Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2012
19 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has identified the prospects for employment expansion and new job creation throughout the sectors under his remit; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to achieve particular targets in this regard in the next four to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8713/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to engage with stakeholders in the industries under his aegis with a view to the maximisation of job creation opportunities and consequent reduction in unemployment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9103/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra267 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has received communication from the transport sector in the matter of identification of cost factors likely to inhibit growth or development in the industry; the measures taken or likely to be taken to address such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9108/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra268 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which transport, tourism and sport is being interlinked with a view to maximising benefit in the context of employment creation in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9126/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra271 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has examined the tourism and transport sectors with a view to identification of maximum potential for growth on an annual basis over the next four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9129/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 262, 267, 268 and 271 together.
The Deputy's questions relate to the employment prospects from the various sectors under my Department's remit. The Action Plan for Jobs was published on Monday last and sets out a co-ordinated Government approach to job creation. It places a particular emphasis on tourism as one of the key areas for the generation of employment. Transport demand on the other hand is primarily derived from the outputs of the other economic sectors. In addition to directly generated jobs on transport projects, increased employment in the transport sector will flow from increased economic activity generally.
The main actions in the plan relating to the transport, tourism and sport sectors are as follows:
The targeting by Fáilte Ireland of capital grants from the €21 million fund available to it to develop new tourism attractions and to upgrade existing ones;
Preparations for ‘The Gathering 2013' initiative which aims to attract an additional 325,000 visitors to Ireland in 2013;
Delivery of a new round of the Sports Capital Programme;
The development of niche tourism activities and products where Ireland has a comparative advantage;
Selected road and public transport projects with a clear impact on economic development, competitiveness and market access;
A review of public transport regulation to identify the potential to reduce costs;
The continuing offer to abolish the remaining €3 travel tax subject to acceptable commitments from the carriers to additional inbound flights to Ireland;
Use of the €40 million Tourism Marketing fund to focus on the four core source markets of Great Britain, the United States, Germany and France which are essential to supporting employment in the sector;
Participation in key trade missions to promote tourism;
Continuation of Fáilte Ireland support for training and building business capability.
In developing its overall policy approach under the Action Plan, the Department consulted with a range of stakeholders. I am confident that the actions under the transport,tourism and sport sectors will contribute to the overall objective in the Plan of creating 100,000 jobs by 2016.
