Annual Report 2013

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Table of Contents

Department’s Mission Statement ........................................................ 4

Statement by the Minister ................................................................... 5

Ministers of State................................................................................. 7

Foreword by the Secretary General ...................................................... 8

Action Taken in 2013 on Key Ministerial Priorities ............................... 0

Priority ........................................................................................................................ 0

Progress ...................................................................................................................... 0

Departmental Statistics at a Glance – 2013 ............................................................... 3

High Level Goal - Aviation .................................................................... 4

Aviation ............................................................................................... 4

Regional Airports ....................................................................................................... 5

EU Airports Package ................................................................................................... 5

EU AIR PASSENGERS RIGHTS ...................................................................................... 6

Aer Lingus Shareholding ............................................................................................ 6

Aer Lingus Takeover Offer ......................................................................................... 6

Single European Sky ................................................................................................... 7

Air Transport Agreements ......................................................................................... 7

Air Accident Investigation (AAIU) ......................................................... 8

High Level Goal - Land Transport ........................................................ 19

Public Transport ................................................................................. 19

Public Transport Investment .................................................................................... 19

CIÉ Subvention ......................................................................................................... 19

CIÉ’s Financial Position ............................................................................................. 19

Bus Market Reform – Review of Direct Award PSO Contracts ................................ 19

Rail regulation – new EU measures under negotiation ........................................... 10

Public Transport Customer Service Improvements ................................................. 10

Accessibility .............................................................................................................. 11

Rural Transport Programme (RTP) ........................................................................... 11

Taxi Regulation Review ............................................................................................ 11

Sustainability and Integration .................................................................................. 12

Smarter Travel Areas Programme ........................................................................... 12

Cycling Projects ........................................................................................................ 12

City Bike-sharing schemes. ...................................................................................... 12

Low Carbon Roadmap for Transport Sector ............................................................ 13

Roads ................................................................................................. 14

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National Roads Investment ...................................................................................... 14

Local Roads Investment ........................................................................................... 14

Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets ........................................................... 14

Intelligent Transport Systems .................................................................................. 15

Review of the Road Safety Authority ....................................................................... 15

Road Safety .............................................................................................................. 16

Intoxicated Driving ................................................................................................... 16

Mutual Recognition of Penalty Points between Ireland and Northern Ireland ...... 16

Road Transport Operator Licensing ......................................................................... 17

Change to Administration of Driver Licensing ......................................................... 17

Driver Licensing Fees................................................................................................ 18

Cost Saving Measures in relation to Motor Tax Renewal ........................................ 18

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill ............................................................................................ 18

Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 ....................................................................................... 18

High Level Goal – Maritime ................................................................ 29

Maritime ............................................................................................ 29

Irish Flag Vessels ...................................................................................................... 29

Ports and Shipping ................................................................................................... 29

Port State Control .................................................................................................... 29

Concentrated Inspection Campaign ........................................................................ 20

Maritime Security .................................................................................................... 20

Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations ............................................................................ 20

Legislation ................................................................................................................ 20

Maritime Education and Training Scheme .............................................................. 21

Search and Rescue (SAR) ......................................................................................... 21

Modernisation of Equipment and Accommodation of Irish Coast Guard Units ..... 21

Irish Maritime Administration Action Plan .............................................................. 22

Accessible Maritime Transport ................................................................................ 22

High Level Goal - Tourism ................................................................... 23

Tourism.............................................................................................. 23

Overview .................................................................................................................. 23

Championing the tourism sector ............................................................................. 24

Tourism Marketing ................................................................................................... 25

The Gathering Ireland 2013 ..................................................................................... 25

Event Tourism .......................................................................................................... 26

Business Tourism ..................................................................................................... 26

Skills Training, Business Supports, Competitiveness and Enterprise Capability ..... 26

Tourism Capital Investment ..................................................................................... 27

High Level Goal - Sport ....................................................................... 28

Sport .................................................................................................. 28

Sports Capital Programme ....................................................................................... 28

Local Authority Swimming Pools ............................................................................. 28

Irish Sports Council .................................................................................................. 28

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National Governing Bodies of Sport ........................................................................ 38

Local Sports Partnerships ......................................................................................... 38

Widening Participation in Sport ............................................................................... 39

Feasibility of Developing a Museum of Sport .......................................................... 39

Anti-Doping .............................................................................................................. 39

Organisational Capability Building ........................................................................... 39

Coaching ................................................................................................................... 31

National Sports Campus Development Authority ................................................... 31

NSCDA (Operations) Limited .................................................................................... 32

Support Services Delivery .................................................................. 33

High Level Goal - Support Services ..................................................... 33

EU Presidency .......................................................................................................... 33

North/South Cooperation ........................................................................................ 34

Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit .................................................................. 34

Agency Rationalisation ............................................................................................. 34

Staffing ..................................................................................................................... 35

Staff Training and Development .............................................................................. 35

Shared Services ........................................................................................................ 36

Information Technology Services ............................................................................ 36

Emergency Planning ................................................................................................. 36

Risk Register ............................................................................................................. 37

Customer Services .................................................................................................... 37

Appendix 1 ......................................................................................... 38

Irish Coast Guard Statistics – Five-year trend .......................................................... 38

Appendix 2 ......................................................................................... 49

List of Prompt Payments for 2013 ........................................................................... 49

Appendix 3 ......................................................................................... 50

The Ministers and Senior Management of the Department ................................... 50

Appendix 4 ......................................................................................... 41

Departmental Legislation enacted during 2013 .................................. 41

Appendix 5 ......................................................................................... 42

HR Statistics ....................................................................................... 42

Appendix 6……………………………………………………………………………………. 53 Ministerial Priorities for 2014 ……………………………………………………….. 53

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Department’s Mission Statement To ensure that the transport, tourism and sport sectors make the greatest possible contribution to economic recovery, fiscal consolidation, job creation and social development. In pursuing its mission the Department will focus on the High Level Goals of its Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 It is planned to commence work on a new Statement of Strategy mid-year 2014.

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Statement by the Minister For 2013, I set out 25 major priorities for the year. These included four priorities in sport, two in tourism, and 17 in transport including road safety, aviation and maritime transport. The remaining whole of government priorities were to come in on budget and to achieve a successful EU Presidency. One of these priorities was exceeded, eighteen were fully achieved and six substantially or partially achieved. They were delivered within the constraints of reduced resources and budget. I want to acknowledge the commitment by all in the Department and the agencies and companies under our aegis, in often difficult circumstances, which made this possible. I think that it is generally agreed that the Irish Presidency of the EU was a major success and one more significant step in the improvement of the international reputation of Ireland. I particularly want to acknowledge the contribution of the staff of the Department to this effort. Many worked above and beyond the call of duty. On a more sombre note, it was disturbing that 190 people lost their lives on our roads in 2013, 28 more than in 2012, particularly as this increase follows a seven year period of continuous reduction. I need hardly say that my officials will continue to work closely with the various agencies responsible for road safety to ensure that the overall figures for deaths and serious injuries continue the previously positive downward trend. Earlier in the year, I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 which identifies a total of 144 Actions to be implemented by key stakeholders. Implementation of these actions will, I believe, result in further significant improvements in road safety. One of the more notable successes of the year was the Gathering Ireland 2013. There were more than 5000 Gathering events which contributed to a record year for visits from North America and the highest number of overseas visits since 2008. This represented an overall increase of 7.2% on the 2012 figure and more importantly generated 12% more revenue within Ireland, amounting to €3.26 billion across the country. The Tourism Sector is pivotal to the recovery of our economy and is clearly contributing to both export revenues and employment. CSO surveys report employment in accommodation and food services has grown from 114,500 in Q2 2011 to 137,100 in Q4 2013 – equivalent to a quarter of all employment growth in the period. Shannon Airport had a very impressive first year since its independence having reversed five years of successive passenger decline by recording a marginal increase in passenger numbers on 2012 and bearing out the Government decision to make it a standalone company. This was also an excellent year for sport with the opening of new multi-sport synthetic pitches and a pavilion for GAA, hockey, rugby and football at the National

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Sports Campus. These facilities will also be available to the public. Work will start this year on the new National Indoor Arena providing the first facility of its kind for indoor athletics, gymnastics and a host of other sports. In consultation with Ministers Ring and Kelly, I have now published our priorities for 2014 (see Appendix 6). I look forward to leading the Department in overcoming the challenges that achieving these new 2014 priorities will undoubtedly bring. Leo Varadkar TD Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

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Ministers of State Minister of State Ring has general responsibility for domestic tourism and sport with a particular focus on:

Domestic tourism marketing and Home Holiday campaign

Sports tourism events

Cultural tourism, festivals and other tourism-generating events

Sports Capital Programme

National Sports Facility Strategy

Engagement with Irish Sports Council and Local Sports Partnerships on promoting participation in sport, recreation and physical activity

European agenda on sport, including attendance at Council of Sports Ministers when sports issues are discussed.

Minister of State Kelly is consulted on all decisions by Minister Varadkar on CIE, its subsidiaries and the NTA. Minister of State Kelly has also engaged with Shannon Airport Authority on their plans for the development of the airport and with the NRA on the prioritisation of national roads projects and efficiencies in their works with particular reference to commuter routes. Minister of State Kelly has lead responsibility for:

Real Time Passenger Information and Integrated Ticketing

Rural Transport policy including the pursuit of integration with other local transport services (school, HSE, LITs, voluntary groups and Cross Border Community Transport) in line with Programme for Government commitments

Implementation of the recommendations of review of taxi regulation and organisation of the Taxi Forum in line with Programme for Government commitments

Prioritisation of the NTA Advisory Council’s activities and attendance where necessary at the National Sustainable Transport Office

Smarter Travel Initiatives

Integration of land use planning strategies with transport strategies

Promotion of cycling and walking and workplace travel planning, including the rollout of the city bike schemes as per the Programme for Government

Accessibility issues in public transport

Railway Safety Commission

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Foreword by the Secretary General I am pleased to report that in this phase of the 2011-2014 strategic cycle, the Department has again made significant steps towards achieving the targets agreed with the Minister in the Statement of Strategy and in relation to the Programme for Government. The priorities set out by the Minister and which are published on our website have been the main Department focus for the year. Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union was seen as hugely successful, an achievement which was all the greater because it was delivered with greatly reduced resources as compared to previous Presidencies. The contribution of this Department was noteworthy, with huge progress made on a large number of important briefs. In living up to our long-established reputation for delivering on the EU stage, Ireland’s public servants played an important role in the rehabilitation of Ireland’s reputation across Europe. At a national level, there are clear and very positive signs that the economy is now beginning to grow again, confidence is returning and employment is growing. In common with other public servants, the staff of the Department accepted the Government’s request that we make further sacrifices to help in the stabilisation of the public finances and collectively we have continued to absorb on-going reductions in staffing levels while maintaining the quantity of output. Put simply, we’re working longer, harder and more efficiently for less monetary reward. The report sets out in detail the progress that we have made during the year. The Gathering has been hailed as a major success, helping to drive recovery in the tourism sector. However, the increase in the number of deaths on our roads is a real concern and we will continue to work directly with the road safety agencies to reverse this trend. Progress on the Department’s agenda depends, of course, on a close working relationship with the various state agencies under our aegis, with the local authorities and with other Government Departments and agencies. Again on behalf of the Department, I wish to pay tribute to the support and cooperation shown across all of our interactions. We will commence work on a new Statement of Strategy in the middle of 2014 which I expect will be every bit as challenging as the current one. In January 2014 we suffered the untimely loss of our colleague and friend, Dermot McCarthy, after a long illness. Dermot had served the State with distinction, most recently as Assistant Secretary in our Department, and was respected and admired by all of those who came into contact with him across the transport sector and the wider public service. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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Tom O’Mahony Secretary General

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Action Taken in 2013 on Key Ministerial Priorities

Priority Progress

Implement planned budget savings bringing the Department in on budget at the end of 2013 to help reduce the Government’s budget deficit.

Completed

Commence preliminary works on the Cross City Luas

Completed. The in-filling of cellars was completed ahead of target, utility diversion works are on schedule, and the main construction contracts will be announced later in 2014.

Realise ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’, meeting the target of 325,000 additional visitors and €170 million in additional revenue.

Completed. Visit numbers increased by 7.2% in 2013, with visits from North America up by 13.9%. The Gathering has played a significant part, with its impact estimated at an incremental 250 – 275,000 visits.

Restart the PPP roads programme by commencing work on the N7 (Newlands Cross), N11 (Rathnew) and N17/18 (Gort-Tuam) projects

Partially complete. Work is underway on the N7 and N11 projects, the first road PPP to get underway in four years. The Gort to Tuam project is being progressed and is expected to start in the first half of 2014.

Develop new facilities at the National Sports Campus including access roads and multi-use pitches and a pavilion

Completed. Completed projects this year include Sport HQ, multi-sport pitches, a sport pavilion, the new equestrian arena, gymnastics and pentathlon facilities.

Resolve the CIE financial situation without recourse to additional subvention

Partially complete. CIE has arranged new banking facilities and did not require additional subvention at the end of the year. The company achieved passenger and revenue targets set out in the business plan.

Upgrade the Leap Card with additional products with a 2013 target of over 300,000 card users by year-end

Exceeded. The Leap Card had 378,000 users at the end of 2013 and a range of new products have been produced.

Restructure the Rural Transport Programme giving it a permanent and sustainable role within the Irish public transport system and further its integration with State-sponsored transport.

Completed. New structure of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCU) announced in July 2013.

Develop and maintain a smartphone app to allow consumers verify that their taxi driver is licenced, make the taxi consumer complaints procedure available online and ensure that those convicted of certain serious crimes

Completed.

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cannot work as taxi drivers

Establish the independent Shannon Airport – and restore the airport to passenger growth

Completed. Shannon was given full independence on January 1st 2013 and has halted the decline in passenger numbers. New routes have been announced to the US, Britain and Europe.

Launch a new Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020

Completed and implementation is underway.

Meet the objectives set down for the Irish Presidency of the Council of Transport Ministers and Council of Sports Ministers

Completed.

Determine the structure of the public service (PSO) bus market, secure funding of the CIE companies post-2014, and re-organise Irish Rail by year’s end.

The National Transport Authority has announced its plans for the future operation of the PSO bus market including the tendering of 10% of it. Work on Irish Rail’s re-organisation continues and is expected to be completed in 2014.

Launch the new plastic card licence and implement the nationwide review of speed limits

The speed limit review has been completed and published. There are some teething problems with the launch of the new driving licence service but the move to a centralised service is the right one in the long term. It will provide better service, value for money and greater security. The process has improved greatly in the first quarter of 2014.

Promote Sport (Physical Education) as an examination subject

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed proposals to change the way physical education (PE) is delivered at both junior and senior cycle in post-primary schools. These proposals are in line with the Ministers’ priority in this area to promote sport (physical education) as an examination subject.

