Written Answers Nos. 10-20
10. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has completed a review of the sports capital programme 2012; the changes that he will bring into any future capital programme; when he expects to bring forward the next call for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15223/13]
View answer25. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has completed a review of the sports capital programme 2012; the changes that he will bring into any future capital programme; when he expects to bring forward the next call for funding; if he will indicate the timeframe in place for the draw down of grants; and his plans if money awarded is not used. [15212/13]
View answer72. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has completed a review of the sports capital programme 2012; the changes that he will bring into any future capital programme; when he expects to bring forward the next call for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15200/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 25 and 72 together.
The most recent round of the Sports Capital Programme was launched last March. This was the first round of the Programme since 2008. The deadline for applications was the 11th May 2012 for paper based hard copy applications and 1st June for applications made online.
The Department received 2,170 applications for funding under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme, the highest number of applications ever received. The allocations were announced last December. There were 648 allocations totalling €31m.
All successful applicants have received a letter of provisional allocation which states inter alia that grantees must complete a substantial amount of progress on their projects before 31 January 2015, otherwise the Department will withdraw the grant offer after that date.
An internal review of the 2012 round of the Sports Capital Programme is currently underway. This review will examine all aspects of the operation of the 2012 round. The outcome of the review will obviously be taken into account in the design and operation of the next round of the Programme.
No decision has been taken on the timing of the next round. Any such decision will of course have to be taken in the context of the likely capital provision for the subhead in future years.
11. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to enhance our competitiveness to British holidaymakers and leisure travellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15249/13]
View answer13. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will use the tourism marketing fund to support international marketing and advertising programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15259/13]
View answer22. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continued relative decline in overseas visitors from Britain in comparison to other locations; if there is need for a reconsideration of the overseas marketing activities of our tourism agencies to focus to a greater extent on those markets where there has been considerable growth in the past number of years instead of Britain; if he supports the development of a cross-border lighthouse tourism trail in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15035/13]
View answer45. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he intends to respond to the official data which indicates that overseas visitors to the Republic of Ireland were flat for 2012 when compared with 2011; his plans to ensure growth as opposed to a flattening out or deterioration in the number of overseas visitors for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15309/13]
View answer49. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continued relative decline in overseas visitors from Britain in comparison to other locations; if there is need for a reconsideration of the overseas marketing activities of our tourism agencies to focus to a greater extent on those markets where there has been considerable growth in the past number of years instead of Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15033/13]
View answer61. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the fact that Germany is the third largest source of overseas visitors to Ireland, his plans to develop this lucrative market; if he will inform Dáil Éireann of the lessons that have been learned from this success which could potentially be applied to other European markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/13]
View answer82. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he proposes to make it easier for visitors to travel between Britain and Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15269/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 13, 22, 45, 49, 61 and 82 together.
These Questions are about tourism promotion.
According to CSO figures, there were just over 6.5 million overseas visits to Ireland last year, up slightly on 2011, while spending by overseas visitors was up 4.5% to nearly €3.7 billion. Visits from the higher spending Mainland Europe, North America and long haul markets all registered growth, while visits from Britain were down 3.6%. However, our next most important European market, Germany, produced over 448,000 visits, an increase of 6% on 2011, while North America, our second most important market overall, grew 3% to over a million visits while spend grew 9% to €742 million.
Tourism Ireland's Business Plan for 2013 targets a further 5.2% growth in visits, from all of our significant markets including Great Britain and Germany, and highlights the potential impact of the Gathering Ireland 2013. It is important to focus on markets with best prospects for growth but it is necessary to balance this and not ignore opportunities in other markets, particularly one as significant as Britain. To help achieve the targets, I have allocated over €37 million this year for overseas tourism marketing which allows Tourism Ireland to implement its Plan, as well as funding Fáilte Ireland's enterprise supports and product development. These actions, along with continued implementation of other measures such as the lower VAT rate for tourism services, provide a platform on which the tourism industry, in partnership with the agencies, can deliver growth.
With regard to Britain, I welcomed the report of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, entitled "GB Path to Growth", and its recommendations for restoring growth from Britain which are reflected in the 2013 plans of the tourism agencies. For example, Tourism Ireland is refining its approach to targeting potential visitors receptive to the experiences that Ireland can offer, and is conducting an extensive promotional programme this year in Britain.
More generally, the balance of marketing spend across markets is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland, acting in accordance with Business Plans and Corporate Plans approved by the North/South Ministerial Council. However, the opportunities presented by the different markets, I believe, need to be factored into not only their plans but the plans of tourism enterprises and Fáilte Ireland and I believe it is a matter that should be considered in the course of the tourism policy review which my Department is to commence this year.
12. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether accurate data are essential to the planning and growth of the tourism industry on the island of Ireland, and that while hotels on the island experienced significant growth in room occupancy for 2012, it is still not possible to break out overseas bookings from domestic business; his plans to engage with his counterpart in Northern Ireland to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15303/13]
View answerThis Question relates to tourism statistics.
Reliable tourism statistics are essential for measuring performance and informing both agency operations and overarching Government policies and actions.
Clearly, however, neither I nor Fáilte Ireland nor any other agency of this State has direct responsibility for the overall development of the tourism industry for the island of Ireland as a whole. Northern Ireland remains another jurisdiction. Although there is cross-border cooperation on tourism within the framework of the North/South Ministerial Council, this focuses primarily on the role of Tourism Ireland as a North/South body marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination, with other matters being discussed where appropriate and agreed. Where appropriate and beneficial to both jurisdictions, matters relating to tourism statistics are discussed and cooperation takes place in the framework of the North/South Ministerial Council - and indeed through other arrangements under the aegis of the statutory statistics agencies of both jurisdictions.
The collection of statistics for this State, including tourism statistics, is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ireland’s independent national statistical agency. In addition to the official CSO statistics, the tourism agencies also conduct their own analyses of tourism performance and further research to provide supplementary insights.
With specific regard to statistics on hotels, the Deputy appears to be misinformed. It is possible to distinguish domestic from overseas business in data published by both the CSO and Fáilte Ireland. The CSO provides information on the type of accommodation (including hotels) used by travellers - publishing overseas data in its Tourism and Travel release and domestic data in the Household Travel Survey. Fáilte Ireland publishes data on hotel guest nights broken down by market area – both domestic and overseas – in its annual Hotel Survey publication.
My officials and I have regular and constructive engagement with the CSO and with the tourism agencies regarding data on tourism performance relating to this State.
14. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; if he will outline the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15202/13]
View answer16. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will bring forward a new aviation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15244/13]
View answer71. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15273/13]
View answer74. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the consultation paper on the proposed aviation policy; the main themes that this policy will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15216/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 16, 71 and 74 together.
These questions relate to the development of a new aviation policy.
The aviation industry is a key enabler of economic growth so it is important that there is a clear policy framework in place to facilitate its continued development and to optimise the contribution that this important sector can make to the Irish economy.
To this end, I have launched a process of engagement on the development of a new national aviation policy. As a first step, my Department and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) hosted a conference on 3 December 2012 in the Convention Centre Dublin to hear from an array of stakeholders on how we might set about developing a new national policy and to start the debate on what that policy should contain.
Taking account of the issues that were raised at the conference, along with topics raised with myself and my Department, I published an Issues paper for consultation on my Department's website on 1 March 2013. The Issues paper covers eight broad areas: Airports, Air Services, Regulation and Governance, Aircraft Leasing and Finance, Aerospace, Education and Training, General Aviation and Sustainability. The closing date for receipt of submission is 30 June 2013.
Following receipt of submissions, a draft National Aviation Policy Statement will be issued in the second half of 2013. That will provide further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the policy in early 2014.
15. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that last summer the National Transport Authority carried out a public consultation and that, during the autumn, it submitted its report to him; the recommendations of same; if he has decided to follow through on any of these recommendations; if he will give an indication as to what is likely to happen with public service obligation routes in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15029/13]
View answer313. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that last summer the National Transport Authority carried out a public consultation and that during the autumn they submitted their report to him; the recommendations of same; if he has decided to follow through on any of these recommendations; if he will give an indication as to what is likely to happen with Public Service Obligation routes in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15777/13]
View answerI propose to answer Question Nos. 15 and 313 together.
These questions relate to the structure of the public service obligation (PSO) bus market.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 4 which I answered earlier. I am aware that the Competition Authority made a submission to the NTA's public consultation process. This report clearly highlighted that the international experience of tendering for PSO type services has been favourable. Furthermore, the report indicated that tendering for PSO services showed benefits accruing to the State and to the commuting public in terms of (i) improved service quality, (ii) a more integrated transport system and (iii) greater value for taxpayer’s money.
17. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Marine Casualty Investigation Board will take up an invitation to attend an inquest in Northern Ireland into the drownings of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15046/13]
View answer23. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board regarding requests for attendance at inquests in Northern Ireland to discuss findings from MCIB reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15047/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 23 together.
These Questions relate to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
Under Section 8 of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is established as being independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and, in general, is independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.
Consequently, the issue raised by the Deputies regarding the Board attending an inquest in relation to a casualty investigation is a matter for the Board itself and it would be wholly inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.
18. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to ensure that funds for regional and local roads are targeted at essential work to the greatest extent possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15224/13]
View answer30. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the recent allocation of funding for repair works on local and regional roads; his views on whether a particular percentage of funding should be ring-fenced by each local authority for annual road maintenance and upkeep in view of the state of many roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15041/13]
View answer53. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has received communications from the various local authorities throughout the country with reference to the ongoing need to meet road repair requirements following the winter weather damage to main and county road networks; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the funding provisions to date to meet such requirements; the extent to which allocations made by his Department to date are in line with requirements; the extent to which specific improvement works including the elimination of potholes has so far taken place in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/13]
View answer57. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way he will help to provide assistance for emergency road repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/13]
View answer66. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to aid local authorities to tackle serious road maintenance issues and to penalise and hold to account local authorities which do not work adequately to address these problems. [15057/13]
View answer315. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to ensure that funds for regional and local roads are being targeted at essential maintenance work to the greatest extent possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15399/13]
View answer328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has received communication from the various local authorities in respect of road improvement requirements; if he has been able to respond positively to such requests; the extent of the response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15554/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 30, 53, 57, 66, 315 and 328 together.
These Questions relate to roads maintenance.
Firstly, under section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads rests very clearly with local authorities. It is also the case that any works on these roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources with supplementary funding provided through State road grants.
As the House will be aware, the amount of these State grants has been reducing in recent years. This reduction reflects the general cutbacks in other areas of economic activity where State funding is provided. This is a harsh economic reality. Conscious of this, my Department and the NRA, who administer the dispersal of funds on my behalf, have made every effort to ensure that grant aid is spent in a cost-effective and efficient way. This is being done in order to mitigate the effects of these reductions insofar as is possible.
Indeed in 2013, conscious of the effect the reductions were having on individual local authorities, I am allowing greater flexibility between grant headings to facilitate local authorities to address the more critical road repairs aggravated by severe weather over the last few years. I have made the point in this House that the emphasis should be to focus the available funding, be it local authority or State grants, on the upkeep and repair of the existing road network.
In determining the annual non-national road grant allocations, the overall objective is to resource each local authority in as fair and equitable a manner as is possible within the resources available and using the established methodology which is applied to all local authority areas.
I recently announced additional funding of €2.7 million under a road maintenance initiative for road drainage schemes. These additional grants, over and above the amounts announced by me in January last, were provided to assist local authorities with preventative drainage work. My decision to provide this exceptional assistance recognises the engineering imperative of good drainage to lessen the impact both of flooding and standing water on our road network. The launch of a pilot Community Involvement Scheme is another initiative designed to assist local authorities to get the best value from their grants, whilst allowing my Department to ensure value-for-money.
To assist Deputies I have placed the annual allocations for the past number of years for each local authority in the Dáil Library. These booklets break down the allocation of funds from my Department’s Exchequer allocation for roads grants to individual authorities and projects within each local authority’s administrative areas. I trust Deputies will consult these booklets, and see for themselves, the funding levels that are available to local authorities.
19. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person who appointed the acting chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; if it is possible to take up the issues of remuneration to the CEO with this acting chairperson in the absence of the new chairperson being appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/13]
View answerI am in the process of appointing a new Chairperson to the Board of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. Before the appointment is made, the Chairperson designate will be required to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications. In the interim, the Board has chosen one of its Directors to act as Chairperson.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have previously given an undertaking that I would ask the new Chairperson to review the relevant issues once appointed.
20. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the proposed process of obtaining photographic ID for the new credit card sized driving licences; the reason a paper photograph is sufficient for a renewal but not for an original; the reason Garda approved and certified photographs are not sufficient proof of ID; the reason professional photographers have not been afforded an opportunity to provide the photographs to a specified criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15237/13]
View answerEU Directive 2006/126EC requires the introduction by Member States of a plastic card driver licence with effect from 19th January 2013. For this country, this involved a change of the procedures and practices associated with the old paper style licences. With the introduction of the new style licence, the Government decided to centralise the driver licence service under the Road Safety Authority (RSA). On 12th January this year, the RSA became the driver licensing authority for the country and decided to operate the service mainly through three outsourced contracts related to licence production, back-office processing and front-office customer interface.
The RSA had full responsibility for all aspects of the conditions of these contracts and for the tendering and procurement processes leading to their award.
The card licence is standardised across the European Union and therefore there must be consistency in the quality and standard of information used. The photograph is digital and is not stuck on to the card in the way it was on the old paper licence. The capture of the photograph is 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.
I understand that the procurement process for each of the contracts has now been completed. The issue of photo ID associated with driver licence applications is included in the front-office customer interface contract that, I understand, has been awarded to SGS. Specific queries related to the operation of this contract should be directed to the RSA.
