Written Answers Nos. 274 - 282
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in the rail services over the next five years, including any extension to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14515/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply of the 8th February 2017 to Dáil Question number 273 regarding investment in rail services. The position remains as outlined in that reply.
275. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to have discussions with the major sporting organisations with a view to encourage the use of this country as an international venue for sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14516/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hosting of major sports events, both participative and spectator sports, can provide great opportunities to showcase Ireland and drive international visitor numbers. In addition, the media coverage of sports events helps to put Ireland onto travel itineraries as a holiday destination.
Accordingly, I am very supportive of the ongoing efforts of the tourism agencies and the national governing bodies of sport to attract international events, subject, of course, to an assessment of the costs/benefits involved in any State financial support, in particular the number of overseas visitors.
For example, the Government assisted the IRFU in its successful bid to host the Women's Rugby World Cup which will take place in 2017. The Government also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship and the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are supporting the IRFU in its preparation of a bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Ireland has successfully passed the Applicant Phase of that process and is now through to the Candidate Phase. The Governments will be working very closely with the IRFU to ensure that the best possible bid is lodged with World Rugby next June to bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023. A final decision will be made by World Rugby in November 2017.
A number of other international sports events are due to be hosted in Ireland in 2017 with the support of Government. They include the International Taekwon-Do World Championships, the European Senior Bowling Championships, the Junior Touch Championships, the Japan Karate Association World Championships, the Youth World Coarse Fishing Championships, the Grand Masters Hockey Celtic Cup, the FIBA Under 18 Women's European Basketball Championships.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which potential growth opportunities for business tourism in this country continue to be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14517/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development of business tourism is an operational matter for the Boards and Managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
Accordingly, I have asked the tourism agencies to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which any particular sectors of the tourism sector to date in 2017 have shown particular potential for growth with consequent economic benefit in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14518/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra2016 was a record year for overseas tourism to Ireland with a total of 9,584,400 visits representing a 10.9% increase on 2015, or an additional 941,300 visits. The CSO tourism data available for 2017 shows that the number of overseas visits between November 2016 and January 2017 increased by 7.2% compared to the corresponding period of November 2015 to January 2016.
Research carried out on behalf of the tourism agencies and tourism industry has found that certain market segments have a higher likelihood to select Ireland as a destination. Tourism Ireland's overseas marketing activity is weighted towards these segments in order to provide the best return on marketing investment.
In addition, the tourism brand experiences that have been developed by Fáilte Ireland, like the "Wild Atlantic Way", "Ireland's Ancient East", and "Dublin – A Breath of Fresh Air" – are all designed to meet the needs of the most promising consumer segments in overseas source markets.
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which a study has been carried out of the public transport sector in County Kildare with particular reference to the need to address any deficiencies in respect of daily frequency of rail and bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the public transport sector in County Kildare is monitored on an ongoing basis with particular reference to addressing any deficiencies in respect of the daily frequency of rail and bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14524/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which the increased requirement of the Kildare commuter rail sector continues to be monitored to ensure the availability of the highest possible quality of service to meet the needs of commuters on an ongoing basis; if extra rail carriages need to be provided to alleviate potential overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 278, 283 and 284 together.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to promote Ireland as a conference venue in view of the likely economic benefit, including job creation and tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14520/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Boards and Managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
Accordingly, I have asked the Agencies to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which road, rail, air and sea transport facilities continue to be measured in the context of overall integration with particular reference to a maximisation of efficiency and availability of services throughout the entire country, thereby maximising the economic benefit to the economy in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Mission Statement is to "shape the safe and sustainable development of transport, tourism, and sport, to support economic growth and social progress".
In pursuing this mission we are committed to the development of an integrated transport policy that delivers the best possible outcomes. An integrated and co-ordinated transport system is an important consideration when it comes to future decisions on transport investment. In making decisions as to the future, my Department has been active to ensure that a co-ordinated approach is taken and that we do not look at land, maritime or aviation transport in isolation from each other.
The Department's Statement of Strategy, available on the Department's website www.dttas.ie, sets out the means by which the Department aims to achieve this coordination and integration.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that adequate focus remains on the need to ensure the future of regional airports in the context of a modern economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that my Department maintains adequate focus on the regional airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford, commensurate with the scale of operations at these airports. This is reflected in the National Aviation Policy, published by my Department in 2015, which acknowledges the role played by these smaller airports as being important in promoting a level of connectivity to support the tourism and business sectors in their regions. In this regard, Exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 for safety and security projects and activities at these airports will be continued where appropriate.
It is of course a matter for the airports themselves to exploit all potential opportunities to develop air services at their facilities.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which well known and identifiable accident black spots remain an issue throughout the country; the extent to which efforts are being made to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal authorities are responsible for mapping and collating available collision data on regional and local roads. Where analysis shows that engineering measures may assist in reducing the collision risk at a particular location then any local authority which is not fully self funding in terms of roads (under the new Local Property Tax regime) may apply to my Department for funding under the Safety Improvement works programme. Each year monies are made available to local authorities for such works with priority given to works that are considered to be most effective in reducing collisions.
Collision data for national roads is mapped and collated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Accordingly I am forwarding your query to TII for direct reply in respect of national roads. 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.
