Written Answers Nos. 54-62
55. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the work of the task force set up to address rising numbers of road fatalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22672/13]
View answerI assume that the Government task force referred to by the Deputy is the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety. This Committee met recently, soon after the publication of the Road Safety Strategy 2013 - 2020. The meeting discussed the current trends in road fatalities.
While I am very concerned at the current trend in road fatalities, it is too early in the year to try and identify patterns. It is however a reminder to everyone that we must guard against complacency where road safety is concerned.
The successful implementation of the Actions in the Road Safety Strategy, with its very ambitious target of reducing road fatalities to 25 per million population or less by 2020, will assist in reversing the current upward trend in road fatalities.
While not taking the emphasis of reducing the number of road fatalities, the Strategy also focuses on reducing the number of serious injuries resulting from road traffic collisions by 30% from 472 in 2011 to 330 or fewer by 2020.
56. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he intends to publish the National Sports Facilities Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22848/13]
View answerA draft National Sports Facilities Strategy was published as a discussion document on my Department’s website in September 2012. A final strategy, taking account of submissions received, will be published shortly.
57. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide specific details of the strategic investments his Department plans to make under the Tourism Capital Investment Programme; if he will outline the way the €19 million will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22854/13]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. It is not involved in the administration of tourism-related funding programmes or in support to specific tourism sectors, which are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland administer the Tourism Capital Investment Programme, which provides support for investment in certain categories of visitor attraction, visitor activities and tourism infrastructure. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply.
58. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to alleviate the cost disadvantage that Ireland has in relation to all freight transport modes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/13]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Priority Question No. 4 for answer today Wednesday, 15th May 2013 which set out my position on this matter.
59. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the traffic management system at Palmerstown/Kennelsfort Road Junction is very close to malfunction and requires a major overhaul and, if this work is not carried out, it will have a huge impact on traffic in Dublin and on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22671/13]
View answer82. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a major crisis is pending in relation to traffic management and funding to address the issue regarding the traffic management of the N4 system which will have a massive effect on Dublin City traffic if it malfunctions which is predicted by South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22670/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 82 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritization of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
This section of road was recently downgraded from national road status (previously the N4) to regional road status – R148.
In July last year, applications were invited for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme. Local authorities were asked to ensure that their total cost of applications did not exceed their 2012 grant allocation. In South Dublin County Council’s case this would allow the Council to apply for funding of €800,000 under this grant category. The R148 project was not among the priority projects submitted by the Council within the expenditure limit allowed.
South Dublin County Council may fund this project from its Discretionary Grant. The Council has been allocated €736,775 under this grant category in 2013. I also wrote to local authorities earlier this year offering them more flexibility in their regional and local road grants. Councils have the opportunity to use up to 30% of their Restoration Improvement Grant and reallocate it to their Discretionary Grant. In South Dublin County Council’s case this will amount to €556,641 should they wish to avail of this flexibility which would bring the total Discretionary Grant available to the Council to €1,293,416. I understand the estimated cost of these works are approximately €300,000.
It is open to South Dublin Council to apply to transfer some of its Specific Grant funding for 2013 to this project or alternatively to fund this project from its Discretionary Grant or own resources.
62. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to conduct a review of tourism policy; the specific areas the review will focus on; if he will outline its key aims and objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22853/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, commencing a review of tourism policy is one of my Departmental Priorities for 2013. In this regard, I intend to publish a consultation document this summer to seek the views of all interested stakeholders and consumers.
Following the review, involving a period of analysis and consultation, I plan to issue a specific, overarching tourism policy statement to provide the necessary direction to support a competitive and sustainable tourism industry and give clear direction to the tourism agencies for carrying out their specific operational programmes.
The policy statement will take account of the many factors likely to impact on Irish tourism. These will include expected developments in international economic and trading conditions and growth prospects for international passenger transportation and global tourism. The new tourism policy will also take account of current and medium-term prospects for the national economy. In the context of limited resources, the targeting of financial support only at the highest priorities may require difficult choices.
I want to ensure that the tourism policy is robust, well-founded and workable and has the broad support of key stakeholders, including the Tourism industry. This will ensure that it provides the best framework to support and enhance the competitiveness and strength of the Irish tourist industry into the future. To this end, in the review of tourism policy I want to secure the views of stakeholders both inside and outside the tourism industry, in Government and elsewhere. The consultation document that I will publish this summer will facilitate all relevant parties in engaging meaningfully with the review. I believe that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications, which covers tourism, could also have an important role in the consultation process. I would also welcome any contribution from the Deputy or their party to the consultation process as well.
The submissions received in response to our consultation exercise will inform my final statement of tourism policy. This will then provide a robust foundation for the subsequent development of a broader tourism strategy and action plan.
