Written Answers Nos. 269-276
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he plans to facilitate the ongoing development of Ireland as a global conference and event centre capable of competing with all locations worldwide; if this can be linked into the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8006/18]
View answer270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to promote Ireland as a sports event centre with particular reference to encouraging such events here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8007/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
Events such as conferences, business events and sports events, are important elements of our tourism product offering and the tourism agencies are continuously working to promote Ireland as a destination for conferences and events.
Fáilte Ireland's Business Tourism Unit, operating under the brand name "Meet in Ireland", promotes Ireland as a leading conference and business destination. The team works collaboratively with key stakeholders to secure high profile business tourism events for Ireland.
The hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide great opportunities to showcase Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly, I am very supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs and benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors.
Fáilte Ireland provides financial assistance, subject to eligibility criteria, to applicants who are proposing to bid to host international sporting, cultural and other events in Ireland which would attract significant numbers of international visitors. When an event with international tourism appeal is confirmed for Ireland, Tourism Ireland would then promote it in relevant markets overseas.
Ongoing investment in tourism development will be important over the term of the National Development Plan. I understand that the National Development Plan is due to be published on Friday next, 16 February.
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he continues to pursue the marketing of the island of Ireland as a tourist location worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8008/18]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department is making provision for the eventuality of Brexit with particular reference to its implications for air and sea travel and in view of the necessity to ensure easy travel access to continental Europe for Irish customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8009/18]
View answer273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to assuage the fears of the tourism and the business sectors in respect of ready, future air and sea travel to Europe; if sea ports and airports are to be developed for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8010/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
Brexit and its potential implications for Ireland are being managed on a whole-of-government basis. My Department is represented on all relevant cross-departmental coordination structures, and an internal departmental committee on Brexit meets on a monthly basis to oversee the Department's analyses and planning as the negotiations progress.
The Government has been clear that its approach is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Contingency planning in relation to Brexit at both a national and an EU level is focused on three areas: preparing for a no-deal scenario or so-called “disorderly Brexit”; preparing for a transition period based on the “status quo”; and preparing for the future EU-UK relationship.
In addition to the work on contingency planning, there are ongoing consultations and meetings between my officials, other Government Departments and agencies, and other public and private key stakeholders in order to continue to plan for and mitigate the risks associated with Brexit.
The implications of Brexit for air and sea transport will only become clear once the negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK have been decided.
My officials will continue to work with the road haulage, tourism, aviation and maritime sectors and stakeholders in order to further identify and plan for the implications of Brexit, including through a number of stakeholder meetings expected to take place during Q1 of 2018.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with various sporting groups that have been the beneficiaries of sports capital grants in the past with a view to ensuring that all such grants are used effectively and efficiently and where circumstances in which difficulties have arisen, assistance of a constructive nature will be offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8012/18]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme Division of my Department makes every effort to assist sports clubs and organisations to draw down all grants allocated under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP). To this end, staff members are available to answer any questions that grantees may have. Phone numbers for the officials dealing with each county can be found on my Department's website at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Accordingly, if grantees are having difficulties drawing down SCP grants, they should contact my Department in the first instance. If grantees are unable to progress with the project as originally applied for, they may be able to apply for a change of purpose to use the grant for another sporting purpose.
In a limited number of cases where delays are excessive or where there is no prospect of the grant being drawn down at all, SCP grants may be withdrawn. In all such cases, grantees are contacted prior to the grant withdrawal. Any suggestion regarding alternative uses for the grant are fully considered once the other terms and conditions of the SCP are adhered to.