Pass the Road Traffic, Vessels Registration, Taxi, Sport Ireland, Vehicle Clamping and Shannon Bills

The Taxi Bill and Road Traffic Bill have been enacted. The Vessels Registration was published. Sport Ireland, Vehicle Clamping, and Shannon Bills will be before the Houses in 2014.

Publish the new Ports Policy The policy to radically overhaul Ireland’s commercial ports and give Government a more hands-on role in the maritime ports was published in March 2013.

Complete the consultation phase for the new Aviation Policy and begin work on a Tourism policy review

Both final policies will be published in 2014.

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Implement a Maritime ‘Safety at Sea’ initiative

Launched, including an Action Plan to improve Maritime Safety and Marine Emergency Response Services

Launch and pilot a new scheme for community involvement in the maintenance of minor local roads

Completed. Pilot scheme launched and deemed to be successful.

Progress schemes to encourage cycling and walking and bring the Mullingar to Dublin section of the proposed coast-to-coast greenway to shovel-ready status and launch a new Active Travel Towns competition

Partially complete. Fifteen projects were funded. The section from the Meath/Westmeath county boundary to Mullingar was constructed in 2013 from funding under the National Cycle Network Funding (NCN) Programme.

Establish bike-sharing schemes similar to Dublin Bikes in other regional cities

Bike sharing schemes have been agreed for Cork, Limerick and Galway

Report on the feasibility of an Irish Museum of Sport

The Committee established by Minister Ring continued its work on examining the feasibility of developing a Museum of Sport. The Committee will report on its deliberations when their work is completed.

Complete the merger of NRA and RPA Significant progress has been made. The Heads of the Bill have been approved by Cabinet and legislation is being prepared.

Special sports capital programme for boxing and local authorities

Allocations made

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Departmental Statistics at a Glance – 2013

Safety

EU average for road deaths in 2012, the latest year for which statistics are available, was 55 per million population. The figure for Ireland in 2013 was 42 per million population.

The Irish Coast Guard responded to 2,627 incidents in 2013, 5,685 persons were assisted and over 156 lives were saved.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit published 17 air accident reports and made a total of 31 safety recommendations.

Tourism

Overseas visits to Ireland increased by 7.2% in 2013 to 6.986m visits

Visits from Britain were up 5.6% for the year to over 2.9m

Visits from the rest of Europe amounted to almost 2.5m, up 4.9% on 2012

North America visits reached over 1.01m, up 13.9%

Number of visits from rest of the world reached 435,900, a 15.1% increase

Total overseas tourism and travel earnings for 2013 grew by 9.4% to over €4.1b compared to same period in 2012, with revenues excluding fares increasing by 11.9% to €3.26b

Employment in the tourism and hospitality industry was approximately 200,000 – up about 15,000 on 2012

Transport

Investment of €265m in the upgrading of public transport infrastructure and services

Investment of €278m in national roads capital projects (including close out payments on earlier projects),

Expenditure of €43.3m on on-going national road maintenance

Expenditure of €400.6m by the Exchequer in regional and local roads

1.738m passenger journeys funded by the Rural Transport Programme

€1 billion in motor tax receipts

4.73m Motor Tax Discs issued

530,000 Driving Licences (including Learner Permits) issued.

970,000 Vehicle Registration Certificates issued.

878,000 Change of Ownership Notices processed

365,000 Penalty Points Notices Issued

15 projects funded under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme Sport

€1.6m in grants to elite athletes under the International Carding Scheme and €6.8m under the High Performance Programme

€7.9m to GAA, FAI and IRFU to increase participation by young people

67 medals at Olympic, Paralympic, World and European levels in sports supported by the Irish Sports Council

Over 850,000 visits to the National Aquatic Centre

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High Level Goal - Aviation To ensure the aviation sector supports Ireland’s economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and to ensure maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world.

Aviation The Department’s aviation strategy aims to promote regular, safe, cost-effective and competitive air services linking the country with key business and tourism markets. A key component in the continued development of the air transport market is the negotiation of liberal air transport agreements, at both the national and EU levels, to remove regulatory impediments to new air services. Development of a new national aviation policy for Ireland Following on from the successful stakeholder conference in December 2012, an Issues Paper on the development of a new national aviation policy was published on the Department’s website in February 2013. The paper posed a number of questions and covered eight broad areas: airports; air services, regulation and governance; aircraft leasing and finance; aerospace; education and training; general aviation; and sustainability.

A total of 74 submissions were received in response to the consultation process from a wide range of stakeholders. Based on the submissions and further interaction with some of the stakeholders a draft policy statement will be issued during early 2014. This will provide a further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the new policy during 2014. National Aviation Facilitation Committee Two meetings of the National Aviation Facilitation (FAL) Committee were held in 2013 with all relevant Government Departments and Agencies (Justice, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Revenue Commissioners, IAA and CAR) as well as DAA, regional airports and resident international aircraft operators represented on the Committee. The main aim of the Committee is to provide a forum for issues to be aired by the aviation sector and to find ways of addressing them to improve the passenger experience. Establishment of new Shannon Entity In addition to the stabilisation of passenger numbers its first year as an independent airport (Shannon lost over 60% of its passengers between 2007 and 2012), Shannon announced new services in 2013 to the US (Chicago and Philadelphia), Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote and Liverpool. Work was also progressed during the year to deliver the

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new vision for Shannon. The high-level Steering Group which oversaw the separation of Shannon Airport from the DAA was re-convened to oversee transitional arrangements in both SAA and Shannon Development ahead of the establishment of the proposed new Shannon entity, Shannon Group plc. The board of SAA was reconstituted including the appointment of two employee representatives. In June 2013, the board appointed a new chief executive with a wealth of experience in the aviation sector who took up his post in June. Major restructuring took place in Shannon Development throughout the year with the agency’s functions in relation to tourism and enterprise promotion being transferred, along with associated staff, to Fáilte Ireland, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The chief executive of SAA also took over as chief executive of Shannon Development in September 2013. The Heads of the Bill to establish Shannon Group on a statutory basis was also published in July.

Regional Airports

Under the Regional Airports Programme support is provided to four regional airports: Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford. A total of €2.2 million in operational subvention and €3.5 million in capital grant assistance was paid to these airports in 2013. In addition, subvention of €7.6 million was provided for public service obligation air services between Donegal and Dublin and between Kerry and Dublin in 2013. The Department also participated in a Study Group on Ireland West Airport Knock which reported at end 2013 and will provide an input to future policy on Regional Airports.

EU Airports Package

The EU Airports Package which was published in December 2011 aims to address issues of efficiency, quality and capacity across European airports with a particular focus on ground-handling services, noise reduction and slot allocation. The package as a whole aims to promote greater competitiveness within the aviation sector and is one of the most important EU legislative initiatives in the aviation sphere in a number of years. Although a common position on all three elements was agreed in Council in 2012, final agreement on the package remained stalled in 2013 due to differences in approach between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Towards the end of 2013, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission mutually agreed to split negotiations on the three legislative proposals of the airport package and as a result, work on the airport noise proposal has been re-launched with a view to reaching an agreement with the European Parliament in the first half of 2014. The European Parliament adopted the final report on the Ground handling proposals with a number of amendments in April 2013. Given other priorities under the Greek EU Presidency, it may be sometime before this matter is progressed.

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EU AIR PASSENGERS RIGHTS

Regulation (EC) No.261/2004, established common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, of cancellation or long delay of flights; it applied from 17 February 2005. In March 2013, the EU Commission published new proposals to revise Regulations 261/2004 (and 2027 which deals with carriers’ liability for passengers’ baggage). The proposal to revise the Regulations will clarify a number of areas including rights to information on delayed or cancelled flights, what constitutes “extraordinary circumstances” within the Regulation, rights regarding assistance/compensation for long delays and tarmac delays, etc. In addition the revisions propose a number of new passenger rights including having misspelt names corrected free of charge; new rights in relation to mishandled baggage and transparency of charges for cabin and checked luggage. Discussions on the proposal in Council commenced under the Irish Presidency in the first half of 2013 and are continuing. It is anticipated that agreement will be reached on the proposal between the Council and the European Parliament during 2014.

Aer Lingus Shareholding

The State’s shareholding in Aer Lingus remained at 25.1% in 2013. In February 2012 the Government agreed on a programme of State asset disposals and indicated that its shareholding in Aer Lingus would be sold at an appropriate time but only when market conditions were favourable and at an acceptable price that would be agreed by Government. However, circumstances favourable to a sale did not arise during the EU/IMF support programme. The Government remains willing to sell its stake under appropriate conditions and in the meantime has indicated that it will continue to manage its shareholding actively, with the aim of maximising the value of the shareholding, securing dividends and encouraging new routes and additional capacity where commercially viable.

Aer Lingus Takeover Offer

In June 2012 Ryanair made a third takeover offer for Aer Lingus. The offer was referred to the European Commission for clearance under the EU Merger Regulation. In December 2012 the Government stated that it was not prepared to support any offer for the company that would significantly undermine employment, connectivity and competition in the Irish market. Clearance was subsequently refused by the European Commission in February 2013 In June 2013, Ryanair lodged an appeal with the General Court of the European Union against the EU Commission’s decision to prohibit the takeover offer for Aer Lingus. The State has been granted leave to intervene in the case in support of the Commission’s decision and this intervention will be progressed in accordance with the Court’s timetable.

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Single European Sky

The goal of creating a Single European Sky (SES) is governed by a series of EU Regulations agreed in 2004 and in 2009. The central objective of this SES regulatory framework is to reduce the fragmentation of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and to increase the capacity of European airspace in order to enhance its efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness. Throughout 2013, under the SES framework, the Department participated in the successful conclusion of negotiations on a revised regulatory framework to measure the performance of European air traffic management in the period 2015-2019. It is expected that the new performance framework will lead to greater efficiencies in the provision of air navigation services. The Department and the IAA continued to work closely with the UK during 2013 in progressing cooperation in airspace management under the UK/Ireland Functional Airspace Block (FAB), which encompasses both Irish and UK airspace. The UK-Ireland FAB is Europe’s transatlantic gateway and is strategically important to integrating airspace across Europe (90% of North Atlantic traffic passes through Irish or UK airspace). No other FAB has a similar role on this scale. In the period 2008-12, over €70 million of savings have been delivered to airline customers, including 232,000 tonnes of CO2 and 73,000 tonnes of fuel.

Air Transport Agreements

A key component of the EU’s external aviation policy is to develop a wider European Common Aviation Area by incorporating neighbouring countries. To this end, a number of air transport agreements have been negotiated between the EU and many neighbouring countries and regions in recent years, including the Baltics, Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. In June 2013 the EU signed a comprehensive agreement with Israel, and in November initialled a comprehensive Agreement with the Ukraine. Also in November the first meeting of the EU-Gulf Aviation Dialogue was held in Riyadh. This is an important process which is on-going. In 2013 dialogue commenced between the European Commission and Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) with a view to developing air traffic between the two regions. The first EU-ASEAN Summit will be held in 2014. Following the negotiation of Open Skies agreements with the USA and Canada, now the major focus of the EU is on negotiating and concluding aviation agreements with key emerging markets such as Brazil, China and India in addition to the neighbouring States. Negotiations continued in 2013 with a view to finalising an agreement with Brazil. Ireland fully supports the EU efforts in this area and the Department continues to pursue measures to enhance Ireland’s bilateral aviation relations with emerging markets.

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Air Accident Investigation (AAIU) The following Table is a breakdown of the total national and international occurrences recorded by the AAIU in 2013.

Accidents Serious Incidents

Incidents Total

National 6 10 67 83

International 3 14 16 33

Total 9 24 83 116

A total of 9,216 Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MORs) were received and assessed in 2013 of which 116 came within the remit of the AAIU. With priority given towards the investigation and reporting of accidents and serious incidents, a total of 16 occurrences were the subject of a national investigation and a further 17 related to foreign investigations into Irish registered/operated aircraft abroad where assistance was provided by the AAIU through the appointment of Accredited Representatives. A total of 31 safety recommendations were issued by the AAIU in 2013. There were no fatalities recorded for 2013, however, 13 persons suffered various injuries, having been involved in an aviation occurrence. A significant amount of the Unit’s resources were concentrated on the Report of the Investigation into the 2011 Metro III fatal accident in Cork. A total of 17 Reports, consisting of one Interim Statement and 16 Final Reports were published on the AAIU website during 2013.

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High Level Goal - Land Transport To provide for the maintenance and upgrade of the transport network and ensure the delivery of public transport services with particular regard to economic competitiveness, social needs, sustainability and safety objectives.

Public Transport

Public Transport Investment

Investment in the public transport infrastructure and services totalled €265 million in 2013, much of which was renewal of existing infrastructure. This enabled the continued implementation of the Third Railway Safety Programme (2009-2013), commencement of the essential advance works for Luas Cross City Line as well as the purchase of 80 new buses for Dublin Bus. Dublin Bus has now become one of the first public transport companies in the EU to make every bus in its fleet wheelchair accessible. Construction/installation works continued on the Dublin City Centre rail re-signalling project. Works on the Road Crossing Automation Programme for 2013 focused on the Galway and Mayo lines. The 3rd Railway Safety Programme has continued the work under the previous two Programmes.

CIÉ Subvention

Funding of €226 million was provided in State subvention, through the NTA, to the CIÉ companies in 2013. The provision of public service obligation services by the CIÉ companies is subject to contracts between the companies and the National Transport Authority (NTA).

CIÉ’s Financial Position

The Board of CIE is pursuing a number of measures to address the Group’s financial position, including cost reductions across the three operating companies. New banking facilities were put in place in 2012. Good progress was made in 2013 with cost savings agreed in Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and passenger numbers stabilising as the economy is recovering. Because of the dependence of CIE on its recently negotiated bank facilities, it is important that the Group performs in line with its business plan as submitted to the banks. CIE will face progressively more demanding bank covenant targets each year so it is critical that costs saving measures are delivered.

Bus Market Reform – Review of Direct Award PSO Contracts

The direct award contracts for the provision of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus market services held by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann expire later this year. The awarding of subsequent contracts is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under its independent statutory remit. On the 5th of December 2013, in

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accordance with the provisions of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the NTA announced that about 10% of publicly subvented (PSO) bus services will be tendered out with the new services commencing in the summer of 2016. The tendering process is due to start at end November 2014 and the contracts will be awarded at end 2015.

Bus Market Reform – Award of New PSO Contracts

The National Transport Authority, following two tender competitions in 2013, awarded public transport services contracts to M&A Coaches of Ballyragget, County Kilkenny for the provision of bus services between Portlaoise and Urlingford and between Portlaoise and Cashel. These new services were introduced following a decision by Bus Éireann to withdraw their licensed commercial services. These contracted routes were the first to be awarded to a private company and receive public subsidy to support socially necessary services.

