Written Answers Nos. 27-35
28. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport, Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/13]
View answer41. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work being carried out to maximise the potential growth of Ireland West Airport Knock and to secure its future as a key piece of infrastructure in the north west region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22676/13]
View answer64. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding and supports provided by his Department in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 for Ireland West Airport Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22677/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 41 and 64 together.
These questions deal with Ireland West Airport Knock and I would like to thank the Deputies for raising this subject and for affording me the opportunity to update the House on developments. As Deputies will be aware, the Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) Study Group was established following a meeting of the Airport Board with the Taoiseach, myself, Minister of State Ring and local representatives on 28 January this year to examine how best the future of the airport can be secured and to explore realistic options for growth. The Group was established, under the Chairmanship of Deputy John O'Mahony, whom I would like to thank for agreeing to take on that role.
Membership of the Group is comprised of representatives of the Airport Board and management, Mayo County Council, regional Business and Tourism sectors and of the Departments of Transport, Tourism & Sport; Finance, Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland. The Group, while taking account of available funding and State Aid and Competition rules, is examining how the airport can survive and be further developed having regard to the implications for other regional airports. Two meetings of the Group have taken place on 12 April and 3 May in Knock and Dublin respectively. Good progress was made at these first two meetings but it is recognised that a substantial body of work needs to be carried out before the Group can complete its report.
A Request for Tender for a consultancy study on some elements of the Group’s work, which will be funded jointly by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mayo County Council and the airport, was published on the etenders website www.etenders.gov.ie on 8 May. A specific work programme and timetable for completion of the other aspects of the Group’s work has been established and I am expecting a final report in the Autumn.
As regards the level of funding provided to IWAK in recent years, under the Regional Airports Programme, €431,907 in operational (Opex) subvention was provided to IWAK in 2011 and €589,644 in 2012. Applications from regional airports for Opex funding for 2013 will be invited later this year. Funding for capital works at IWAK under the Capex grant scheme amounted to €233,282 in 2011 and €699,007 in 2012. Capex funding of €2,039,927, including an additional €650,000 announced last week, has been approved for drawdown at IWAK in 2013, while a further €1,710,993 has been approved for drawdown by IWAK in 2014.
In addition, Tourism Ireland is investing in cooperative marketing campaigns to drive inbound tourism on IWAK routes, with expenditure of over €500,000 in 2011 supporting campaigns worth €1m, expenditure of €1,150,000 supporting campaigns worth €1.85m and spend so far this year of €420,000 to support campaigns worth over €800,000. Opportunities for further campaigns continue to be explored with carriers.
Both the Taoiseach and I have also encouraged the exploration of possibilities of cooperation between airports. In that regard I am aware that the Chairman of Shannon Airport Authority, Rose Hynes has initiated discussions with both IWAK and Kerry Airport on how existing co-operation can be further strengthened.
29. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on his plans to sell off State assets under his control including the public stake in Aer Lingus. [22894/13]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the sale of State assets. The State's 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus is the only asset within my remit identified for possible sale under the State Assets Disposal Programme. The Government's decision in February 2012 was to seek to sell the shareholding when market conditions are favourable and on terms and at a price that are acceptable to Government. The Government continues to seek opportunities to dispose of the shareholding. However, the correct circumstances have not arisen to date.
In the meantime the Government will continue to manage its shareholding in a responsible manner to protect the State's interests and with the aim of maximising the value of the shareholding. I have no plans to dispose of any other State assets at this time.
30. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the management of the rural transport programme; if he will outline the criteria used in awarding contracts and the average value of contracts awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/13]
View answerAs Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Following the Government Decision of 26 January 2012 in relation to integrated local and rural transport, responsibility for the management of the RTP was assigned to the National Transport Authority (NTA). 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.
