Written Answers Nos. 285 - 296
285. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making funding available outside the capital grant system for the development of athletics clubs across the country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12232/17]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. The 2017 round of the Programme closed for applications on 24 February. 2320 applications were received and will be assessed over the coming months.
Outside of the Sports Capital Programme, it is possible for sporting organisations to raise funds via the "Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies" scheme (section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to sports clubs. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
In relation to non-capital funding, Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of current expenditure funding to sports bodies. It does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport, in this case Athletics Ireland. Accordingly, any particular athletics club may wish to contact Athletics Ireland to see if they can assist in any way in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for any further relevant information they may wish to provide to the Deputy.
286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funds distributed to local authorities in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for local and regional roads, in tabular form; the basis on which the funds were decided; if the level of road usage is used in the calculation; if so, the way that is captured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12237/17]
View answerDetails of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities for the period 2014-2016 are outlined in the regional and local road grant payment booklets which are available in the Dáil Library. Details of the 2017 regional and local road grant allocations to each County Council are also available in the Dáil library.
Regional and Local Road allocations under the three main grant categories (Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Discretionary Grant) are allocated based on the length of mileage of regional and local roads within the county.
In the case of counties that experience higher road traffic (and which therefore have higher maintenance costs than the norm), a loading is applied to the mileage within the county. In the case of for example Meath and Kildare a factor of 1.3 is applied, while a factor of 2 is applied to the cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. A factor of 1.0 is applied to the remaining local authorities which receive funding.
287. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Fáilte Ireland plans to close the only remaining tourist information office in Dublin airport (details supplied); his views on this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/17]
View answerI am aware that Fáilte Ireland plans to close its tourist information office in Dublin airport. I wish to highlight that the management of the Tourist Information Office network is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
288. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the roads from which revenue is being raised for the State by way of a toll and the amount raised by each in 2016, in tabular form; and the amount that it is estimated will be raised in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. [12270/17]
View answer289. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the roads to which a toll applies and the beneficiaries of which are a private company; the expiration date of each contract; and the relevant break clauses if they apply for ending the contract in advance of schedule. [12271/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.
More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws, to enter into toll agreements, and for the operation of concessions with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in TII under the Roads Act 1993, as amended.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
290. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is responsible for the financial oversight of the ports under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12278/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am responsible for overall policy for the commercial ports sector and the corporate governance of the commercial port companies operating under the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2015.
The core objective of National Ports Policy is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. National Ports Policy also clearly outlines that the commercial port companies must operate on a commercial basis without recourse to State funding.
As Minister, I have no involvement in the day to day operations of the commercial port companies. Similarly the financial management of the commercial ports is a matter for the port companies concerned.
Chapter 5 of my Department's Corporate Governance Framework provides an overview of the approach applied in the external governance and oversight of all agencies and bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. This document is publically available under publications at www.dttas.ie. In line with corporate governance requirements, the commercial port companies submit their annual audited accounts to my Department which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas prior to publication.
291. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Drogheda Port Company, in view of its very significant profits and cash generation capacity in the past few years, has not paid any dividends to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12279/17]
View answerThe decision to pay a dividend to the Minister as shareholder is entirely a matter for the Board of a port company, which takes this decision, based on their assessment of what is best for the company, in discharge of their fiduciary duties under the Companies Acts.
In reaching such a decision the Board must be cognisant of the cash position of the company, not overexposing the company to debt, the need to ensure an adequate maintenance programme for the existing port infrastructure and future infrastructure needs, and ensuring that the Port is in a position to respond to opportunities which might emerge in the future.
The commercial ports sector is very diverse with companies of very differing capabilities and financial performance. It should also be acknowledged that ports return a non-financial dividend to the State in the form of the wider socio-economic benefits that they provide through trade facilitation, employment and public amenity value.
292. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Drogheda Port Company has made a provision against its share, loan and credit investment in its subsidiary (details supplied); if he has satisfied himself that the provision, if made, is adequate in view of the fact this subsidiary is insolvent to the tune of in excess of €600,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12280/17]
View answerAs Minister, I have no involvement in the day to day operations of the commercial port companies. The financial management of the commercial ports and their subsidiaries is a matter for the port companies concerned.
I understand from Drogheda Port Company that the company has not made a financial provision against its share, loan and credit investment in its subsidiary company. Drogheda Port Company also advised that the subsidiary company is not currently operating at a deficit. All proper accounting standards and provisions are applied as required and the company's accounts are independently audited annually.
293. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Drogheda Port Company is the only port company with a stevedoring subsidiary at this time; the advantages in having a stevedoring subsidiary confer on the port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12281/17]
View answerPorts have a number of different methods of organising stevedoring services. Some ports licence private operators to provide this service, while others provide stevedoring services through subsidiary companies in competition with private sector parties. The model chosen and the advantages conferred on the ports sector by the various models, are operational matters for the port companies.
The Port of Cork Company, Shannon Foynes Port Company and Waterford Port Company license private operators to provide stevedoring services at their ports and also provide stevedoring services through wholly owned subsidiary companies.
294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an issue (details supplied); if he will clarify his Department's responsibility to ensure adequate legal representation of the former State employees involved in this dispute; if he has satisfied himself that the supports being lent to this group by his Department as former State employees are sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12314/17]
View answerLegal proceedings are being taken by a number of pensioners of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS) against Ireland and the Attorney General. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, together with other relevant Departments, are assisting the Attorney General's Office in defending this action. As the matter is the subject of on-going legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time.
295. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the N2 Clontibret to the Border road scheme; the amount that has been spent on this route to date; the status of the A5 section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12318/17]
View answer296. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of phase 3 works of the N2 Monaghan to Emyvale route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12319/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 sections of the N2 road scheme) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects 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 questions regarding the N2 to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days. Part of Parliamentary Question No. 295 [ref. 12318/17] asked about the status of the A5; the planning and implementation of the A5 project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware, the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities.
The A5 project was discussed at the North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral meeting on 12th December. The Council noted that the Public Inquiry into the road scheme opened on 4 October 2016 and that the Inspector's report is expected around May 2017.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