Rail regulation – new EU measures under negotiation

The EU published the Fourth Railway Package in 2013. The package consists of proposals for three Directives and three Regulations. These legislative proposals involve the further opening of domestic railway markets to competition, including provisions for mandatory tendering of public service contracts and updating and streaming of processes and systems for railway safety and interoperability. Political agreement was reached with the Council on two of the three technical elements of the Package relating to interoperability of railway system and railway safety. Negotiations were also commenced by end 2013 on the final technical proposal in the Package which concerns the remit of the European Railway Agency.

Public Transport Customer Service Improvements

Further enhancements were introduced to the Leap Card Scheme in the Greater Dublin Area in 2013. These include use of TaxSaver Annual Passes on personalised Leap cards, launch of Leap on Bus Éireann eastern region services as well as integration of a number of private bus operators (including Collins Coaches, Swords Express and Wexford Bus) into the scheme. City-wide single operator and multi-operator capping has also been launched. Leap card sales remain strong and stood at 378,000 by end 2013. Good progress was also made on the provision of Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) for Dublin Bus with 488 signs operational in the Greater Dublin Area. A number of signs are also operational at Dublin Airport (Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Aircoach). Flat screen real time displays were also installed at some rail stations (Pearse, Connolly, Tara Street) as well as UCD, Mater Hospital and Dublin Airport (Terminal 1). The project is also well advanced in the regional cities with the majority of signs in Cork, Galway and Limerick now operational. The installation of signs in Waterford is also progressing well. The National Integrated Journey Planner (NIJP), which is a door to door journey planner that provides service information, directions and time estimates on public

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transport, continued to work well in 2013. Downloads of the application have exceeded 160,000. The application was further enhanced by integration with Google Maps. A Dublin Cycle Journey Planner was also launched at the end of 2013. The NJIP has also been added to the Transport for Ireland homepage giving a faster entry into the planner.

Accessibility

Transport Access for All, the Department’s Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, provides a roadmap for further advancements in public transport accessibility improvements. It aims to build on the progress already achieved and was prepared following an extensive consultation process. This plan was completed in 2012, was approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas early in 2013 and published in August that year following the preparation of various accessible formats.

Rural Transport Programme (RTP)

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). During 2013, over 1.7 million passenger journeys were recorded on more than 224,000 transport services funded under the Rural Transport Programme, an increase of 0.5% and 3% respectively on 2012. Over €9 million was expended on the Programme in 2013. Following a Value for Money Review of the RTP published in 2012, the NTA examined different scenarios to determine the optimal structure for the future delivery of rural transport from an efficiency and service perspective. The NTA recommended that the establishment of 18 Transport Co-ordination Units (TCUs) to replace the existing 35 RTP Groups delivering the service The new structures were announced by Minister Kelly on 9 July 2013 and a formal call for applications for the selection process for the 18 TCUs issued to all 35 RTP Groups on 3rd of October 2013. An appraisal process of the applications submitted, managed by the NTA, commenced in early December 2013, with a view to the phased establishment of the TCUs in 2014.

Taxi Regulation Review

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. It is also the lead agency for the implementation of the recommendations of the Taxi Regulation Review Report 2011. Many of the key recommendations of the Review Report relate to enforcement and compliance measures. These recommendations have been given legislative effect through the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 which was signed into law on 23 October 2013.

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Sustainability and Integration

Strategic investment in sustainable travel under key programmes has been continued with on-going support for smarter travel investment with a five year multi-annual budget of €65 million agreed. A two-pronged approach is being taken to improving sustainable commuting rates; investment in public transport and infrastructure to facilitate cycling and walking allied to support for programmes to encourage people to make smarter travel decisions. Schemes funded to encourage smarter travel included the travel element of the Green Schools Programme, a new Smarter Campuses Programme and Smarter Travel Workplaces.

Smarter Travel Areas Programme

Under the Smarter Travel Areas Programme three towns (Westport, Dungarvan and parts of Limerick City) were selected in 2012 to act as demonstration areas for sustainable transport initiatives. This programme is a multi-annual programme with a total of €23 million being provided for the development and promotion of sustainable transport in these towns over the five year period. 2013 saw the completion of the second year of the programme with good progress to date across three areas, in terms of delivering infrastructural and behavioural change measures.

Cycling Projects

Nine Active Travel Towns Projects were completed in 2013, bringing the total number of projects to thirteen for the 2012/2013 programme. A second round of funding was announced in August 2013 in respect of the period 2014-2016. Proposals are being assessed on a competitive basis with a view to announcing successful proposals in early 2014. In 2013, cycle projects were also delivered under the first phase of the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2012/2013. A total of fifteen projects were funded under this Programme in the period to end 2013. A second round of funding was announced in August 2013 in respect of the period 2014-2016. Proposals are being assessed on a competitive basis with a view to announcing successful proposals in early 2014. Bikeweek 2013 continued to be very successful with over 400 events attended by over 30,000 people organised by local authorities, local sports partnerships and local communities.

City Bike-sharing schemes.

Work is well advanced within the Department and the National Transport Authority on proposals to introduce bike share schemes in Cork, Limerick and Galway. The NTA expects to appoint a company to install and manage the schemes early in 2014. Coca-Cola has been selected as the commercial sponsor for the regional city bike schemes.

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Construction on the expansion of the Dublin bikes scheme commenced in October 2013 It is anticipated that all of the 58 new bikes stations and 950 bikes will be provided by July 2014. This will result in the Dublin bikes scheme having a total of 102 bike stations and 1,500 bikes.

Low Carbon Roadmap for Transport Sector

In order for Ireland to contribute effectively and equitably to reducing carbon emissions, the planned Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill sets out proposed statutory obligations in relation to the development of a National Low Carbon Roadmap, incorporating sectoral roadmaps. The Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly TD, launched a public consultation process on the 17 December to help prepare the roadmap for the transport sector. To support this process, the Department developed an Issues Paper that outlines policy considerations for evaluating options as part of the road mapping process. The deadline for receipt of written submissions was 7 February 2014.

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Roads

National Roads Investment

A total of €278 million was invested in capital projects (including close out payments on earlier projects), while €43.3 million was expended on on-going maintenance and upkeep of the national road network. The maintenance works included work to alleviate hazards at identified accident locations, resurfacing, improved signage and other necessary upkeep. In addition to this, a total of €61.7 million was spent on PPP operational payments. Four of the Exchequer funded major projects underway at the start of 2013 were open to traffic before the end of 2013 (i.e. Tralee Bypass, Cork South Ring Road Interchanges, the Belturbet Bypass and the Downs Grade Separation near Mullingar). Work is continuing on the Ballaghdereen Bypass. No significant Exchequer funded new projects are planned to commence in the next number of years. Emphasis instead is on upkeep and maintenance as well as accident reduction measures. A number of PPP projects were however progressed during 2013 under the Government’s Financial Stimulus Programme of July 2012 (i.e. the Gort to Tuam Motorway, New Ross Bypass, Gorey to Enniscorthy Scheme).

Local Roads Investment

€400,561,124 was invested by the Exchequer in regional and local roads in 2013. This included an additional €50 million allocation under the Government’s Investment Stimulus in 2013: • 2,606 kms of road maintained (Restoration Maintenance Programme) • 2,522 kms of road strengthened (Restoration Improvement Programme) • 156 improvement projects undertaken in 2013 under the Specific Improvement

and Strategic Regional and Local road grants for larger works on roads and bridges

• 199 Low Cost Safety Improvement Schemes completed and a further 15 schemes undertaken for works at accident black spots throughout the country.

A pilot Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) was launched in 2013 with a view to facilitating maintenance work on less trafficked local roads.

Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets

The Design Manual for Urban Roads was published in March 2013. Preparation of the Manual was overseen by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. It outlines practical design measures to encourage more sustainable travel patterns in urban areas.

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The Manual sets out design guidance and standards for constructing new and reconfiguring existing urban roads and streets in Ireland, incorporating good planning and design practice. It aims to end the practice of designing streets as traffic corridors, and instead puts the focus on the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users while recognising the needs of motorists too.

Intelligent Transport Systems

The ITS Working Group met three times during 2013 to progress and co-ordinate ITS policy issues. The Department and its agencies engaged fully with the European Commission on ITS matters and in particular on the development of delegated regulations under the ITS Directive (2010/40/EC) in the areas of safety-related traffic information and truck parking information. The Department continued to progress preparations for the introduction of the European Electronic Toll Service. This is a standardised system of tolling across Europe and is being implemented through a series of technical and governance measures. The Department also progressed preparation for the eCall service which is an electronic emergency call service fitted to vehicles. The Department also continued its engagement with national and international ITS organisations and platforms such as ITS Ireland and ERTICO. The Department was closely involved with the organisation and execution of the 9th ITS European Congress which was held in Dublin in June 2013. This event, the largest of its kind in Europe, attracted 1,700 delegates with 80% of these coming from abroad. The first joint meeting of the European ITS Committee and the European ITS Advisory Group established under the ITS Directive took place in Dublin during the Congress.

Review of the Road Safety Authority

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) was established under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006. Since then, the functions of the RSA have expanded considerably and it was deemed timely to carry out a review of the Authority to determine if the legislation establishing the organisation is still appropriate and sufficiently robust to support the current and possible future activities of the Authority. A working group comprising representatives from the Road Safety Division and Legal Services of this Department, the RSA and DPER was established and reported to the Minister. On foot of the review, measures will be taken during 2014 to develop a more appropriate structure for the RSA.

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Road Safety

In 2013, 190 people were killed on Irish roads. This was 28 more lives lost than 2012 and ended a seven year period of continuous reduction. The Minister launched the Government’s fourth Road Safety Strategy in March. The Strategy – ‘Closing the Gap’ - will run until 2020 and aims to make Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deaths in the EU. It also focuses on new measures to reduce the number and severity of serious injuries arising from road collisions. The new Strategy sets a specific target for 2020 to reduce the number of road deaths to 124 a year, and serious injuries to 330 per year. 27 separate pieces of secondary legislation, designed to improve road safety standards in general were introduced during 2013.

Intoxicated Driving

Work continues on the introduction of measures to combat the issue of intoxicated driving and in particular drug driving which is an issue of growing concern. The Road Traffic (No 2.) Bill 2013 provides for Gardaí to conduct roadside impairment testing specifically to detect intoxicated drivers. This testing consists of simple, physical, cognitive tests such as walking a straight line or counting while standing on one leg and will assist the Gardaí in determining whether a driver is incapable of having proper control of a vehicle. Further to the Report on Roadside Drug Testing and Equipment and Related Matters published by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) in June 2012, one of the main objectives of the study was to determine whether any suitable devices, similar to breathalysers, are available to detect and measure levels of drugs. A working group was established to consider the issues associated with introducing such devices and to identify a suitable device to take samples from drivers by the roadside. The group met a number of times in 2013 and the MBRS will tender for a suitable device in 2014. A legislative working group, consisting of representatives from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Siochána was formed in September 2013. This Group was established to examine the enhancements necessary to existing legislation to deal specifically with drug driving and the introduction of suitable equipment to detect a range of certain commonly used drugs at road side checkpoints. The enabling legislation will be introduced in 2014 as part of the next Road Traffic Bill.

Mutual Recognition of Penalty Points between Ireland and Northern Ireland

In February 2012 it was agreed to examine under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council options for of the mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland. A detailed timetable for the process was set out at the North South Ministerial Council meeting on 5th October 2012.

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Primary legislation will be required in both jurisdictions to enable implementation. Initially the work will involve the mutual recognition of penalty points in each jurisdiction for the four road traffic offences of speeding, drink/drug driving, non–wearing of seatbelts and using a mobile phone while driving. These are the main Road Traffic offences associated with serious accidents. Further discussions have been postponed pending the resolution of some difficulties that arose regarding the prosecution of non-resident drivers in absentia by the Irish courts.

Road Transport Operator Licensing

The Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit (RTOL) managed the licence process for road transport operators. At the end of 2013 there were 3,843 haulage licence holders and 1,841 passenger licence holders, a total of 5,684 licensed operators. 713 Road Haulage Operator's Licences and 387 Road Passenger Transport Operator's Licence were issued in 2013. During 2013, RTOL continued the development of a new computer system to facilitate on-line application for operator licences and to provide a better licence management system. The back office went live in 2013 and provides RTOL with increased data security. It also enables RTOL to exchange information with other State bodies to establish if operators are complying with all their legal requirements regarding vehicles, company law, good repute etc. The final stages of the project will be delivered in early 2014 including public web access, which will provide an online facility for operators to apply for and manage licences, and connection to the European Register of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) which will exchange data about infringements, by hauliers in Member States.

Change to Administration of Driver Licensing

As provided for under EU legislation, the new plastic card licence was introduced in January 2013. Following a review to determine the best means for introducing the plastic card driver licence to Ireland in 2013, the Government decided on a centralised model in respect of driver licensing provision. The National Driver Licensing Authority (NDLS) took over responsibility for issuing driving licences from 29 October 2013 from local authorities. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has responsibility for the NDLS. This centralised approach will offer greater efficiencies in the overall delivery of the service and will provide a better and more uniform service to all end users. During the course of the year, the Department worked closely with the Road Safety Authority, the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Environment, Community and Local Government, as well as the local authorities in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new centralised driver licensing system. There were some initial difficulties with processing of the new licences during the start-up phase, however this has improved greatly in the first quarter of 2014. The Department’s National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) contains details of just over 2.4 million registered vehicles and their owners, as well as the 2.65 million

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licensed drivers in the country and will play a critical role as the database of reference for the driving licence system. The NVDF software application was modified in 2012 to facilitate the new arrangements.

Driver Licensing Fees

Regulations were also prepared to allow for an increase in driver licence fees that became effective on 1 January 2013. These were the first increase in fees since 1989 and will result in the driver licence service being self-funding in future.

Cost Saving Measures in relation to Motor Tax Renewal

The Department, in common with other Government Departments is, in line with eGovernment objectives, actively seeking opportunities to optimise online service availability for customers and at the same time deliver cost savings to the Exchequer. The Department issues over 4.5 million paper based motor tax renewal notices each year at a cost of €2 million. Transfer to electronic reminders via email is an opportunity to significantly reduce costs associated the paper based system. The issuing of email motor tax renewal notices begun in 2012 on a pilot basis and was extended nationwide during 2013, resulting in annual savings in the region of €700,000.

Road Traffic (No. 2) Bill

The Road Traffic (No 2.) Bill 2013 was published and introduced in Dáil Éireann during 2013, and was enacted in early 2014. Key elements of the Bill include further measures to the graduated driver licence system, the introduction of roadside impairment testing, tougher penalties for involvement in hit and run incidents, changes to the level of penalty points for several offences, provision for taking a blood specimen in hospital from a driver incapacitated following a road traffic collision and making it an offence to tamper with an odometer.

Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014

Current legislation on clamping only deals with clamping on-street, by or under contract to local authorities but not to the activity of clamping on private land. In accordance with the commitment in the Programme for Government “to legislate to regulate the vehicle clamping industry”, the Government approved the drafting of the heads of a Bill on the 26th March 2013. The necessary legislation is currently being drafted by the Attorney General’s Office. Contingent on Government approval, it is anticipated that the Bill will be published and introduced in the Oireachtas during Q2 2014.

