Written Answers Nos. 1283-1303
1283. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role and priorities of Failte Ireland regarding the development of skill sets in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46857/13]
View answerThe role of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, is set out in Section 8 of the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 which provides that a general function of the Authority shall be to encourage, promote and support the recruitment, training, and education and development of persons for the purposes of employment in connection with the tourism industry in the State as well as support tourism enterprises. In doing so, it is of course important to have regard to the roles and functions of other statutory bodies in the training area to avoid duplication and ensure the best use of public funds.
In relation to the operational priorities of the Agency in this regard, I have referred this aspect of 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.
1284. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role and priorities of Tourism Ireland for Cork City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46858/13]
View answerTourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the entire island of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas. It also provides overseas support for the work of Fáilte Ireland in relation to regional, product and niche tourism. While the agency does not have a role for the specific promotion of Cork or any other area, I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply in terms of how Cork City features in its marketing activities and programmes. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1285. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the development of Cork Airport for transatlantic routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46859/13]
View answerGiven the status of Cork as the State's second largest city with a large concentration of population and industry, I would welcome trans-Atlantic flights to and from Cork. Currently, many people travelling trans-Atlantic to and from Cork travel through UK or European hubs having to 'back-track'. It would be preferable if they could connect through a US city or fly direct to Cork and would be beneficial for tourism, business and family connections. Both Dublin and Cork Airports are owned and managed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) which operates under a clear commercial mandate. As such, the promotion and development of routes at Cork Airport, including transatlantic routes, is a matter for the DAA and the airport management in Cork and is not a matter in which I have a direct role though I am will to be supportive in any way that does not breach state aid or competition rules or laws.
Under Open Skies agreements, there are no regulatory obstacles for airlines who may wish to operate transatlantic services from Cork. I understand from Cork Airport that they are actively seeking an airline to operate a service to the east coast of the US. I would hope that airlines will consider the opportunities that such a route could provide, as well as other routes to the UK and mainland Europe. In that regard, I strongly welcome the announcement that Ryanair is to commence a new service to East Midlands from 6 November and Aer Lingus Regional is to increase its number of flights this winter to Birmingham and Manchester. This will improve the connectivity between the cities for both tourists and business passengers.
1287. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to bring forward legislation to provide effect to the measures outlined in the ports policy document published earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46894/13]
View answerOne of the principal recommendations of National Ports Policy which will require legislative amendments is the proposed transfer of control of the Ports of Regional Significance to local authority control.
In August my Department published a Regulatory Impact Analysis type consultation document regarding these proposed amendments to the Harbours Acts. The consultation period has now concluded and my officials are considering the submissions received and have commenced preliminary work on the Heads of the Bill, which will form the basis for a round of bilateral discussions between the Department and relevant companies and local authorities in November and December.
The new Bill will also seek to legislate for some of the new initiatives introduced in the area of corporate governance since the Government assumed office - such as the appearance of Chairmen designate before the Oireachtas committee, a stated requirement of certain board level skillsets and the establishment of a public expressions of interest system to apply for board membership.
I hope to progress the drafting of the Bills as quickly as possible and will of course, subsequent to Government approval, present the Heads to the Oireachtas committee for their opinion in due course.
1288. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the continuation of the 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46930/13]
View answerI strongly supported the continuation of the 9% VAT rate on the basis that the initiative had proved to be a major success, improving the competitiveness of the tourism industry, helping to create thousands of new jobs and contributing to the growth in overseas visitors and revenue.
The continuation of the reduced rate is recognition by the Government of the importance of the tourism industry to the economy. Together with other Budget initiatives such as the reduction in the travel tax to zero, the raising of the VAT threshold for small businesses, the capital investment in the Wild Atlantic Way and continuing measures such as the diesel rebate for coach operators, it will build on the success of the Gathering and support the increased number of jobs already in place in the sector and assist in the creation of new jobs.
I want to thank my colleague Minister for Finance for maintaining the rate and I would urge tourism businesses to fully utilise the reduced rate while it remains in place to maintain value for money and support growth and job creation.
1289. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Galway city outer bypass project; the timescale for moving this project forward; when he expects construction to commence; his views that the decision to build the project will be appealed to Europe again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46944/13]
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.
1290. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on the additional funds for tourism capital provided in Budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46972/13]
View answerI was pleased to welcome the announcement in Budget 2014 of an additional €8 million in capital investment for the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way is set to be Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. It is planned to develop it into an attraction of international scale, on a par with the Garden Route in South Africa or the Great Ocean Road in Australia, that will achieve greater visibility for the west coast of Ireland in overseas tourist markets.
I am informed that this funding will ensure the completion of route signage, provide for the development and enhancement of discovery points on the route as well as other infrastructural improvements.
