomh Colmcille GAA Club	€110,388
Naomh Micheal GAA Club	€170,121
Pobal Eascarrach Teoranta & Donegal County Council	€300,000
Ray Community Group - (formally Ray Youth Athletic Club)	€35,080
Redcastle United Football Club	€25,000
Robert Emmets GAA Club	€25,000
Royal and Prior Comprehensive School in conjunction with Raphoe Hockey Club	€129,739
Scoil an Stratha Mhoir and Glendowan Youth Club	€47,428
Springboard Family Support Project	€6,000
St. Eunans GAA Club	€350,000
Tir Conall Rugby Club	€538,507
Tullyvinney Rovers F.C.	€6,978
Twin Towns Amateur Boxing Club	€12,000

Details of the successful applicants have been published on the Department's website. My Department will be writing to all applicants in the coming weeks.  Successful applicants will be informed of the steps required to draw down the grant and unsuccessful applicants will be provided with details of the initial assessment of their application. The reasons why applications were deemed invalid will be outlined to the relevant applicants. I think that it would be appropriate that the designated club contact would be informed first of the reasons why an application may have been deemed invalid.

Some of the reasons why local applications from County Donegal were deemed invalid include: insufficient own funding or no evidence of own funding; work on project already commenced; no evidence of freehold/leasehold/letter from landlord; no quotations/estimates submitted; and no evidence of planning permission or application for same or letter from technical supervisor stating that planning permission is not needed.

Public Services Provision

Questions (547)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

547. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 4 December 2012, if he will provide a list of all new services across his Department that have been tested for external service delivery since March 2011. [55439/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Department has not proposed the introduction of any new services since the Government decision in July 2012 that new services would be tested for external delivery before approval to provide the service internally would be granted. However, there are a number of initiatives underway or in progress in the Department and our agencies for the external delivery of services. These include: the various outsourcing initiatives on the part of Fáilte Ireland, including the already outsourced inspection and operational elements of its statutory tourism accommodation and grading functions and the ongoing transfer of the operation of certain Tourist Information Offices to local interest groups with support from Fáilte Ireland; the transfer to the Irish Aviation Authority in January 2013 of the Department's statutory functions of monitoring compliance with EU and international aviation security requirements; the external delivery of customer and production services for new format driving licence; the joint outsourcing with other Departments of the Department’s internal audit function; and the ongoing transfer of processing of the Department's staff claims for travel and subsistence to the Department of Finance which also undertakes the payroll function for the Department.

Roads Maintenance

Questions (548)

Seán Fleming

Question:

548. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of applications for funding made to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55501/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

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, in the first instance, for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The National Roads Authority (NRA) issued a circular earlier this year to all local authorities inviting applications for consideration for funding in 2013 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme.  All applications are being considered currently and will be assessed having regard to the eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the reduced funding available for the scheme in 2013. I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.

Road Projects Contracts

Questions (549)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

549. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the motorway maintenance and renewals contract put out to tender by the National Roads Authority in April 2012; when the successful companies will be announced; the number of companies that will be given contracts under the tender; if successful companies employ sub contractors to carry out works; if companies erect tolls on roads they are maintaining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55529/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the roads programme. The implementation of individual national road projects, including maintenance, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Roads Maintenance

Questions (550)

Seán Fleming

Question:

550. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the list of locations for which funding was supplied from his Department by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55538/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The National Roads Authority (NRA) issued a circular earlier this year to all local authorities inviting applications for consideration for supplementary grant funding in 2013 under various headings.  All applications are being considered currently and will be assessed having regard to the eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the reduced funding available in 2013. I will be announcing the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.

Public Bike Schemes

Questions (551)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

551. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the time frame for the roll out of the Dublin bike scheme in the Dublin 11 and Dublin 9 areas and the details of the scheme in those areas. [55566/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Building on the success of the existing  Dublin Bikes Scheme, my Department  has been working with the National Transport Authority and has made significant progress on the expansion of the Dublin Bikes  Scheme.  

Currently, the National Transport Authority is working with Dublin City Council  to enable the first phase of this expansion to progress.  I am informed that this phase is focussed on expanding the scheme eastwards into the Docklands and westwards to Heuston Station.  Discussions are on-going at present with the operator of the current scheme in relation to this phase of expansion and I understand that it is hoped that a suitable arrangement can be concluded early next year, following which the expansion works would then be undertaken.

In relation to extending the scheme into Dublin 9 and 11, the National Transport Authority has informed me that this is not part of the current phase of expansion of the scheme. The National Transport Authority have further advised me that decisions in relation to possible further expansion of Dublinbikes will only be taken following the conclusion of the planned first stage of expansion.

I am aware that Dublin City Council has an ambitious plan to extend the successful Dublinbikes scheme to other areas of the city in a number of phases spread over a number of years.  Such expansion will, of course, be dependent upon the availability of the necessary funding.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Questions (552)

Brian Walsh

Question:

552. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a list of applications under the 2012 sports capital programme deemed invalid for County Galway; the grounds for ineligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55579/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department will be writing to all applicants in the coming weeks and the reasons why applications were deemed invalid will be outlined to the relevant applicants.  I think that it would be appropriate that the designated club contact would be informed first of the reason or reasons why an application may have been deemed invalid. Some of the reasons why local applications were deemed invalid include: insufficient own funding or no evidence of own funding; work on project already commenced; no evidence of freehold/leasehold/letter from landlord; no quotations/estimates submitted; and no evidence of planning permission or application for same or letter from technical supervisor stating that planning permission is not needed.

Rail Network

Questions (553)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

553. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that funding will be made available as a matter of urgency to the National Transport Authority to carry out works (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55591/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), funding for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects, such as the development of the Maynooth line, is provided by my Department to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation to projects and programmes. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (554)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

554. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Exchequer estimates for 2012 as detailed in the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012 - 2014 originally allocated €1,231 billion for capital spending this year by his Department but end of November 2012 Exchequer returns now suggest that the annual capital allocation for 2012 is €961 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55600/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016 Medium Term Exchequer Framework set out a capital allocation for 2012 of €1,231 million for my Department.  This was subsequently increased in the Revised Estimate for 2012 to €1,245.038 million.  This is the gross capital allocation.  The figure of €961 million refers to the net capital allocation after Appropriations-in-Aid of €284.038 million are taken into account.

Taxi Regulations

Questions (555)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

555. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations and supports available to new entrants to the taxi/hackney business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55621/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

The regulation of the taxi industry, including supports for new  entrants to the industry, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). I have arranged for your question to be forwarded to the NTA for a direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten working days, please notify my private office.

Bus Éireann Services

Questions (556)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

556. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a proper bus stop will be provided in Farranfoe, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55633/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under Section 85 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, An Garda Siochana currently have the responsibility, in the first instance, for the placement of bus stops in consultation with the relevant local authority and the transport provider.  I have referred the Deputy's question to Bus Eireann for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.