Written Answers Nos 33-41
33. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the 2014 sports capital programme; when decisions will issue in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27363/14]
View answerI was delighted to be able to launch the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme earlier this year. €40 million is available for allocation. The 2,036 applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Every application will be assessed by one official and reviewed by another. Given the number of applications received and the detail contained therein, this process takes a number of months to complete. I hope to announce allocations shortly.
Applications are first checked to ensure eligibility. All eligible applications are initially assessed against five criteria, namely the likelihood of increasing participation and/or improving performance and sharing of facilities, level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area, technical merits of the project, level of own funding available and level of Sports Capital Programme funding received in the past. These criteria are designed to give higher scores to applications that increase participation, where facilities will be shared, that are from designated disadvantaged areas, that have not received substantial funding in the past and that are ready to be progressed as soon as possible.
In deciding the final allocations within each county, Minister Varadkar and I will have regard to a number of additional factors, including: ensuring a geographic spread of projects within each county; ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and ensuring that there is a spread of projects among different sports.
34. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport of the 2,036 applications for funding under the 2014 sports capital grant programme, if he will outline, in tabular form, the number per county that have been deemed invalid and the reason for same. [27089/14]
View answerThe 2,036 applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Every application is assessed by one official and reviewed by another. Given the number of applications received and the detail contained therein, this process takes a number of months to complete. I hope to announce allocations in the next number of weeks.
The main reasons applications are deemed invalid include failure to comply with the Department's requirements in relation to title/access, planning permission, own funding, quotations and sporting content. At the end of the process we will be writing to those organisations that are deemed invalid indicating specifically why their applications were deemed invalid.
All eligible applications are initially assessed against five criteria, namely the likelihood of increasing participation and/or improving performance and sharing of facilities, level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area, technical merits of the project, level of own funding available and level of Sports Capital Programme funding received in the past. These criteria are designed to give higher scores to applications that increase participation, where facilities will be shared, that are from designated disadvantaged areas, that have not received substantial funding in the past and that are ready to be progressed as soon as possible.
35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which employment in the tourism sector continues to improve; the measures taken or likely to generate growth in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27391/14]
View answerThe most recent CSO figures for overseas visits to Ireland show that visitor numbers grew by 7.5% in the period from February to April 2014 when compared to the corresponding period of 2013. Since the Government came to office, the annual total number of international visitors coming to Ireland has increased by more than a million and is almost certain to exceed 7 million this year. By the end of last year, it was estimated by the CSO that 137,000 people were employed in the accommodation and food service sectors alone. This represented an increase of almost 14% or 17,300 extra jobs since 2012. The most recent CSO Quarterly National Household Survey reported that seasonally adjusted employment in the sector increased by 14,000 from the first quarter of 2014 when compared to the equivalent period in 2013. That is an increase of 11% in the year to Quarter 1 2014. It is also equal to the highest ever employment figure for the sector in the first quarter, which was recorded in Q1 2007.
In terms of measures to generate further growth in the sector, an extensive promotional programme is underway this year with a view to continuing to grow visitor numbers to Ireland. The year has got off to a positive start and overall sentiment for travel to Ireland is largely positive. 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, the recently announced joint visa initiative between Ireland and the United Kingdom and increased air access to Ireland, I am confident that the prospects for Irish tourism remain positive.
36. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position of the 2014 sports capital programme. [27267/14]
View answerI was delighted to be able to launch the 2014 round of the Sports Capital Programme earlier this year. €40 million is available for allocation. The 2,036 applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Every application will be assessed by one official and reviewed by another. Given the number of applications received and the detail contained therein, this process takes a number of months to complete. I hope to announce allocations in the next number of weeks.
Applications are first checked to ensure eligibility. All eligible applications are initially assessed against five criteria, namely the likelihood of increasing participation and/or improving performance and sharing of facilities, level of socio-economic disadvantage in the area, technical merits of the project, level of own funding available and level of Sports Capital Programme funding received in the past. These criteria are designed to give higher scores to applications that increase participation, where facilities will be shared, that are from designated disadvantaged areas, that have not received substantial funding in the past and that are ready to be progressed as soon as possible.
