Written Answers Nos. 686-700
686. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the delays in processing driving licences by the National Driver Licence Service; the reason there is a 20-week wait time when applying to do a driving test in County Wexford; his plans to address this waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32620/17]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the successful applicants for the sports capital grant 2017 will be notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32625/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. The total amount available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging on this occasion.
All of the applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
688. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32659/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available to end 2016 on my Department's website at the following link External Expenditure. Details are updated on a 6-monthly basis and the data for the first 6 months of 2017 is currently being collated and will be published when completed.
689. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding made available by his Department for the development of cycleways in 2017; the funding that will be allocated to the County Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/17]
View answerIn 2017, €37m. is being invested in sustainable transport measures which includes cycling infrastructure.
Of this figure €19 m. is being allocated under the Sustainable Transport Management grant scheme, administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), for investment in the Greater Dublin Area.
I am forwarding your request to the NTA for consideration and comment on the allocation of funding for cycle projects in County Dublin. If you have not received a response from the NTA within 10 working days please contact my office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
690. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on remarks made by a person (details supplied) that Dublin is a rip off and that Ireland's image has been tarnished; his plans to counter such views internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32697/17]
View answerThe Government strongly supports Irish tourism, recognising it as a key sector in Ireland's economic recovery. The combined efforts of Government, the tourism agencies and the industry are proving very successful and it is very satisfying to see the growth in tourist numbers, revenue and jobs that have come about over the last few years as a result.
Whilst I was disappointed to hear of the views referred to by the Deputy, the fact is that the vast majority of visitors to this country do not share those views. The very positive results of Fáilte Ireland's Overseas Holidaymakers' Attitudes Survey 2016 affirm this. According to this broad survey of holidaymakers, overall satisfaction ratings are very positive. Almost two-thirds of respondents felt their expectations of an Irish holiday had been met, whereas a further one-third stated that their Irish holiday had exceeded their expectations. With specific regard to our value for money ratings, just short of two-thirds of overseas visitors surveyed said they had found 'good' or 'very good' value here.
Assisted by a range of Government measures to enhance tourism competitiveness, such as the lower VAT rate and the zero-rating of the Air Travel Tax, combined with strong annual Exchequer investment in the sector through the tourism agencies, we have worked hard to regain our reputation internationally as a good quality, good value holiday destination. Key public investments, like the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Dublin – A Breath of Fresh Air, are also assisting competitiveness by providing a better tourism experience for visitors.
Nonetheless, the remarks certainly reinforce the importance of safeguarding this reputation and the critical need to maintain our competitiveness and value for money. I am concerned that rising accommodation prices - in Dublin or elsewhere - risk damaging the gains we have made in recent years to the long-term detriment of our tourist industry and the overall economy. This is exacerbated by recent currency movements, particularly Sterling versus the Euro, that further threaten our competitiveness in key markets. I would, therefore, urge the industry not to be complacent and to keep a sharp focus on pricing, value for money and overall competitiveness.
I am aware that Tourism Ireland, in devising its marketing campaigns, are conscious that competitiveness and the value for money message are more important than ever this year, particularly in Britian. It is also undertaking an expanded partnership programme with airlines, ferry operators and tour operators, communicating a strong price-led message to drive home value for money.
Having restored Ireland's competitiveness and regained trust internationally as a good value destination, the challenge now is to continue to offer quality, good value, memorable hospitality to our tourists. It is critically important that the tourist industry maintain its commitment to competitiveness.
691. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans to upgrade Colbert train station, Limerick further to the refurbishment of the plaza at the station. [32723/17]
View answer692. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of the previously announced €16.8 million funding for the redevelopment of Colbert train station in Limerick that has been spent to date. [32724/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together as they both relate to Colbert train station in Limerick.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) administers the Regional Cities Programme for investment in public transport infrastructure in the regional cities, including Limerick.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred your question to the NTA 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.
693. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a decision will be made in respect of an application for the sports capital programme by a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32735/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February and I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received and all of these applications are currently being assessed. The total amount available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process and I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
694. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to safeguard the route alignments through Finglas at which there is a real danger that dwellings may be constructed on the proposed alignment of a Luas extension (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32740/17]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the implementation and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 provides a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. The Strategy includes a proposal for the extension of Luas Cross City from its terminus at Broombridge to the north of Finglas.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for 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.
695. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of contracts agreed with a company (details supplied) and contracts that have been entered into regarding the construction of the Dublin Airport metro in view of the fact that contracts have already been signed. [32930/17]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the provision of light rail infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for 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.
696. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reduce the fee in instances in which the driver theory test has to be repeated a second or multiple times (details supplied); his further plans to decrease the fee for the second and each subsequent attempt at the driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32952/17]
View answerThe Driver Theory Test service, which operates under contract to the Road Safety Authority, provides a number of options to assist applicants with particular difficulties.
Among other options, applicants may have additional time for the test, may have an audio reading of the test, or have an official of the testing service provided to read the questions and input their answers on the computer system.
I have no plans at present to adjust the theory test fees.
697. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an application for sports capital funding by a group (details supplied). [33033/17]
View answerThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February and I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received and all of these applications are currently being assessed. The total amount available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process and I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
698. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the 2023 Rugby World Cup bid and the need for supporting infrastructure will influence the midterm review of the capital programme; and if so, if key infrastructural projects such as the N22 Macroom bypass and M20 Cork-Limerick road will be prioritised. [33073/17]
View answerThe investment implications arising from a successful bid for the Rugby World Cup 2023 are part of my Department's considerations in relation to the mid-term review of the Government's Capital Plan. I, along with Ministerial colleagues, am engaged in making our cases to the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform for increased funding for a variety of important capital investments over the medium to long term.
I understand all Departmental submissions will be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in due course. For the moment, these submissions are part of a deliberative process which will be completed over the Summer with final decisions to be taken by Government as part of the 2018 Estimate.
699. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being made to promote tourism in the north Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33094/17]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing and Fáilte Ireland in regard to regional tourism development and domestic tourism promotion.
Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the two tourism agencies for direct reply.
Please contact my private office if a reply has not been received within ten working days.
I would also be happy to hear directly from the Deputy any proposals he may have in this regard.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
700. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress of the M20 motorway from Cork to Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33095/17]
View answerAs 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 national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom schemes. In addition, a number of other schemes targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access will commence subject to necessary consents. It was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment required to deliver it was not affordable within the available capital envelope.
As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has commenced the Capital Plan review. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding. Pending the consideration of progressing a Cork to Limerick link as a part of the Capital Plan Review I have agreed to TII spending about €1 million on preliminary work associated with such a scheme.
The final decisions on the Capital Plan Review allocations are, however, matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.