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High Level Goal – Maritime

To ensure the safety and competitiveness of maritime transport services, the protection of the marine environment and the provision of an effective emergency response service.

Maritime

Irish Flag Vessels

The internationally trading Irish merchant shipping fleet numbered 37 vessels (greater than 500 gross tonnage) at the end of the year. A new building programme for Irish owners continued in South Korea during 2013.

Ports and Shipping

In March 2013 Government approved the publication of a new National Ports Policy which was launched by the Minister on the 26 March. The core objective of the new policy is to facilitate a competitive and effective market for maritime transport services. The policy introduces a number of important reforms and categorises the commercial port companies into three tiers – • Ports of National Significance Tier 1 (Dublin, Cork and Shannon Foynes) • Ports of National Significance Tier 2 (Waterford and Rosslare) • Ports of Regional Significance (Drogheda, Dún Laoghaire, Galway, New Ross

and Wicklow). Since the publication of the National Ports Policy implementation has commenced across a number of areas. Legislation to facilitate the transfer of the Ports of Regional Significance to local authority control is well underway and stakeholder consultations were held throughout Q3 and Q4. A public consultation was launched on 7 March 2013 on the transfer of Bantry Bay Harbour to the control of the Port of Cork. As a result of the consultation it was decided that the transfer would take place, with the Port of Cork Company establishing a subsidiary company to manage Bantry Bay Harbour. Approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was received in December 2013 for the Port of Cork Company to establish the subsidiary company with a transfer date of 1st January 2014.

Port State Control

Ireland complied with its obligations under the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (PMoU) and EU Directives. The Irish flag maintained its “Low Risk” status and Ireland is one of the few States in the world with such status.

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Ireland continued with the implementation of the New Inspection Regime (NIR) of the Paris MoU, which is risk-based. An increased number of inspections were carried out during the year, rising from 266 (2012) to 289 (2013). Ireland fulfilled its required level of inspections in accordance with the NIR in 2013. All international roll-on/roll-off passenger ships operating in and out of the State were inspected and all domestic passenger ferries and passenger boats were certified during the year.

Concentrated Inspection Campaign

From September to end November Ireland took part in a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) which focussed on the propulsion and ancillary machinery on foreign ships calling to ports. The results will be made available through the Paris MoU to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Following the Costa Concordia accident Ireland took part in the international Harmonised Verification Programme (HAVEP) of the Paris MoU on passenger ship safety during 2013. Under the HAVEP passenger ships due for inspection on arrival in Ireland underwent a verification process. The results will be made available through the Paris MoU to the IMO.

Maritime Security

Implementation of EU Directive 2005/65/EC on port security was completed during the year and a number of Port Security Authorities were established in accordance with the requirements of the Directive. Additionally, in relation to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, oversight activities continued during the year.

Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations

Fishing Vessel Safety Regulations continued to be implemented during the year. Meetings were held with industry representatives and with the fishing industry regarding fishing vessel safety. Work continued in 2013 on the revision of the Code of Practice for small fishing vessels of less than 15 metres length overall.

Legislation

Five statutory instruments were made during the year, giving effect to international, EU and domestic legislation to enhance maritime safety and protection of the marine environment from ship source pollution. Marine Notices are information notices that are issued by the Department to publicise important safety, regulatory and other relevant information relating to maritime affairs in Ireland. 58 Marine Notices were issued in 2013. Work continued on the preparation of secondary legislation that will support the implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention and will update national legislation in respect of a number of other international conventions including SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) and STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). Work progressed on the preparation of legislative proposals for a new regime for the registration of ships in Ireland to replace the Mercantile Marine

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Act 1955, as amended. The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill 2013 was published on 23 December 2013. The purpose of the Bill is to update Ireland’s ship registration regime by establishing a modern ship registration system with a new electronic, centralised and accessible Irish Register of Ships at its core. The Bill will be considered by the Oireachtas in 2014.

Maritime Education and Training Scheme

The Irish Maritime Education and Training Scheme (MET) is certified by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and EU requirements for seafarers’ training and certification. Ireland continued implementation of the 2010 Manilla amendments the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Search and Rescue (SAR)

The Irish Coast Guard responded to 2,627 incidents in 2013 and 50,882 marine safety broadcasts were issued. 5,685 persons were assisted and over 156 lives were saved by the Coast Guard’s coordinated response utilising Coast Guard helicopters, volunteer rescue units, RNLI lifeboats and Community Rescue Boats in the busiest year on Coast Guard records due in part to the exceptionally good summer weather.

Modernisation of Equipment and Accommodation of Irish Coast Guard Units

2013 saw the completion of the programme of modernisation and updating of equipment at the Valentia Marine Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) region. With this completion the Coast Guard’s national communications network has been much improved, will provide for greater resilience and facilitate resource sharing across the common network. The next phase of the development will be to upgrade IT systems supporting operations within the three rescue co-ordination centres for greater operational effectiveness and efficiency which will go to tender in 2014. The fourth and final Search and Rescue (SAR), S92 helicopter, was put into service at Dublin Airport in December 2013. This aircraft is specifically configured for SAR operations with a radius of operation of 270 nautical miles and is designed to meet a range of SAR requirements. This completes the full transition from S61 model to the S92 model in all four airport bases. In addition to SAR services, the Irish Coast Guard aims to be in a position to deliver paramedic care to 70-75% of all incidents within 60 minutes. The new station house opened in Crosshaven in 2013 and works to the station house at Killybegs were completed. Killybegs was formally opened in March 2014. Works commenced during the year to the stationhouse in Doolin. The Office of Public Works provided space for the Volunteer Coast Guard Unit in Dun Laoghaire (shared with BIM) Further accommodation was provided at Valentia Island (adjoining the Garda Station at Knightstown) and at Waterville with refurbishment works due to commence in 2014.

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Irish Maritime Administration Action Plan

Following Value for Money Reports in the areas of maritime safety and emergency response services which were published in 2012, the Minister brought an Action Plan to Government in July 2013 which addressed a number of findings in the Reports. The Action Plan primarily focuses on internal structural changes, operational arrangements to maximise efficiencies and best use of resources and identifies a programme of technological projects and enhancements to support the changes envisaged. Among the commitments in the Plan was a re-branding of the maritime functions of the Department as a single entity called the Irish Maritime Administration (IMA). The new Irish Maritime Administration was established before the end of 2013 and is focused on delivering greater efficiencies and effectiveness through integration and enhanced technologies. One of the key outputs of the IMA will be drawing up of a new Maritime Safety Strategy. During the year, work commenced on the new Maritime Safety strategy which will address the objective of reducing the number of deaths and injuries among recreational users, fishers, passengers and seafarers. The publication of the strategy will be preceded by a public consultation process designed to engage the widest number of interested parties. A new Maritime Services Division was established in 2013 to bring together the administrative support units of the Marine Survey Office (including the Mercantile Marine Office) and the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) and will support the co-ordination and delivery of high quality services to these areas. Resources have also been tasked to deliver updated port waste and oil spill contingency plans by end 2014.

Accessible Maritime Transport

Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility will also be protected against discrimination when booking a journey and, once appropriate notification is provided, will be assured of assistance as required at embarkation and disembarkation as well as on board the ship. As part of the Department’s efforts to promote maritime transport accessibility, a programme to monitor the voluntary efforts made by the owners/operators of passenger ships and boats to improve the accessibility of their maritime passenger transport services continued during 2013. This involved the completion of accessibility questionnaires during the annual survey of passenger ships or in the context of the grant or renewal of passenger boat licenses. The results of the programme will be reviewed in 2014.

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High Level Goal - Tourism To support the tourism industry in increasing revenue and employment through enhancing competitiveness and through marketing and product development.

Tourism

Overview

The tourism and hospitality industry employs around 200,000 people and generates in the region of €5.5 billion per year in revenue from home and abroad. It is an industry mainly populated by smaller enterprises and is deeply rooted in the fabric of Irish economic life, urban and rural. Tourism is central to the Government’s economic recovery programme and has been integrated into the broader economic strategic framework. Key commitments in the Programme for Government were reflected in the Government’s subsequent Jobs Initiative, with immediate priority actions set out in the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs. In 2013, assisted by these measures, the number of overseas visits to Ireland increased for the third year in a row to 6.986 million visits. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), visits for the year increased by 7.2% overall compared to 2012 and all main market areas registered growth. Visits from Britain were up 5.6% for the year to over 2.9 million; visits from the rest of Europe amounted to almost 2.5 million, up 4.9% on 2012; North American visits reached over 1.01 million, up 13.9%; and the number of visits from the rest of the world (principally Australia and other long-haul developing markets) reached 435,900, a 15.1% increase. Total overseas tourism and travel earnings for 2013 grew by 9.4% to over €4.1 billion compared to the same period in 2012. Furthermore, the accommodation and food service sector continued to register employment growth during 2013. CSO data showed that employment in this sector alone stood at 137,700 in the third quarter 2013 (the peak of the tourist season) – an increase of 12% (14,600 jobs) compared to the same quarter in 2012, the highest since Q3 2007. According to Fáilte Ireland’s Survey of Overseas Travellers, improvements in satisfaction levels with value for money was apparent amongst visitors from all of Ireland’s main overseas markets which will help Ireland’s competitiveness and should further grow market share.

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Championing the tourism sector

As already indicated tourism is central to the Government’s economic recovery programme. This is complemented by the work of the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. When publishing his Departmental priorities for 2013, the Minister confirmed his intention to begin work on a tourism policy review in Ireland. The Tourism Policy Review was officially launched by the Minister and Minister of State Ring on 11th September 2013. A consultation document was published and submissions were invited from tourism industry bodies, organisations, businesses and individuals. A total of 174 submissions were received in response to the consultation document. In addition, a series of six regional seminars took place around Ireland to further discuss the key issues raised in the discussion document. A workshop with a range of national tourism stakeholders’ representatives also took place in Dublin in December 2013. The submissions and the feedback received at the regional seminars are currently being analysed, and it is planned to finalise the new policy by Easter 2014. Having already delivered on several measures under the Jobs Initiative to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness (such as introducing the Visa Waiver Programme, halving employers’ PRSI for those on modest wages and reducing VAT on certain tourism services to 9% - which was originally a temporary measure but is now retained), the 2013 Action Plan for Jobs set out key policy actions to ensure tourism’s contribution to economic recovery, building further on the Programme for Government. These included:

• Delivering The Gathering Ireland 2013

Supporting initiatives that aim to improve air access to West Coast USA and other locations of high strategic importance for trade, investment and tourism (e.g. China, India).

Continuing to work closely with airlines, ferry companies, ports and airports in terms of cooperative promotional campaigns to drive demand for services from key overseas tourism markets.

Providing suitable tourism material to Ministers travelling overseas with a particular focus on exploiting opportunities to promote “The Gathering Ireland 2013.

Implementing an overseas marketing and promotional campaign supported by the Tourism Marketing Fund and The Gathering budget

Using the Tourism Marketing Fund to support international marketing and advertising programmes, focusing on the four core markets (GB, USA, Germany and France).

Building on the work of the industry-led Tourism Recovery Taskforce, maximising the attractiveness of Ireland's overseas tourism offering, particularly by refining our communications, promotion and product with a

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view to enhancing our competitiveness to British holidaymakers and leisure travellers.

Another focus of the 2013 Action Plan was on developing tourism products/ activities where Ireland can gain comparative advantage (e.g. food, culture, activity breaks, events and festivals), to be achieved by a combination of targeted capital investment and local destination management strategies. Tourism is also benefitting from the Government’s JobBridge programme, as well as from significant investment in other transport infrastructure. To ensure that the needs of the tourism industry are reflected in other related or over-arching policies, officials from the Department’s Tourism Division actively contribute to cross-cutting high level and Inter-departmental Groups and also make other interventions.

Tourism Marketing

In 2013, the Department provided over €37 million to the tourism agencies for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination. Highlights included a major push around St. Patrick’s Day with the now annual "greening" of iconic landmarks worldwide e.g. the Pyramids of Giza, the Princes Palace of Monaco, the Leaning Tour of Pisa, the Sydney Opera House, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the London Eye. An extensive programme of greening prominent buildings in Ireland was also initiated by the Minister. The main focus in terms of overseas marketing activity continued to be on the four key tourism markets of Great Britain, the US, France and Germany which together contribute nearly three-quarters of all visitors to Ireland.

The Gathering Ireland 2013

The Gathering Ireland 2013 was highly successful in achieving its core objective of increasing the number of overseas visitors to Ireland. The preliminary assessment is that the Gathering delivered between 250,000 and 275,000 incremental tourists which would not have otherwise visited in 2013. It is estimated that these additional overseas visitors spent up to €170 million in Ireland. In terms of Gathering events, the original project plan aimed to create an additional 500 events. By the end of 2013 however, a total of 4,942 “Gatherings” were registered on the official website. In addition, it is known that other “Gatherings” took place which were not registered on the site, taking the estimated overall total to over 5,000. The Gathering was a critical factor in helping to make the case for additional air access to Ireland during 2013. In this regard, available air seat capacity increased by 4% for the peak summer season and by 7% for the winter period. Extensive media engagement was undertaken to promote the initiative and it is estimated that the domestic media coverage had an Equivalent Advertising Value of over €40 million while the corresponding figure for overseas coverage amounted to €75 million.

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While the Gathering was focused on 2013, a number of aspects will have a longer lasting impact, both on tourism and more widely. Many of the events which were organised for the first time in 2013 are likely to be repeated over time, and some may even become annual events. The Gathering was highly successful in terms of using local authorities to set up a framework for mobilising communities and local organisation of events. It strengthened and deepened the engagement of local authorities in tourism. The Gathering delivered a considerable social dividend and helped bring about a renewed sense of community spirit. Many of the lessons learned and the positive legacy issues arising from the initiative will be factored into the Tourism Policy Review which is taking place in 2013/2014.

Event Tourism

In 2013 Fáilte Ireland continued to support and promote major events (e.g. in business, cultural and sport areas) likely to attract a significant number of tourists and deliver a large number of bed nights. The Events Tourism programme is a key driver of high yield, high value international visitors to the country, a fact recognised in the Programme for Government. Notable events in 2013 included the St Patrick’s Festival, the Irish Open as well as the New Year’s Eve Festival in Dublin as well as hundreds of festivals throughout the country. In 2013, Fáilte Ireland provided funding of €2.5 million to 31 national festivals and €746,000 to 160 regional festivals taking place across the country. Festivals supported under the National Festivals and Events Programme included the Rose of Tralee Festival, Wexford Opera Festival, Guinness Cork Jazz Festival and the Dublin Theatre Festival.