In deciding the final allocations within each county, Minister Varadkar and I will have regard to a number of additional factors, including: ensuring a geographic spread of projects within each county; ensuring an appropriate spread of projects between rural and urban areas within each county; and ensuring that there is a spread of projects among different sports.
37. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide, in tabular form, the existing infrastructure that is deteriorating due to a lack of funds being received from his Department; if he will provide, in tabular form, infrastructure projects that are under way and funded by his Department; the cost of these infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27349/14]
View answerAround 95% of the capital allocation in my Department's Vote relates to infrastructural investment in land transport, mainly in roads and public transport. A key element of this expenditure relates to the maintenance of existing assets. Apart from the land transport programme, capital funding is directed mainly towards Sports and Tourism programmes which are generally co-financed and do not place a requirement on the Department for their ongoing maintenance. Details of key infrastructure programmes and projects currently underway under the land transport and maritime programmes are either set out below or will be provided in due course by the agencies responsible.
As the level of Exchequer funding available has diminished since the crisis, so too has our capacity to maintain the existing transport network and this has led to a deterioration in parts of our road network in particular. Recent Government Stimulus Plans have gone some way towards addressing this gap.
In this regard, work is well advanced within my Department on a Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport (SFILT). This will provide a framework for future transport investment by prioritising investment that can enhance economic productivity, while also recognising that meeting the needs of people is a critical aspect of transport infrastructure provision. A key element is to estimate the level of funding necessary to maintain, manage and renew our existing transport infrastructure so as to keep it in an adequate condition, including any ongoing contractual commitments, and so avoid a backlog of maintenance and renewal which could result in their degradation over time and ultimately lead to higher costs.
My Department's submission as part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure and Capital Review post-2015 reflects these issues. The outcome of this process will be a matter for Government in the context of the Estimates for 2015 and beyond. The SFILT document is nearing completion and I intend to publish it as a consultation document.
As I mentioned already, I have asked the relevant Agencies under my remit - principally, the National Roads Authority and the National Transport Authority - to provide details on specific roads and public transport projects currently underway. Under the Smarter Travel programme which is administered by my Department, projects under the National Cycle Network, Active Travel Towns and Smarter Travel Areas, are set out below.
National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016
|
County |
Project |
km |
Grant amount |
|
Kerry |
Glenbeigh-Reenard Trail (Phase 2 and Phase 3) |
26 |
3,458,281 |
|
Galway |
Galway to Moycullen Greenway |
12.4 |
2,000,000 |
|
Waterford |
Clonea to Durrow Greenway (Phase 1) |
7.2 |
897,739 |
National Cycle Network - Stimulus Funding 2014
|
County |
Project |
km |
Grant amount |
|
Clare |
West Clare Greenway -Phase 1 - Ennis to Balllymacquiggan |
5 |
400,000 |
|
Kerry |
Caherciveen to Reenard Point (Phase 1 Fertha Greenway) |
5.75 |
450,000 |
|
Kerry |
Tralee Fenit Trail - Phase 1 Rock Street to Casement Station |
0.42 |
345,000 |
|
Kildare |
Arthur's Way Greenway |
25 |
311,000 |
|
Limerick |
Patrickswell to Limerick City cycleway |
4.14 |
420,000 |
|
Mayo |
Monasteries of the Moy - part funding for project |
14 |
250,000 |
|
Roscommon |
Boyle to Lough Key Forest Park |
24 |
400,000 |
|
Tipperary |
Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Greenway |
20 |
1,900,000 |
|
Waterford |
Kilmeaden to Bilberry Greenway |
9.6 |
1,100,000 |
|
Westmeath |
Athlone to Mullingar Greenway |
40 |
4,000,000 |
|
Westmeath |
Coolnahay to the County Boundary |
14.4 |
700,000 |
In relation to the Active Travel Towns Programme, a multi-annual budget of €6.6m has been approved for the period 2014-16 and 9 towns have been granted funding. While the majority of the funding will be invested in infrastructure, some funding will be directed towards softer measures to encourage behavioural change. The following is a list of projects being funded over the period 2014 to 2016:
|
Name of Town |
Amount of Funding 2014-2016 - € |
Nature of Works |
|
Clonmel |
1,000,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Thurles |
510,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Birr |
954,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Sligo |
500,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Tralee |
1,363,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Wexford |
648,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Cavan |
500,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Ennis |
650,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
|
Claremorris |
432,000 |
Investment in cycling/walking infrastructure and other softer measures to encourage behavioural change away from using the car for shorter trips |
