Written Answers Nos. 224-234
224. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if consideration will be given to a request in relation to the Gridlink Project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19072/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 27 March 2015 Eirgrid published, for public comment, a discussion paper on Ireland's grid development strategy - "Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow.". The paper, which reviews, inter alia, the Grid Link, Grid West, and North South Transmission Line projects, confirms that Ireland’s energy transmission needs may be met with reduced new infrastructure because of technological developments as well as updated projections of future electricity demand.
The discussion paper, which was subject to an independent peer review, confirms the need to reinforce the transmission system in the South East. It suggests an additional option to the original Grid Link options. The original options would require either (i) the construction of significant amounts of new overhead lines or (ii) the laying of significant amounts of underground cable. The additional option contained in the recently published discussion document would involve an underwater cable in the Shannon estuary and upgrading existing transmission lines rather than building new lines. The discussion paper also puts forward options for Grid West and reaffirms the need for the North South Transmission Line project, affirming that the existing proposal for a 400kV overhead line remains the most appropriate solution for the project.
At the time of publication, EirGrid highlighted that it was seeking feedback from the public within 8 weeks. EirGrid is currently holding a series of regional forums on the draft strategy. In response to requests for additional time for stakeholders to consider and respond to the discussion paper, EirGrid has decided to extend the deadline for submission of feedback from the public to 5 June 2015.
It is also worth noting that EirGrid will be holding separate consultations on a number of its projects, including the Grid Link project, later this year. Stakeholders and members of the public will have opportunities to input their views to EirGrid during those consultations.
225. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Eircode postcodes and their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19127/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe up-to-date position in relation to the eircodes project is set out in reply to Question No. 210 of 7 May 2015.
The correspondence to my Department referred to in the Question was dated 17 April and 30 April 2015. A reply issued from my Department on 8 May.
226. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the current compulsory purchase order legislation allows for the compulsory acquisition of farmland for the provision of cycleways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18921/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Deputy does not specify any particular greenway development I would like to take the proposed Dublin to Galway Greenway for which CPO may be required as an example. I understand that in the planning for this Greenway both the National Roads Authority and Westmeath County Council received similar legal advice that the appropriate legislation to compulsory purchase land required for the purpose of the delivering the greenway is section 213 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. This section makes no reference to cycleways or greenways but does to the Local Authority having the power "for the purposes of performing any of its functions".
The Deputy will appreciate that it is essential for Government to have the ability to protect the potentially significant expenditure that can be incurred for the provision of greenways along with the protection of the rights of cyclists and pedestrians to have permanent access to such amenities for generations to come.
227. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the role and priorities of Fáilte Ireland regarding the development of skillsets in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18939/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has a strategy to help incentivise and promote careers in the hospitality and catering sectors; if he is aware that such careers are particularly important in peripheral and rural areas where other career options may be limited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra229. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reinstate the programme of skills courses with Fáilte Ireland for persons who wish to enter the hotel, catering and tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures in place regarding the training of persons for the hospitality and craft sectors; his plans regarding the advancement of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18944/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 to 230, inclusive, together.
Under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, Fáilte Ireland is responsible for supporting tourism enterprises and for encouraging, promoting and supporting the recruitment, training, and education and development of persons for the purposes of employment in connection with the tourism industry. While the hospitality and catering sectors are of course relevant to the tourism industry, they are broader than tourism alone and Fáilte Ireland's focus is on the needs of the tourism industry.
Accordingly, for further operational detail on Fáilte Ireland's role and priorities in this regard, as well as training programmes and business supports available, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply.
The future development of the sector will also be guided by the work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and its detailed assessment of the workforce skills and competency requirements for the Irish hospitality sector. In this regard, a balance must be struck between direct enterprise support, entry level training and advanced/professional training. SOLAS, employers, further and higher education providers - particularly the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) - and Fáilte Ireland all have complementary roles to play in that regard.
The Government's new Tourism Policy Statement recognises that the sector is an essential component of Ireland's employment base and that its jobs are geographically dispersed and outlining policy objectives to strengthen the capacity of people working in the sector. I will soon be announcing a new Tourism Leadership Group, which will prepare a detailed Tourism Action Plan to implement these policy proposals. All matters relevant to ensuring that the industry has the requisite skills to ensure we achieve our ambitious growth targets will be considered as part of this work.
231. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by his Department; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by his Department, in these years, and for the future. [18978/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of all consultancy payments by the Department are available on my Department's website http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services.
It is the policy of the Department in the exercise of its functions to use internal resources as far as possible, however external consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and where it is deemed to add value and independence to the overall work of the Department.
My Department is constantly looking at ways to upskill internal staff to minimise the need to use external consultants.
232. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the Irish Sports Council; the number of consultants engaged by the council in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the council in these years, and for the future. [18979/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Sports Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
233. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the Irish Aviation Authority; the number of consultants engaged by the authority in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the authority in these years, and for the future. [18980/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe subject matter of this particular question is the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
234. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on consultancy by the National Sports Campus Development Authority; the number of consultants engaged by the authority in the years 2011 to 2014; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy, and the reliance on consultants by the authority in these years, and for the future. [18981/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Campus Development Authority, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