Business Tourism

In 2013 Fáilte Ireland continued to invest in identifying, attracting and securing more international conferences and meetings for hosting in Ireland. 2013 saw Ireland host conferences such as the European Congress for ISPOR, European Association for Osseointegration and the Congress of the Federation of European Companion Animal Associations. Fáilte Ireland’s 2013 Conference Financial Support Scheme Fund assisted a total of 214 conference applications for bids, and marketing support for committed conferences. These conferences represented an estimated 132,000 international delegates and an estimated business value of €165 million.

Skills Training, Business Supports, Competitiveness and Enterprise Capability

The Department resourced Fáilte Ireland to support the development of knowledge, skills and competencies in the tourism sector. Key Fáilte Ireland training and development programme activity measures during 2013 included:

Operational Skills development support was provided to 5,081 participants in 1,573 businesses.

465 craft/apprenticeship students participated on accredited education programmes.

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1,046 students participated in hospitality, craft and tourism programmes in Institutes of Technology.

Continuing Professional Development support was provided to 4,585 industry personnel in 3,355 businesses.

1,295 businesses and 1,312 individuals availed of the Sales Connect programme.

Leadership and Managed Development support was provided to 535 businesses and 744 individuals.

Business mentoring and advice was delivered to 235 participants in over 235 businesses, primarily hotels, restaurants and tourism attractions.

Web supports were provided to a total of 3,649 businesses and 3,675 participants. This included 597 businesses and 623 individuals who received support associated with the Sales Connect initiative to increase overseas tourism sales.

A wide range of new programmes was developed and delivered including a one-day workshop, in conjunction with the Irish Hotels Federation, and supported by AIB and Bank of Ireland on New Financial Reporting Requirements for Hotel General Managers and Accountants; a Holiday Homes in Ireland/Self Catering Development Programme; a Business Tourism Programme; a National Tourist Guides Programme; pilot delivery in the South East of the Local Attractions Guides Programme focusing on heritage attractions and live interpretation development. An initiative for enhancing Taxi Drivers’ customer service, and their active promotion of the Gathering 2013, was delivered to Taxi Drivers in a range of venues throughout the country. In 2013, 1,295 businesses and 1,312 individuals availed of the Sales Connect programme. This included the Sales Connect GB suite of supports which helped industry understand and respond to the new GB insights contained within the ‘GB Path to Growth’ report, including a series of workshops and training that were delivered at destination level.

Tourism Capital Investment

Government support for capital investment in tourism is provided through Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme, which is intended to assist the development of certain types of tourism infrastructure, visitor attractions, and visitor activities, but not visitor accommodation. In 2013, €19 million was provided to Fáilte Ireland to operate the Tourism Capital Investment Programme, for existing approved projects. Projects completed in 2013 included the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, King John’s Castle, Limerick, Castletown House and Gardens in Celbridge and Athlone Castle.

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High Level Goal - Sport To contribute to a healthier and more active society by promoting sports participation and by supporting high performance and the provision of facilities.

Sport

Sports Capital Programme

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the main channel of Government support for developing sports facilities and purchasing sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations across Ireland. Following receipt of a record number of applications under the 2012 SCP, the 2014 SCP was brought forward and announced in December 2013. €40 million in allocations under the Programme will be made in mid-2014. In 2013, €13.558 million was paid out to SCP grantees. An allocation of €1 million was made to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association in 2013. This will permit the upgrade of basic facilities (including the provision of showers and toilets) in boxing clubs. In addition, in September, Minister Ring and the Irish Public Bodies (IPB) launched a joint initiative called Sport Nation to make grants available to County and City Councils for the provision of sports facilities and equipment. 37 allocations were made with a total value of €1.98 million (€991,000 from each of the Department and the IPB).

Local Authority Swimming Pools

The Local Authority Swimming Pools Programme provides grants for the provision of a new or replacement local authority pool or the refurbishment of an existing pool. A total of €5.541 million was paid out in 2013

Irish Sports Council

The Department supports the activities of the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and maintains regular contact with it in monitoring the effective development, funding and implementation of programmes, in compliance with Government financial requirements and policy. The plans and annual report of the ISC detail the levels of performance and indicators being met. The ISC’s budget for 2013 was €43.5 million, which represented a decrease of 2.5% on the 2012 allocation.

The funding in 2013 allowed the ISC to continue the implementation of its strategic plan which was approved by the Minister and published in spring 2012. Covering the three year period 2012 to 2014, the plan has three central aims; increasing

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participation, improving standards in high performance sport and developing the capacity of the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

During the year, Ireland’s elite athletes and players received €1.6 million in grants under the ISC’s International Carding Scheme and €6.8 million in grants was allocated under the High Performance Programme. In sports supported by the ISC, Ireland won a record 67 medals at the European and World events across a multitude of sports. That total includes a number of World and European Gold medals and also includes a number of highly promising performances by emerging athletes.

The Half Year Irish Sports Monitor Report 2013 was published by the Irish Sports Council in October 2013. The report shows that overall participation in sport among adults continued to increase between 2011 and 2013. It also shows that the level of sedentarism (which reflects the extent of inactivity within the population) is continuing to decrease.

47% of the population participated in sport regularly (weekly) in 2013 compared to 44.5% in 2011.

The levels of sedentary people have dropped from 13.2% in 2011 to 12.1% in 2013.

Walking continues to grow in popularity with over 64.7% of Irish adults now walking for exercise on a weekly basis. Participation rates in recreational walking among Irish adults has grown significantly over the past five years and the ISC is continuing to work in partnership with a number of health and sport agencies to further increase participation rates in walking over the coming years.

National Governing Bodies of Sport

Allocations to the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport in 2013 included €7.9 million to support the work of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Football Association of Ireland and Irish Rugby Football Union in increasing participation in sport by young people. Some €11.4 million was paid to the other 59 NGBs to allow them to carry out their core activities required to deliver quality sport in Ireland, including administration, coach education and hosting and participating at international events. Across all budget headings NGBs received 50% of the ISC’s investment in 2013.

Local Sports Partnerships

In 2013, 31 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) provided national coverage for sports participation programmes and services. The ISC invested €5.1 million in the LSP network in the year. The Partnership network also hosted the employment of 16 Sports Inclusion Disability Officers.

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Widening Participation in Sport

In 2013, overall funding of €600,000 was allocated by the ISC under the ‘Go for Life’ Programme, which aims to help clubs and organisations to increase opportunities for their older members to actively participate in recreational sport and a range of physical activities. This overall funding included a grant allocation of €285,000 under the 13th National Grant Scheme for Sport and Physical Activity for Older People. The NGB and LSP allocated €0.8 million under the Women in Sport Initiative to help increase women’s participation in sport and physical activities. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed proposals to change the way physical education (PE) is delivered at both junior and senior cycle in post-primary schools. These proposals are in line with the Ministers’ priority in this area to promote sport (physical education) as an examination subject.

Feasibility of Developing a Museum of Sport

The Committee established by Minister Ring continued its work on examining the feasibility of developing a Museum of Sport. During the year, Department officials worked with OPW to identify requirements for a suitable location for a museum and Fáilte Ireland conducted a review of the tourism potential of a sports museum.

Anti-Doping

The ISC operates the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme including testing, education and research. The Programme has a national and international reputation for excellence which is important for Irish sports and athletes competing at the highest levels of sport. The Minister was appointed as one of three EU representatives to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board with effect from 1 January 2013 for a period of 18 months. The Minister attended the two Foundation Board meetings held in 2013 (May and November). The 2013 World Conference on Doping in Sport endorsed a revised World Anti-Doping Code in a bid to ensure the continuation and strengthening of harmonious anti-doping programmes worldwide.

Organisational Capability Building (OCB)

The ISC HR and Organisational Capability Unit is responsible for building capability across the sports sector organisations. This is achieved by the strategic provision of OCB services in the capability areas of project management, governance, risk management, strategic planning, change management, employee performance management and organisational leadership to the NGB and LSP sectors. Work on the development of a new strategy was progressed during 2013 and will be launched in early 2014.

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Coaching

Coaching Ireland is the unit within the Irish Sports Council that has the lead role in the development of coaching in Ireland on an All Island basis. The role includes highlighting the importance of quality coaching in developing athletes and providing opportunities for participants. In 2013, 22,803 coaches qualified along with 104 tutors while 1,921 courses were approved by Coaching Ireland.

National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA)

During 2013, the Authority made significant progress in the development of facilities included in the National Sports Campus Master Plan. Work on the development of a multi-sport synthetic pitch facility commenced in March 2013 and the pitches were opened for use, following the completion of a dedicated pavilion building, in December 2013. The pitches are designed to cater for the four major field sports – gaelic games, soccer, rugby and hockey – at every level (from international and county teams to local clubs and schools, and the general public). In addition to those facilities contained in the Campus Master Plan, the NSCDA also undertook the development of additional facilities. These included the completion of a new National Diving Training Centre to complement the facilities on offer at the National Aquatic Centre; the National Horse Sport Arena within the walled gardens of the Abbotstown grounds; and the National Modern Pentathlon Centre, which caters for the shooting and fencing disciplines of the sport, and which together with the NAC and the Horse Sport Arena means that the Campus is now the only facility in Europe where all five disciplines of modern pentathlon can be accommodated on a single site. Following the announcement in 2012 of a Partnership Strategy with the GAA, FAI, IRFU and Irish Hockey to develop the field-sport elements of the Campus Master Plan, NSCDA worked closely with both the FAI and GAA to further progress their development plans and work will commence in the early part of 2014. As part of the strategy, NSCDA will provide matching funding of up to €0.5 million to each body. NSCDA continue to work with the IRFU and IHA to progress their respective developments. To facilitate the development of the Campus facilities, work was completed on a new internal access road to open up the site, together with a variety of infrastructure and enabling works to aid both its own developments and those of other bodies on site. The refurbishment of a former farm residence on the Campus grounds was undertaken to provide accommodation (for which a letting agreement with Swim Ireland is in place) to allow high-performance athletes train and stay on the Campus. Work was completed on the refurbishment of the former Marine Institute building as a new Irish Sport HQ for 19 sporting organisations. NGBs took up occupation of their offices from April 2013 and the building was formally opened by the Taoiseach on 29 May 2013.

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The Budget announcement on 15 October 2013 provided for the allocation of part of the proceeds of the sale of the new National Lottery Licence to allow commencement of the National Indoor Arena at the Campus. It is anticipated that construction works will commence during 2014 and with an estimated construction timeframe of 24 months, this facility is due for completion in the second half of 2016. Prior to the Budget announcement, and in order to speed up the delivery of vital training facilities, the Authority together with the Irish Sports Council and Irish Institute of Sport, developed proposals for a High Performance Training Centre. This will include additional medical, strength and conditioning, boxing and athlete services areas. It is intended that this project will commence in mid-2014 and be completed in the second half of 2015, thereby having a significant impact on high-performance training in advance of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. NSCDA also commenced the development of two multi-sport, community turf pitches for gaelic games, soccer and rugby. These pitches will be completed in 2014 and will provide another community facility in parallel to the High-Performance facilities available on Campus

NSCDA (Operations) Limited

The NSCDA, through its subsidiary company NSCDA (Operations) Limited, operates and manages the National Aquatic Centre (NAC) and Morton Stadium, Santry. The operations company is also now responsible for the day-to-day management of all new facilities coming on stream. During 2013, over 850,000 visits were made to the NAC making it the busiest year since the facility came under the direct management of the Campus and cementing its position within the top five paying visitor attractions in the State. In addition, record numbers continued to attend the Centre’s swim academies throughout 2013 (2,364 in Spring; 2,384 in summer; 2,215 in autumn; 2,222 in winter) confirming the Centre as the premier venue for aquatics training in Ireland. As well as a very successful National Senior Athletics Championships, Morton Stadium played host to a number of local, regional and national athletics events, including the annual International Morton Games. In June 2013, the Stadium also hosted a European League meet, an international team event which was broadcast throughout Europe.

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Support Services Delivery

High Level Goal - Support Services To ensure the Department and its agencies are organised and developed in an efficient and effective manner to deliver on our Mission Statement and High Level Goals.

EU Presidency

The Department played an important role in Ireland’s Presidency programme, advancing priorities and dossiers across a variety of Council formations relevant to the overall theme of stability, jobs and growth. Transport Council was chaired by the Minister on two occasions, 11 March in Brussels and 10 June in Luxembourg as part of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council configuration. Minister of State Michael Ring chaired the Sports Council on 17 May as part of the wider Education, Youth, Culture and Sports configuration. The Department also led on and contributed to work on dossiers which fall under the Competitiveness and Environment Council workstreams and played a vital coordinating role in advancing the EU agenda in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). For transport, the overriding priority for the Presidency was to promote a safer, more efficient and sustainable transport network for Europe. For sport, the key priority was to advance the EU’s agenda in the fight against doping in sport. Of the eight files targeted for agreement with the European Parliament, seven were successfully negotiated including two key priorities – Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Agreement on the Airports Package was not possible owing to European Parliament delays in dealing with the dossier. Five General Approach agreements were achieved including a significant component of the 4th Rail Package and the remaining elements of the Road Worthiness Package. The Presidency launched debates on two significant transport proposals; Clean Power for Transport and Air Passenger Rights, and facilitated an important exchange of views at Sport Council on measures to counter doping in sport. The Presidency brokered agreement on two sets of Council Conclusions; Smart Cities and dual careers in sport.

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Seven international conferences/events were hosted in Dublin focusing on road safety, intelligent transport systems, tourism and heritage and the sustainable financing of sport, with participation of over 2500 delegates from all EU member states. Many of the agencies in the wider DTTAS family were engaged in the delivery of these events including the Irish Sports Council, the Road Safety Authority and Fáilte Ireland.

North/South Cooperation

Both transport and tourism are recognised areas of north/south cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement. In 2013, the Department continued its active engagement with the Northern Ireland authorities under the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), advancing cooperation in both areas. Tourism Ireland is one of the North/South bodies set up following the Good Friday Agreement and has been the main focus of the NSMC in tourism discussions. A Tourism Sectoral meeting took place on 26th June 2013. Amongst the items discussed were Tourism Ireland’s Business Plan for 2013, marketing activity for “The Gathering Ireland 2013” and Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture, and the development of the Tourism Ireland Corporate Plan 2014-2016. Two NSMC Transport Sectoral meetings took place in 2013 on 17th April and 28th November. The items discussed included the A5 and A8 roads, road user and vehicle safety, mutual recognition of penalty points, and EU matters.

Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit

In 2013 the Department established the Economic and Financial Evaluation Unit (EFEU) to provide an analytical and research resource to support Divisions and Agencies of the Department and to embed the Government commitment to evidence based policy making. The Unit aims to carry out research and analysis, identifying gaps and areas where examination is required, disseminating research findings and providing evidence-informed policy recommendations. It aspires through its work to build up expertise and evidence within the Department. The establishment of EFEU is allied to the formation of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2012. IGEES, established principally through restructuring the existing economic and evaluation resources and enhanced by specialist recruitment, forms a coherent inter-departmental network, with common training and support structures.

