Written Answers Nos. 726-748
726. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State funding his Department spends on research and development in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22230/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
727. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations pertaining to the provision and use of pedal rickshaws for hire; if there are different requirements for powered rickshaws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22233/13]
View answerThere are no regulatory constraints over the use of rickshaws for hire at present. The offence under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (inserted by the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009) arising from the carriage of persons for reward without a licence only applies where the vehicle being used is licensed or capable of being licensed as a small public service vehicle. A rickshaw whether mechanically propelled or not is not capable at present of being licensed as a small public service vehicle. The Taxi Regulation Bill 2012 which is before the Oireachtas provides for a restatement of the offence provision so that, following enactment, the use of mechanically powered rickshaws for the purposes of carriage of persons for reward would not be allowed.
728. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the details of the public private partnership deal with the National Roads Authority signed on his Department's behalf regarding the N11 upgrade in County Wicklow; when he expects construction work to commence; when he expects the road to be fully open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/13]
View answerAs 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
729. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of moneys spent on capital projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22279/13]
View answerAs 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
730. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if agricultural tractor and trailer combinations in excess of 3.5 tonnes may be used for the general carriage of goods by road for hire or reward without a carrier’s road haulage licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22287/13]
View answerWhere any vehicle or combination of vehicles in excess of 3.5 tonnes design gross vehicle weight (maximum permitted weight) is used for the carriage of goods by road for hire or reward, the operator of the vehicle must hold a road haulage operator's licence and the vehicle must be authorised on that licence. For any vehicle to be authorised on a road haulage operator’s licence it must have all vehicle documentation in order, including motor tax, insurance, tachograph calibration, and certificate of roadworthiness. Certificates of roadworthiness are issued by the relevant Local Authority, which is also responsible for authorising the test centres that carry out roadworthiness tests.
731. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the air accident investigation unit in his Department will be reporting on the incident in County Wicklow on 13 July 2012 involving a Cessna aircraft (details supplied). [22322/13]
View answerI can confirm that the accident to aircraft G-BDOW at Newcastle Airfield on the 13 July 2012 is the subject of an Investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) of my Department. It is envisaged that a Draft Report will be issued to interested parties during the summer months and following consideration of any comments received, a Final Report will be published on the AAIU web site. The nature of AAIU investigations is such that it is not possible to be definitive on a publication date.
732. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland budget for promoting English language schools in Ireland for 2013; the way marketing targets are agreed with the EFL industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/13]
View answerThe matters raised are operational issues for Fáilte Ireland, in the first instance, working together with Tourism Ireland where appropriate. I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agencies for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
733. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Failte Ireland will fund the MEI workshop in 2013; and the number of meetings that have taken place with Enterprise Ireland to discuss the marketing of Ireland as a centre of excellence in international education. [22421/13]
View answerThe issues raised in relation to support for MEI are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in its role of supporting the promotion of English language-learning as a niche tourism product for Ireland (working with Tourism Ireland in specific overseas markets). I have referred the Deputy's Questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
In relation to the marketing of Ireland as a centre of excellence in international education, Enterprise Ireland has overall responsibility for marketing and promotion of the “Education Ireland” brand overseas and leads in the promotion and marketing of international education services other than English language-learning. Matters relating to Enterprise Ireland are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
734. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the introduction of a zoned system for Leap cards in Dublin similar to the one used by Transport for London in the UK; and if not, the reason for same. [22439/13]
View answerResponsibility to develop, procure, implement, operate and maintain the integrated ticketing Leap Card system in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) became a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) with effect from 30th September 2010. In addition, section 63 of the DTA Act 2008 extends the Authority’s remit in relation to integrated ticketing to the rest of the State. In addition the regulation of public transport fares is one of the principal functions of the Authority in accordance with section 11(c) of the DTA Act 2008. 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.
735. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost-benefit analysis, if any, that has been carried out by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department to assess the economic benefits in terms of lower long-term fuel costs that could be achieved by re-weighting the procurement process for the purchase of new buses to give greater weight to lower-emission, more fuel-efficient public service buses and the way such cost savings measure against the higher initial capital costs associated with such purchases; if he will provide a reference to any such published economic modelling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22469/13]
View answerAs 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 replacement of PSO buses by Dublin Bus, comes under the remit of the NTA.
