Pat Deering
Question:683. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when unsuccessful applicants for sports capital grant 2012 will be notified; and if they will be given a reason for the refusal. [2608/13]
View answerSports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (683)
Written answers
All unsuccessful applicants under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme have been notified by letter. If an application was deemed invalid the letter sets out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid. If an applicant requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (684)
Brian Walsh
Question:684. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and, if so, the reason for this outcome. [2625/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
This application was deemed invalid for 2 reasons. Firstly, the applicant did not have a lease from Galway City Council for the land where the facilities were to be developed at the time of the application. A letter would have been required from the club's solicitor confirming that a lease of at least 22 years has been or was being registered at the time of application. Secondly, the applicant did not provide evidence of either having current planning permission or having made an application for planning permission. These requirements, along with all other requirements, were set out in the guide to filling out the application form.
A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (685)
Brian Walsh
Question:685. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and, if so, the reason for this outcome. [2626/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
The application was deemed invalid as the applicant did not provide evidence of the required amount of 15% own funding. The letter provided by the applicant's bank did not confirm that a loan had been approved. Advice on the forms of evidence of funding that are accepted as part of a Sports Capital Programme application was provided in the guide to making an application under the Programme. A template loan offer letter was also provided.
A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (686)
Brian Walsh
Question:686. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and if so, the reason for this outcome. [2627/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
The application was deemed invalid as the applicant did not satisfy the requirements relating to the ownership of the land where the proposed development was to take place. All applications for capital works of over €25,000 were required to provide a solicitor's letter confirming, among other things, that the applicant either owned the site for the proposed facility or held it under a registered lease that was capable of supporting a charge. The applicant did not satisfy this requirement.
A letter setting out the reason why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (687)
Brian Walsh
Question:687. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and if so, the reason for this outcome. [2628/13]
View answerWritten answers
The organisation referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
This application was deemed invalid as the amount sought was unrealistically high and the project could not be broken down.
A letter setting out the reason why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact. If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (688)
Brian Walsh
Question:688. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application under the sports capital programme by an organisation (details supplied) in County Galway was deemed invalid; and if so, the reason for this outcome. [2629/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme.
The application was unsuccessful in securing a grant, but it was not deemed invalid, i.e. it met the minimum requirements and was considered for funding. My Department received 2,170 applications seeking €229 million in funding. In the context of available funds of €31m it was not possible to fund all valid applications.
If the club requires any more information or clarification they should contact the Sports Capital Programmes Unit of my Department in Killarney.
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed and all the monies under this round have been allocated.
Roads Maintenance
Questions (689)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:689. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make funding available to Kildare County Council in 2013 to advance a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2649/13]
View answerWritten answers
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 for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
My Department received an application from Kildare County Council in November 2008 for 100% funding of the Athy Southern Distributor Road. A grant of €150,000 was allocated to the Council in 2011 to allow certain design and planning work on this project to be undertaken. I am advised that the total cost of the project is in excess of €34 million. As the Deputy will appreciate, given the current financial circumstances, I am not in a position to give any commitment regarding the provision of further funding for this project in the future. With the reduced funding available, the main focus is on the maintaining the current road network.
I am aware of the importance of this road to Athy and to the south Leinster region. If and when the financial position of the State improves I would like to be in a position to support the advancement of this project.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (690)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:690. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding options available for a sports group (details supplied) in County Meath; the date on which the next round of sports capital grant funding will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2727/13]
View answerWritten answers
The allocations under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme were announced last December. The 2012 Sports Capital Programme is now closed. No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Programme.
It may be possible for the club to raise funds via the ‘Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies’ scheme (section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to the club. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue Commissioners website.
Driving Licence Issues
Questions (691)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:691. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding photos for the new driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2730/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government decided in May 2011 to centralise the driver licence service, following an examination of the options which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost-effective. The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 provided for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to become the central driver licensing authority in Ireland, and this provision came into effect on 12 January 2013.
From that date, the RSA has assumed all responsibility for the operation and management of the driver licence service, including the photographic requirements on applications. The new system involves three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications. All three are overseen by a ‘centre of excellence’ based in the RSA itself. For the first few months of 2013, the driver licence service will continue to be available to the public through local authorities.
The fees for driver licences increased with effect from 1 January 2013. This represents the first increase in these fees since 1989 and remains low by international standards. The increased fee will ensure that the service into the future will be less dependent on Exchequer funding.
I understand from the RSA, that, when the new system comes into operation later this year, the photograph will be digital and will not be stuck on to the card in the way it is to the old paper licence. The capture of the photograph will be included in the fee for the licence. As the system develops, the SAFE2 ID standard will be implemented, at which point the only option will be the digital photo taken at the Front Office Network.
It should be noted that members of the public will now only have to make one journey to get their photograph taken and license application processed. Furthermore, the €55 fee for a ten year licence includes the cost of the photograph as well as the licence.
State Airports
Questions (692)
Seán Kenny
Question:692. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to have a doctor on duty in each of the terminals in Dublin Airport on a 24/7 basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/13]
View answerWritten answers
The matter raised by the Deputy falls within the operational responsibilities of Dublin Airport Authority and I have referred the question to the company for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.