Results 5,541-5,560 of 10,797 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Data (20 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Tourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economic recovery.  CSO figures for the first five months of 2016 show that there were over three million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 13.7% on the same period of 2015.  Thankfully all of our main target markets are showing good growth levels with visits from North America up by over 18%, visits from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (20 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​The 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. Fáilte Ireland is responsible for the development of the business tourism sector. Tourism Ireland is responsible...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Funding (20 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for information on any relevant grants that might be available through its grant funding programmes. I have asked Sport Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.​

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Schools Building Projects Status (20 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​My Department does not have an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. However, I am informed that the organisation has applied to the Department of Education and Skills for replacement school accommodation, including a general purpose hall. The matter is therefore more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I remind Deputy O'Keeffe that in the worst days of the economic crash, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the last government was able to reintroduce the sports capital programme. We did so because we realised that this is a labour activation measure in many rural and urban communities. It really makes a difference to clubs. Nobody on this side of the House needs to be told about the programme's...

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know Deputy O'Keeffe has submitted practically the same question. Deputies will be aware that the sports capital programme is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. They will also be aware that there was no round of the sports capital programme in 2009, 2010 or 2011....

Other Questions: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: To take the last point first, I would be very slow to withdraw any grant that has been allocated to a sporting club because, as Deputy O'Keeffe knows, many sporting clubs have difficulties regarding planning permissions and the matching of funding. I certainly would not accept the suggestion that we withdraw money that has already been allocated. The only state of confusion seems to be...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Organisations (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Cathaoirleach for his kind words of welcome. I also thank Senator Ivana Bacik for her words of congratulations and raising this issue. As Minister of State with responsibility for tourism and sport, I have been anxious since my appointment to engage with all State agencies and regulatory authorities, including Sport Ireland. The leadership provided by Mr. Kieran Mulvey and Mr....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Sports Organisations (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I hope to have it finished as soon as possible in the early autumn and to roll it out then. I have made some minor amendments to it and it has gone back to the Department. The Department of Health has a health promotion aspect, as does the Department of Education and Skills in terms of physical activity. I have made some minor changes regarding access for people with disabilities. I want...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Inland Fisheries Ireland (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I am speaking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Kyne, who, unfortunately, is unable to attend. I assure the Senator, however, that I will bring the issue he has raised to the attention of the Minister of State. I will also ask the Minister of State to contact him directly to arrange a meeting with him at the earliest possible opportunity. Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Inland Fisheries Ireland (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: I appreciate the Senator's concerns. I come from a part of the country where angling is very important. I will bring the issues the Senator raised to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne. I will ask the latter to contact the Senator directly today.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Deputies will be aware that the Sports Capital Programme is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment. Deputies will also be aware that there was no round of the SCP in 2009, 2010 or 2011.  There were however rounds of the programme in 2012, 2014 and 2015.  Almost 1,600 applications were received...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Arrangements for the provision of tourist information offices are an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: UK Referendum on EU Membership (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Great Britain has consistently been Ireland's most important source market for visits to Ireland, with just over 3.5 million visits in 2015. This represented 41% of our total overseas visits. CSO figures for the period January to May 2016 show further strong performance from the GB market with growth in visit numbers of over 15.7%, when compared with the same...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Swimming Pool Programme Status (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​In January of this year, my Department contacted local authorities and sought expressions of interest in a limited round of swimming pool allocations, subject to funding becoming available from other projects where those projects would not be progressed. Expressions of interest were received from 17 local authorities. There were only three expressions of interest received for new...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: UK Referendum on EU Membership (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​Great Britain has consistently been Ireland's most important source market for visits to Ireland, with just over 3.5 million visits in 2015. This represented 41% of our total overseas visits. CSO figures for the period January to May 2016 show further strong performance from the GB market with growth in visit numbers of over 15.7%, when compared with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.  The development of the Ireland's Ancient East brand is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.  The Department is not directly involved in its development or promotion. Accordingly, I have asked...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Dormant Accounts Fund (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​The allocation of the remaining €3 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for sports measures, including the €798,000 in capital funding, will be announced shortly. The allocation of this funding is subject to the approval of the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development who has responsibility for Dormant Accounts Funding.​ The Dormant Accounts...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any interested group should register online now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ieas this portal will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (19 Jul 2016)

Patrick O'Donovan: ​The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy. The development and promotion of business tourism, including the promotion of Ireland as a conference venue, is a matter for the Boards and Managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have asked the tourism agencies...