Written Answers Nos. 258-267
258. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish aviation superannuation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34874/14]
View answer272. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding the Aer Lingus pension scheme and deferred pension scheme in view of the current difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35053/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 272 together.
Resolution of the funding difficulties of the IASS is primarily a matter for the Trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme’s members and the Pensions Authority. The process currently underway involves all these stakeholders.
Pension schemes are closely regulated under Irish and European pension law and the Pensions Authority is the national statutory regulatory authority 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 my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection.
It has been clear for a long time that any solution to the complex problems of the IASS requires significant contributions from both employers and members of the scheme. Earlier this year an Expert Panel was established by my Department, along with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU. The Expert Panel built on the 2013 Labour Court recommendations and the summary of a draft funding proposal put forward by the Trustee in February this year. The Expert Panel was tasked with finding the fairest way to distribute the burden, while addressing a range of other impediments.
This week the principal employers have written to the members of the scheme informing them that an agreement has been reached with the Trustee on comprehensive pension changes, based on the Expert Panel's recommendations. The letter outlines the various stages of the process going forward. Later this month the Trustee will formally put forward its funding proposal, for consideration as part of a statutory consultation process, which all members are open to participate in. Each member will also receive a personalised illustration of future pension benefits. The target date for implementation of the proposals remains 31 December 2014.
Huge efforts have been put in by all concerned over many years in an attempt to resolve the scheme's funding problems. Over the coming weeks a set of clear proposals will be put forward, which offer the best chance to resolve the long-standing problems of the scheme and give the members certainty about their future pension entitlements, and I would urge all parties to accept them.
259. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the Coast Guard radio stations here; if he will safeguard the future of Valentia Coast Guard radio station in view of its strategic importance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34942/14]
View answerIn response to the publication of a Value for Money report into the operation of the Irish Coast Guard in 2012, an examination of the future operation of the 3 marine rescue co-ordination centres in Dublin, Malin and Valentia was undertaken by my Department. In July 2013 my predecessor announced an Action Plan to further develop the coast guard services. As part of this Action Plan the Minister announced that the 3 co-ordination centres would remain in place but would be operated on an interoperable basis to achieve important efficiencies and improvements in the delivery of the services.
As part of the development of the 3 centres new communications and IT infrastructure across a single national Coast Guard network are being implemented, and arrangements are in hand to bring the full staffing complement of radio officers in the centres up to 40, as provided for in the Action Plan.
I fully support the development of the 3 centres in line with the Action Plan. I believe that when the developments are complete Ireland’s national coast guard marine rescue co-ordination arrangements based on the 3 centres will be on par with the best in service.
260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the inclusion of the N21 Ballyvourney to Macroom road improvement scheme in any upcoming capital investment plan, possibly a PPP bundled with the Dunkettle interchange; his further views on the many benefits that the construction of this section of road would bring, including improving Kerry’s chances of outside investment, cutting journey times to Cork for all motorists, including commuters and patients attending CUH, opening up the Cork jobs market to Kerry residents, making Kerry more accessible for tourists, making the road safer for all users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34945/14]
View answerI note the Deputy put a similar question (oral PQ 27095/14) on the Ballyvourney Macroom road scheme to my predecessor Minister Varadkar on 26 June, 2014. The position as outlined to the Deputy on 26 June remains the same.
The general approach I will take to future capital projects is to keep under review projects at various stages of planning and design which have been evaluated and appraised in order to have a pipeline of suitable "shovel ready" projects ready to avail of any funding opportunities that may arise. The N22 Ballyvourney - Macroom project which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and where land is being acquired is such a project. This project could be advanced as a PPP in the future. Given the state of the public finances it will only prove possible in the medium term to advance projects such as this through PPPs rather than direct Exchequer funding.
Work is underway on the preparation of the next capital programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available. However, I recognise the benefit of this road to the counties of Cork and Kerry and am keen to see it progressed if possible.
261. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the tender for the Kerry-Dublin and Donegal-Dublin PSO flights; the level of interest that has been expressed on both routes; if he envisages that the Dublin connections to both airports will continue beyond the expiry of the current contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34946/14]
View answerThe current PSO contracts for regional air services between Donegal and Dublin and Kerry and Dublin were due to expire on 2 November 2014. These contracts are being extended until 31 January 2015, in order to put the 2015 - 2017 contract(s) in place by 1 February 2015. The Government launched a call for tenders, as published in EU Official Journal number C235 and 236 of 22 July 2014, for public service obligation air services on the two aforementioned routes. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 22 September 2014. Decisions on whether or not to maintain one or both routes will depend on the outcome of that tender process and the funding available for the regional airports programme post 2014.
262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority will repair the bad bumps on the N72 between Barraduff and the Lissivigeen roundabout, Killarney, before a vehicle goes out of control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34954/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects, such as N72 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Sections 17 and 19 of 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.
263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the data that exists to measure the success of the Wild Atlantic Way; his views on the anecdotal evidence that the Wild Atlantic Way has so far been an enormous success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34959/14]
View answer264. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if data exists for the number of car rentals per annum; if 2014 has seen an increase; if this increase can be attributed wholly or partly to the development of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. Budget 2014 provided €8 million in capital investment for the development of the route to complete the route signage, develop and enhance discovery points on the route as well as other infrastructural works. While the route infrastructure is still being fully developed, the Wild Atlantic Way is a central feature of our overseas promotion through Tourism Ireland in 2014 and I understand that it has been very well received by the overseas tourist trade. That said, it would be next year before we would expect the route to start getting international recognition.
Monitoring systems are being developed to measure the success of the initiative and these will be rolled out as appropriate over time. While there is a lot of positive anecdotal evidence from businesses along the route about the impact of the route, it is too early to start making definitive assessments.
In regard to car rental statistics, figures for rentals in 2014 are not available to me. There are many companies offering car rentals in Ireland but the actual numbers of rentals that each company makes is commercially sensitive information. However, I would be confident that the sector is benefitting from the strong growth in overseas visitors and revenue to date this year.
265. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine ways of funding the completion of the final phase of the Dingle relief road; his views on the traffic problem suffered by Dingle, particularly during the summer months, because this road remains unfinished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/14]
View answerI understand the Deputy asked a similar question (PQ 24922/14) of Minister Varadkar concerning the Dingle Inner Relief Road on 11 June 2014. I am happy to again clarify the position regarding this regional road scheme.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
266. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding progress on the Kenmare inner relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34966/14]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department has allocated €640,000 in 2014 under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme to Kerry County Council in respect of the R569 Kenmare Inner Relief Road. To be of assistance, my officials have made enquiries of the Council regarding progress on the scheme and I understand that works have been ongoing during the course of the year and the project is now nearing completion. Work on the final road surface is commencing this week and it is currently programmed that the relief road will be opened to public traffic by early October 2014.
267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support an event (details supplied) in County Kerry in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/14]
View answerI very much welcome the announcement that Connect 2015 will be hosted in Killarney next June, with the support of Destination Kerry and Kerry Airport. Hosting an event such as this is a great opportunity to showcase the region to an international audience.
A range of supports are available to the organisers of conferences in Ireland, coordinated by Fáilte Ireland through its conference ambassador programme. I understand the organisers have already been in touch with Fáilte Ireland in this regard. Fáilte Ireland is available to liaise further with the Deputy and the organisers regarding the supports available.
