Written Answers Nos 226-232
226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State aid being provided to Kerry airport per annum since 2007, with a breakdown of categories, including the public service obligation flight subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40579/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraExchequer support for regional airports is provided under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014 which includes the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme, the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin. All expenditure under this Programme must, of course, comply with the 2005 EU Guidelines on State-aid to airports and airlines.
Capital expenditure is focussed on safety and security projects, aimed at ensuring that each airport can comply with required national and international aviation safety and security standards. Operational subvention is provided towards the cost of core airport services. The current contracts under the PSO Air Services Scheme, under which subvention is paid direct to the operating airlines, will end in January 2015. As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year, my Department launched a call for tenders for public service obligation air services for both routes for a three year period from February 2015 to January 2018 and that process is still on-going.
Details of CAPEX and OPEX funding in respect of Kerry Airport for the period in question are set out in the following table:
|
- |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
CAPEX |
741 |
1,634 |
399 |
- |
45 |
334 |
189 |
|
OPEX |
437 |
550 |
950 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
In relation to the PSO Air Services Scheme, a total of €17.4m has been provided directly to airlines for the provision of air services in the period 2007 to 2013.
227. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the film and television producers that have been invited by the State tourism agencies to film the Wild Atlantic Way; his views that this will be a positive way of marketing the new driving route both at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40584/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational issue for the tourism agencies. Therefore I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.
228. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will examine ways of financing unfinished projects (details supplied) in tourism towns along the Wild Atlantic Way that are completely choked with traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40597/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra229. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if 2015 roads funding allocations to local authorities will make provision for the additional pressures on roads along the Wild Atlantic Way; if he will top up the allocations to these counties to ensure that this great tourism development may continue to grow in popularity safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
As I previously outlined to the Deputy, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending in this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
230. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to a team (details supplied) that do not qualify for funding from the Sports Council as it is not an Olympic sport; if other funding may be made available to this team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40621/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. The ISC channels its funding through the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). The Council only funds recognised NGBs and there is no mechanism by which organisations/clubs or individuals can secure funding outside of this process.
As tumbling is a discipline of Gymnastics Ireland, which is the national governing body funded by the ISC, I have referred the matter to Gymnastics Ireland for its consideration. If you do not receive a reply from Gymnastics Ireland within ten working days, please contact my Private Office.
Unfortunately, there is no discretionary funding available to my Department by which financial assistance could be provided.
231. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to recommence the Luas Lucan F1 project in view of the fact that this project was halted at an advanced stage of planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40690/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the constraints on the public finances, a number of projects, including the extension of the Luas to Lucan, were deferred under the Government's 5-year capital programme, Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework, published in November 2011.
The priority for the next year with the funding available for public transport is to preserve existing assets, maintain safety standards and continue funding of the LUAS Cross City project so that it will open as planned in 2017.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). In this regard the NTA will in 2015 update their Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area to take account of future requirements having regard to the latest relevant statistics and transport data. This will include a review of the public transport requirements for the Lucan area.
In addition, early in 2015 I expect to receive reports from the NTA on the updated business case for DART Underground, the outcome of the Dublin North Rail study and a business case for a Bus Rapid Transit route. The outcome from all this work will inform the prioritisation of projects for funding over the coming years. Delivery of projects prioritised will be dependent on the funding available under the next capital plan.
232. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for a facility (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the economic benefits this can bring to the area if fully utilised; if he has recently met the stakeholder involved with this facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40702/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI outlined my views on the future plans for Rosslare Europort in my reply to the Deputy's Dáil Question (No. 230) of 16 October last. I should say that I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Irish Rail on 1st September last and the future of Rosslare Europort was one of a number of items discussed.