Agency Rationalisation

The Department is restructuring certain agencies under its remit in line with the Programme for Government commitments. Legislation to progress the merger of the NRA and RPA was advanced in 2013 and will continue in 2014. The new organisation will benefit from combining the technical expertise and experience available in the NRA and RPA.

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The approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was received in December 2013 for the Port of Cork Company to establish the subsidiary company with a transfer date of 1st January 2014. Progress was made in 2013 on the preparation of legislation to establish a new organisation to replace the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and the National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA). A draft general scheme of the Sport Ireland Bill was finalised in September 2013 and drafting of the Bill was approved by Government on 21st January 2014.

Staffing

The Department continued to implement reform in its delivery of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement, the Public Service Stability (Haddington Road) Agreement and general reform measures set out in its Integrated Reform Delivery Plan. This was achieved within the constraints of the moratorium on recruitment while achieving the annual Employment Control Framework (ECF) targets. The Department implemented its Workforce Planning Framework Action Plan during 2013. The Framework includes an analysis of priority resource needs and associated skillsets requirements, with particular emphasis on the supply/demand and gap identification exercise to deliver the Department’s business priorities The Department continued to operate at an effective level despite the reduced financial and staffing resources. Staff numbers were reduced to 447 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) by end 2013 which is 2% below the end year ECF target of 455 WTE. This reduction was achieved by seven WTE staff retirements during the year and the use of the redeployment mechanism under the Public Service Agreement. Seven staff redeployed and there were four other departures or transfers out of the Department in 2013. The table at Appendix 5 illustrates the continuing decrease in staff numbers in comparison with the annual ECF targets. Other staff efficiencies achieved during 2013 included a continued improvement in staff attendance with a further reduction in sick leave absences in 2013 compared with 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Staff Training and Development

In 2013 the emphasis of training was on the development requirements identified by staff and their managers through the Performance Management Development System (PMDS). Having such requirements identified in line with the business needs and objectives of the Department is a key component of the Training and Development Strategy 2010-2014, the initial implementation of which commenced in 2010. Training included the continuous professional development required for the emergency services of the Department particularly the Irish Coast Guard.

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The Department also continued its support in 2013 for staff partaking in a variety of 3rd level studies where such courses were considered relevant and of benefit to the Department.

Shared Services

An element of the Transforming Public Services (TPS) Programme and the Public Service Agreement is a commitment to develop Shared Services for key administrative support functions including Pensions and Human Resources (HR) – related processes, financial management systems and payroll. Following on from the transfer of the payroll function of the Department to the Department of Finance, Tullamore in April 2012, the Department transitioned to PeoplePoint – the HR and Pensions Shared Services Centre based in Clonskeagh, in August 2013. This has led to a reduction in staffing for the HR Unit within the Department.

Information Technology Services

The WorkSmart programme delivered two significant new applications to the existing suite of applications for our core business processes, the e-Correspondence System (electronic management system for all Ministerial Correspondence) and eFOI system (management system for all FOI requests). The Department continued the migration of its websites to the free open-source content management system, known as Drupal. The re-designed SafetyOnTheWater.ie website went live in spring 2013 and the Department’s main site, www.dttas.ie, was migrated in August. The Online Sports Capital Register (OSCAR) was launched to the public in September 2013. OSCAR allows clubs to register, and subsequently to submit grant applications and payment requests online. It streamlines the application process by validating applications online before submission. In 2012, under the previous paper-based system, 45% of applications were deemed invalid and had to be disregarded. It is expected that the OSCAR system will help to reduce this figure. The Department initiated a substantial project in migrating both its server infrastructure and its desktop fleet in light of changes in the availability of accommodation facilities and of software support.

Emergency Planning

The Department is represented on the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and on the National Steering Group which oversees the Framework for Major Emergency Management. It is the Lead Department for transport emergencies and supports other Lead Departments for emergencies which affect travel and transport e.g. severe weather. The Department continued in its role of chairing a Transport Sub-Group which in 2013 completed two guidance documents for the emergency response services, one for Strategic Requirements and one for tactical requirements for emergency response to incidents on motorways and dual carriageways. A third and final

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guidance documents, on operational matters, was well advanced by the end of the year.

Risk Register

The EU requires that Member States develop a national approach and procedures to risk management which will in turn support a Community approach on the prevention of natural and man-made disasters. The Department participates in the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning for the identification of national level risks. The resulting National Risk Register was published during 2013. The Department also maintains its own risk register as part of its internal planning processes.

Customer Services

The Department continued with our policy of publishing as much information to our website www.dttas.ie as possible during 2013, including non-personal Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, the Minister’s priorities and annual progress reports on these, supplier payment reports, membership of State Boards and other information of public interest. The Department website was updated and redesigned to make a more user friendly and interactive public platform.

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Appendix 1

Irish Coast Guard Statistics – Five-year trend

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Incidents 1893 1839 1817

1980 2627

Persons saved / assisted 3127 3675 3563

2776 5685

Incidents involving Pleasure Craft 667 576 580

578 498

Incidents involving Merchant Craft 47 45 77

67 61

Incidents involving Fishing Craft 142 188 180

179 215

Pollution / Salvage Report 51 47 41

47 46

IRCG Coastal Units tasked 766 795 912

933 1156

IRCG Helicopter tasked 512 470 553

532 808

RNLI tasked 709 740 728

723 877

Community Rescue Boats Ireland tasked

146 122 124 170 145

Assistance given to Gardaí

53 51 50 60 61

False Alarms

132 140 118 76 91

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Appendix 2

List of Prompt Payments for 2013

http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/prompt-payment-returns-department http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/prompt-payment-returns-non-commercial-bodies

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Appendix 3

The Ministers and Senior Management of the Department

Minister Varadkar Minister of State Kelly Minister of State Ring The Management Board of the Department

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Appendix 4

Departmental Legislation enacted during 2013 A list of all the Primary and Secondary Legislation enacted by the Department in 2013 can be found at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/legislation?field_sector_tid=All&keys=&items_per_page=10&order=field_legislation_year&sort=desc

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Appendix 5

HR Statistics The following table illustrates the continuing decrease in staff numbers in comparison with the annual ECF targets:

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Appendix 6

Ministerial Priorities for 2014

Contribute fully to the Government’s efforts to reduce the deficit, generate

economic growth and increase employment; Publish new Tourism and Aviation policies and begin work on a Masterplan

for Sport; Publish/Enact the following legislation:

Vehicle Immobilisation (Clamping) Bill,

State Airports (Shannon) Bill,

Roads Bill (NRA/RPA merger),

Sport Ireland Bill,

Harbours Amendment Bill (transfer of ports to local authority control),

Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Bill. Lay the foundations for a bid for the Rugby World Cup; Develop and implement a ‘Safety at Sea’ strategy to reduce the number of

marine fatalities and casualties; Renew focus on Road Safety to reduce the number of deaths and serious

injuries in 2014 including the enactment of the Road Traffic Bill and the introduction of equipment to enable roadside testing for drivers under the influence of drugs;

Increase the number of overseas visits to Ireland by 4% and revenue by 8%; Commence works on the Luas Cross City Project and ensure that disruption in

the City is well handled and minimised in so far as possible; Construction to begin on Gort-Tuam Motorway and progress the next bundle

of PPPs to tender (Wexford); Work with NTA, CIE, Luas and other transport operators to increase the

number of people using public transport by 2% i.e. 5 million passenger journeys;

Provide support for a number of flagship Greenways; Review the National Cycle Policy Framework; Develop and promote the Wild Atlantic Way at home and abroad; Make new allocations for facilities and equipment under the Sports Capital

Programme; Develop facilities at the National Sports Campus including the

commencement of work on the National Indoor Arena; Finalise the implementation of the new Rural Transport Programme with the

establishment of 18 Transport Coordination Units co-located with local authorities;

Commence the Taxi Regulation Act in conjunction with adoption of implementing regulations by NTA;

Implement the recommendations of the Speed Limits Review; Launch an online facility for Road Haulage Operator Licence applications; Develop a road charging scheme for HGVs;

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Publish a Roadmap for the transition of transport to a low-carbon future and a Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport ensuring that priorities for future capital investment are evidence-based;

Provide City Bikes in Cork, Limerick and Galway; Extend the LEAP card to Cork and Galway; Map the future development of Rosslare Port.

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Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2013

46

Clár Ábhar

.................................................................................................................................. 45

Clár Ábhar .......................................................................................... 46

Ráiteas Misin na Roinne ..................................................................... 50

Ráiteas ón Aire ................................................................................... 51

Airí Stáit ............................................................................................. 53

Réamhrá ón Ard-Rúnaí ....................................................................... 54

Gníomhaíocht in 2013 ar Phríomh-Thosaíochtaí Aireachta ................. 56

Tosaíocht .................................................................................................................. 56

Dul chun cinn ........................................................................................................... 56

Sracfhéachaint ar Staitisticí na Roinne – 2013 ........................................................ 59

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Eitlíocht.............................................................. 60

Eitlíocht ............................................................................................. 60

Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha ................................................................................................ 61

Pacáiste Aerfoirt an AE ............................................................................................ 61

CEARTA PHAISINÉIRÍ AEIR AN AE ............................................................................. 62

Scairsealbhú Aer Lingus ........................................................................................... 62

Tairiscint Táthcheangail Aer Lingus ......................................................................... 62

Aerspás Eorpach Aonair ........................................................................................... 63

Comhaontuithe um Iompar Aeir .............................................................................. 63

Aonad um Imscrúdú Aerthionóiscí (AAIU) .......................................... 64

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Iompar ar Tír ...................................................... 65

Iompar Poiblí ..................................................................................... 65

Infheistíocht in Iompar Poiblí ................................................................................... 65

Fóirdheontais do CIÉ ................................................................................................ 65

Seasamh Airgeadais CIÉ ........................................................................................... 65

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Athchóiriú ar an Margadh Bus – Athbhreithniú ar Bhronnadh Díreach Chonarthaí PSO ........................................................................................................................... 65

Athchóiriú ar Mhargadh an Bhus – Bronnadh Conarthaí Nua PSO ......................... 66

Rialachán iarnróid – idirbheartaíocht á déanamh ar bhearta AE nua ..................... 66

Feabhsúcháin le Seirbhís do Chustaiméirí Iompair Phoiblí ...................................... 66

Inrochtaineacht ........................................................................................................ 67

Clár Iompair Thuaithe (RTP) ..................................................................................... 67

Athbhreithniú ar Rialáil Tacsaithe ............................................................................ 67

Inbhuanaitheacht agus Comhtháthú ....................................................................... 68

Clár um Cheantair Thaisteal níos Cliste ................................................................... 68

Tionscadail Rothaíochta ........................................................................................... 68

Scéimeanna um Roinnt Rothar Cathrach ................................................................. 68

Treochlár Ísealcharbóin don Earnáil Iompair ........................................................... 69

Bóithre ............................................................................................... 70

Infheistíocht i mBóithre Náisiúnta ........................................................................... 70

Infheistíocht i mBóithre Áitiúla ................................................................................ 70

Lámhleabhar Deartha i gcomhair Bóithre agus Sráideanna Uirbeacha .................. 70

Córais Iompair Chliste .............................................................................................. 71

Athbhreithniú ar an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre ................................... 71

Sábháilteacht ar Bhóithre ........................................................................................ 72

Tiomáint ar Meisce .................................................................................................. 72

Aitheantas Frithpháirteach Phointí Pionóis idir Éire agus Tuaisceart Éireann ........ 73

Ceadúnú Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre ............................................................... 73

Athrú le Riarachán an Cheadúnaithe Tiomána ........................................................ 73

Táillí um Cheadúnú Tiománaithe ............................................................................. 74

Bearta Sábhála Costais i ndáil le hAthnuachan Mhótarcháin .................................. 74

An Bille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Uimh. 2) .............................................................. 74

An Bille um Chlampáil Feithiclí 2014........................................................................ 74

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Muirí .................................................................. 76

Muirí .................................................................................................. 76

Soithí faoi Bhrat na hÉireann ................................................................................... 76

Calafoirt agus Loingeas ............................................................................................ 76

Rialú Stáit ar Chalafoirt ............................................................................................ 76

Feachtas Cigireachta Dírithe .................................................................................... 77

Slándáil Mhuirí ......................................................................................................... 77

Rialacháin Shábháilteachta do Shoithí Iascaireachta .............................................. 77

Reachtaíocht ............................................................................................................ 77

Scéim Oideachais agus Oiliúna Mhuirí ..................................................................... 78

Cuardach agus Tarrtháil (SAR) ................................................................................. 78

Nuachóiriú ar Threalamh agus Cóiríocht d’Aonaid Gharda Cósta na hÉireann ...... 78

Plean Gníomhaíochta um Riarachán Muirí na hÉireann ......................................... 79

Iompar Muirí Inrochtana .......................................................................................... 79

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Turasóireacht ..................................................... 80

Turasóireacht ..................................................................................... 80

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Forbhreathnú ........................................................................................................... 80

An earnáil turasóireachta a chur chun tosaigh ........................................................ 81

Margaíocht Turasóireachta ...................................................................................... 82

Tóstal na hÉireann 2013 .......................................................................................... 82

Turasóireacht Imeachta ........................................................................................... 83

Turasóireacht Gnó ................................................................................................... 83

Oiliúint Scileanna, Tacaíochtaí Gnó, Iomaíochas agus Cumas Fiontraíochta .......... 83

Infheistíocht i gCaipitil Turasóireachta .................................................................... 84

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Spórt .................................................................. 85

Spórt .................................................................................................. 85

Clár Caipiteal Spóirt ................................................................................................. 85

Linnte Snámha Údaráis Áitiúla ................................................................................. 85

An Chomhairle Spóirt ............................................................................................... 85

Forais Náisiúnta Rialaithe um Spórt......................................................................... 86

Páirtnéireachtaí Áitiúla Spóirt .................................................................................. 86

Rannpháirtíocht sa Spórt a Leathnú ........................................................................ 87

Indéantacht Mhúsaem Spóirt a Fhorbairt ............................................................... 87

Frithdhópáil .............................................................................................................. 87

Acmhainn Eagraíochtúil a Thógáil (OCB) ................................................................. 87

Cóitseáil .................................................................................................................... 88

Údarás Forbartha an Champais Náisiúnta Spóirt (NSCDA) ...................................... 88

NSCDA (Oibríochtaí) Teoranta ................................................................................. 89

Seachadadh Seirbhísí Tacaíochta ....................................................... 90

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Seirbhísí Tacaíochta ........................................... 90

Uachtaránacht an AE ............................................................................................... 90

Comhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas ..................................................................................... 91

Aonad um Measúnú Geilleagair agus Airgeadais .................................................... 91

Cuíchóiriú Gníomhaireachta .................................................................................... 91

Cúrsaí foirne ............................................................................................................. 92

Oiliúint agus Forbairt Foirne .................................................................................... 92

Seirbhísí Comhroinnte ............................................................................................. 93

Seirbhísí um Theicneolaíocht Faisnéise ................................................................... 93

Pleanáil Éigeandála .................................................................................................. 93

Clár Riosca ................................................................................................................ 94

Seirbhísí do Chustaiméirí ......................................................................................... 94

Aguisín 1 ............................................................................................ 95

Staitisticí Gharda Chósta na hÉireann – Treocht Chúig Bliana ................................ 95

Aguisín 2 ............................................................................................ 96

Liosta Prasíocaíochtaí do 2013 ................................................................................ 96

Aguisín 3 ............................................................................................ 97

Na hAirí agus Bainistíocht Sinsearach sa Roinn ....................................................... 97

Aguisín 4 ............................................................................................ 98

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Reachtaíocht na Roinne a achtaíodh i rith 2013 ................................. 98

Aguisín 5 ............................................................................................ 99

Staitisticí HR ....................................................................................... 99

Aguisín 6 ........................................................................................... 100

Tosaíochtaí an Aire do 2014 .............................................................. 100

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Ráiteas Misin na Roinne Chun a chinntiú go ndéanann na hearnálacha iompair, turasóireachta agus spóirt an cion tairbhe is mó agus is féidir do théarnamh eacnamaíoch, chomhdhlúthú fioscach, chruthú fostaíochta agus d’fhorbairt shóisialta. Díreoidh an Roinn ar na hAidhmeanna Ardleibhéil sa Ráiteas Straitéise 2011-2014 agus iad ag leanúint a misean. Tá sé pleanáilte le tús a chur le hobair ar Ráiteas Straitéise nua i lár 2014.

