Results 1,341-1,360 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Departmental Expenditure. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The capital expenditure allocation to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2008 was €276.87 million. In addition, there was a deferred surrender amount of €25.181 million which was carried over from 2007, giving a total of €302.051 million available to the Department in 2008. In July 2008, some €3.9 million of the capital allocation was surrendered as part of savings required...

Departmental Expenditure. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I do not agree that large chunks of the allocation are not being used every year. The capital programme of the Department has expanded significantly in recent years and the full allocation has been expended. The carryover, a relatively small sum, usually arises because the Department is waiting for invoices to be submitted before it can pay bills. This occurs when projects are nearing...

Departmental Expenditure. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Yes, it is possible for me to do so. There is no conflict between the Department and the Office of Public Works, which have a good working relationship. There is, however, competition for resources on all fronts. A specific and complex problem, which goes beyond the initial incident when stairs collapsed, has arisen in the Natural History Museum. The project in that case will be...

Departmental Expenditure. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Yes, it is in planning. The Department has been in discussions to try to manage the opening of the facility in the foreseeable future. That is the current position.

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Work on the production of a national sports facilities strategy is at an advanced stage. The aim of the strategy is to provide high level policy direction for future investment and grant assistance at national, regional and local level. It is intended to identify the facilities requirement for sport in order that participation at reasonable cost is feasible for those who wish to engage in...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy's comments reflect an ongoing and valid debate. I hope the audit will be completed over the coming months. The Irish Sports Council commissioned a number of reports from the ESRI and other agencies. The findings of these reports will influence the direction the Department will take on these issues. Over the past ten years, sports facilities have been transformed throughout the...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I will, but I know from experience over the years and not only as the Minister responsible that all applications for sports grants go through a rigorous assessment which has nothing to do with the Minister responsible. Unless they come through that process, they do not end up on the desk in terms of recommendations for allocations. There is certainly no way in which a Minister could return...

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: In context of the current round of allocations which have been expended, my constituency does not have the highest per capita allocation in this respect.

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: No, it does not. It is a long way down the list.

Sports Capital Programme. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: One can never win in these matters.

Tourism Industry. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that, notwithstanding the difficult global environment, the number of overseas visitors for the first seven months of 2008 was just ahead of last year at more than 4.5 million. Figures for July alone were less positive, which we all know. I understand that the indications are that the fall-off in monthly numbers seen in July was...

Tourism Industry. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I am aware of the point the Deputy is making. There is not really a plethora of organisations in place. We have two major organisations, one of which is Tourism Ireland, which is responsible for marketing Ireland overseas on behalf of the whole island of Ireland. It is a North-South body funded by both jurisdictions to carry out that task. The other organisation is Fáilte Ireland, which...

Tourism Industry. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Yes, I agree with that.

Tourism Industry. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Given the economic situation, I am strongly of the view, and have conveyed it to both marketing organisations, that they should get much greater value for every euro spent in the coming year than they might have received in the preceding years because there is a real reduction in available spend across the business world in terms of accessing media to promote one's message. The value that...

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: It is intended to complete the remaining 20 pools under the current round of the local authority swimming pool programme. A total of 57 applications were received under the current round. Some 37 pools have been completed and opened to the public, eight in respect of which funding has been allocated are under construction and a further 12 are at various stages of development. Funding in...

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: I do not disagree with the Deputy. I take a strong view regarding the value of sport, in all its guises, for young people. Many Members enjoyed participating in sport when they were much younger. It makes a huge contribution in the context of people's general health, their development of social and interactional skills and the way in which they mature. Some 57 applications were received...

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Based on the current programme, it will be achieved. However, I would like us to reach a position where we would be closer to the international average of one pool per 28,000 people.

Swimming Pool Projects. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: We have come from a position where the figure was effectively zero. We were able to instigate the programme only in recent years when the necessary resources were available. This is not merely a national project, there is involvement on the part of local authorities, communities and the Department. As stated, 57 applications were received and 27 pools have been completed and opened, eight...

Sport and Recreational Development. (8 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics task force was established in August 2006 to ensure Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities arising from its proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic games that will be held in London in 2012. The task force included experts from the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors and was supported by staff from within my...

Written Answers — Car Rental Industry: Car Rental Industry (7 Oct 2008)

Martin Cullen: Neither I, nor any of the agencies under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, have responsibility in relation to the car rental industry or the level of tolls on the M50. As I understand it, the Deputy is concerned with increased charges arising from the introduction of barrier-free tolling on the M50 motorway and, in particular, the introduction by a car rental company of...