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Thursday, 15 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 262-272

Rural Transport Programme

Questions (262)

Clare Daly

Question:

262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the impact of the reorganisation of the rural transport programme on the Nifti service in north Dublin; and if his attention has been drawn to the pivotal role this service plays in connecting elderly citizens and groups (details supplied). [21969/14]

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Written answers

The new Rural Transport Programme (RTP) structure involves the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) in place of the existing 35 RTP Groups currently delivering the service. The appraisal of the applications, submitted in response to the Call for Applications from existing RTP Groups, for the selection of the TCUs which was managed by the NTA, has concluded and all applicants have been informed of the outcome of the selection process.

I have referred your question to the NTA for direct response. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.

Road Safety

Questions (263)

Robert Troy

Question:

263. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the commercial vehicle testing of vintage trucks; the reasons these vehicles are subject to a CVT similar to those in commercial use in view of the fact that they are generally used at charity events and for recreational use; the reason there is not a lesser test for vehicles registered as vintage or for show purposes only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21998/14]

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Written answers

In accordance with the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004, S.I. 771 of 2004, all commercial vehicles over one year old (including vintage trucks) must complete a roadworthiness test and have a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness if used in a public place. Although there is no exemption for vintage vehicles, such vehicles are tested to the standards that the vehicles concerned were originally designed to meet.

Regular testing ensures that all commercial vehicles, regardless of age, are maintained to a minimum standard of roadworthiness. Vintage veteran vehicles, even if only covering low mileage, may still have roadworthiness concerns such as perishing of rubber components or seizure of brake actuators following periods of inactivity.

To exclude, or have a lesser quality of test for, any category of vehicle from an annual Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test, based solely on the declared usage of the vehicle, could have road safety implications. It could also lead to the anomalous situation whereby vintage vehicles being used commercially may unfairly seek to claim an exemption from roadworthiness testing.

In accordance with Action 59 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, the RSA will conduct a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for the inclusion or exclusion of such vehicles in roadworthiness testing. I have asked the RSA to bring forward this review and have it completed before the end of the year.

Road Traffic Accidents Data

Questions (264, 265)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

264. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the statistical decline in road traffic collisions, serious injuries and fatalities involving HGVs and other vehicles fitted with speed restricting devices since the introduction of speed limiting; if he will provide as much comparative data on this area as is reasonably possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22014/14]

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Brendan Griffin

Question:

265. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the statistical decline in road traffic collisions, serious injuries and fatalities involving vehicles that were deemed defective or unroadworthy; if he will provide as much comparative data on this area as is reasonably possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22015/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.

The subject matter of these questions is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  I have referred the questions to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days. 

National Car Test

Questions (266)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

266. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport where the revenue generated by NCT fees goes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22016/14]

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Written answers

The subject matter of this question is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have referred it to them for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.

Air Services Provision

Questions (267)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the seeking of tenders for flights on the Kerry-Dublin route; when he expects further progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22017/14]

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Written answers

This question relates to the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services Scheme, which includes the Kerry/Dublin route, the contracts for which end in November this year.

The programme on regional airports post 2014 is currently being developed in my Department. This will reflect the recommendations arising out of the published IWA Knock Study Group, which are being incorporated into the draft National Aviation Policy and must also comply with the revised EU Guidelines on State-Aid recently adopted by the European Commission. No decisions have yet been made in respect of future PSO supports for the Kerry - Dublin or any other route at this stage.

It is intended that a PSO tender competition for the Kerry/Dublin and the Donegal/Dublin services for 2015 will be organised later this year. As you will appreciate, my Department cannot write a blank cheque and the final decision on whether or not to maintain PSO supports will only be taken when the outcome of the tender process is known.

There is only a limited budget of some €12m per annum available for the Regional Airports Programme post 2014, with an average cost per annum for the two PSO routes from Kerry and Donegal of over €7.5m, based on existing figures. Best use of that limited budget must be made in the context of maintaining and developing the regional airports.

Sports Events

Questions (268)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent of discussions he has had with the relevant sporting organisations such as the IRFU with reference to the possibility of the use of stadia in this jurisdiction during the rugby world cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22087/14]

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Written answers

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question 42 answered on the same topic.

