Terence Flanagan
Question:272. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade some of the older DART trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24120/15]
View answerLight Rail Projects
Questions (272)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and the overall funding of public transport.
Responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area, including the upgrading of DART trains, is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Public Transport
Questions (273)
Terence Flanagan
Question:273. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to combat anti-social behaviour on Dublin Bus routes and to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24121/15]
View answerWritten answers
The safety and security of drivers and passengers including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on Dublin Bus is a matter for Dublin Bus in conjunction, as appropriate, with the Garda Síochána and I have forwarded the Deputy's Question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sports Funding
Questions (274, 275)
Paul Murphy
Question:274. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the amount of the State funding to the Football Association of Ireland that is ring-fenced for junior leagues and on spending to develop the sport among young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24206/15]
View answerPaul Murphy
Question:275. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the amount of the State funding to the Football Association of Ireland that is ring-fenced for the League of Ireland through prize money and grants to clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24207/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.
The 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). This includes funding to 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.
Sports Funding
Questions (276, 277)
Paul Murphy
Question:276. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the conditions his Department puts on payments to the Football Association of Ireland and other sporting bodies when awarding grants from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24209/15]
View answerPaul Murphy
Question:277. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the amount of State funding to the Football Association of Ireland in each of the past seven years. [24210/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 276 and 277 together.
Current, which includes programme, expenditure grants to the FAI from my Department's Vote are allocated by the Irish Sports Council. The 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 and associated governance procedures.
Insofar as it relates to current expenditure grants by the Irish Sports Council, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply on that element of his question is not received within 10 days.
Under the Sports Capital Programme the FAI received allocations from the Department for equipment in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 of €400,000, €500,000, €220,000 and €360,000 respectively, totalling €1,480,000. The terms and conditions of the SCP include requirements including the submission of three quotations, paid invoices, proof of payment of invoices in the form of bank statements, and tax clearance certificates for the grantees and the suppliers.
Beit Collection
Questions (278, 280)
Joan Collins
Question:278. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will intervene to avoid the loss of artworks to Ireland and to intervene in the sale of five masterpieces (details supplied) left in trust for the benefit of the Irish people by Sir Alfred and Lady Beit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23975/15]
View answer
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:280. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the recent press report regarding the Alfred Beit Collection (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24019/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 280 together.
The issue in relation to the sale of artworks referred to in the Questions are matters for the committee of management of the Alfred Beit Foundation which owns and operates Russborough House. My Department has no function in relation to the administration or sale of these artworks.
However, I did meet last night with the Chair of the Alfred Beit Foundation and two other Trustees. I asked the Chair if it would be possible to delay the sale, or to consider withdrawing the paintings from auction, to provide some time to explore all other possible options that would involve my Department and the Office of Public Works. The Trustees declined to either delay or cancel the sale, citing the fact that they would incur a liability of £1.4 million for breaking an agreement with the auction house handling the sale, with which they entered a contract several months ago.
I was only informed last month of the decision in relation to the sale - several months after the Foundation had entered into an agreement with the auction house to have the paintings sold. The fact remains that my Department does not have the discretionary funds necessary - believed to be in the order of €12 million - to buy the paintings. I will continue to see if any other possible options can be explored. This, however, will be very difficult given that the sale is to proceed next month.
Departmental Funding
Questions (279)
Brendan Griffin
Question:279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will help fund a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23988/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not received any proposals relating to the project referred to by the Deputy and it is not possible, therefore, to assess precisely what is involved. Whilst it is recommended good practice to conduct studies of the type referred to before contemplating works to a site of this nature, I regret that all funding available to my Department for these purposes in 2015 is, in any event, already committed to other priority work. I am not, therefore, in a position at present to offer assistance to any other projects.
Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 278.
Departmental Funding
Questions (281)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Question:281. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered a small capital scheme for arts venues; if so, when details of the scheme together with the announcement will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24061/15]
View answerWritten answers
I am considering a small capital grant scheme for 2015 along the lines of those which operated in previous years. I hope to announce details shortly.