Written Answers Nos. 151-156
151. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide more funding for road improvements to local authorities, as minor roads are deteriorating to a very poor standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8739/16]
View answerThe 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. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I announced the 2016 regional and local road allocations in January 2016, of which Kerry County Council was allocated €12.9m. In February, the Council was allocated a further €4m in funding to remedy damage from recent severe weather.
Local authorities have until the 29th April 2016 to submit a second return in relation to additional works on regional and local roads following the severe weather. Following the second submission, the Department will again assess the proposals received from Councils across the country and follow up as appropriate with a top-up severe weather allocation. The total amount available for allocation in the 2nd tranche is of the order of €5m.
152. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to support a matter (details supplied) regarding Iarnród Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8655/16]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that industrial relations issues are a matter for the relevant employer and its employees and it is not an area in which I have a direct function.
I received similar representations to those to which the Deputy refers. By way of background, the Deputy may be aware that Iarnród Éireann has been in correspondence with two unions about alleged unofficial industrial action.
I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that industrial relations should always be conducted within the framework of the Industrial Relations legislation. It is my view that industrial relations issues are best resolved through ongoing dialogue and the State's industrial relations bodies are available to the parties if required.
153. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for local tourism initiatives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8687/16]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the development of tourism in individual regions. The development of community and regional tourism is an operational matter 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 a response is not received within ten working days.
In relation to national policy, the Government's Tourism Policy Statement "People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025", which was launched in March 2015, sets out key tourism policy objectives under a range of headings and highlights the central role of local authorities and communities in developing tourism in their areas. The subsequent Tourism Action Plan 2016-2018, which I launched in January of this year, contains several measures to be undertaken in the period to 2018 that will enhance the capacity of Local Authorities to support tourism and work has already commenced to progress these actions.
154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8686/16]
View answerAnnual funding is provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta from my Department’s Vote. This amounts to a total allocation of €18.51m from the Exchequer in 2016, which Údarás na Gaeltachta supplements with income generated from investments and from the sale of assets. Within this budget, the capital allocation amounts to €6.687m for 2016. In this regard, I should point out that I was successful in securing €1m in additional capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta during the Revised Estimates process in 2015 and again in 2016.
With regard to the capital budget for Údarás na Gaeltachta, I wish to again reiterate that, as Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, I very much appreciate the importance of job creation in helping to retain sustainable communities in Gaeltacht areas. My Department is also engaging with Údarás na Gaeltachta to ensure increased efficiencies and improved delivery of Irish language services in the Gaeltacht, language planning in particular. I am, of course, aware of Údarás na Gaeltachta's proposal to increase its capital budget over time to €12m per annum. I am also very aware and supportive of the case advanced by the organisation that such an increase in funding would enable it to create an additional 300 jobs per annum.
The Deputy will, of course, be aware that funding for the various Departments, including my own, are decided through the Budgetary and Estimates process annually. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that the capital allocation for Údarás na Gaeltachta for 2017 will be considered within the framework of the Budgetary and Estimates processes later this year.
155. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the stage of the proposal to make the River Erne navigable from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra, County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8755/16]
View answer156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the proposal to extend the River Shannon navigation from Lough Allen in County Leitrim northwards to Dowra in County Cavan; when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8756/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that it commissioned a Strategic Environmental Assessment for the proposed extension of the Erne Navigation from Belturbet to Killeshandra and Killykeen in Co. Cavan. Based on the environmental information obtained from this process, Waterways Ireland considers that the environmental designations of this lake complex make the feasibility of the proposed navigation extension unviable at this time.
Waterways Ireland has also advised me that, following the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to award planning permission for the extension of the Shannon Navigation towards Dowra, the various issues raised in the planning process have been reviewed and reassessed. Having regard to this review, Waterways Ireland considers that any proposed extension to Dowra is not feasible at this time.