In addition in view of the NTA's role as contracting party for PSO contracts, it has been agreed that the NTA would coordinate and oversee the grant funding arrangements relating to Bus Éireann's capital investment requirements. Insofar as areas outside the GDA are concerned, the Authority are managing capital funding, including the funding of replacement buses, on an administrative basis on behalf of my Department.
All public procurement carried out by agencies under the aegis of my Department is governed by the key principles of best value for money as well as compliance with EU Directives (including EU emissions standards applicable to new buses), Irish Regulations and Government Guidelines.
In the light of the NTA's role in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
736. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans his Department has for introducing a sports capital grant in the near future; when the details will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/13]
View answerNo decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.
737. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date of the M17-M18 motorway from Gort to Tuam, County Galway; if he will indicate a starting time for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22479/13]
View answerAs 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
738. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the motorway from Gort to Tuam, which is due to go to construction shortly, under PPP will not be a toll road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22512/13]
View answerThe M17/M18 Gort to Tuam PPP road will not be a tolled road.
739. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the special €1 million sports capital fund announced recently for boxing clubs; the criteria that will be used for allocating this funding to clubs around the country; when he expects this fund to be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22525/13]
View answerIn 2009 and 2010 my Department provided total funding of €1m to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association to bulk buy equipment for distribution amongst their member clubs.
In addition to this there was an allocation of €1.25m made to the IABA in 2011 to allow local boxing clubs throughout the country to improve their premises with special emphasis on clubs developing facilities for female boxers. The maximum amount allocated to each of the boxing clubs was €25,000. This scheme was funded by my Department and administered by the IABA. Under this initiative 51 boxing clubs were in a position to improve their facilities.
I recently announced an additional provision of €1m for the extension of the above scheme. Meetings have been held with the IABA to discuss the terms and conditions attaching to this allocation and they are being finalised at present. I would expect that most of this allocation would be drawn down in 2013 and the balance in 2014.
740. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider an application which was made by Westmeath County Council under the national road safety scheme, funding for street lighting, at Tang, County Westmeath in view of the compelling case which was made by the local authority on safety grounds; and if he will outline rationale for the original decision. [22694/13]
View answerAs 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. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
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.
741. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1390 of 16 April 2013, if he will clarify that the Directives 2006/126/EC and 2011/94/EU do not prevent Ireland from making an innovative decision to use an organ donor symbol on its drivers licence if it chose to do so rather than the traditional standard code format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22715/13]
View answerThere is indeed nothing in the EU Directives which precludes using a symbol for organ donation. However, as I made clear in the answer to which the Deputy refers, one of the main purposes of the new EU licence is to provide harmonisation in the level of information in all Member States, and number codes are the standard way in which information is included on EU driving licences. This has an added advantage in that there is relatively little available space on the licence itself. I understand that there is no one internationally recognised organ donor symbol, and the number code ensures that a wish to be an organ donor provides the required information in a format consistent with EU standards.
742. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the conditions on which national lottery and or sports grants are issued; if there is any clawback conditions involved in relation to a sports club and or community facility which subsequently becomes a private commercial organisation; if claw-back exists, the number of years for which it exists; if the claw-back is graduated, if details of same can be outlined; the period in years after which the grant allocation is beyond claw-back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22730/13]
View answer743. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the various sports grants paid to sports and or community club as per (details supplied); how far back his Department records go; and if a statement can be made on the matter as part of the club has now become a commercial business with no formal connection to the club; if the grants should be repaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22731/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 743 together.
Grants allocated under the Sports Capital Programme are allocated to various clubs and sports organisations on condition that they retain the grant aided facility in sporting use for at least 15 years in the case of capital works, or in the case of sports equipment that the equipment is used for at least 5 years. The Department may request repayment of all or part of a grant if these conditions are not fulfilled. For example, in the case of grants for capital works, the amount repayable decreases by 1/15th or 6.6% for each year that the conditions of the grant are fulfilled, and after 15 years has elapsed the club or organisation has no further liability to the Department.
The organisation referred to by the Deputy was allocated €5,079 in 1995 and €7,618 in 2001. This latter grant was withdrawn. The Department of Tourism Sport and Recreation was formed in 1998 and records are incomplete for the period prior to 1998. Given the 15 year rule for keeping facilities in sporting use in the case of grants for capital works, and 5 years for equipment grants, the Department does not regard the club as having any possible liability to the Department.
744. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projects that Fáilte Ireland has funded in an area (details supplied) over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22750/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
745. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken nationally and internationally to combat doping in sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22762/13]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council administers the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme. The ultimate aim of the national programme is to ensure that there is no abuse of drugs in sport in Ireland. The Council represents Ireland on the EU Expert Group on Anti-Doping which was set up to implement the EU Work Plan on Sport 2011-2014. The new EU competence for sport, under the Lisbon Treaty, allows the EU and Member States the opportunity to work more closely together to address issues of common interest and to speak with one voice at international level, particularly in areas such as the fight against doping in sport.
Last week I attended a meeting of the WADA Foundation Board as one of three EU representatives on the board. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its mission is to lead a collaborative worldwide campaign for doping-free sport. WADA’s key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code – the document harmonising anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.
While enormous strides have been made internationally in the fight against doping in sport, recent high profile international cases have shown that doping remains one of the major challenges facing the sport sector. The fight against doping in sport is one of the priorities of the current Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. This will be the focus of a debate at the Council of EU Sport Ministers this week in Brussels which will be chaired by my colleague Minister of State Ring.
746. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to the possibility of Ireland bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 or 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22763/13]
View answerI am fully supportive of the bid to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland. It is a matter for the IRFU to prepare and submit a bid. A feasibility study commissioned by the IRFU on the potential for hosting the tournament was recently presented to me by them and the findings of the report are being considered.
The support of other sporting organisations would be an important element in the bid process and I am pleased to note that on 23 March delegates at the GAA Congress approved a motion which would allow the inclusion of Croke Park and other GAA grounds in the list of venues that would be used for matches if Ireland was selected as the host country for the tournament.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. As well as bringing spectators to our shores, the hosting of sports events can provide a great showcase for Ireland. Fáilte Ireland continues to support the holding of sports and other events that can boost tourism and, where appropriate, will provide advice and assistance to the sporting body which is seeking to secure an international event. I understand that Fáilte Ireland has engaged with the IRFU in this regard.
The bid has also been discussed with the Northern Ireland Minister for Tourism, Arlene Foster MLA, and Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA. They have met with the IRFU and have also indicated their support for a bid.
747. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on The Gathering in the year 2013 to date, the plans going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22764/13]
View answerI am pleased to report continued good progress on the Gathering Ireland 2013 - Ireland's biggest ever tourism initiative. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits to Ireland in 2013. If this target is achieved, it will generate an additional €170 million in revenue this year, based on historic spending patterns. Recent figures from the CSO show visit numbers for the first quarter of 2013 up over 86,000 compared to the corresponding period of 2012. This is represents an encouraging start to 2013.
In terms of resources, the 2013 Estimates allocations to Fáilte Ireland include a special provision of €7 million which was specifically provided for The Gathering. This amount is to be used exclusively to fund the promotion, development and legacy of the event and complements support for the initiative from the tourism agencies' mainstream activities and from national and local partners.
The general response from the public and tourism stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. There are now over 3,500 individual gatherings confirmed on the Gathering website. These include clan gatherings, festivals, special sporting events and concerts taking place all across the country throughout the year. Along with well-established events and festivals, we are also supporting a specially targeted set of events for the Gathering, such as the very successful New Year's Eve Event in Dublin, while over 6,000 overseas visitors took part in the People's Parade in Dublin during the St. Patrick's day festivities.
Obviously the ambitious targets for overseas visits and associated revenue can only be achieved if people in our main source tourism markets are aware of the initiative. Tourism Ireland continues to mount a major consumer campaign to promote The Gathering to the people across the world that feel linked by family, friends or otherwise with Ireland. The agency is undertaking cooperative activity with the major airlines and ferry operators to highlight the value fares that are on offer. My colleague, Minister Michael Ring recently launched a brand new app for iPhones and android devices which has been specifically designed for The Gathering Ireland 2013. The "Gathering Gestures" app which is free to download has been created by Tourism Ireland and offers a variety of offers to ensure our overseas visitors get even more from their holiday here.
While progress to date has been encouraging, as I have previously stated, all tourism stakeholders must continue to work hard to ensure that the full potential of the Gathering is realised.
748. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he believes that the refusal of the National Roads Authority to engage in preplanning consultations with prospective applicants for planning permission on lands abutting national roads represents an efficient use of the resources of the NRA and local and national planning authorities in circumstances where the NRA frequently appeals the grant of planning permissions by local authorities to An Bórd Pleanala; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22772/13]
View answerAs 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 very specifically 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 don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
