Written Answers Nos. 234-243
234. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the proposed Coonagh–Knockalisheen road will be completed (details supplied); and the moneys his Department will allocate to ensure that this road project will be completed. [35267/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads within its area 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 the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
As previously explained to the Deputy, before the main contract for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road Scheme can commence, important advance works must be undertaken. These advance works include special ground works treatment along a section of the proposed road. Following receipt and examination of the relevant tender documentation, approval was given by my Department to Limerick City and County Council in July this year to proceed to tender in respect of the Advance Works Contract and the timeframe for progressing the tender process is now a matter for Limerick City and County Council.
235. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of call outs responded to by each helicopter unit at the four Irish Coast Guard search and rescue bases in each of the past three years. [35334/16]
View answerHelicopter callouts 2013 – Nov 2016.
|
Location |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 (to 14th Nov) |
|
Shannon |
290 |
311 |
334 |
248 |
|
Sligo |
243 |
275 |
347 |
316 |
|
Dublin |
131 |
140 |
151 |
108 |
|
Waterford |
144 |
188 |
181 |
144 |
236. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details on funding for the Irish Coast Guard in 2014, 2015 and 2016; and his plans to improve or discontinue service coverage in any parts of the country. [35368/16]
View answerThe Coast Guard provides maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) through its three Rescue Co-ordination Centres and dedicated search and rescue units (SRUs). These SRUs comprise of the SAR helicopters and Coast Guard volunteer Units. SRUs are also 'declared' to the Coast Guard from the RNLI, with which the Coast Guard has a very close working relationship.
As is recommended practice worldwide, Search and Rescue in Ireland is built upon the Rescue Centres listening for and receiving distress messages, responding to and sending and co-ordinating SRUs to and at the scene of an incident. The Coast Guard depends on the SAR Helicopters, Coast Guard Volunteer Units and RNLI lifeboats to respond to vessels or persons in distress at sea. The network of SRUs has been built up over many years and today provide an excellent network of response units to respond to persons in distress.
The location, distribution and response service provided by Coast Guard assets are kept under continuous review with the view to development and improvement in the delivery of SAR services around the country. The Coast Guard are working to improve buildings around the coast and are currently introducing upgraded all-terrain vehicles and climbing unit vans. Additionally trials are taking place at present on new boats as part of a renewal process. There are no current plans to discontinue or downgrade any of the services provided around the coast.
|
€ |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Current |
63,295,000 |
62,665,000 |
65,855,000 |
|
Capital |
8,267,000 |
4,940,000 |
4,600,000 |
237. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is working with the Department of Justice and Equality to improve the visitor visa schemes for overseas tourists to Ireland; and if his Department received advice from Tourism Ireland on the way visa schemes could be improved to make it easier for overseas tourists to visit Ireland. [35369/16]
View answerEase of access is an important consideration for visitors from countries outside of Ireland's primary source markets of Great Britain, mainland Europe and North America. My Department liaises with the Department of Justice and Equality and Tourism Ireland on advances in visa policy.
Under the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme, certain short stay visas issued by the Immigration authorities of the United Kingdom are recognised by Ireland for the purposes of onward travel to Ireland. The Programme is regarded as being very successful in promoting tourism into Ireland and facilitating cross-border tourism. The success of the programme helped lay the foundations for the development of the British Irish Visa Scheme and its roll-out to China and India.
Tourism Ireland has advised my Department of the importance of the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme, particularly in the context of tourism trade missions to countries covered by the Programme. Therefore, I welcome the recent decision of the Minister for Justice and Equality to extend the Programme for a further five years.
My Department will continue to support the initiative of the Department of Justice and Equality in the development of the British Irish Visa Scheme and other enhancements of the visa system to promote growth in tourist and business visits to Ireland.
238. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or a body under its aegis is taking action to promote designation of areas as dark sky preserves and Ireland as a destination for astro tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35372/16]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. This is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of appointment of the current chairpersons and board members for each agency, commercial semi-State company and public body under the aegis of his Department; the current vacancies on each board; the appointment process to fill any vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35373/16]
View answerBoard appointments are generally made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on State Board Appointments. Under these Guidelines, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) advertises vacancies on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, is responsible for establishing Assessment Panels to assess all applications. Where a re-appointment is proposed the PAS process does not apply. I am currently considering means by which the appointment processes can be enhanced to ensure in so far as possible the best appointments are made.
Details of appointments can be found on my Departments website at the following link www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/state-board-membership-and-approved-fees.
240. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if clampers at car parking places are permitted to impose fees of €120 as they have done recently at Sallins railway station in view of the fact that legislation was enacted to cap fees at €100 in the last Dáil term; if he is satisfied with the operation of this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35397/16]
View answerCurrently, there is no statutory regulation of clamping activities on private land.
However, following commencement of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 it will be the function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to regulate clamping activities wherever they take place, including the determination of maximum clamp release fees in private car parking areas. The conferral of vehicle clamping regulatory responsibilities on the NTA has resulted in a requirement for the allocation of additional resources to allow the NTA carry out its new functions in this area.
In addition, the NTA has also required a period of time to make and prepare the necessary regulations provided for under the Act, as well as to ensure that the appropriate training and administrative supports are in place to allow for commencement of its regulatory responsibilities.
This very necessary preparatory work is almost complete and my Department is now finalising arrangements with the NTA in relation to an appropriate commencement date.
241. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the rail fares in towns in County Kildare where persons from Newbridge are now paying considerably more for a commuter trip to Dublin than persons in Naas and Celbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35502/16]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
242. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the source of the increase in capital funding for her Department from the figure given on page 86 of the budget 2017 expenditure report of €30 million and the statement by her on 3 November 2016 that the figure is actually €52 million; the other funding that has been cut to meet this increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35293/16]
View answerIn the Revised Estimates Volume for 2016 my Department was allocated €503m in capital expenditure for 2016. In the Mid-Year Expenditure Review in July this year my Department was shown as having an indicative capital allocation of €525m for 2017. However, following successful negotiations in the recent Estimates 2017 process the Department was allocated €555m. Accordingly, the 2017 Estimates' allocation is €30 million above the originally published allocation, and €52m above the 2016 allocation.
It is the case that the €555 million capital secured represents the largest capital funding allocation to the Department in over a decade. The increased capital funding is 10% higher than the 2016 level. It will enable the Department and its Agencies to support further job creation, innovation and assist Irish based enterprise in responding to the evolving challenges and opportunities relating to Brexit. The additional funding secured demonstrates Government’s ongoing commitment to delivering 200,000 additional jobs by 2020 of which 135,000 will be in the regions.
243. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the work permits for persons (details supplied); if assistance will be offered taking into account the specialised need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35241/16]
View answerAn application for the first General Employment Permit mentioned by the Deputy was received on 13th August 2016. This application was refused on 30th August 2016. In accordance with the provisions of the Acts, the applicant sought a review of this decision. The application was granted on review and the Employment Permit issued on 15th November 2016.
An application for a second General Employment Permit was received on 19th October 2016 with appropriate fee paid online. Current processing dates for Standard employer permit applications is 3rd October.
I recognise that having a wide range of cuisines in the restaurant sector supports Ireland being an attractive destination for tourists. Thus while chefs generally are on the ineligible list for employment permits an exception is made for Executive Chefs, Head Chefs, Sous Chefs and Specialist Chefs who specialise in cuisine originating from states that are not Member States of the EEA.
