Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the various bodies, groups or authorities under the aegis of his Department with a view to ascertaining the degree to which they contribute to economic recovery; the extent to which any economic assessment continues to made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15199/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he and his Department and/or group/bodies under his aegis have effected a coordinated approach towards maximisation of contribution to national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15550/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to monitor job creation prospects throughout the tourism and transport sectors under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15557/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he has had any discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to ensuring that transport costs in this jurisdiction are competitive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15558/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 324, 331 and 332 together.

The Programme for Government sets out the measures which the Government is taking to achieve economic recovery.  As part of this Programme, the Government recently approved an Action Plan for Jobs 2013, which contains 333 actions to be implemented in 2013 by 16 Government Departments and 46 agencies. The Plan will build on the progress made under the 2012 Action Plan and continue to improve supports for job-creating businesses and remove the barriers to employment-creation across the economy.

The further development of the tourism sector has been an important element of the Government's economic policy, supported by measures such as the 9% reduced VAT rate, the cut in employers' PRSI and the fuel rebate for coach operators. The Action Plan for Jobs enhances my Department’s strong focus on pro-tourism and pro-job policies.  The Plan also includes a range of other transport and tourism related measures.

My Department and our agencies will continue to play a central part in the delivery of the above initiatives not just under the Action Plan but also under the Programme for Government and the Department's Statement of Strategy,  all of which are designed to contribute to economic recovery.My Department is in constant liaison with our agencies about the delivery of their commitments under these various programmes and plans.

In relation to transport costs and arising from an EU initiative to reduce administrative costs to business, I announced in January 2013 that more than 300,000 Irish businesses and sole traders will see the cost of compliance with transport regulation cut as new Departmental and Road Safety Authority computer systems go live later this year. The total projected annual savings to business will be €32 million.