Written Answers Nos. 251-259
251. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects the 2015 sports capital programme to open for applications; the budget for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1976/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetailed preparations are being made at present for the next round of the Sports Capital Programme. I will launch the 2015 Programme when these are complete.
252. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the savings anticipated in 2015 compared with 2014 by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail as a result of reduced oil prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1981/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
253. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the possible provision of further funding for greenways that did not receive funding allocations in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1986/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll available funding within my Department for the development of greenways/cycleways is now fully committed up to 2016.
However, it is likely, given the popularity and success of greenways already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years. The EU Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under INTERREG and the Rural Development Programmes. I understand that a number of local authorities are now positioning themselves to benefit from such opportunities.
254. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a disused railway line (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1987/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
255. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the passenger numbers, running costs and infrastructure costs that are supplied to him by Iarnród Éireann to enable him to make a decision on the provision of a subsidy to that company; the criteria used in deciding this subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2006/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
256. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é an scéal is déanaí maidir leis an ionad nua teanga i mBaile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Chiarraí, cad atá ar siúl maidir leis an bhforbairt faoi láthair, cathain a bheidh gach rud críochnaithe, cén méid airgid atá caite ag an bpointe seo agus cén méid atá fós le caitheamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá an obair thógála ar an Lárionad Forbartha Teanga i mBaile an Fheirtéaraigh beagnach críochnaithe ag an bpointe seo, seachas roinnt mionoibreacha atá á ndéanamh faoi láthair. Tá Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne bogtha isteach san fhoirgneamh ó thús mhí na Samhna 2014 agus bhog an naíonra isteach ann i mí na Nollag 2014. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil Údarás na Gaeltachta ag lorg tionóntaí do na haonaid fiontraíochta atá faoina gcúram san fhoirgneamh. Tuigtear dom fosta gurb é an caiteachas iomlán go dáta ar an bhfoirgneamh ná €3.045 milliún, móide cáin bhreisluacha. Ceadaíodh deontas de €1,746,765 in 2013 ó mo Roinnse chun an Lárionad Forbartha Teanga a thógáil i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus le Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne. Tá €1,362,491 de sciar mo Roinne íoctha ag an bpointe seo. Íocfar an fuílleach nuair a bheidh an obair críochnaithe, na dearbhuithe agus na teastais chuí curtha ar fáil, agus gníomhas iontaobhais réitithe, aontaithe agus sínithe idir mo Roinn agus an Comharchumann.
Ní miste a lua gur ceadaíodh deontas de €26,197 ó mo Roinnse in 2014 chun cur ar chumas an Chomharchumainn fearais áirithe oifige a cheannach, mar aon le deontas de €36,000 i leith trealaimh don Ionad Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh.
257. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brendan Griffin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil aon phleananna aici chun an lárionad gnó folamh sa Chlochán, Contae Chiarraí, a fhorbairt, cad atá ar siúl maidir leis an bhforbairt faoi láthair, cathain a cheannaigh Údarás na Gaeltachta an lárionad, cén méid airgid atá caite air ag an bpointe seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1941/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta nach bhfuil aon lárionad gnó i seilbh na heagraíochta ar an gClochán i gCo. Chiarraí.
258. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the National Gallery renovation project; the expected timeframe for the conclusion of works; the total anticipated cost and actual cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1983/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork is continuing on the major restoration project at the National Gallery of Ireland. The project will include the repair and restoration of the fabric of the Dargan and Milltown Wings, infill of the voids between the wings and the installation of 21st century climate, heating, fire suppression and lighting systems amongst other things. The Office of Public Works, the National Gallery of Ireland and my Department are cooperating on the oversight of this project - which has an expected 24 month duration and a cost of €31.4 million. This is a sizeable and historic restoration and upgrade project. It will bring the National Gallery of Ireland back up to international standards and allow it to again present world-class exhibits in a world-class setting.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress in respect of the publication of the 1923 census; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2122/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to enabling the publication of the 1926 Census records in due course. The digitisation of the 1901 and 1911 Census returns, which in relative terms was a simpler project than the proposed 1926 Census project, took over four years to complete. The 1926 Census is the next full set of Census records, after the 1911 returns, which is available to the State. However, current legislative provisions, as contained in the Statistics Act 1993, require that census data must be withheld for 100 years. Accordingly, it is not possible at this time to release the 1926 Census returns before the statutory period has elapsed in 2026. If the records were to be released before the expiry of 100 years, a major change in legislation and policy would be required to allow for the early release. This is not currently being proposed.
A 1926 Census Working Group has been formed, comprising officials from my own Department, the National Archives and the Central Statistics Office. The Group has examined this complex project and has assessed the significant resources - in terms of additional financial, staff and infrastructural resources - that will need to be in place to move the project forward to completion. I can say that, following discussions within the Working Group, I am of the opinion that the extensive preparatory work required to prepare the 1926 Census database for processing, and eventual digitisation to facilitate the release of the data into the public domain, should continue. It must be recognised, however, that, in light of the level of additional resources that will be necessary, and of the current engagement by the National Archives on a number of other important projects, including some that form a key part of the programme for the Decade of Commemorations, it will be necessary to work over time towards building the necessary capacity to undertake and oversee the 1926 Census project.
