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Wednesday, 31 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 278-284

Tourism Funding

Ceisteanna (278, 279)

John Deasy

Ceist:

278. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount invested in the Ireland's Ancient East initiative to date in terms of overall online and offline marketing and promotion, relevant road signage and funding for specific projects in the counties under its remit. [4786/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Deasy

Ceist:

279. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount invested in the Wild Atlantic Way initiative to date in terms of overall online and offline marketing and promotion, relevant road signage and funding for specific projects in the counties under its remit. [4787/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.

My 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, including the funding, marketing and promotion of the Experience Brands Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East. These are operational matters for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism 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 replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Greenways Funding

Ceisteanna (280)

John Deasy

Ceist:

280. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of Exchequer funding that has been allocated to the development of greenway walking and cycling projects over the past ten years, by project. [4788/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy's question covers a large range of projects funded by my Department under several different funding streams during the past 10 years. To answer the question as comprehensively as possible there are three tables attached.

Table 1 covers the projects funded under the National Cycle Network Funding Programmes 2012-2013 and 2014-2016 and the Government Stimulus Programme 2014.

Table 2 covers the period 2009 to 2011 and 2013 under several funding streams for a wide range and variety of projects.

In addition to specific greenway funding under the National Cycle Network programme, allocations were made under the Smarter Travel Areas and Active Travel Towns programmes, since 2009 which made allowance for investment in various cycling infrastructure. The range of funded projects involved the delivery of a variety of measures in an integrated manner across a number of modes and incorporated items such as cycle lanes, greenways, bike parking, footpaths, traffic calming measures, shared streets and other sustainable transport interventions. In the context of these diverse programmes and the funded projects, it is not possible to isolate specific greenway expenditure. The figures shown at Table 3 are overall programme allocations.

Finally, the Sustainable Transport Management Grants Programme and Regional Cities Programme both involve investment benefitting cyclists, including greenways, under the auspices of the National Transport Authority. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply in relation to greenway funding under those programmes. If the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days please contact my private office.

While the Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for capital investment in tourism product through its various grant schemes (which might include Greenway projects), it does not have a role in the administration of Fáilte Ireland’s tourism capital programmes.

Accordingly, I have also referred the Deputy’s question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy in relation to any Greenways projects which it has funded over the past ten years. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

Table 1 Greenway/Cycling projects funded 2012-1017

National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2012-2013 - Projects funded

2012

Carlow/Kilkenny

44.5km cycleway linking Carlow to Paulstown to Kilkenny.

463,000

Clare

4km cycleway linking Ennistymon to Lahinch

400,000

Donegal

195.5km cycle route between Donegal Town and Newtowncunningham

497,000

Fingal

3km cycle link from Ashtown to Blanchardstown

600,000

Kerry

1.2km extension to existing cycle/pedestrian route from Killarney to Fossa

143,000

Limerick

3km extension to the Great Southern Trail (GST) from Abbeyfeale Town to Rathoran.

290,00

Louth

6.3km greenway from Omeath and Carlingford

678,000

Mayo

8.8km greenway from Castlebar to Turlough Park

725,000

Meath

3km cycle/walkway from Drogheda Ramparts to the Oldbridge Estate entrance.

500,000

Monaghan

4.5km cycle route through Monaghan Town

471,000

North Tipperary

2.8km extension to the existing N52 walkway/cycleway

335,000

Offaly

16.8km of dedicated cycle lanes along the R420 from Tullamore to Moate

400,000

Roscommon

20km of dedicated cycle lanes along the former N6 between Athlone and Ballinasloe (funding withdrawn due to inability to deliver project)

470,000

Waterford City

3.2km cycleway between Tramore and Waterford City

289,000

Waterford Co

6.4km cycleway between the City Outer Ring Road to Tramore

310,000

Westmeath

11.3km upgrading of canal tow path from Boardstown Bridge to county Boundary

451,000

*Outside of the NCN Programme Kerry Co Council received funding of €200,000 in 2012, approved in 2010, to complete the Tralee/Spa/Fenit 1.8km cycleway.

National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 - Projects funded

2014

Kerry

Phases 2 & 3 of the Glenbeigh to Reenard Trail from Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen (26km)

3,458,281

Galway

Galway to Moycullen Greenway (12.4km)

2,000,000

Waterford

Clonea to Durrow Greenway (7.2km) (completed)

897,739

Reallocation of NCN Funding from current programme - 2016

2016

Kildare

Spin Bridge to Chambers Bridge (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway)

562,881

Meath

Croboy to Moyvalley and Blackwater Aquaduct to Cloncurry (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway)*

1,971,000

Longford

Abbeyshrule to Longford Bridge, Ballymahon (15.2km) (extension to Mullingar to Abbeyshrule Greenway)

513,000

Westmeath

Garrycastle to White Gates (2.2km) (extension to the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway)

496,187

*€458,512 drawdown in 2016 - amount not drawn down included in 2017 allocation.

