Kevin Humphreys
Question:190. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health his plans for a building (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if the facade will be protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47378/13]
View answerHSE Properties
Questions (190)
Written answers
Management of the Health Service Executive property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 189.
Ferry Services Provision
Questions (192)
Bernard Durkan
Question:192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to see the development and expansion of sea ferry transport from this country to various UK and-or continental destinations in the future, with particular reference to meeting increased demand and requirements and market development in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47598/13]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland offers a diverse range of maritime links to and from the State to facilitate trade and tourism providing vital income streams to the Irish economy. Over 90% of Ireland’s trade moves by sea and there are currently 22 shipping operators providing a mixture of daily to weekly scheduled shipping services from Ireland. This includes 4 companies providing year round scheduled passenger services between Ireland and the UK and France. It is important to note that all shipping companies servicing routes to and from Ireland are commercial companies. Any new initiatives to enhance services must be market driven, as it is not government policy to fund international shipping services.
Activity in the sector has proved positive this year. Irish shipping and port activity rose by 11% in the second quarter of 2013 when compared to the corresponding period of 2012,according to the latest figures produced by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO). In terms of passengers, figures for the first quarter of 2013 show that ferry passenger numbers travelling to and from Ireland increased by 4% when compared to the corresponding period last year and tourist car numbers increased by 1%. Competition in the ferry sector is encouraged and I expect services to develop and expand to meet any increased market demands in the future. In the past, operators have responded to market developments and increased capacity, when required. My Department through the IMDO works closely with all existing operators and continues to promote Ireland as a location for new services. Failte Ireland is also involved in active promotion and marketing of sea access routes to Ireland in their role of promoting Ireland as a high quality and competitive tourist destination.
Rail Services
Questions (193)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:193. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made towards reducing the overcrowding of DART carriages and resuming normal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47194/13]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to Minister of State Kelly's reply to the Topical Issue on this matter on Tuesday 22nd October last. The matter of the reduction of the number of carriages was raised with the Chief Executive of Irish Rail when I met him earlier this week. In some cases, Irish Rail has already responded and re-introduced larger carriages to accommodate passengers and the Chief Executive has agreed that the company will continuously monitor carriage levels to ensure they match passenger demand. It should be noted that carriages were only reduced at off-peak times. Overcrowding which has occurred at peak times was caused by other issues including technical faults, industrial relation and leaf falls.
Public Transport Provision
Questions (194)
Terence Flanagan
Question:194. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the postition regarding the number of taxi ranks in Dublin city centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47210/13]
View answerWritten answers
Decisions regarding the location and operation of taxi ranks in Dublin City are a matter for Dublin City Council. Under section 84 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended by Section 15 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002, each local authority, in consultation with the Commissioner of An Garda Siochána, is responsible for the making of bye-laws in respect of its area of responsibility regarding the location and number of taxi ranks. Section 25 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013, when commenced, will replace and restate Section 84 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. I understand that the National Transport Authority is in ongoing discussions with Dublin City Council concerning the identification of potential locations for rank space within Dublin City Centre.
Sports Capital Programme Administration
Questions (195, 203)
Andrew Doyle
Question:195. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to invite applications for the next round of the sports capital programme; if there will be changes to the terms and conditions of the programme and the application process from the last round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47240/13]
View answer
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:203. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when details of the 2014 sports capital programme will be announced. [47310/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 203 together.
Departmental officials are currently working on the details of the new Programme, including any changes to the terms and conditions, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement before the end of the year. My Department has developed a new portal on the Department's website which must be used by organisations to register, to apply for funding (when the Programme is open for applications) and to manage the drawdown of any new grants allocated after 2013. Any interested organisation should register onwww.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.