Brendan Griffin
Question:835. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a cycle lane at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry. [8223/14]
View answerCycling Facilities Provision
Questions (835)
Written answers
My Department is fully supportive of the development of cycleways especially where, in addition to providing a valuable amenity for the local community, they provide a safe route for cycling to local schools and other amenities. However, the provision of cycle infrastructure is a matter for the relevant local authority, which is Kerry County Council in this case.
In relation to the provision of funding by this Department, Kerry County Council submitted two proposals under the current National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016. All proposals are currently being assessed against criteria outlined in the NCN funding call in August 2013. A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.
Any decision to include a section of cycleway from Castlemaine to Milltown in future funding calls would be a matter for Kerry County Council.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (836)
Brendan Griffin
Question:836. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a section of road (details supplied) in County Kerry will be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8224/14]
View answerWritten answers
The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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.
Noise Pollution
Questions (837)
Eoghan Murphy
Question:837. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the policy of Iarnród Éireann regarding the operation of diesel trains that remain in stations in residential areas; if there is a policy of not allowing such engines to stand idle with engine running for longer than 15 minutes; if this policy is observed; the way it is monitored; if the policy allows for engines to be turned off after 15 minutes, only to be re-started again; and if Iarnród Éireann is aware that this is a particular problem in Grand Canal Dock. [8266/14]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann 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.
Dublin Bus Services
Questions (838, 839)
Dessie Ellis
Question:838. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way funds raised from unclaimed refund receipts from Dublin Bus are used. [8270/14]
View answerDessie Ellis
Question:839. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the extra change which is supplied for Dublin Bus fares but not refunded as a receipt as the passenger has moved on is collected and used. [8271/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 838 and 839 together.
The issues raised are matters for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Tourism Promotion
Questions (840, 841)
Bernard Durkan
Question:840. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects the tourism industry to expand in the current year having regard to the performance in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8295/14]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:841. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is expected to attract new tourism to this country in the current and coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8296/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 840 and 841 together.
Figures published recently by the CSO show that 2013 was an excellent year for Irish tourism with the total number of overseas visits growing by 7.2%. All of our main markets grew compared to 2012 and we enjoyed our highest ever number of visits from North America.
In terms of targets for 2014, the approved Tourism Ireland Business Plan for 2014 contains a target of growing visit numbers to Ireland by a further 4% this year and growing the associated revenue from these overseas visits by 7%. As part of its actions to reach this target, Tourism Ireland will be undertaking extensive marketing campaigns throughout 2014.
Furthermore, I am confident that measures such as the retention of the lower VAT rate for tourism services, the reduction of the air travel tax to zero from April and the increased air access to Ireland will also help to ensure that the targets are met.
In relation to generating additional tourism activity in future years, the approved Tourism Ireland Corporate Plan 2014-2016 includes a target of increasing overseas visits by 13% by 2016 compared to 2013. The Plan contains a range of actions to achieve this target, in areas such as destination branding, consumer engagement, and collaboration with other agencies and commercial partners.
Sports Events
Questions (842, 843)
Bernard Durkan
Question:842. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he intends to encourage the tourism sector to expand in the wake of or around major sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8297/14]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:843. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which consideration continues to be given to the promotion of all sporting events internationally in such a way as to make a major impact on the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8298/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 842 and 843 together.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised in order to continue to bring major events to Ireland. The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide a great showcase for Ireland, drive international visitor numbers and the media coverage of sports tourism events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly I am supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors.
Other important sporting events take place each year, for example the GAA All-Ireland series, the Six Nations rugby and the Irish Open. Where appropriate, the tourism bodies work with these and other sporting bodies to maximise the tourism benefit of events. For example, the Irish Open has in the past received significant support from Fáilte Ireland.
Tourism Ireland is the body responsible for promoting the island of Ireland as a visitor destination in overseas markets. Tourism Ireland, working closely with Fáilte Ireland, is promoting key sporting events taking place in 2014, including the visit of the Giro d’Italia cycle race and the Croke Park Classic American football game, to encourage visits to Ireland.
Question No. 844 answered with Question No. 827.
Road Projects
Questions (845)
Bernard Durkan
Question:845. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which current traffic volumes on main arterial routes continue to be measured with a view to putting in place plans to cater for any extra requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8300/14]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.
As part of its remit, the NRA monitors the level of traffic on national roads and I will therefore refer 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.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (846)
Bernard Durkan
Question:846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which roads carrying the heaviest volumes of traffic continue to be monitored by his Department with a view to a determination as to the extent to which capacity can be enhanced or upgraded with particular reference to the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8301/14]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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.
