Seán Fleming
Question:200. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/13]
View answerNational Lottery Funding Applications
Questions (200)
Written answers
My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations, providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures, along with the application form are set out on the Department's website - www.doh.ie
Rail Network
Questions (201)
John Lyons
Question:201. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a contract has been awarded for the upcoming preparatory works and construction works for the Luas BXD project; if the tender or part of the tender will include a social clause to consider those who are currently long-term unemployed for some of the positions under the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4640/13]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as the proposed Luas Cross City Line, comes under the remit of the NTA. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Rural Transport Services Provision
Questions (202)
Brendan Griffin
Question:202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the rural transport programme will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4662/13]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the Deputy's question on whether the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) will be continued, I would like to assure the Deputy that since being given responsibility for Public and Commuter Transport, I have been actively working towards delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government “to maintain and extend the Rural Transport Programme with other local transport services as much as practicable.” Recognising its importance, €9.133 million has been allocated to the RTP in 2013 which represents only a small decrease on the 2012 allocation of €9.77 million at a very difficult time economically.
On foot of proposals from me, new arrangements were approved by Government for the development and implementation of integrated local and rural transport. Snce 1 April 2012 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been given national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport including the RTP. This has the effect of placing all State funded local and rural transport services in a broader transport context. I also established a high level committee of key stakeholders, the National Integrated Rural Transport Committee, chaired by the NTA, to oversee a more focussed and coherent approach to transport integration with a view to eliminating service duplication, better targeting of services at those with greatest need and the rationalisation of administrative structures.
A Value for Money and Policy Review of the RTP published in early 2012 made recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies, deliver value for money for the Exchequer and to ensure the on-going sustainability of the Programme. In this regard the NTA is currently devising an optimal structure for the delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective which will shortly be submitted to me for consideration.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (203)
Brian Walsh
Question:203. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress made following the National Transport Authority's review of public service obligation bus routes in 2012. [4668/13]
View answerWritten answers
In respect of the future provision of bus services the Programme for Government contains a commitment “to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Infrastructure to explore the benefits to the public transport passenger of a more diverse bus service provision”. In line with this commitment the National Transport Authority (NTA) conducted a non - statutory public consultation in summer 2012. The report on the public consultation process is available on the NTA's website. The NTA has also briefed the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the process in October 2012.
The public consultation submissions will be considered and taken into account by the NTA in coming forward with proposals. Where the NTA proposes to enter into a further direct award contract or contracts for bus services it is obliged to carry out a statutory consultation under section 52 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008. Furthermore, the NTA may only enter into a direct award contract “ where it is satisfied that the continued adequacy of the public bus passenger services to which the contracts relate can only be guaranteed in the general economic interest by entering into such direct award contracts." Accordingly the matter will require further examination before any decisions are taken.
Garda Equipment
Questions (204)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Garda intoxicator machines purchased in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the cost of same; if additional intoxicator machines are to be purchased in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4773/13]
View answerWritten answers
The purchase of evidential breath testing instruments is a matter for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS). I have therefore forwarded the question to the MBRS for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if no response has been received within ten days.
Road Signage
Questions (205)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by the National Roads Authority on road signs and road markings for 2010, 2011 and 2012; the budget allocated for same in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4774/13]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 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 do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Tourism Promotion
Questions (206)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:206. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional steps being taken in the national print media, national radio stations and social media in the UK to attract additional visitors coming here; the budget allocated for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4775/13]
View answerWritten answers
The matter raised is an operational one for Tourism Ireland as the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (207)
Brendan Smith
Question:207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a sports capital programme 2012 application from a club (details supplied) in County Cavan was deemed invalid; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this club submitted a very detailed application with all the appropriate accompanying documentation; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that the club understood that its application met all the criteria of the scheme; the reason the application was unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4801/13]
View answerWritten answers
The club referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme. When the 2012 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which clearly set out the Department’s minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding. Regretfully, this application did not meet these requirements on two separate grounds and hence was deemed invalid and could not be considered for funding.
As stipulated in the application form and the guide to completing the form, applicants applying for grants greater than €25,000 must provide evidence of title. A solicitor’s letter is required confirming that s/he is acting on behalf of the applicant and that the applicant either owns the site for the proposed facility or that they hold it under a lease; the leasehold or freehold title is registered with the Property Registration Authority (PRA) (if registration is pending then a dealing number from the PRA must be included); if the title is leasehold, the lease must have at least 15 years remaining; the title must be capable of supporting a charge.
The applicant’s letter from the solicitor submitted as part of the application did not confirm title as outlined above. On 5 June 2012 further documentation in relation to the title was received from the club, however as this was after the closing date for the programme it could not be considered as forming part of the application. In addition, the application did not satisfy the requirements in respect of planning permission for all aspects of the project. A letter setting out the reasons why the application was deemed invalid has been sent to the club contact.