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Ráiteas ón Aire I gcomhair 2013, leag mé amach 25 mórthosaíocht don bhliain. Áiríodh leo sin, ceithre tosaíocht sa spórt, péire sa turasóireacht agus 17 maidir le cúrsaí iompar lena n-áirítear sábháilteacht ar bhóithre, eitlíocht agus iompar muirí. Tháinig na tosaíochtaí rialtais eile ar fad isteach faoin mbuiséad agus d’éirigh go hiontach le Uachtaránacht an AE. Sáraíodh ceann de na tosaíochtaí seo, baineadh ocht gcinn éag amach ina n-iomláine agus baineadh amach formhór nó cuid de shé cinn eile. Baineadh amach iad faoi shrianta acmhainní agus buiséad laghdaithe. Ba mhaith liom aitheantas a thabhairt do thiomantas gach duine sa Roinn agus sna gníomhaireachtaí faoinár sainchúram, i gcúinsí a bhí fíordheacair, a rinne an sárobair seo. Ceapaim go n-aontaítear go ginearálta gur éirigh thar cionn le Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an AE agus gur chéim mhór eile a bhí ann i bhfeabhsú clú idirnáisiúnta na hÉireann. Ba mhaith liom aitheantas ar leith a thabhairt do ranníocaíocht fhoireann na Roinne chuige seo. D’oibrigh go leor díobh an-chrua ar fad. Ar ábhar níos gruama, ar an drochuair, cailleadh 190 duine ar na bóithre in 2013, 28 duine níos mó ná in 2012, is cúis imní atá ann go háirithe de bharr go raibh laghdú leanúnach ar siúl ar feadh tréimhse seacht mbliana roimhe sin. Ní gá dom a rá go leanfaidh m’oifigigh ag oibriú go dlúth leis na gníomhaireachtaí éagsúla atá freagrach as sábháilteacht ar bhóithre lena chinntiú go leanann na figiúirí iomlána maidir le bás agus gortuithe tromchúiseacha ar ár mbóithre ar an treocht anuas dearfach mar a bhí. Níos luaithe sa bhliain, sheol mé Straitéis Sábháilteachta ar na Bóithre 2013-2020 ina n-aithnítear 144 Gníomh le forfheidhmiú ag príomh-gheallsealbhóirí. Creidim go dtarlóidh feabhsuithe níos mó i sábháilteacht ar bhóithre de bharr fhorfheidhmiú na ngníomhartha seo. Bhí Tóstal na hÉireann ar cheann de na nithe is mó ratha in 2013. Reáchtáladh os cionn 5000 imeacht Tóstail a chuir leis an líon ba mhó daoine riamh a tháinig as Meiriceá Thuaidh agus an líon ba mhó cuairteanna as thar lear ó 2008. Léirigh sé seo ardú foriomlán 7.2% ar fhigiúr 2012 agus níos tábhachtaí ná sin chothaigh sé 12% níos mó ioncaim in Éirinn, arbh ionann é agus €3.26 billiún ar fud na tíre. Tá Earnáil na Turasóireachta lárnach in aisghabháil ár ngeilleagar agus tá sé ag cur go mór le hioncaim easpórtála agus fostaíocht. Tuairiscítear i suirbhéanna an CSO gur tháinig méadú ar sheirbhísí lóistín agus bia ó 114,500 in C2 2011 chuig 137,100 in C4 2013 – arb ionann é agus ceathrú den fhás fostaíochta ar fad sa tréimhse. Bhí céad bhliain neamhspleách an-rathúil ag Aerfort na Sionainne agus d’éirigh leo cúig bliana as a chéile de thitim i líon paisinéirí a chúlú trí ardú beag a bhaint amach sa líon paisinéirí ó 2012 agus cinneadh an Rialtais chun cuideachta as féin a dhéanamh de a dhlisteanú. Bliain iontach a bhí ann do chúrsaí spóirt chomh maith le hoscailt pháirceanna sintéiseacha ilspóirt agus pailliún do CLG, haca, rugbaí agus sacar ag an gCampas

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Náisiúnta Spóirt. Beidh na háiseanna seo ar fáil don phobal chomh maith. Tosóidh obair i mbliana ar Láthair Náisiúnta faoi Dhíon chun an chéad áis dá leithéid a chur ar fáil do lúthchleasaíocht, gleacaíocht faoi dhíon agus do raon spórt eile. I gcomhar leis na hAirí Ring agus Kelly, tá na tosaíochtaí do 2014 foilsithe anois agam (feic Aguisín 6). Tá mé ag súil leis an Roinn a threorú chun na dúshláin a bhainfidh leis na tosaíochtaí seo a bhaint amach in 2014 a shárú. Leo Varadkar TD Aire Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt

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Airí Stáit Tá freagracht ghinearálta ar an Aire Stáit Ring as turasóireacht intíre agus spóirt le fócas ar leith ar:

Mhargaíocht do thurasóireacht intíre agus feachtas Tithe Saoire

Imeachtaí turasóireachta spóirt

Turasóireacht chultúrtha, féilte agus imeachtaí eile a chothaíonn turasóireacht

Clár Caipiteal Spóirt

Straitéis Áiseanna Spóirt Náisiúnta

Rannpháirtíocht leis an gComhairle Spóirt agus le Comhpháirtíochtaí Spóirt Áitiúla chun rannpháirtíocht i spórt, áineas agus gníomhaíocht fisiciúil a chur chun cinn

Clár oibre na hEorpa maidir le spóirt, lena n-áirítear freastal ar Chomhairle na nAirí Spóirt nuair a phléitear saincheisteanna spóirt.

Téitear i gcomhairle leis an Aire Stáit Kelly faoi gach cinneadh a dhéanann an tAire Varadkar i dtaobh CIÉ, a fhochuideachtaí agus an NTA. Chuaigh an tAire Stáit Kelly i ngleic chomh maith le hÚdarás Aerfort na Sionainne maidir lena bpleananna chun an aerfort a fhorbairt agus leis an NRA maidir le tosaíocht thionscadail um bóithre náisiúnta agus éifeachtúlachtaí ina gcuid oibreacha le tagairt ar leith do bhealaí comaitéara. Tá ceannfhreagracht ar an tAire Stáit Kelly as:

Faisnéis Réad-Ama do Phaisinéirí agus Ticéadú Comhtháite

Beartas iompair tuaithe lena n-áirítear comhtháthú a lorg le seirbhísí iompair áitiúil eile (scoil, FSS, LITanna, grúpaí deonacha agus Iompar Pobail Trasteorann) de réir thiomantais Chlár an Rialtais.

Forfheidhmiú mholtaí ó athbhreithniú um rialáil tacsaithe agus Fóram na dTacsaithe a eagrú de réir thiomantais Chlár an Rialtais.

Gníomhaíochtaí Chomhairle an NTA a chuir in ord tosaíochta agus freastal nuair is gá ar an Oifig Náisiúnta um Iompar Inbhuanaithe

Tionscnaimh um Thaisteal Níos Cliste

Comhtháthú straitéisí pleanála um úsáid talún le straitéisí iompair

Rothaíocht agus siúl agus pleanáil um thaisteal chuig an obair a cur chun cinn, lena n-áirítear rolladh amach scéimeanna cathracha rothar de réir Chlár an Rialtais.

Saincheisteanna inrochtaineachta in iompar poiblí

An Coimisiún Sábháilteachta Iarnróid

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Réamhrá ón Ard-Rúnaí Is mian liom a thuairisciú sa chéim seo den timthriall straitéiseach 2011-2014, gur ghlac an Roinn céimeanna suntasacha i dtreo gnóthú na spriocanna aontaithe leis an Aire sa Ráiteas Straitéise agus i ndáil le Clár an Rialtais. Bhí na tosaíochtaí a leag an tAire amach agus atá foilsithe ar ár suíomh gréasáin mar phríomhfhócas na Roinne don bhliain. Measadh go raibh Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach an-rathúil, éacht a bhí níos fearr fós de bhrí gur seachadadh é le hacmhainní i bhfad níos lú ná Uachtaránachtaí roimhe seo. Bhí ranníocaíocht na Roinne suntasach, agus rinneadh dul chun cinn mór ar roinnt tionscadal tábhachtacha. Ag leanúint dár gclú fadbhunaithe as nithe a chur i gcrích ag leibhéal an AE, bhí ról lárnach ag státseirbhísigh na hÉireann in athshlánú chlú na hÉireann ar fud na hEorpa. Ag leibhéal náisiúnta, tá comharthaí soiléire agus dearfacha go bhfuil an geilleagar i mbun fáis arís, tá muinín ag teacht ar ais agus tá fostaíocht ag fás. Mar aon le státseirbhísigh eile, ghlac foireann na Roinne le hiarratas an Rialtais go ndéanfaimis íobairtí eile le cuidiú le cobhsú an airgeadais phoiblí agus go cnuasaitheach, leanamar ag glacadh le laghduithe leanúnacha ar leibhéil foirne agus caighdeán an aschuir á chothabháil. Go simplí, táimid ag obair uaireanta níos faide, níos crua agus níos éifeachtúla i gcomhair luach saothair airgead níos lú. Leagtar amach sa tuarascáil an dul chun cinn a rinneamar i rith na bliana. Measadh gur éirigh go hiontach leis an Tóstal, agus gur chuidigh sé le téarnamh a thiomáint in earnáil na turasóireachta. Ach, is cúis mhór imní atá sa mhéadú ar an líon básanna ar ár mbóithre agus leanfaimid ag obair go díreach le gníomhaireachtaí um shábháilteacht ar bhóithre chun an treocht seo a chur ina cheart. Braitheann dul chun cinn ar chlár oibre na Roinne, ar ndóigh, ar dhlúthchaidreamh oibre leis na gníomhaireachtaí stáit éagsúla faoinár sainchúram, leis na húdaráis áitiúla agus le Ranna Rialtais agus gníomhaireachtaí eile. Arís thar ceann na Roinne, aithním an tacaíocht agus an comhoibriú a léiríodh thar na hidirghníomhaíochtaí ar fad eadrainn. Cuirfimid tús le hobair ar Ráiteas Straitéise nua i lár 2014 agus tá mé ag súil go mbeidh sé chomh dúshlánach leis an gceann reatha. In Eanáir 2014, chailleamar ár gcomhghleacaí agus cara, Dermot McCarthy, tar éis tinnis fhada. D’oibrigh Dermot le dearscna leis an Stát, go déanach mar Rúnaí Cúnta inár Roinn, agus bhí an-mheas agus an-chion ag gach duine a casadh air ar fud earnáil an iompair agus sa tseirbhís phoiblí i gcoitinne air. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

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Tom O’Mahony Ard-Rúnaí

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Gníomhaíocht in 2013 ar Phríomh-Thosaíochtaí Aireachta

Tosaíocht Dul chun cinn

Forfheidhmigh choigiltis bhuiséid a thabharfaidh an Roinn laistigh den bhuiséad ag deireadh 2013 le cuidiú le heasnamh i mbuiséad an Rialtais a laghdú.

Críochnaithe

Tosaigh réamhoibreacha ar Luas Traschathrach

Críochnaithe. Críochnaíodh líonadh isteach na siléir roimh an sprioc-am, tá oibreacha mhalairt slí d’fhóntais de réir sceidil, agus fógrófar na príomhchonarthaí tógála níos déanaí in 2014.

‘Tóstal na hÉireann 2013’ a réadú, an sprioc de 325,000 cuairteoir breise agus €170 milliún in ioncam breise a bhaint amach.

Críochnaithe. Líon na gcuairteanna ardaithe 7.2% in 2013, le cuairteanna ó Mheiriceá Thuaidh suas 13.9%. Bhí ról suntasach ag Tóstal na Éireann, measadh gur tharla 250-275,000 cuairt dá bharr.

Atosaigh clár bóithre PP trí thús a chur le hobair ar thionscadail an N7 (Crois an Fhearainn Nua), an N11 (Ráth Naoi) agus an N17/18 (an Gort/Tuaim).

Páirtchríochnaithe. Tá obair ar siúl ar thionscadail an N7 agus an N11, an chéad PPP bóithre le tosú le ceithre bliana. Tá dul chun cinn á dhéanamh ar an tionscadal ón nGort go Tuaim agus táthar ag súil go gcuirfear tús leis ag deireadh 2014.

Áiseanna nua a fhorbairt ag an gCampas Náisiúnta Spóirt, lena n-áirítear bóithre rochtana agus páirceanna imeartha ilúsáide agus pailliún

Críochnaithe. Áiríodh le tionscadail a críochnaíodh i mbliana Ceanncheathrú Spóirt, páirceanna imeartha ilspóirt, pailliún spóirt, láthair nua eachaíochta, gleacaíochta agus áiseanna peantatlain.

Cás airgeadais CIÉ a réiteach gan iontaoibh le fóirdheontas breise

Páirtchríochnaithe. Tá áiseanna baincéireachta nua socraithe ag CIÉ agus níor theastaigh fóirdheontas breise ag deireadh na bliana. Bhain an chuideachta amach spriocanna paisinéara agus ioncaim a leagadh amach sa phlean gnó.

Uasghrádaigh an Cárta Leap le táirgí breise agus sprioc d’os cionn 300,000 úsáideoir chárta faoi dheireadh na bliana 2013

Sáraithe. Bhí 378,000 úsáideoir Chárta Leap ag deireadh 2013 agus cuireadh réimse táirgí nua ar fáil.

