Written Answers Nos. 357-368
357. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for a breakdown of the number of persons holiday-making on the Wild Atlantic Way, by month in 2015, compared with previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36982/15]
View answerThe most recent information from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed an increase of 12.2% in overseas visits to Ireland for the first eight months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. All of our main overseas markets are showing good growth levels and it is likely that 2015 will break all previous records in terms of overseas visits to Ireland. The CSO does not provide a regional breakdown of the visitor number statistics.
I am aware however, that Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, provides an estimated regional breakdown of overseas visits on an annual basis, based on research of its own as well as the CSO statistics. The relevant data for 2015 will be published next year.
358. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received a request from the authorities at City of Derry Airport for funding to be allocated to a proposed Derry to Dublin air route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36992/15]
View answerI have not received a request from City of Derry Airport for funding in relation to any proposed Derry-Dublin air route.
As the Deputy may be aware, a decision to reduce the number of air routes covered by PSO services, including the Derry-Dublin route, was taken by the previous Government in 2011. This followed on from the recommendations of a Value for Money Review on Exchequer support for the Regional Airports Programme which took into account a number of factors including the performance of the services and the requirement to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources. It is not my intention to revisit that decision.
359. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all future applicants to the sports capital programme will receive confirmation that their application is either valid or invalid, in advance of the closing date, in order that in the case of an invalid application, the reasons for invalidation can be corrected in advance of the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36993/15]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the Sports Capital Programme are made available to all potential applicants in advance of each round of the Programme and it is up to each applicant to ensure that they are familiar with these. The Sports Capital Programme is a competitive process with a limited fund on offer and a balance must be drawn between the desires of applicants and the administration of the scheme. It will not be possible in the context of resources currently available to me to make assessment of applications an iterative process. I would urge all applicants for future rounds to fully familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions in operation at the time, particularly the section dealing with common pitfalls for applicants.
360. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number and percentage of applications for the 2015 sports capital programme which were valid and successful; valid and unsuccessful; invalid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36994/15]
View answerA total of 1592 applications were assessed under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme, of which 891 (56%) were allocated funding, 135 (8.5%) were valid but did not receive funding and 566 (35.5%) were invalid.
361. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts to host the Rugby World Cup in Ireland in 2023; if there is any detail available on potential host venues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36995/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive announced their support last December for the preparation of a bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The bid process is being overseen by a high level Oversight Board, chaired by Mr. Dick Spring, former Tánaiste and former Irish rugby international. The IRFU has begun its preparatory work on the bid and has procured experts to advise on certain aspects of the bid. Both Governments will be working closely with the IRFU and its advisors to ensure that a bid of excellent quality is lodged with World Rugby.
The venues that will be proposed as part of the final bid are not yet known.
362. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of inspections that have taken place each year to ensure compliance with maximum chargeable rates for hotel and guest house accommodation; the number of cases of non-compliance identified per year; the action that is taken in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36997/15]
View answerThese are operational matters for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
363. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of allocating funding for a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; the timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36998/15]
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 road projects in Kerry is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects (including the N70 at Killorglin, Kerry) is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
364. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority will intervene and remedy drainage adjacent to a property (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37034/15]
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 road projects (including any projects on the N70 in Kerry) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with Kerry County Council.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
365. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the planned re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel to passenger trains (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37055/15]
View answerFunding for completion of the re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel was provided in the Government's new Capital Plan "Building on Recovery: Infrastructure & Capital Investment 2016-2021" published recently. The re-opening of the tunnel will allow commuters on the Kildare to Dublin Heuston line have the option of direct services to Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations. Funding is also being allocated under my Department's Public Transport Investment programme next year to facilitate commencement of these new services in autumn of 2016.
Responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). Therefore I have also referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in relation to the specific issues raised about the services that will be provided. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
366. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if grant-aid will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37070/15]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, including the granting of wheelchair accessible taxi/hackney licences and the administration of grant schemes for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
367. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to assist students and unemployed persons with the costs associated with driving lessons in preparation for driving tests; if he is aware that these costs are substantial for persons on low incomes and who need driving licences to enable them to avail themselves of some employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37123/15]
View answerThe requirement to undergo a programme of twelve Essential Driver Training (EDT) lessons before sitting a driving test was introduced in 2011. EDT is an important measure aimed at improving the quality of driving overall and enhancing driving skills at the earliest stages. The requirement to undertake formal lessons forms part of an overall Graduated Driver Licence System proposed by the Road Safety Authority for learner drivers. They are once-off events and apply to all drivers as part of the process of obtaining a full licence.
I appreciate that this entails additional costs for learners. However, EDT is a major step forward in terms of road safety and offers great benefits both for learners and for all road users. It helps to ensure that learner drivers develop a baseline of knowledge and skills which would not have been the case before. This will improve the quality of driving in general on our roads over time, benefitting the learners themselves as well as other road users.
We need to remember that driving is not a right, but a privilege which is earned by people proving they reach an acceptable standard of driving. My Department has no funding available to provide assistance with the cost of EDT lessons.
368. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if capital funding will be made available for a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36974/15]
View answerI have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that they have assisted with the preparation of development plans and the securing of planning permission for the project referred to by the Deputy.
While Údarás na Gaeltachta fully recognise the importance of the project in support of its overall development plan for the area, I understand that Údarás are not in a position to proceed with the project as planned. I further understand that the situation regarding funding and the likely development of the project forms part of the ongoing discussions of Údarás with local interests, including the local cooperative which has been centrally involved with Údarás in the development of the project to date.
Údarás na Gaeltachta have advised me that they will keep the situation under review and examine the options for pursuing such a development, in line with the available resources.