Under proposals to restructure the RTP which are aimed at strengthening the Programme by ensuring a more efficient delivery structure which will maximise integration with other state transport services and make the Programme a sustainable part of the public transport system, there will be revised contract arrangements. I am awaiting proposals on a new structure for the delivery of rural transport from the NTA when they have concluded their deliberations and discussions but I am hopeful that I will be in a position to recommend a new structure in the near future which will allow for the maximising of spend on services and the reduction of administration costs.
32. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the impact assessments he requires agencies under his control to undergo when implementing cutbacks resulting from plans and budgetary measures put in place by his Department; and if these include the potential threat of industrial action. [22904/13]
View answer61. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the impact assessments he requires agencies under his control to undergo when implementing cutbacks resulting from plans and budgetary measures put in place by his Department; and if these include the potential threat of industrial action. [22897/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 61 together.
Budgetary or other measures set by my Department for a State Body under the Department’s responsibility would, where relevant, be reflected in the business and financial planning or strategic planning processes of the body concerned. My Department has regular meetings with each State Body. Such meetings would discuss a range of issues related to the State body and would, if relevant, include the impacts of such measures on the operations or services of the State Body. However, management of the impacts would be a matter in the first instance for the body itself. A potential threat of industrial action, if considered possible or likely, would be expected to be considered by the Board and management of the State Body. The means of addressing the potential industrial action would be a matter for the body concerned.
33. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a progress report on the development of facilities at the National Sports Campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22851/13]
View answerThe primary aim of the National Sports Campus is to provide state-of the-art facilities for Irish sports men and women to train and prepare for competition at the highest level. A lot of progress has been made since its foundation, including the National Aquatic Centre, the Institute of Sport and the FAI Headquarters. I am very pleased to say that a significant amount of work is taking place at present which will see further elements of the Sports Campus completed this year. Work is ongoing on the development of multi-sport all-weather pitches and a pavilion, which will be open to all national governing bodies and also local communities under the management of the sports campus. The pitches are expected to be completed by September with the pavilion scheduled for completion by the end of the year. Training facilities for high-performance athletes in equestrian and modern pentathlon sports are expected to be completed by August.
Agreements are in place between the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA) and the FAI, GAA, IRFU and the Irish Hockey Association to develop facilities for each of their sports. It is expected that at least two of these organisations will commence work on their facilities this year.
A new Irish Sport HQ has been completed and will be officially opened later this month. The building will accommodate 19 National Governing Bodies of Sport, all of whom will have completed their relocation to the new building by this week.
This year is the 10 Anniversary of the opening of the National Aquatic Centre and it is continuing to perform well. Since it opened in 2003 the Centre has recorded over 7 million visits.
34. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will amend Part 2 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 governing the licensing of public bus passenger services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22678/13]
View answerI have no plans to amend Part 2 of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.
35. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to pursue all-island tourism co-operation; his future plans in regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22856/13]
View answerTourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North/South cooperation and consequently is one in which the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in Sectoral format. The Council meets to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of tourism, including decisions on policies and actions to be implemented by Tourism Ireland Limited, the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourist destination.
The most recent NSMC meeting in Tourism Sectoral format took place on 28th November 2012 in Armagh. Amongst the agenda items for this meeting was Tourism Ireland's Draft Business Plan for 2013. The Council also discussed major tourism initiatives including The Gathering Ireland 2013 and the Derry - Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013, and noted the major role which Tourism Ireland is playing in the overseas promotion of them. At the meeting, a paper on the Great Britain market was also discussed.
The next NSMC meeting in Tourism Sectoral format is scheduled to take place on 26th June in Armagh. Amongst the anticipated discussion items will be Tourism Ireland's Annual Report for 2012, a review of the 2013 tourism season to date (including major tourism initiatives North and South) and the tourism prospects for the remainder of 2013 and beyond.
There is also ongoing cooperation between the tourism agencies and Government Departments north and south in a number of other areas including the selection of suitable tourism projects to benefit from Peace/INTERREG funds and in work to harmonise and share tourism statistics north and south. I look forward to this work continuing and to availing of any other suitable opportunities for north/south cooperation in the tourism sector in the future.
