Written Answers Nos. 58-68
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the various bodies, groups or authorities under the aegis of his Department with a view to ascertaining the degree to which they contribute to economic recovery; the extent to which any economic assessment continues to made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15199/13]
View answer324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department and/or group/bodies under his aegis have effected a coordinated approach towards maximisation of contribution to national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/13]
View answer331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to monitor job creation prospects throughout the tourism and transport sectors under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15557/13]
View answer332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has had any discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to ensuring that transport costs in this jurisdiction are competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15558/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 324, 331 and 332 together.
The Programme for Government sets out the measures which the Government is taking to achieve economic recovery. As part of this Programme, the Government recently approved an Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which contains 333 actions to be implemented in 2013 by 16 Government Departments and 46 agencies. The Plan will build on the progress made under the 2012 Action Plan and continue to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove the barriers to employment-creation across the economy.
The further development of the tourism sector has been an important element of the Government's economic policy, supported by measures such as the 9% reduced VAT rate, the cut in employers' PRSI and the fuel rebate for coach operators. The Action Plan for Jobs enhances my Department’s strong focus on pro-tourism and pro-job policies. The Plan also includes a range of other transport and tourism related measures.
My Department and our agencies will continue to play a central part in the delivery of the above initiatives not just under the Action Plan but also under the Programme for Government and the Department's Statement of Strategy, all of which are designed to contribute to economic recovery.My Department is in constant liaison with our agencies about the delivery of their commitments under these various programmes and plans.
In relation to transport costs and arising from an EU initiative to reduce administrative costs to business, I announced in January 2013 that more than 300,000 Irish businesses and sole traders will see the cost of compliance with transport regulation cut as new Departmental and Road Safety Authority computer systems go live later this year. The total projected annual savings to business will be €32 million.
60. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to maintain State control of the railway network and Iarnród Éireann and improve the system and increase access across the country. [15050/13]
View answerThis question is about State control of Iarnrod Eireann and planned improvements to the rail network. Both CIE and its subsidiary, Ianrod Eireann will remain in State ownership.
My Department and the National Transport Authority are working with Iarnrod Eireann to increase the efficiency and attractiveness of existing rail services.
The Government continues to provide substantial Exchequer investment in the rail network despite the significant financial challenges. In the past two years a total of almost €385 million has been invested in Iarnrod Eireann and further investment of over €130 million will take place this year. The overall investment in railway safety is in excess of €1.5 billion since 1999 when the Railway Safety Programme commenced. There has also been significant investment in rolling stock, on upgrading the Kildare Route and opening new routes such as the Cork Commuter Route, Navan Phase 1 and Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor.
The investment regime for Iarnrod Eireann for 2014 is currently being reviewed having regard to the anticipated completion of the Railway Safety Programme by the end of 2013 and new EU mandated infrastructure management contract requirements, allied to the need to ensure value for money in the spending of constrained Exchequer funding. It is envisaged that, from 2014 onwards, investment in Iarnrod Eireann will concentrate on maintaining and renewing a fit for purpose rail network, augmented by some targetted investment enhancements which will be limited due to the overall level of resources available for transport investment up to 2016.
On 24 July last, the Government decided to provide additional PSO funding of €36 million to the CIE companies. This brought the total subvention paid to CIE in 2012 to €278 million, of which €166.4 million was paid to Iarnrod Eireann. CIE is progressing a 5-year Business Plan to address the underlying financial challenges facing CIE so that the CIE's rail and bus services can be provided efficiently and cost effectively over the Plan period.
63. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide detailed figures of the numbers and types of jobs created as a result of the Government's 2012 Action Plan for Jobs which identified targeting capital investment in public tourism product and infrastructure as a key priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15305/13]
View answerThe 2012 Action Plan for Jobs provided that the Government would target capital investment in tourism product under the €21m capital budget available to Fáilte Ireland in 2012. Key projects completed with the assistance of this funding, and opened in 2012, include the upgrade to Fota House and Gardens, the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, and the revamped Malahide Castle and Gardens. A number of major new projects were also announced, such as the development of the Medieval Mile in Kilkenny, the Dubline and the Wild Atlantic Way.
All of these projects provide direct jobs during their development as well as providing ongoing employment through their own operations and in related tourism enterprises. In addition the completed projects enhance the tourism offering that Ireland provides and help sustain the estimated 185,000 jobs in the tourism and hospitality industry.
65. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline any benefit to his Department he has taken from his recent trip to Japan. [15052/13]
View answerMy trip to Japan and South Korea was part of the Government's St Patricks Day "Promote Ireland" programme and included a schedule covering the Irish community abroad, the Gathering 2013 and the promoting of investment in Ireland.
St. Patrick's Day is a unique opportunity to promote Ireland abroad. Few, if any, other countries have a national day which is so widely known and celebrated across the entire globe. As a country we should maximise the value we get from such global attention and goodwill. The purpose of these visits is threefold:
Firstly, to promote Irish economic and cultural links overseas.
Secondly, to use the opportunity of St Patrick's Day to strengthen our bi-lateral relationship with other states.
Thirdly, to connect with our diaspora overseas as well as those individuals with a strong connection or affinity with Ireland.
With regard to bi-lateral relations, I met with Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Patriots and Veterans Affairs in Korea. While in Japan, I met with the Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Minister for Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. I also had the privilege in Japan of attending a meeting of the Japan Ireland Parliamentary Friendship League in their parliament. These meetings gave me an opportunity to discuss matters relating to matters of mutual interest between our two countries and also to promote key Irish interests in Korea and Japan.
In relation to the promotion of Irish economic and cultural interests, I undertook a number of events with the Enterprise Ireland and the IDA offices in Korea and Japan, meeting with IDA client companies with investments in Ireland or those considering an investment. I also met with Enterprise Ireland clients exporting into these economies, as well as meeting with a variety of tourism trade interests in Japan.
With regard to Korea, I was pleased to be able to attend our National Day event in Seoul, as well as to meet separately with members of the Irish community in Korea and members of the Global Irish Network. In Japan, I attended the National Day events in Tokyo and Osaka, and participated in the St Patrick's Day Parades in Yokohama and Tokyo. These events gave me an opportunity to express my Government's support for our links with the diaspora, as well as to learn as to how we can better improve our relationship with Japan and Korea. In relation to matters specifically under my Department's remit, I used the opportunity of engagements with our diaspora and those with a connection to Ireland to promote Irish tourism, particularly in this, the year of the Gathering, as well as holding a briefing for the tourism trade and media in Japan. Furthermore, I held meetings with Ministerial colleagues who cover areas relating to transport, tourism and sport in order to develop co-operation in a variety of areas of mutual interest. Finally, as part of my promotion of Irish economic interests, I also had meetings with companies that produce rolling stock for Irish Rail and arrange finance for transport companies.
67. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the danger posed to the wheelchair accessible SPV fleet by new noise requirements being brought forward by the EU resulting from the Ouzky report; the steps he will take to argue for exemptions which will allow Irish wheelchair accessible SPV's to continue to operate. [15056/13]
View answerThe Ouzky Report concerns proposals for more stringent limit values on noise emissions by road vehicles, requiring an upgrading of the 1970 European regulation which establishes the limit values of acceptable noise emissions (Regulation 70/157 EC).
I understand that the proposed new limits, if agreed by Member States, would apply in the first instance to the authorisation of new types of vehicles and would come into effect 6 years after any new European regulation coming into force in this regard.
The matter is currently the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my Office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
