Written Answers Nos. 263-271
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects regional airports to continue to play a major role in providing the required level of connectivity on transatlantic, European, or other routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24044/15]
View answerWith the development in recent years of the major interurban roads programme and improvements to the rail network providing domestic connectivity, regional airports are now being viewed as being important because of the level of international connectivity they bring to a region for the tourism and business sectors. That connectivity, which is primarily European in nature, is seen as being a significant contributory factor underpinning Ireland's economic recovery and sustainable development into the future. In relation to transatlantic routes, the two PSO air services from Donegal and Kerry Airports to Dublin Airport offer a possible link to transatlantic routes from that Airport and I am also aware that a transatlantic charter service will operate into Ireland West Airport Knock this August.
Ireland’s National Aviation Policy, which I expect to publish before the summer recess, confirms that the regional airports at Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position, particularly considering the contribution they make to their regional and local economy. As a result, the Policy provides that Exchequer support (OPEX and CAPEX) for the regional airports will be continued, where appropriate. Such supports will be in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines and Ireland's 2015 - 2019 Regional Airports Programme. It is up to those airports being supported to exploit all opportunities to expand their level of connectivity to other regions.
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to study the best means of providing transport infrastructure, with particular reference to the funding of major projects, whether by public private partnership or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/15]
View answerThe evaluation of transport infrastructure investment, including how best to fund the provision of infrastructure, is a constant process within my Department and its agencies. This work is a vital aspect of ensuring value for money is achieved. As an aid to developing capital investment plans, work on an evidence-based framework to guide key land transport investment decisions has been undertaken. This work, which will be set out in a forthcoming report "Investing in Our Transport Future" considered the issue of potential alternative sources of funding.
The most important source of non-Exchequer transport funding to date has been through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Programmes and the Exchequer already has significant forward commitments relating to the road network in the form of availability payments to remunerate private investment in PPP projects that are not tolled. Consideration of additional use of the PPP mechanism must be cognisant that any such further commitments will reduce the funding available in the future to meet basic infrastructure maintenance and upkeep requirements and will limit future potential for investment in necessary capacity development.
Alternative funding sources will, of course, continue to be used as appropriate, such as in the case of European Investment Bank funding which is providing a loan to part-fund the current Luas Cross City Project, and every effort will be made to maximise draw-down from EU funding programmes and to access EIB loans although such alternative, additional sources of funding are likely to be limited in the short to medium term. Furthermore, "Investing in Our Transport Future" emphasises that a major part of our funding challenge is with regard to maintenance requirements which are more challenging to fund through alternative mechanisms.
265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full extent of growth within the tourism sector, with particular reference to the total number of persons employed, and the scope for further development resulting in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24046/15]
View answer266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to identify expansion opportunities for the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24048/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 266 together.
CSO overseas tourism figures for 2014 show that there were over 7.6 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 9% on 2013 and the fourth successive year of growth. Figures for early part of 2015 show this strong performance continuing with good growth being recorded in visit numbers and revenue from all of our main overseas markets. In terms of employment, the most recent CSO Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) data shows that, in the final quarter of 2014, the seasonally adjusted number of persons employed in the accommodation and food services sector was 135,600. This represents 23,000 additional jobs compared with the same period in 2011, when this Government took office. This 20% increase in employment shows the success of the measures introduced by the Government to support the tourism sector, including the 9% VAT rate, the setting of the air travel tax to zero, initiatives like the Gathering, and major investments such as the Wild Atlantic Way.
Of course, the overall level of employment in the tourism sector is wider than accommodation and food service, with employment in transport, visitor attractions, tour operators, and retail all benefitting from higher levels of overseas and domestic tourism. Fáilte Ireland estimates that the total level of employment in the tourism sector is in the region of 200,000.
The Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025", as published earlier this year, contains three key goals to be achieved by 2025. Specifically:
- there will be 250,000 people employed in tourism;
- Ireland will welcome ten million overseas visits compared with 7.6 million in 2014; and
- overseas visitor revenue, net of any inflation effect, will be €5 billion compared with €3.5 billion in 2014.
The Tourism Policy Statement set out a range of policy objectives to achieve these targets. I will shortly announce the members of a Tourism Leadership Group who will oversee the preparation of a three-year Tourism Action Plan that will set out specific actions required in the period up to 2018 in order to achieve the policy objectives.
267. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding funding for football (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24081/15]
View answerThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding for the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) which includes the Football Association of Ireland. As this question is a matter for the Irish Sports Council, I have referred it to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
268. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a final reply will issue further to an interim response (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24110/15]
View answerA full response to the representations has been issued from my office this week.
269. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding the north Dublin transport study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/15]
View answer270. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding plans to increase public transport access between Dublin city centre and Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24118/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) have been carrying out technical reviews of all the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) public transport projects, including those for the Airport-Swords corridor, and I am awaiting delivery of their report and recommendations. The NTA anticipate delivering this work by the end of June.
Following receipt and assessment of the documentation, I will then make my decision regarding public transport investment priorities in the GDA by the end of the summer.
271. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to further roll-out the red light camera system in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24119/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware I launched Ireland's first automated red light camera system at the Blackhall Place-Benburb Street junction in Dublin 7 on 4 June. The new system will see motorists who break the red traffic lights and put themselves, and passengers and drivers of passing Luas trams at huge risk, automatically receive three penalty points for commission of the offence. The matter of a further roll-out of the Red Light Camera System in Dublin is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including Luas light rail projects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within ten working days.
