Written Answers Nos. 243 - 262
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the best options for the development of modern rail and road transport to benefit all regions; the extent to which a review which is under way can be utilised to facilitate the rejuvenation of areas throughout the region deemed to be in need of improved infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30487/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding allocation for land transport during the life of the current Capital Plan is just over €10 billion. Of this €3.6 billion is allocated to public transport. Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT). The SFILT report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with some targeted investments to improve the existing network.
Due to constrained levels of funding available in the early years of the plan, the priority in this period is to ensure the safety and efficiency of existing transport infrastructure. Funding of €2.6bn has been prioritised for essential 'steady state' maintenance and asset renewal of the public transport network and €4.4bn is earmarked for essential maintenance and strengthening works on the road network. A further €600m in the Capital Plan relates to PPP projects and €860m is targeted at progressing a limited number of new roads projects. The remaining €1bn of the total allocation available for public transport is being invested to help address growing congestion driven by the recovery and population growth.
As the Deputy is aware, a mid-term review of the Capital Plan has been initiated and I will be making the case for increased funding for land transport in that context. In addition, the role of heavy rail in Ireland's transport sector is currently under review. As noted within the Rail Review Report, its analysis predates the finalisation of the National Planning Framework which is being developed at present under the leadership of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. It is obvious that, once agreed by Government, the approach which that Framework adopts toward land-use planning and settlement patterns for the country will have significant impacts on the potential of rail and other transport infrastructure and services into the future. I look forward to the finalisation and adoption by Government in the coming months of the new National Planning Framework, which I believe will form an important context for my consideration of issues raised by the Rail Review Report and any recommendations I will bring to Government in this regard.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department can accelerate the programme to replace, improve or upgrade motorways, roads and bridges deemed to be in need of improvement or replacement having regard in particular to traffic volumes, the need to encourage development evenly throughout the country and to replace infrastructure now incapable of meeting its original requirements in already highly developed areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30488/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will prioritise road development proposals for the next five years in the greater Dublin area and throughout the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30489/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which plans can be formulated to enhance, improve and replace in addition to the existing location whether at that location or alternatively in view of the revenues arising from the M50 tolls, with a view to ensuring improved high quality and safe transport throughout the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 244, 245 and 253 together.
The 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT). The SFILT report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with some targeted investments to improve the existing network. The existing planned investment programme takes account of projected Exchequer funding and toll income.
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the infrastructure required by the expanding tourism sector needs to be upgraded; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30490/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. While the Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland's tourism capital programmes.
However, the Government has allocated a total of €125.705 million to Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Investment Strategy 2016-2022, for investment in large and small tourism capital projects, strategic partnerships with State bodies (Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the OPW) to maximise the tourism assets of those bodies, and direct investment in such projects as signage for the Ireland's Ancient East brand.
This capital investment is designed to both develop new tourism attractions and enhance the quality of Ireland's existing tourism offerings through the upgrading of facilities and interpretation at tourism attractions and experiences across the country. My Department's capital investment in Ireland's tourism product aims to continue to motivate large numbers of international tourists to visit the country.
247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applications received to date in respect of the sports capital programme; if he expects to be in a position to meet in part or in full the current requirements from available resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30491/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February. By the closing date, a record number of 2,320 applications seeking €155 million in grants were received. The total amount available to allocate under this round is €30 million. Accordingly, the allocation of grants will be particularly challenging and unfortunately there will be many valid applications which we cannot fund on this occasion.
All of the 2,320 applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which efforts continue to distribute the tourism industry evenly throughout the country with particular reference to the development of facilities at required locations having particular regard to assessments carried out to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30492/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects. These are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland. While the Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland to invest in tourism offerings, it does not have a role in the administration of tourism capital programmes, such as Fáilte Ireland's Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects, nor any role in the evaluation of individual applications under this scheme.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to make efforts to attract major sporting events here with particular reference to world or international events, thereby creating extra economic opportunities and in the course thereof providing useful promotion of Ireland's image on the international stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30494/17]
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 August 2017. The Government also supported the FAI in its successful bid to host four games as part of the UEFA Euro 2020 football championship and the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are supporting the IRFU in its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. Ireland has successfully passed the Applicant and Candidate Phases of that process and is now through to the Evaluation Phase, following the IRFU's lodgement of the Irish bid on 1st June 2017. A final decision will be made by World Rugby on 15 November 2017.
A number of other world or international events are due to take place in Ireland in 2017 with the support of Government. They include the International Taekwon-Do World Championships, the Japan Karate Association World Championships, the European Senior Bowling Championships, the World Youth Coarse Fishing Championships, the FIBA Under-18 Women's European Basketball Championships and the International Karate Union World Championships.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department has studied the weakest links in the transport system nationally; his plans to address these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30495/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA mid-term review of the Capital Plan is currently underway by Government to look at where capital investment priorities lie over the remaining 4 years of the current plan. I am engaged in making our case to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for increased funding for a variety of important capital investments. These will, where agreed, address deficiencies in the current transport network. I understand that all Departmental submissions relating to the capital Plan will be made in due course and that a final decision on these submissions will be made by the Government as part of the 2018 estimate.
In addition, my officials and I are contiuing to analyise possible risks to our transport networks arising from Brexit and to plan measures on how to mitigate these.
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding discussions on hosting the Rugby World Cup here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is bidding to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and has completed two of the three phases of the bid. The Applicant Phase was completed on 25 August 2016 with the submission of a Bid Questionnaire and Ireland subsequently qualified to progress to the more intensive Candidate Phase in October 2016. The formal bid to host the Rugby World Cup, in the form of a Candidate File, was submitted on 1 June 2017. The Candidate File ran to approximately 1,000 pages setting out responses to over 350 questions asked by World Rugby on a range of topics. The bidding process is now in the Evaluation Phase and the final decision regarding the winning bidder will be taken by a vote of World Rugby Council in November 2017.
