Written Answers Nos. 201-208
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to pursue a strategy to maximise the degree to which sport can play a major role in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46636/14]
View answer202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has studied other European countries' use of sport as an economic propellant; if he will continue to pursue such a similar strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46637/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
The sports sector's contribution to the economy includes sports tourism, ticket sales, subscriptions and the cost of playing sport, together with the purchase of sports equipment and an economic value of time given by volunteers.
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 that context, I was delighted that the FAI and Dublin City Council recently won their bid to host part of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament at the Aviva stadium, a bid which had my strong support and indeed the support of the Government as a whole.
In addition, a working group was established to examine key issues in relation to the possibility of Ireland hosting the Rugby World Cup in the future. The working group, on which the IRFU and relevant Government Departments from both jurisdictions were represented, has reported and, in conjunction with our colleagues in Northern Ireland, Minister Donohoe and I have been examining the report and considering the most appropriate next steps.
My Department is developing a new National Sports Policy which will be the framework for the new body, Sport Ireland, following the merger of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority, and will have regard to international best practice. It will also examine cross-sectoral issues such as the role of sport in education and health and where the focus on Government spending in sport should be.
I would also mention the impact of the Sports Capital Programme which helps to create jobs across all areas of the country. I was delighted to announce that I have secured funding for another round of the Programme in 2015. This will be the third round of the Programme since this Government was elected to office and follows from an investment of €30m in 2012 and €40m in 2014.
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he continues to monitor transport costs in this country with those in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46638/14]
View answerMy Department monitors the relevant and varied costs associated with transport use in Ireland for both users and the exchequer on an on-going basis and as required. Analysis of comparable transport costs against other jurisdictions is generally only undertaken for specific projects or needs rather than on an on-going basis. I would point out that national transport costs are driven by a number of factors including demographic, economic, spatial and cultural trends and thus any comparison between jurisdictions can be problematic. My Department does seek to stay abreast of any international research which tracks comparable costs. The various agencies and regulators in the transport sector also monitor the relevant costs of transport in Ireland and may do cross-comparison analysis with other jurisdictions as they see fit. A number of user transport costs are set independently by the relevant regulators.
I should also point out that my Department has also carried out some cross-national analysis of transport investment levels as part of the work underpinning the draft Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport. This analysis is publically available on the Department's website through the consultation process (Background Paper No.10) and the final Policy Framework is due to be published in Q1 of 2015.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which the transport sector in this country is affected by unfair competition from outside the jurisdiction; if he has a particular strategy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46640/14]
View answerThe transport sector is governed by sectoral transport legislation, both national and European, and by general competition law. All transport operators in the State are subject to these laws. In some cases operators legally based outside of our jurisdiction but which operate transport operations within the State may have a different cost base than transport operators based within the state. My Department keeps up to date on all aspects and developments in the transport sector, including with a view to identifying any emerging challenges.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if and when he will be in a position to invite applications for any further sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46641/14]
View answerI am delighted that we have been able to secure the funding to enable a further round of the Sports Capital Programme in 2015. This will be the third round of the SCP since this Government came into office. Detailed preparations are being made at present and I will launch the 2015 Programme when these are completed.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to encourage high standards throughout the hotel, catering and hospitality sectors with particular reference to incentivisation where appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46642/14]
View answerThe development of quality and standards in the tourism industry are matters for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Fáilte Ireland seeks to develop and maintain high standards throughout the tourism industry, including through training and education; business supports for tourism enterprises; and the maintenance of registers of various categories of tourism accommodation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s question on to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.
Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to monitor areas of particular traffic congestion with particular reference to those areas raising health and safety concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46643/14]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
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.
I would also add that traffic management in its area is a matter for the local authority concerned in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide his preferred options for the continuation of major road improvement projects including motorways throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46644/14]
View answerAs the Deputy knows, the economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board. My Department's priority is to maintain the existing road network, and unfortunately this means that there is little scope for carrying out any major new road improvement projects.
It has been possible to progress a number of PPP projects under the 2012 Government Infrastructure Stimulus Programme and there is a pipeline of projects for which planning approval has been obtained. As the Deputy will appreciate, I have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects will very much depend on the level of future capital funding made available in my Department's Vote.