The M50 upgrade project, approved in 2005, resulted in the addition of a third lane in both directions from the M1 to Sandyford and a fourth auxiliary lane in places together with the development of freeflow junctions and the introduction of barrier free tolling. This major investment has significantly enhanced the capacity of the motorway. There are no proposals at present for further investment in additional capacity.
One of the conditions attached to An Bord Pleanála's approval of the upgrade was the publication of a scheme of demand management measures within 3 years of the completion of the work. The NRA with the relevant local authorities has been working on such a scheme and a draft of their report has been published.
Road Improvement Schemes
Questions (847)
Bernard Durkan
Question:847. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which major road motorway or improvement proposals shelved at the outset of the economic downturn are likely to be rejuvenated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8302/14]
View answerWritten answers
The planning, design and implementation of individual national 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.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Questions (848)
Bernard Durkan
Question:848. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if in the context of registration in respect of the sports capital programme, any difficulties were experienced by applicants in the course of their efforts to register; if any provision is likely to be made in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8303/14]
View answerWritten answers
The online registration system for the Sports Capital Programme was opened in September 2013. The launch of the website and the 2014 round of the Programme were accompanied by a significant communications effort to ensure that a maximum number of sports clubs and organisations could apply for funding. Over 2,900 organisations successfully registered prior to the deadline.
Once registrations began to be submitted, in September 2013, it was observed that a small number were missing the required documentation to provide evidence of their Tax Registration Number. In all instances the organisations were contacted immediately and asked to provide the required documentation by email prior to the deadline of 5pm on Friday 7 February 2014. Simultaneously, the Department engaged immediately with the IT contractors to find a resolution to this issue. They in turn were able to identify a number of causes and implement various fixes to resolve the issue.
It is important to note that no organisation was prevented from registering on time due to such issues.
Question No. 849 answered with Question No. 117.
Question No. 850 answered with Question No. 94.
Tourism Industry
Questions (851)
Bernard Durkan
Question:851. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he remains in contact with the stakeholders in the hotel sector with a view to ensuring the availability of adequate working capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8306/14]
View answerWritten answers
I am in regular contact with hotel industry representatives and am well aware of the issues that concern the sector, indeed, I will be addressing the annual conference of the Irish Hotels Federation next week.
One of the key priorities of the Programme for Government is to ensure that an adequate pool of credit is available to fund SMEs, including the tourism industry. In this regard, I am advised by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, that the Government imposed targets for new or increased credit facilities for SMEs on AIB and Bank of Ireland of at least €3 billion in 2011, €3.5 billion in 2012 and €4 billion in 2013. Both banks have achieved their 2011 and 2012 targets and I am informed that both banks sanctioned circa €4 billion in lending in 2013.
AIB and Bank of Ireland are now concentrating on growing their balance sheets and they recognise the need to increase business lending in the period up to 2016, including lending to the tourism sector. Although the targets were a useful policy intervention, the focus will now shift to compiling detailed data on the funding of the activities of SMEs from both AIB and Bank of Ireland, the wider banking sector and increasingly the non-bank funding sector.
This will facilitate the SME State Bodies Group and the Credit Review Office in monitoring progress against agreed annual SME lending plans and ensuring that new lending to SMEs continues to increase as a percentage of total sanctioned lending. The Minister for Finance will keep this area under close scrutiny to ensure that the SME sector can access an adequate flow of credit to support the recovery of the economy.
Tourism Promotion
Questions (852)
Bernard Durkan
Question:852. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects air passenger traffic to and from this jurisdiction to expand in the coming years with particular reference to the need to stimulate the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8307/14]
View answerWritten answers
Tourism Ireland has set an overall target of growing visitor numbers by a further 4% in 2014 and by 13% more than the 2013 figure by 2016. With the vast majority of these visitors arriving by air, the importance of convenient, direct air access is critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism to Ireland. Tourism Ireland works with the Irish airports to fill strategic gaps and attractive incentive and marketing programmes are available to help support new services.
Air access capacity to Ireland increased by 7% in 2013 compared to 2012, and this positive trend is set to continue this year. The €0 rating for the airline Travel Tax announced in Budget 2014 will be introduced from April 2014. This was designed to generate additional air capacity to Ireland and has already reaped dividends in the shape of numerous new route announcements by both Irish and foreign airlines for the 2014 season.