As the Deputy may be aware, I am progressing the Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017 through the Oireachtas at present to enable the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide the guarantees and undertakings sought by World Rugby to support the staging of the Rugby World Cup.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which adequate hotel accommodation exists to meet the demands of the expanding tourism sector; his plans to meet deficits in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30497/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFáilte Ireland monitors the performance of tourist accommodation through regular occupancy surveys. This analysis indicates that while the country as a whole has sufficient stock of tourist accommodation, there are capacity constraints in areas of high tourist traffic at times of peak demand and additional capacity is required in certain parts of the country, particularly Dublin city.
In this context, Fáilte Ireland commissions periodic assessments of hotel accommodation in Dublin. Although the results confirm the current shortage, they also indicate that there should be sufficient stock - whether being developed currently or being planned - to meet projected demand in the future, with the bulk of new stock due to come on-stream after 2018.
With specific regard to factors within my Department's and Fáilte Ireland's remit, revised hotel Regulations were introduced last August in response to consumer preferences and in order to boost the economic rationale for investment in hotel development. The changes set out in these Regulations should make investment even more attractive by allowing hotel operators provide more rooms and operate at a lower cost base, thereby improving hotel capacity, competitiveness and profitability. Consumers should also benefit in terms of increased room capacity, competition and range of accommodation.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which potential growth opportunities for business tourism here continue to be identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30499/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy. The development and promotion of individual tourism sectors such as business tourism is a matter for the Boards and Management of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of the business tourism sector, whereas Tourism Ireland is responsible for overseas marketing of Ireland as a destination for business tourism.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to both tourism agencies for direct reply. Please contact 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.
255. 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. [30500/17]
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 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. Exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 for safety and security projects and activities at these airports will be continued where appropriate and in this regard, the Deputy will have seen last week that I approved almost €2 million in capital grant allocations under this Programme for these airports.
It is of course a matter for the airports themselves to exploit all potential opportunities to develop air services at their facilities.
256. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all agencies under her aegis have an up-to-date tax clearance certificate; the agencies which do not have an up to date tax clearance certificate; the reason they do not have a tax clearance certificate in each case, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the State Agencies under the remit of my Department have up to date tax clearance certificates.
257. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the management structure of Tusla; and the reporting relationships and accountability mechanisms within Tusla and regarding her Department. [30355/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that this is an operational matter for Tusla and my officials have requested that they reply directly to the Deputy.
258. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if internal management meetings are held within Tusla; if representatives from her Department are present at these meetings; the number of such meetings; and the frequency of said meetings. [30356/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has asked Tusla to advise on the frequency of internal management meetings. My Department does not attend such meetings.
As the parent Department with responsibility for the oversight of Tusla, formal meetings are held between officials of my Department and Tusla's Senior Management Team. This is done on a monthly basis. The primary purpose of these meetings is to review performance with reference to Tusla's Business Plan. The meetings also afford an opportunity to discuss other important matters. Separately, the Secretary General of the Department meets Tusla's Chief Executive on a monthly basis.
In addition, and in light of the range of policy areas that influence Tusla's work, officials in my Department are in regular contact with their counterparts in Tusla. This involves regular bilateral meetings. The number and frequency of such meetings will vary.
In addition to the meetings held by Department officials with Tusla's Senior Management, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and senior officials meet on a quarterly basis with the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive, and Chief Operations Officer of Tusla.
259. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children referred to Tusla each year. [30357/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the numbers of referrals to Child Protection and Welfare Services received during the years 2014 to 2016 are as follows:
- 2014 = 43,630 referrals received during the reporting year.
- 2015 = 43,596 referrals received during the reporting year.
- 2016 = 47,399 referrals received during the reporting year.
- 2017 = 12,734 referrals received from January until the end of March.
It should be noted that more than one referral can be received in respect of one child or a particular issue relating to that child. Not all referrals will become cases.
260. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that Tusla engages with each year; the typical levels of engagement that Tusla has; and the way in which Tusla measures its outcomes. [30358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla-Child and Family Agency engages with thousands of children each year across all of its services. The level of engagement involved will be determined for each child and family by the needs identified in each case. It is not possible to provide a complete overview of all of the engagements between Tusla and children as this can be a once off or short term engagement or may involve a more sustained and targeted service for the child. Tusla regularly publishes performance and activity data about its services. However, this data is indicative of the use of these services only and is not intended to reflect all possible engagements that Tusla undertakes as part of its broad remit.
Tusla's Child Welfare and Protection Services provide an example. In March 2017, Tusla reported that there were 25,384 open cases, where each case represents a child in receipt of social work services. This number does not capture engagements with all referrals to Tusla of child welfare and protection concerns, of which there were 47,399 during 2016. Referrals are the subject of a preliminary enquiry and/or an initial assessment and in many instances this will involve engagement with a child and their family through, for example, family supports. In addition, Tusla provides a range of services which may involve working with children and families, including domestic violence services, adoption services, Education Welfare Services and Family Support Services. Data on a range of service performance indicators is available on Tusla's website (www.tusla.ie) and are published on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
261. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a parliamentary question liaison unit within Tusla. [30359/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is a public body which operates under the aegis of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I can confirm that Tusla has a designated unit in place which deals with Parliamentary Affairs.
The Parliamentary Affairs unit within Tusla provides information to my Department on request to inform responses to Parliamentary Questions and other Oireachtas Business, including representations.
262. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the different pay grades within Tusla; and the number of persons employed at each level. [30360/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that this is an operational matter for Tusla and my officials have requested that they reply directly to the Deputy.
