Written Answers Nos. 170-175
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which integrated ticketing continues to be successful; if further expansion is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39729/15]
View answerResponsibility for the development and operation of the Leap Card integrated ticketing system is a function of the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The Leap card has proved an enormous success since it was launched in Dublin almost four years ago. Card sales have now exceeded 1.3 million and eight million journeys are taken each month using Leap cards. The Leap card scheme has also been extended to the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply with regard to the further expansion of the scheme. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which studies have been carried out and comparisons made with other jurisdictions with a view to ensuring that Irish competitors in all sports have access to efficient training and facilities to enable them to compete at international level at international global events such as the Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39730/15]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the High Performance programme. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department continues to evaluate employment creation opportunities, directly and indirectly, through co-ordinated efforts between the areas of transport, tourism and sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39731/15]
View answerThe mission statement of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport is to ensure that the transport, tourism and sport sectors make the greatest possible contribution to economic recovery, fiscal consolidation, job creation and social development. I have outlined my priorities to 2016 for the transport, tourism and sports sectors and these are readily available on my Department's website.
The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 also sets out the key policy actions being taken in the transport, tourism and sports sectors to contribute to jobs growth in 2015 and beyond. Work is progressing on the preparation of a 2016 Action Plan for Jobs.
I am satisfied that the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport has and will continue to play a vital role in our economic recovery and in creating much needed jobs, including through coordination where appropriate.
173. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the road safety measures that have been taken and that have impacted most positively on reducing road traffic accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39732/15]
View answerIt is difficult to say exactly what measures have impacted most positively on road safety since the peak of 640 road fatalities in 1972, which reduced to 162 road fatalities in 2012, the lowest level of road fatalities to date. In my view the road safety measures that had the most positive impact include the introduction of penalty points in 2002, drink driving and seat-belt legislation, road improvements, NCT testing of vehicles for roadworthiness, and road safety campaigns. The improvement in road safety has been supported by a change in public attitudes to issues such as drink driving and seat-belt wearing.
Current strategies for improving road safety are set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013 — 2020, which contains 144 Actions to be implemented by the various agencies involved in order to build on the previous Strategies with the objective of making Ireland among the safest countries for road safety.
The Road Traffic Act 2014 provided for further Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system and increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences such as speeding and operating a mobile phone while driving. The principal focus of the Road Traffic Bill 2015 will be on testing of drivers at the roadside for the presence of drugs, similar to mandatory alcohol testing which is currently in place.
Notwithstanding the increase in road fatalities in 2013 and 2014 on the 2012 level, I am hopeful that 2015 will see us getting back on the long-term trend of reducing road fatalities, and even match those recorded in 2012. In this regard, the number of fatalities as of yesterday was 30 less than in the same period in 2014.
174. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of registration in respect of the sports capital programme, any difficulties were experienced by applicants registering; if provision is likely to be made in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39733/15]
View answerAll organisation wishing to make applications under the Sports Capital programme must first register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. To register organisations are only required to provide basic information and a single document with evidence of their tax registration number. To assist organisations with the registration process the Department has produced a written guide and a youtube video to the registration process. The Sports Capital Programme Division is also available to answer any queries.
Naturally some initial problems were encountered when registrations first opened in September 2013 and in the context of the 2014 SCP. However to date over 3,700 organisations have registered and I am not aware of any ongoing problems with the registration process.
175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which hotel occupancy has been monitored over the past three years to date, with a view to identifying growth trends and prospects; if over-supply or under-supply of accommodation has been identified, and to what extent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39735/15]
View answerFáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation, including hotels, through regular occupancy surveys of accommodation providers throughout Ireland. This survey collects data on accommodation available and rooms/beds sold each month, as well as a breakdown of overseas and domestic guests. The statistics indicate that the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation to meet the needs of the industry. However, regarding hotel accommodation specifically, analysis of recent occupancy trends and the impact of increasing demand indicates that we will require additional capacity in some parts of the country - particularly Dublin City Centre. According to Fáilte Ireland's most recent accommodation occupancy statistics, for January to August 2015, hotel room occupancy in Dublin stood at 75%, whereas hotel occupancy outside Dublin was 66%. Three years ago, survey results for the same 9-month period in 2013 indicated hotel occupancy levels of 69% in Dublin and 59% elsewhere, although changes in 2015 to the way data is collected and analysed may affect comparability with previous years. With regard to other forms of accommodation, occupancy rates in the first nine months of 2015 were mostly higher in Dublin than elsewhere in Ireland, although the reverse was the case for caravan and camping sites and self-catering. Further details on occupancy rates including details from previous years is available on Failte Ireland's website at http://www.failteireland.ie/Research-Insights/Accommodation-Statistics-and-Reports.aspx.
To broaden our understanding of the situation and inform consideration of appropriate responses, I understand that Fáilte Ireland has commissioned an assessment of the potential supply of visitor accommodation in Dublin up to 2020 compared to likely demand under several different growth scenarios and this report is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
