Written Answers Nos. 167-171
167. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department plans to progress the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan link road; if his Department has allocated any additional funding to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32242/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 (such as the N52) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current arrangements in place for calling out mountain rescue; and the costs associated with same. [32280/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMountain Rescue Services are provided by twelve volunteer organisations. My Department has no responsibility for tasking mountain rescue teams. This function is carried out by An Garda Síochána who are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
My Department has been advised by the Department of Justice and Equality, that the callout procedure and coordination for these Teams is provided via the 999/112 emergency phone service. Once a call is received by an emergency phone operator, the call is diverted to the nearest Garda Divisional Headquarters. From there, the local Garda station contacts the appropriate Mountain Rescue Service.
My Department chairs the National Co-ordinating Committee for Mountain Cave Rescue (NCCMCR) and administers a small grant to mountain rescue teams. The purpose of this grant is to assist in providing an operational and/or administrative quality improvement. It does not purport to cover all costs incurred by these voluntary teams. Grant funding can be used at the discretion of the teams providing it is in accordance with DPER Circular 13/2014 (Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds). As such my Department does not have information in relation to the specific cost of call-outs.
169. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasoning behind the cut in the voted capital funding for tourism services in budget 2017; and the agencies or initiatives that will have their budget reduced in 2017 as a result of this cut. [32301/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn amount of €13.836 million was voted for capital funding of tourism services in 2016. This amount includes a provision of €0.97 million for the Lough Derg Tourism Development project which was provided for under the 2014 Capital Stimulus Plan and which does not arise in 2017. This provision is in keeping with the multi-annual allocations for tourism contained in the Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021.
A provisional allocation of €13.27m is set out in the Budget 2017 Estimates volume which is also in keeping with the Capital Investment Plan. The final allocation for 2017 will be set out in the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume which is due to be published in the coming months.
Discussions on the mid-term review of the Capital Investment Plan will be taking place in early 2017 and the Department will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard.
170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasoning behind the cut in the voted capital funding for sports and recreation services in budget 2017; and the agencies or initiatives that will have their budget reduced in 2017 as a result of this cut. [32302/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a reduction in the 2017 Budget Estimate capital allocation for sport when compared to the 2016 capital allocation. This is mainly due to a reduction in Sport Ireland's capital allocation for the development of the National Sports Campus and reflects the fact that construction of Phase I of the National Indoor Arena is scheduled for completion in December 2016. Approximately €22m was allocated for this project in 2016, which is not required in 2017 due to completion of the project this year.
As a result of the Budget, a total of €52m is being provided in capital funding for sport in 2017. This will meet existing commitments under previous rounds of the Sports Capital Programme, commitments to Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the Kerry Sports Academy at IT Tralee, existing commitments relating to the development of the National Sports Campus and under the Local Authority Swimming Pools Programme. As was confirmed in the 2017 Estimates Statement, it will also allow for a new round of the Sports Capital Programme to be opened for applications shortly, with the announcement of allocations expected in 2017.
171. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department plans to undertake a strategic review of funding for Olympic sports to ascertain if funding could be better spent; the metrics his Department uses to determine whether spending on Olympic sports has had a positive outcome, or should be increased or decreased; his views on whether State spending on the Olympic sports represents a good cost-benefit pay-off for the country; and if not, the way in which this can be improved. [32303/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for high performance sport, including Olympic sports.
As this question is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred it to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
