Written Answers Nos. 252-260
252. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the abolition of the community involvement scheme; his plans for the reintroduction of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8557/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was a pilot scheme which was completed in 2014. It has been decided that there will be no separate allocation under this grant category in 2015. Instead the scheme will revert back to allowing local authorities to set aside 7.5% of their Restoration Improvement (RI) and Restoration Maintenance (RM) grants for CIS schemes if they so wish.
Local authorities were notified of the above in Circular RW 2/2015 which issued to local authorities on 3 February 2015.
253. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of money spent on public-service-obligation aviation routes, in 2012, 2013 and 2014; if he will consider establishing a public-service-obligation route for air services between Cork Airport and Dublin Airport in view of the need for air connectivity between the country's two largest cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8631/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the total subvention paid in respect of the PSO routes between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin for the years 2012-2014 are as follows:
|
Year |
Kerry-Dublin Subvention € |
Donegal-Dublin Subvention € |
|
2012 |
3,917,964 |
3,451,683 |
|
2013 |
4,021,261 |
3,598,803 |
|
2014 |
4,061,373 |
3,701,291 |
The criteria that must be applied when establishing a Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services route between two airports is set out in Article 16 of EC Regulation 1008/2008. In particular, the availability of other modes of transport serving the route, such as rail and road, with a travel time of less than 3 hours along with sufficient frequencies and suitable times in the case of rail, must be examined when determining the suitability of establishing such PSO supports. As Cork and Dublin are linked by both motorway and rail, with journey times of less than the 3 hours criteria, it is not possible to introduce a PSO on the Cork - Dublin route.
254. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position, in respect of car hire costs and scheduled driving tests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8640/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver testing is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore forwarded the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if no response has been received within ten days.
255. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will publish the submissions that were received by the Road Safety Authority regarding a review carried out on the testing of the roadworthiness of vintage vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8699/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra256. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will publish the report by the Road Safety Authority on testing the roadworthiness of vintage vehicles; the timeframe for a decision to be made on any changes that are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8717/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there will be an opportunity for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications to consider the report from the Road Safety Authority into the testing of the roadworthiness of vintage vehicles, in advance of any decision being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8719/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 255 to 257, inclusive, together.
Under the Government's 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was tasked with conducting a review of the roadworthiness testing of vintage vehicles to determine the safety case and cost benefits, if any, for inclusion in roadworthiness testing.
My Department received the RSA's review findings and proposals last month. They will be examined by my officials with a view to submitting recommendations to me which I will consider in due course. While I believe that the issues involved are important, given the other competing priorities which my Department is currently dealing with in the road safety area, it is likely to be later in the year before we can turn our attention to this issue.
In compiling its report, the RSA engaged in a comprehensive public consultation exercise that attracted in the region of 2,000 submissions, mostly from the people directly involved with the various clubs associated with the vintage vehicle movement. These submissions have been retained by the RSA.
I will arrange for the publication of the report in due course.
258. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding committed by the Government for the planned multi-functional events centre in Cork; when the funding must be drawn down by; if her Department has been advised of an indicative start date for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8628/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding for the Cork Event Centre was agreed by Government in 2013 as part of the Estimates 2014 process and was announced on Budget Day in October 2013. The project was part of the stimulus package announced from proceeds of the National Lottery Licence transaction. A provision of €1m has been made in my Department's Vote in respect of estimated expenditure for 2015. A number of meetings have been held between officials of my Department and Cork City Council, who are the lead public authority on the project. I understand that Cork City Council continues to make every effort to advance the project with a view to work commencing as early as possible.
259. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide a breakdown of the current expenditure figures, detailing the funding from her Department to Inishbofin Island, for the years 2013, and 2014. [8572/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table shows the amount expended by my Department in relation to Inishbofin in 2013 and 2014:
|
Grantee |
Type of Expenditure |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Inishbofin Island Discovery Ltd |
Passenger Ferry & Bus Service for Inishbofin |
€277,239 |
€275,667 |
|
Blackshell Farm Ltd |
Cargo Ferry Service for Inishbofin |
€180,000 |
|
|
Lasta Mara Teo |
Cargo Ferry Service for Inishbofin |
€71,467 |
€135,658 |
|
TOTAL |
€528,706 |
€411,325 |
260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén líon daoine atá fostaithe sa tionscal nua toitíní leictreonacha i gCorr na Móna, Co. na Gaillimhe; cén líon a bhfuil súil leis a bheith fostaithe ann ag deireadh na bliana seo; cén mhoill a bhaineann leis an tionscal seo a chur ar bun; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [8687/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil ochtar fostaithe faoi láthair sa chomhlacht seo agus go bhfuil sé beartaithe go mbeidh 35 fostaithe sa ghnó roimh dheireadh na bliana. Tuigim ón Údarás fosta gur cuireadh moill ar fhorbairt sa chomhlacht mar gheall ar chúinsí a bhaineann le gnéithe oibriúchán, lóistíochta agus rialachán don táirge. Tuigtear don Údarás go bhfuil príomhaí an chomhlachta dóchasach, áfach, go mbeidh dul chun cinn sásúil á dhéanamh sa ghnó sna míonna amach romhainn.