In February 2012, the local authorities of Limerick City & County, Waterford and Mayo, as winners of the National Competition for Smarter Travel Areas, were awarded total funding of €21.7 million over a 5-year period. The funding is being provided to transform the respective areas of Limerick City & Environs, Dungarvan and Westport into Smarter Travel Areas. While a proportion of the funding will be used to develop infrastructure, some will be allocated towards supporting softer, behavioural change measures. The funding being provided to each local authority over the period is as follows:
- Limerick Smarter Travel - €9 million
- Smarter Travel Go Dungarvan - €7.2 million
- Smarter Travel Westport - €5 million
On the maritime side, some capital funding is available to Harbour Authorities for remedial works. Infrastructure projects currently underway are:
|
Projects |
Funding |
Harbours |
|
Cork Co Co |
€1,000,000 |
Remedial works Baltimore & Kinsale Harbours |
|
Wexford Co Co |
€ 100,000 |
Remedial Works Wexford Harbour |
|
Wicklow Co Co |
€2,000,000 |
Remedial Works Arklow Harbour |
Approximately €450,000 has been allocated to the IRCG programme for 2014, in respect of the commencement of the building of a new Coast Guard station at Greystones for the volunteer unit. The commencement of the project is subject to completion of the contract award process by the OPW.
38. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport, Knock, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27101/14]
View answerThe Department was represented on and provided secretarial support to the IWA Knock Study Group which reported in December 2013. The recommendations of the Study Group were fed into the Regional Airports Programme 2015 to 2019 which is currently being finalised in my Department and Ireland's Aviation Policy, which has been circulated in draft form for final consultation. The Regional Airports Programme will be submitted for approval in due course to the EU Commission. Discussions will be held with IWA Knock and the other three regional airports concerned regarding their future growth and funding under that Programme, subsequent to its approval by the EU.
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to prohibit sports sponsorship by alcoholic drinks companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27105/14]
View answerIn October 2013, as part of a suite of measures to deal with alcohol misuse, the Government decided to establish a working group to consider the impact of regulating alcohol sponsorship of major sporting events by alcohol companies. This group is due to report to Government by October of this year. The working group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and my Department is represented on it. I look forward to receiving a copy of the Working Group's report when it has concluded its work.
40. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has been in contact with the Department of Justice and Equality for the purpose of improving the tourist experience in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27350/14]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to incidents of anti-social behaviour and other problems on the streets of Dublin city centre, which are matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality, given her responsibility for policing. In my capacity as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am aware of the negative impact such incidents can have on visitors’ holiday experience and on their impressions of our country. I have previously raised my concerns with both the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Dublin City Manager and I understand that the Garda Síochána and the civic authorities in Dublin are working to tackle these problems.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that in the unfortunate event that tourists are the victims of crime, they can avail of the services of Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS). ITAS, which is part funded by Fáilte Ireland as well as the Department of Justice and Equality, provides a specialist service offering immediate support and assistance to tourists who are victimised while visiting Ireland. In relation to improving the broader tourist experience, following the report of the Grow Dublin Taskforce, the tourism agencies, the City Council and the tourism industry are working together to refresh the tourism offering in the capital.
41. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the avenues for funding or investment available for natural landscapes, like Malin Head, Inishowen, County Donegal, which have great tourism potential, but lack basic facilities such as toilets and rest areas, which are essential for growing visitor numbers to the area; his views on a visit to the area by relevant official-officials from his Department to view first hand the potential tourism opportunity at Malin Head and to meet with community and business representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27314/14]
View answerWhile my Department provides capital funding for investment in tourism attractions through Fáilte Ireland, neither my Department nor I are directly involved in the development of specific tourist attractions and locations. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, while the development of tourism facilities associated with the route is a matter for the local stakeholders in the direct instance, with the support of Fáilte Ireland where appropriate. In this regard, I am aware that Fáilte Ireland has offered to meet with the local community group in the coming weeks to discuss the development of Malin Head. I have referred the Deputy’s question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