Tourism Employment
Questions (853, 854)
Bernard Durkan
Question:853. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which hotel occupancy has been monitored over the past three years to date with a view to identification of growth trends and prospects; if over or under supply of accommodation has been identified; the extent of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8308/14]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:854. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the number of jobs in the tourism sector has improved in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8309/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 853 and 854 together.
Fáilte Ireland publishes regular statistics on accommodation occupancy levels. These are available under "Accommodation Statistics and Reports" in the "Research" section of their website www.failteireland.ie
Since coming into office, the Government has taken key decisions to support tourism. The 9% VAT rate, which was initially a short-term measure, has been retained. The Air Travel Tax is being reduced to zero from April, and this has helped to secure additional airline routes and capacity into Ireland. The Visa Waiver scheme, launched in July 2011, has helped grow visitor numbers from long-haul markets.
The CSO estimate that in Q3 2013 133,300 people (seasonally adjusted) were employed in the accommodation and food service sectors alone. This represents an increase of almost 12% (14,200 extra jobs) since the same period 2012. It is also the highest level of employment in the sector in the third quarter since 2007. According to the CSO QNHS, the equivalent seasonally adjusted Q3 figures for employment in the accommodation and food services sector for the requested years are:
|
Year |
No. |
|
2013 Q3 |
133,300 |
|
2012 Q3 |
119,100 |
|
2011 Q3 |
117,200 |
|
2010 Q3 |
125,000 |
Fáilte Ireland has recently estimated that when other parts of the sector such as conferences, attractions and festivals are included the numbers in employment that the tourism and hospitality sector is supporting is now approaching 200,000.
2013 has been a very good year for tourism. The CSO overseas tourism figures show that a total of just under 7 million overseas visits were recorded last year, representing an increase of 7.2% on the 2012 figure with all of our main overseas markets reporting growth.
Transport Infrastructure
Questions (855)
Bernard Durkan
Question:855. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate co-ordination in respect of road, rail, air and sea transport exists with a view to ensuring maximum efficiency and availability to the customer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8310/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department and I constantly monitor our national transport facilities to ensure that, given the resources available, they are achieving their greatest potential. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to future expenditure, my Department has been active to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is taken and that we do not look at land, maritime or aviation transport in isolation from each other. In previous times, this was a legitimate criticism of transport investment but I believe that, in recent years, this has been addressed.
At a European level, my Department has been engaging and will continue to actively engage with the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and to ensure it is integrated into Irish transport policy making. The TEN-T regulations set out a multi-modal transport network across the European Union and aim to ensure integration between the various modes. This multi-modal EU policy is supported by domestic policy such as the new National Ports Policy that I launched in March 2013. For example the National Ports Policy's designation of Shannon-Foynes Port, Dublin Port and the Port of Cork as Ports of National Significance (Tier One) and Rosslare Europort and the Port of Waterford as Ports of National Significance (Tier Two) mirror the TEN-T designations of these ports as Core and Comprehensive ports on the TEN-T network. These designations are then taken into account by the National Transport Authority and the National Roads Authority when decisions are being made in terms of future planning.
Other policy work is ongoing in my Department and I expect to publish two significant new transport policy papers in 2014. An aviation policy is now approaching completion while in relation to land transport, work is ongoing on a strategic framework for investment in land transport. Both the framework for investment and the aviation policy will help clarify transport priorities and will help to ensure that there is appropriate co-ordination and integration between the various modes. In a similar vein, the National Transport Authority have a statutory remit to develop an integrated transport plan for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and they are currently in the process of completing their implementation plan for transport investment in the GDA for the period to 2018.
Question No. 856 answered with Question No. 801.
Pilot Training Colleges
Questions (857)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:857. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in the aftermath of the closure of the pilot training college in 2012, the measures IAA has put in place to ensure that a similar event cannot happen again; if his Department has undertaken an investigation as to the reasons behind the closure; if an investigation took place, if he will provide the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/14]
View answerWritten answers
This question refers to the liquidation of the Pilot Training College (PTC) in 2012. PTC was a privately-owned and operated flight training organisation that reneged on its contractual obligations and failed its students. Its liquidation is proceeding in accordance with company law that requires a report being made to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. My Department does not have any role in investigating the collapse of any flight training organisation. The oversight of any such organisation in Ireland comes within the remit of the IAA whose primary functions are the oversight of the safety, quality and standard of the training being delivered, the conduct of examinations and flight tests. They look at whether the company has sufficient resources to safely provide the training required to the internationally determined standards. Regarding oversight in the future I am referring the question to that body for direct reply. If you do not receive a response from them within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Question No. 858 answered with Question No. 110.