Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52461/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraNursing Homes Support Scheme Applications
Ceisteanna (245)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the total amounts available to fund health services in 2014 will be considerably lower than for this year. Accordingly, all expenditure headings are being scrutinised. The funding that is available must be balanced across all of the various service areas in a way that achieves the best possible outcomes for the greatest number of service users and prioritises areas of greatest need as far as possible.
The needs of our older people are, and will remain, a very high priority for me and for the Government, and the resources that ultimately are available will be applied to provide the best possible mix of supports and services.
Industrial Relations
Ceisteanna (246)
Clare Daly
Ceist:246. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will explain the status of the personal letter of guarantee received from the Government in 1990 by TEAM Aer Lingus workers, which was subsequently upheld by both the High Court and Supreme Court; and the action he proposes to take in view of the repudiation of these letters. [52229/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The arrangements agreed between Aer Lingus and those workers who transferred to TEAM Aer Lingus in 1990 are a matter for the company.
The matter has been the subject of extensive litigation to which the State is not a party. On this basis it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
Public Service Obligation Services
Ceisteanna (247, 248)
Jim Daly
Ceist:247. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Agency will consider a PSO bus route between Kinsale and Bandon to facilitate the increasing demand for further education courses at Kinsale from Bandon residents and to connect the two towns in view of the large number of tourists who visit Kinsale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52237/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraJim Daly
Ceist:248. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the current and future plans for a rural transport bus route operating between the towns of Kinsale and Bandon, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52238/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for securing the provision of public bus transport services, including Public Service Obligation (PSO) services and services under the Rural Transport Programme. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.
Sports Capital Programme Applications
Ceisteanna (249)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:249. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 185 of 28 November 2013, given that a club (details supplied) in County Kerry was considered for funding under major regional projects, if he will now prioritise and award a sports capital grant to this club in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52247/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 2012 Sports Capital Programme has closed and all available funds have been allocated. Unfortunately, the application from the club referred to by the Deputy was unsuccessful as were almost 500 other valid applications. All clubs and sports organisations with suitable projects will be free to apply under the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (250)
Robert Troy
Ceist:250. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department's annual report for 2012 has been published. [52279/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's 2012 Annual Report is published on my Department's website at the following link http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/publications/english/annual-report-2012
Cycling Facilities Funding
Ceisteanna (251)
Tom Fleming
Ceist:251. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the necessary funding to Kerry County Council and South Kerry Development Partnership to develop the greenway between Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, County Kerry, old railway line; if he will take into consideration that this iconic route on the Ring of Kerry boasts some of the world's most spectacular scenery and has the potential to attract thousands of visitors to the county, creating hundreds of jobs; if he will make provision for the inclusion of ducting to bring the much needed high-speed broadband into south Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52347/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The proposal to develop a cycleway between Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen is one of 38 proposals from 28 local authorities submitted to my Department under the recent National Cycle Network funding call 2014-2016. €6.5 million has been set aside by my Department for the delivery of a small number of world class cycleways, or phases of cycleways, over the three year period of the programme.
The proposals received are currently being examined by an assessment panel comprising officials from my Department, the National Transport Authority, the National Trails Office and Fáilte Ireland. The projects will be assessed against the criteria set out in the funding call as part of a competitive process. I expect the panel to be in position to present their initial findings by year end with the successful projects to be announced by the end of January 2014.
It's worth noting that Kerry County Council already received funding of €50,000 from my Department in June this year under the National Cycle Network Seed Finance Scheme. This funding was used to appoint specialist engineering consultants to carry out a structural assessment as well as a geotechnical assessment of the ground conditions on the elevated sections of the proposed route .
The provision of ducting for broadband is not within my remit but is more appropriate to my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
Public Transport
Ceisteanna (252)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:252. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way his Department plans to improve the reliability and frequency of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann services; the current statistics as to Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann punctuality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52449/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Road Improvement Schemes
Ceisteanna (253)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:253. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the surfacing of the road through Sneem village in County Kerry; the proposed funding that will be made available to do this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52456/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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. Will the Deputy please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.