The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is being handled by Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information in relation to its future development. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1291. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering the extension of the Dublin bus routes to other towns in County Meath alongside Dunboyne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47009/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1294. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the conditions for carriage of bicycles on Irish Rail, both DART and Intercity services; and if the conditions could be loosened on intercity services in order to facilitate cycle tourism. [47054/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1295. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the partial year and the full year monetary effect of his Department's budget 2014 reductions to expenditure. [47085/13]
View answerAs set out in the Estimates Volume published in October, my Department's gross allocation for 2014 is €1.58 billion. This funding is broken down by programme as follows:
|
- |
2014 Estimate |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
- |
PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
A - |
CIVIL AVIATION |
24,934 |
3,071 |
28,005 |
|
B - |
LAND TRANSPORT |
423,265 |
846,585 |
1,269,850 |
|
C - |
MARITIME TRANSPORT AND SAFETY |
85,116 |
7,580 |
92,696 |
|
D - |
SPORTS AND RECREATION SERVICES |
44,230 |
24,743 |
68,973 |
|
E - |
TOURISM SERVICES |
106,651 |
17,021 |
123,672 |
|
- |
Gross Total :- |
684,196 |
899,000 |
1,583,196 |
|
- |
2014 Estimate |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
Change: 2014 over 2013 |
|
- |
PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
% |
|
A |
CIVIL AVIATION |
24,934 |
3,071 |
28,005 |
-7% |
|
B |
LAND TRANSPORT |
423,265 |
846,585 |
1,269,850 |
-3% |
|
C |
MARITIME TRANSPORT AND SAFETY |
85,116 |
7,580 |
92,696 |
-9% |
|
D |
SPORTS AND RECREATION SERVICES |
44,230 |
24,743 |
68,973 |
-8% |
|
E |
TOURISM SERVICES |
106,651 |
17,021 |
123,672 |
-11% |
|
Gross Total :- |
684,196 |
899,000 |
1,583,196 |
-5% |
In addition, I am happy to report that the 2014 Stimulus Plan announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in his Budget speech will benefit my Department's capital envelope by in the order of €90m. The precise amount and distribution of this funding will depend on the level of funding available from the proceeds of the sale of the Lottery license. The main beneficiaries will include the local and regional roads mainteance, the Wild Atlantic Way tourism route, the National Sports Campus and the Sports Capital Programme.
On the current expenditure side, my Department's Vote has been reduced by €75m on 2013. This is in line with commitments made under the Comprehensive Expenditure Review. The distribution of these cuts is set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Expenditure Report 2014. A more detailed distribution of the funding, including the additional Stimulus funding, will be agreed and published in the Revised Estimates due in December.
1297. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will direct the National Roads Authority to revisit the proposed Tralee to Dingle road upgrade as a priority and progress the preparation of revised plans with Kerry County Council at an early date. [47119/13]
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.
1298. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress to date regarding the Macroom bypass; the timeframe for commencing and developing the route; regarding the Adare bypass, when the review and revised plans will be prepared; and if he will ensure that both projects are high priority on the National Roads Authority national roads plan. [47120/13]
View answerThe 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.
1299. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding projects approved for sports capital grants; if all projects approved have commenced; the number that have been completed and grants paid; and when will the new proposed capital sports grants be available. [47121/13]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to grants allocated under the last round of the Sports Capital Programme.
Under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme there were 648 grants allocated throughout the country totalling €31m. There is no onus on a grantee to inform the Department when a project has commenced and therefore there is no definitive figure available as to how many projects have commenced.
As at close of business last Friday 1st November, of the 648 allocations made under the 2012 SCP, there have been 308 payments, totalling almost €5.2m, made relating to these projects. Of the 308 payments made to these grantees, 70 were final payments, indicating that at least the grant-aided element of the project had been completed.
I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on a new round of the Programme before the end of the year. The next round of the Programme will be an online based programme and organisations are being encouraged to register their details on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie .
1300. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on airline companies response to zero travel tax; and if he has communicated with all airlines regarding future expansion of routes of our international and regional airports. [47122/13]
View answerThe zero rate travel tax initiative is part of a process aimed at generating new airline routes into Ireland and will come into effect from April 2014. There has been a positive response to the initiative from airlines so far with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Regional both announcing details of new routes and increased services from Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock.
I would like to see further announcements of this kind from other airlines. More flights into Ireland at more locations will mean more visitors from oversees, and a bigger tourism dividend. The airports and Tourism Ireland have attractive incentive and marketing programmes available which will help support new services and build on the success of The Gathering in the months ahead.
1301. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details on the €8 million provided in the budget for the development of the Wild Atlantic Way and if local community groups will benefit from this fund to develop and market their areas on the route of this trail. [47123/13]
View answerThe Wild Atlantic Way is set to be Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. It is planned to develop it into an attraction of international scale, on a par with the Garden Route in South Africa or the Great Ocean Road in Australia, that will achieve greater visibility for the west coast of Ireland in overseas tourist markets.
I was pleased to welcome the announcement in Budget 2014 of an additional €8 million in capital investment for the Wild Atlantic Way. I am informed that this funding will ensure the completion of route signage, provide for the development and enhancement of discovery points on the route as well as other infrastructural improvements. I would encourage local communities along the route to get involved with the development of the Wild Atlantic Way and I know that Fáilte Ireland engaged in a local consultation process in the development of the route.
The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information in relation to its future development. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
1303. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on progress on Luas cross city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47140/13]
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), including the Luas Cross City project, comes within the remit of the NTA.
However for the Deputy's information, the project is progressing well and the essential advance works are underway. The building condition works along the Luas Cross City corridor have been completed and the Cellars Infill works are well advanced. The Heritage Works contract, to temporarily remove various monuments and statues along the route, has been awarded. In addition the Utilities Works contract has recently been awarded with the aim that substantive work will commence in January 2014.
In relation to the main infrastructure contract, the EU Official Journal Notice seeking advance expressions of interest has been published and will lead to shortlisting of bidders in December. The tender process will continue in 2014 and the aim is to appoint a contractor in Q4 2014. Work on the main contract is then expected to commence in early 2015 and to be completed by the end of 2016. Following testing, commissioning and trial runs the line is currently targeted to open in Q4 2017.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed response. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
