Written Answers Nos. 219-225
219. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence, details supplied, regarding Aer Lingus pensions and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20470/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport I have no function in relation to the administration of the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS). The resolution of the funding difficulties in the scheme is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme and the regulator of such pension schemes - the Pensions Authority (formerly the Pensions Board). Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the statutory regulator in Ireland. There are prescribed procedures and limitations in place governing any reductions in pension rights introduced to address funding difficulties in a scheme such as the IASS. Policy in this regard is primarily a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, Ms Joan Burton T.D.
The trustees of the IASS announced in February last that they had decided in principle on a number of changes to address the funding difficulties of the scheme. The trustees, who are central to any solution to the funding difficulties, are required by law to act in the best interests of all members, be they active, deferred or pensioner members. Following consultations between my Department, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU, an Expert Panel has been established to carry out an urgent investigation of how the industrial relations issues relating to the scheme could be resolved. The Panel recently gave an update to the Departments on its progress to date and confirmed that it had met with representatives of all the key stakeholders, including pensioners and deferred pensioners. The Panel are due to report again in early May.
220. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total amount of revenue generated by the tourism industry in each county for 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20501/14]
View answer222. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the details of tourist numbers for each county for 2011, 2012 and 2013; the expected number of tourists for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/14]
View answer223. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form for 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and 2014 the total amount of funding made available to each county to promote tourism; the agencies to which this money was made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20504/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 222 and 223 together.
The collection and publication of official statistics is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which falls under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach. The 2013 Tourism and Travel Statistics show that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding fares) rose by 11.9% to €3.262 billion compared with 2012. The 2013 Overseas Travel Statistics reported that trips to Ireland were up by 7.2% compared to 2012 with 6,985,900 overseas visits. Figures for the first quarter of 2014 show that trips to Ireland were up 7.3 % compared to Q1 2013. The CSO does not provide a county breakdown of statistics.
I am aware that Fáilte Ireland does its own estimated regional breakdown of overseas and domestic revenue and visitors on an annual basis, based on its own research and available CSO statistics. The most recent full year figures cover 2012, and have also been published at county level based on three-year rolling averages, taking account of the limitations of applying survey data to smaller areas. These and other regional statistics are easily accessible in the research section of the Fáilte Ireland website www.failteireland.ie under Regional Statistics and Reports.
In relation to funding, my Department's support for the tourism sector is channelled through the State tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The agencies have a range of programmes, many delivered at a national level, to assist in developing and promoting the tourism sector. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply as Tourism Ireland is concerned with overseas promotion. However I would caution that it is unlikely that it will be possible to break down much of their funding on a county basis, as it is not allocated in such a manner. If he does not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office.
221. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase tourism in County Donegal and in Inishowen in particular and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20502/14]
View answerMy Department's support for the tourism sector is channelled through the State tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The agencies have a range of programmes, many delivered at a national level, to assist in developing and promoting the tourism sector. I have no direct role in relation to the development of tourism in individual regions such as the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal. However, I am aware that Inishowen is an important part of the Wild Atlantic Way and significant funding is being provided this year to develop the route and promote it in our overseas markets.
For further information, I have referred your question regarding plans to increase tourism in Inishowen and County Donegal to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply in relation to their activities in this area. If he does not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office.
224. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding arrangements in place in relation to the restoration of a structure, (details supplied), in County Cork; when the contract for this project will be signed; if he will provide details of the architects or main contractors engaged in this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20591/14]
View answerI generally have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. This is a matter for the relevant project sponsor in most cases, with support from the board and management of Fáilte Ireland where appropriate. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. If he does not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office.
225. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Ballymun motor tax office is being considered for closure; if so, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20612/14]
View answerOversight of the operation of the local government system and implementation of policy in that regard, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of the Environment Community and Local Government; and I have no role in this matter. However I understand that local service provision in the context of motor tax services is the responsibility of the local authority in question.
