Written Answers Nos. 284-292
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department has regular interaction with stakeholders in the tourism sector with a view to identification of issues of concern; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond to any such issues such as credit availability or transport costs throughout the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23351/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and I are in regular contact with the stakeholders in the tourism sector and are kept advised of issues of concern to the industry. Indeed, in recent weeks I have attended the annual conferences of a number of key representative bodies in the sector.
The Government's plans to improve overall competitiveness are set out in the Programme for Government. I have also outlined my priorities to 2016 for the transport, tourism and sports sectors on my Department's website.
With specific regard to the tourism sector, the Government has already delivered on several measures under the Jobs Initiative to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, such as reducing VAT to 9% on a range of tourism services and halving employers’ PRSI for those on modest wages. The Finance Act which was enacted recently contains further measures to assist the industry including:
- The diesel fuel rebate for hauliers, bus and coach operators;
- Extending the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme to encourage investment in tourism accommodation;
- Confirmation of the eligibility of tourism accommodation to participate in Real Estate Investment Trusts;
- Smaller tourism businesses will benefit from the higher VAT threshold of €1.25 million.
In line with the Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government will continue to play its part in reducing business costs, increasing credit availability and enhancing overall competitiveness.
285. 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 maximisation of job creation opportunities of consequent reduction in unemployment levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to maximise job creation prospects through the medium of road, rail and air transport with particular reference to the need for competitiveness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to have discussions with the hotel, restaurant and transport sectors in the context of retaining existing jobs and maximising employment in the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23358/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 289 and 290 together.
I refer the Deputy to Dáil Question Nos: 58,331,324 and 332 of 27 March 2013 and Priority Question No 4. 23305/13 for answer today which set out the actions which the Government and myself as Minister are taking in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy. Both I and my Department meet regularly with stakeholders in this context.
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which efforts can be made and or increased to attract major sporting events to this country over the next five years keeping in mind the economic benefits accruing therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and or his Department and the National Roads Authority to continue to examine the locations at which numerous accidents have taken place on minor or major roads including motorways throughout the country with particular reference to the frequency of such accidents with a view to identifying the cause or causes and addressing the issues by way of remedial action as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent if any to which he continues to have discussions with the various local authorities with a view to identifying the priorities in respect of funding for local or minor roads other than those for which the National Roads Authority has responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23359/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 291 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. Local authorities were allocated over €6million this year for works under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Scheme.
Under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works scheme the criterion for approval and grant allocation is based on accident data, discussions between the local authority and the National Roads Authority, together with inspection of sites. Works include a variety of safety work measures including road signage, road marking improvements, surface works including higher friction surfaces and works to improve sight lines at junctions and other locations. However, it must be emphasised that the initial selection and prioritisation of such works is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. With regard to national roads, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the various State supports for each of the airports throughout the country can be reviewed collectively with a view to an endeavour to retain a reasonable quality of service throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23356/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Statement of Strategy clearly sets out the overall policy in relation to aviation, including our airports, in terms of facilitating the optimum structure to ensure a strong network of airports to support Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost effective and sustainable manner with maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world. Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports are managed by the Dublin Airport Authority and the Shannon Airport Authority which operate under clear commercial mandates, are entirely funded from their own internal resources and receive no Government funding supports. In line with the recommendations of the Value for Money Review on the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2011- 2014 is being consolidated on the four regional airports of Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford since the start of 2012. I believe that this policy ensures the provision of the necessary transport access, with the appropriate level of quality of service, to underpin Ireland's economic recovery.
A consultation paper on the development of a new civil aviation policy was published on my Department's website on 1 March this year inviting submissions from stakeholders and interested parties by 30 June 2013. Following receipt of submissions, a draft National Aviation Policy Statement will be issued in the second half of this year, with a view to a final policy document being published in 2014. I would encourage all stakeholders, including the airports, to take this opportunity to give their views so that they can form an important input into this process.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the likelihood of increased employment arising from expansion of business in the catering sector in the course of the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23360/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland estimate that approximately 185,000 people now work in the tourism and hospitality sector which is 5,000 higher than their previous estimate. I am hopeful that the increased activity this year as a result of The Gathering combined with the initiatives taken by the Government to reduce costs in the tourism and hospitality sector such as the reduced VAT rate, the higher VAT cash threshold and the reduced PRSI rate will spur further job creation this year. In this regard the growth in numbers of overseas visitors of 7.4% in the first three months compared to the equivalent period last year is a positive indicator.