Sports Events

Questions (269, 271)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with various sporting organisations, nationally and worldwide, with a view to the further utilisation of facilities in this jurisdiction in the context of world sporting events such as the Tour de France and-or Giro D'Italia or similar events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department has calculated the economic potential of hosting or co-hosting various sporting events in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22090/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 271 together.

The hosting of major sports events can deliver additional international visits and helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.  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.

The hosting of the Giro D'Italia over the past week showed that the island of Ireland can successfully host large international events and ensure that participants and spectators alike have a great experience when they visit our shores.

Last November the Government considered a Memorandum on the discussions and analysis to date on a potential bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

While the Memorandum identified a number of challenges, the great potential of the event is also clear and I believe that hosting the Rugby World Cup on a cross-border basis in 2023 would be a great opportunity for Northern Ireland and Ireland.  In response to the Memorandum, the Government expressed strong support for the proposal and for the conduct of further work to get to the stage of making a formal decision to bid.

In order to progress the matter further, Minister Varadkar and I met with Minister Arlene Foster and Minister Carál Ní Chuilín, who are the Ministers respectively responsible for tourism and sport in the Northern Ireland Executive, in Armagh on 22 January. We agreed to establish a working group to examine some key issues further and to report back to Ministers in the Summer.  The working group, on which the IRFU and relevant Government Departments from both jurisdictions are represented, has held three meetings to date with the next meeting scheduled to take place on Monday next 19  May.  I look forward to receiving their report.

In addition, the Government is very supportive of the FAI and Dublin City Council's recent bid to host part of the European Soccer Championships in 2020 at the Aviva stadium. The stadium is a world class facility and previously successfully hosted the 2011 Europa League Final. If successful, the bid will have a significant economic impact and hopefully encourage more young people to become involved in sport.

Integrated Ticketing

Questions (270)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to encourage the use of integrated transport systems with particular reference to the use of a single ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22089/14]

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Written answers

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility, inter alia, for the regulation of public transport fares and for the provision of integrated ticketing and information systems.

Noting this, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 269.

Tourism Industry

Questions (272, 275, 276, 277)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects the tourism sector to develop in this country over the next three years; the most likely areas of growth identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22091/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that all areas throughout the regions have adequate access to the tourism market with particular reference to promotion and capitalisation on various locations of historical and scenic content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22094/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the tourism sector has contributed to economic recovery in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22095/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which further expansion and development of the tourism sector is envisaged with particular reference to marketing of new products or specific promotion of particular locations on global markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22096/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 275 to 277, inclusive, together.

The approved Tourism Ireland Corporate Plan 2014 - 2016 includes a target of increasing overseas visits to Ireland by 13% by 2016 compared to 2013.  Priority overseas markets will again be the United States, Great Britain, Germany and France, which together deliver almost three-quarters of all our overseas visitors but promotions will also continue in other markets. The agency's Business Plan for 2014 targets growth in visit numbers to Ireland of 4% this year and growth in associated visitor revenue of 7%.Recent figures published by the CSO show that overseas visit numbers were up by 7.3% for the first quarter of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013 suggesting that we are on course to achieve these targets.

In terms of revenue, the most recent CSO data indicates that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors - excluding fares - reached €3.3 billion in 2013, up 10% since 2010.  The seasonally adjusted level of employment in accommodation and food service for the last quarter of 2013 was 137,000, up over 15,000 on the same period in 2010, and the highest level at any time since the economic crisis began.

The marketing of Ireland as a visitor destination overseas, including the content used in such advertising is a matter for the tourism agencies, and I do not have a direct role in this area. I am aware however, that this year Tourism Ireland, working closely with Fáilte Ireland, is placing a major focus on highlighting the Wild Atlantic Way.  It is also promoting key events including the Croke Park Classic American football game and the very successful visit of the Giro d'Italia last weekend.

In view of this work by the tourism agencies, and other measures such as the retention of the 9% VAT rate, the reduction of the air travel tax to zero, and the increased air access to Ireland, I am confident that the prospects for Irish tourism are very positive. In terms of the further development of the tourism sector, my Department is currently undertaking a review of Tourism Policy. The review is looking at all aspects of Irish tourism and once the final tourism policy has been set, it is intended it will provide a robust foundation for a broader tourism strategy and action plan. I hope to have the policy document finalised in the coming weeks.

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