Reallocation of NCN Funding from current programme - 2017

2017

Kildare

Royal Canal (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway)

3,855,413

Meath

Royal Canal (section of Galway to Dublin Greenway)

2,463,014

Westmeath

Garrycastle to White Gates (2.2km) (extension to the Mullingar to Athlone Greenway)

80,000

Waterford

Waterford Greenway

1,600,000

Stimulus Funding 2014 - Projects funded

2014

Clare

Phase 1 of the West Clare greenway from Ennis to Ballymacquiggan (5km)

400,000

Kerry

Phase 1 of the Glenbeigh to Reenard Trail from Cahirciveen to Reenard Point (Fertha Greenway) (5.7km)

450,000

Kerry

Tralee Fenit Trail - Phase 1 Rock Street to Casement Station (.42km)

345,000

Kildare

Arthur's Way Greenway - Leixlip to Oughterard via Celbridge/Castletown (25km)

311,000

Limerick

Patrickswell to Limerick City cycleway (4.14km) #

420,000

Mayo

Monasteries of the Moy (14km) - part funding of overall project

250,000

Roscommon

Boyle to Lough Key Forest Park (24km) - part funding of overall project

400,000

Tipperary

Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Greenway (20km)

1,900,000

Waterford

Kilmeaden to Bilberry Greenway (20km)

1,100,000

Westmeath

Athlone to Mullingar Greenway (40km)#

4,000,000

Westmeath

Coolnahay to the County Boundary (14.4)#

700,000

#additional funding awarded to Kildare (104k); Limerick (155k); and Westmeath (3.2m.)

2013 Seed finance

Project Name

Location

County

Grant Amount (€)

Cycle Route Inspection Programme

Various

Various

40,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Ennis to Lahinch Cycleway

Clare

50,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Cork to Kinsale

Cork

30,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Ballinascarthy to Courtmacsherry

Cork

30,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Clifden to Oughterard

Galway

25,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Glenbeigh to Renard, Cahirciveen

Kerry

50,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Dromahair, Manorhamilton and Lough MacNean

Leitrim

30,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Ballina and Killala

Mayo

40,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Boyle to Boyle

Roscommon

15,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Colloney to Ballintogher

Sligo

50,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

South Dublin (River Dodder)

Dublin

25,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir

South Tipperary

45,000

NCN Seed Finance Scheme

Lough Owel to Royal Canal

Westmeath

30,000

TABLE 3

Programme

2009 (€)

2010 (€)

2011 (€)

2012 (€)

2013 (€)

2014 (€)

2015 (€)

2016 (€)

2017 (€)

Smarter Travel Areas (Limerick, Westport and Dungarvan)

7,001,000

8,383,000

7,008,000

4,260,000

5,695,000

6,566,000

15,859,000

3,991,000

1,108,000

Active Travel Towns

3,055,000

2,641,000

399,000

1,769,000

3,704,000

214,000

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Ministerial Advisers Data

Ceisteanna (281)

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

281. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the names of advisers he has appointed to his office since becoming Minister; the responsibilities of each; the previous employment of each; the salaries of each; and if he plans to make further additional appointments. [4876/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I appointed Aisling Dunne and Carol Hunt as my Special Advisers on becoming Minister and reappointed them following the Cabinet reshuffle in June 2017. Their role is to advise me in relation to political and Departmental issues.

Prior to being appointed as my Special Advisers, Ms. Dunne was my Parliamentary Assistant in the Oireachtas and Ms. Hunt was a journalist and columnist. Their salary scale is that of Principal Officer (PPC) which is in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's guidelines on the staffing of Ministers' Offices. The number of Special Advisers appointed by me is also in line with section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (282)

Eamon Ryan

Ceist:

282. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial codes that his Department uses to monitor expenditure. [4917/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Spending Code is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that these standards are upheld across the Irish public service. The Code brings together in one place all of the elements of the value-for-money framework that has been in force up to now, updated and reformed in some respects. The Code is maintained under the management of the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform as a resource for the entire Irish public service. www.publicspendingcode.per.gov.ie.

Circular 13/2014 outlines public financial management principles, procedures and additional reporting requirements for the management of grant funding from public money as well as the reclassification of grants and grants in aid. The overall principle is transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/per/2014/13.pdf.

All State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are obliged to act under the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies 2016. As part of that there are a number of financial requirements set out and outcome and output metrics for the State bodies involved. As well as deadlines for financial and annual reports, the State bodies are overseen by a Shareholder Expectation letter for commercial State bodies and a Performance Delivery Agreement and Oversight Agreement for non-commercial State bodies.

All State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are also obliged to treat public funds with care, and to ensure that the best possible value-for-money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested.

Pension Provisions

Ceisteanna (283)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

283. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the context of recent communications submitted to his Department regarding the situation pertaining to the regular wages scheme and the 1951 superannuation scheme, he plans to put in place an independently chaired stakeholder forum incorporating all of the interested parties to discuss and propose solutions in a collective fashion with a view towards ensuring that all the members of both schemes can avail of their pension entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4923/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.

In a Topical Issues debate in this House on 6 December 2017, I outlined the challenges faced in addressing the solvency of the schemes and the process underway to address the deficit which involves detailed discussion between CIÉ and employee representatives, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). I said that CIÉ was on record at the WRC that it will not impose any change that it proposes without the agreement of the active members of both schemes and that it will continue to contribute to both schemes in accordance with the rules of the schemes. I am informed that this remains CIÉ's position in order to bring about a set of proposals that could form the basis of the trustees' submission to the Pensions Authority and that it continues to engage with the WRC.

In recent days, I received a copy of the correspondence addressed to CIÉ referred to by the Deputy and I will reply when I have had an opportunity to consider the issues raised.

Railway Stations

Ceisteanna (284)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

284. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 453 of 5 December 2017, the status of the delivery of a footbridge between the Ashington area and Pelletstown in order to facilitate access to the new Broombridge Luas station for pedestrians in the wider Navan road area. [4926/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

In light of this, I have referred your question to the NTA for an update on the status regarding work on the pedestrian/cycle bridge between Broombridge and Ashtown railway stations. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
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