Athstruchtúraigh an Clár Iompair Tuaithe chun ról buan agus inbhuanaithe a thabhair de laistigh de chóras iompair phoiblí na hÉireann agus cuir lena chomhtháthú le hiompar le maoiniú an Stáit.

Críochnaithe. Fógraíodh struchtúr nua na 18 nAonad Comhordaithe Iompair (TCU) in Iúil 2013.

Forbair agus cothabháil aip do ghuthán cliste ionas gur féidir le custaiméirí a dheimhniú go bhfuil a dtiománaí tacsaí ceadúnaithe, cuir an

Críochnaithe.

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nós imeachta um ghearán tacsaithe ar fáil ar líne agus cinntigh nach féidir leo siúd atá ciontaithe as coireanna tromchúiseacha áirithe oibriú mar thiománaithe tacsaí.

Bunaigh Aerfort na Sionainne neamhspleách – agus méadaigh líon na bpaisinéirí arís don aerfort

Críochnaithe. Tugadh neamhspleáchas iomlán don tSionainn an 1 Eanáir 2013 agus cuireadh stop leis an ísliú ar an líon paisinéirí. Fógraíodh bealaí nua chuig SAM, chuig an mBreatain agus an Eoraip.

Seol Straitéis um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre 2013-2020

Seolta agus á chur i bhfeidhm.

Sásaigh cuspóirí arna leagan síos i gcomhair Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar Chomhairle na nAirí Iompair agus Comhairle na nAirí Spóirt.

Críochnaithe.

Struchtúr mhargadh bus na seirbhíse poiblí (PO) a chinneadh, maoiniú chuideachtaí CIÉ iar-2014 a shlánú agus Iarnród Éireann a atheagrú faoi dheireadh na bliana.

D’fhógair an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Iompair pleananna le haghaidh oibríocht an mhargaidh bus PSO amach anseo lena n-áirítear 10% de a chur amach ar tairiscint. Tá obair ar atheagrú Iarnróid Éireann ag leanúint ar aghaidh agus táthar ag súil lena chríochnú in 2014.

An ceadúnas nua ar chárta plaisteach a sheoladh agus an t-athbhreithniú náisiúnta ar theorainneacha luais a fhorfheidhmiú

Críochnaíodh agus foilsíodh an t-athbhreithniú ar theorainneacha luais. Tá roinnt fadhbanna tosaigh le seoladh na seirbhíse nua um cheadúnais tiomána ach is é an tseirbhís láraithe an ceann is cirte san fhadtéarma. Soláthróidh sé seirbhís níos fearr, luach ar airgead agus slándáil níos fearr. D’fheabhsaigh an tseirbhís go mór i gcéad ráithe 2014.

Spórt (Corpoideachas) a chur chun cinn mar ábhar scrúdaithe

Tá bearta forbartha ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (NCCA) chun an bealach a sheachadtar corpoideachas (PE) sna sraitheanna sóisearacha agus sinsearacha in iar-bhunscoileanna a athrú. Tagann na bearta seo le tosaíocht an Aire sa réimse seo chun spórt (corpoideachas) a chur chun cinn mar ábhar scrúdaithe

Billí um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, um Chlárú Soithí, Tacsaí, Spórt Éireann, um Champáil Feithicle agus na Sionainne a achtú

Achtaíodh an Bille Tacsaí agus an Bille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre. Foilsíodh an Bille um Chlárú Soithí. Beidh Billí Spórt Éireann, um Champáil Feithicle agus na Sionainne os comhair na dTithe in 2014.

An Beartas Calafort nua a fhoilsiú Foilsíodh an beartas chun calafoirt thráchtála na hÉireann a ollchóiriú go radacach agus chun ról níos teagmhálaí a tabhairt don Rialtas i

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gcalafoirt mhuirí i Márta 2013.

Críochnaigh an chéim sainchomhairliúcháin don Bheartas Eitlíochta nua agus cuir tús le hobair ar athbhreithniú beartais Turasóireachta

Foilseofar an dá bheartas deiridh in 2014.

Forfheidhmigh tionscnamh muirí ‘Sábháilteacht ar an bhFarraige’

Seoladh é, lena n-áirítear Plean Gníomhaíochta chun Sábháilteacht Mhuirí agus Seirbhísí um Phráinnfhreagairt Mara a fheabhsú

Seol agus treoraigh scéim nua i gcomhair rannpháirtíocht phobail i gcothabháil mhionbhóithre áitiúla

Críochnaithe. Seoladh scéim phíolótach agus measadh gur éirigh leis.

Scéimeanna chun rothaíocht agus siúl a spreagadh a chur ar aghaidh agus an chuid den fhéarbhealach ó chósta go cósta idir an Muileann gCearr agus Baile Átha Cliath a thabhairt chuig stádas réidh i gcomhair sluaiste agus comórtas nua, Bailte Gníomhacha Taistil a sheoladh

Páirtchríochnaithe. Maoiníodh cúig thionscadal déag. Tógadh an chuid ó theorainn contae na Mí/na hIarmhí go dtí an Muillean gCearr in 2013 le maoiniú faoin gClár um Ghréasán Náisiúnta Raonta Rothar (NCN).

Scéimeanna roinnte rothar a bhunú cosúil le Dublin Bikes i gcathracha réigiúnacha eile

Aontaíodh scéimeanna roinnte rothar do Chorcaigh, Luimneach agus Gaillimh

Tuairisciú ar indéantacht Músaem Spóirt na hÉireann

Lean an Coiste, a bhunaigh an tAire Ring a cuid scrúduithe ar indéantacht Mhúsaem Spóirt a fhorbairt Tuairisceoidh an Coiste ar a bhreithniúcháin nuair atá a chuid oibre críochnaithe.

Críochnaigh cumasc NRA agus RPA Rinneadh dul chun cinn suntasach. D’fhaomhaigh an Chomh-aireach na Cinn Billí agus tá an reachtaíocht á réiteach.

Clár caipiteal spóirt speisialta i gcomhair dornálaíochta agus údaráis áitiúla

Rinneadh leithdháiltí

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Sracfhéachaint ar Staitisticí na Roinne – 2013

Sábháilteacht

B’ionann meán an AE de dhaoine a fuair bás ar an mbóthar in 2012, an bhliain is déanaí a bhfuil staitisticí ar fáil de, agus 55 in aghaidh mhilliún daonra. B’ionann an figiúr d’Éirinn in 2013 agus 42 in aghaidh mhilliún daonra.

D’fhreagair Garda Cósta na hÉireann 2,627 eachtra in 2013, cuidíodh le 5,685 duine agus tarrtháladh os cionn 156 duine.

D’fhoilsigh an tAonad um Imscrúdú Aerthionóiscí 17 tuairisc ar eachtraí aeir agus rinne sé 31 moladh sábháilteachta ar an iomlán.

Turasóireacht

Mhéadaigh cuairteanna ó thar lear chun na hÉireann 7.2% in 2013 chuig 6.986m cuairt

Mhéadaigh cuairteanna ón mBreatain 5.6% don bhliain chuig os cionn 2.9m

B‘ionann cuairteanna ón gcuid eile den Eoraip agus beagnach 2.5m, 4.9% ó 2012

Tháinig os cionn 1.01m duine as Meiriceá Thuaidh, suas 13.9%

Rinneadh 435,900 cuairt ón gcuid eile den domhan, méadú 15.1%

Mhéadaigh tuillteanais iomlán thurasóireachta agus thaistil ó thar lear do 2013 9.4% chuig os cionn €4.1b i gcomparáid leis an tréimhse chéanna in 2012, le méadú 11.9% ar ioncam seachas táillí chuig €3.26b

B’ionann fostaíocht in earnáil na turasóireachta agus an fháilteachais agus timpeall 200,000 – méadú timpeall 15,000 ó 2012

Iompar

Infheistíocht €265m in uasghrádú bhonneagar agus seirbhísí iompair phoiblí

Infheistíocht €278m i dtionscadail chaipitil um bóithre náisiúnta (lena n-áirítear íocaíochtaí dúnta do thionscadail roimhe seo),

Caiteachas €43.3m ar chothabháil leanúnach ar bhóithre náisiúnta

Caiteachas €400.6m ag an Státchiste ar bhóithre réigiúnacha agus áitiúla

1.738m turas paisinéara maoinithe faoin Chlár Iompair Thuaithe

1 billiún i bhfáltais ó mhótarcháin

Eisíodh 4.73m Diosca Mótarchánach

Eisíodh 530,000 Ceadúnas Tiomána (Ceadúnais Fhoghlaimeora san áireamh).

Eisíodh 970,000 Teastas Cláraithe Feithicle.

Rinneadh 878,000 Fógra maidir le hAthrú Úinéireachta a phróiseáil

Eisíodh 365,000 Fógra maidir le Pointí Pionóis

15 tionscadal maoinithe faoin gClár Maoinithe um Ghréasán Náisiúnta Raonta Rothar

Spórt

€1.6m i ndeontais le scoth-lúthchleasaithe faoin Scéim Cardála Idirnáisiúnta agus €6.8m faoin gClár um Ardfheidmíocht

€7.9 milliún don CLG, FAI agus IRFU le rannpháirtíocht daoine óga a mhéadú

67 bonn ag leibhéil Oilimpeach, Parailimpeach, Domhanda agus Eorpach i spóirt lenar thacaigh an gComhairle Spóirt

Os cionn 850,000 cuairt ar an Ionad Náisiúnta Uisce

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Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Eitlíocht Chun a chinntiú go dtacaíonn earnáil na heitlíochta le haidhmeanna eacnamaíochta agus sóisialta na hÉireann ar bhealach sábháilte, iomaíoch, éifeachtúil ó thaobh costais de agus inbhuanaithe agus chun lúdracht na hÉireann a chinntiú leis an chuid eile den domhan.

Eitlíocht Straitéis eitlíochta na Roinne ná chun aersheirbhísí rialta, sábháilte, iomaíoch agus éifeachtúil ó thaobh costais de a chur chun cinn ag nascadh an tír le príomh-mhargaí gnó agus turasóireachta. Cuid lárnach den straitéis ná caibidlíocht comhaontuithe aeriompair chomh fial agus is féidir, ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus an AE, le baic rialála atá roimh thionscnamh seirbhísí nua a thosú a bhaint. Beartas eitlíochta náisiúnta nua a fhorbairt d’Éirinn Ag leanúint de chomhdháil gheallsealbhóirí rathúil i mí na Nollag 2012, foilsíodh Páipéar Saincheisteanna maidir le forbairt bheartas eitlíochta náisiúnta nua ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne i bhFeabhra 2013. Cuireadh roinnt ceisteanna sa pháipéar agus clúdaíodh ocht réimse leathana ann; seirbhísí aeir, rialachán agus rialachas; léasáil agus airgeadas aerárthaigh; aeraspás; oideachas agus oiliúint; eitlíocht ghinearálta; agus inbhuanaitheacht. Fuarthas 74 aighneacht mar fhreagra ar an bpróiseas sainchomhairliúcháin ó raon leathan geallsealbhóirí. Bunaithe ar na haighneachtaí agus ar idirghníomhaíocht eile le roinnt de na geallsealbhóirí, eiseofar dréachtráiteas beartais ag tús 2014. Tabharfaidh sé seo deis eile le hionchur a fháil ó gheallsealbhóirí sula nglactar le beartas nua i rith 2014. An Coiste Náisiúnta um Éascú Eitlíochta Reáchtáladh dhá chruinniú de chuid an Choiste Náisiúnta um Éascú Eitlíochta (FAL) in 2013 agus ionadaíocht ar an gCoiste ó na Ranna agus Gníomhaireachtaí Rialtais ábhartha (Dlí agus Ceart, Talmhaíocht, Gnóthaí Eachtracha, na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim, IAA agus CAR) mar aon le DAA, aerfoirt réigiúnacha agus oibreoirí aerárthaigh cónaithe idirnáisiúnta. Is é príomhaidhm an Choiste fóram a chur ar fáil chun saincheisteanna a phlé maidir leis an earnáil eitlíochta agus bealaí a aimsiú le dul i ngleic leo chun taithí an phaisinéara a fheabhsú. Aonán nua na Sionainne a Bhunú Mar aon leis an líon paisinéirí a chobhsú ina chéad bhliain mar aerfort neamhspleách (chaill an tSionainn os cionn 60% dá paisinéirí idir 2007 agus 2012), d’fhógair an tSionainn seirbhísí nua in 2013 chuig SAM (Chicago agus Philadelphia), Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote agus Learpholl. Leanadh den obair i rith na bliana chomh maith chun fís

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nua don tSionainn a sheachadadh. Ationóladh an Coiste Stiúrtha ardleibhéil a mhaoirsigh scaradh Aerfort na Sionainne ó DAA chun socruithe aistrithe in SAA agus Forbairt na Sionainne a mhaoirsiú roimh bhunú aonán nua na Sionainne, Shannon Group plc. Athbhunaíodh bord SAA lena n-áirítear ceapadh beirt ionadaithe thar ceann na bhfostaithe. I Meitheamh 2013, cheap an bord príomhfheidhmeannach nua a bhfuil taithí shaibhir aige san earnáil eitlíochta, a ghlac lena phost i Meitheamh. Tharla athstruchtúrú suntasach i bhForbairt na Sionainne i rith na bliana agus aistríodh feidhmeanna na gníomhaireachta i ndáil le cur chun cinn turasóireachta agus fiontair, mar aon leis an bhfoireann lena mbaineann, chuig Fáilte Éireann, IDA agus Fiontraíocht Éireann. Ghlac príomhfheidhmeannach SAA le post mar phríomhfheidhmeannach Fhorbairt na Sionainne i Meán Fómhair 2013 chomh maith. Foilseofar na Cinn Billí chun Grúpa na Sionainne a bhunú ar bhonn reachtúil i mí Iúil chomh maith.

Aerfoirt Réigiúnacha

Faoi Chlár na nAerfort Réigiúnacha, tacaítear le ceithre aerfort réigiúnacha: Dún na nGall, Cnoc Mhuire, Ciarraí agus Port Láirge. Íocadh €2.2 milliún i bhfóirdheontais oibríochtúla agus €3.5 milliún i gcúnamh dheontas caipitiúil leis na haerfoirt seo in 2013. Mar aon leis seo, cuireadh €7.6 milliún ar fáil i gcomhair seirbhísí aeir oibleagáid seirbhís poiblí (PSO) idir Dún na nGall agus Baile Átha Cliath agus idir Ciarraí agus Baile Átha Cliath in 2013. Ghlac an Roinn páirt chomh maith i nGrúpa Staidéir faoi Aerfort Iarthar na hÉireann a thuairiscigh ag deireadh 2013 agus beidh sé mar ionchur i dtaobh beartais maidir le hAerfoirt Réigiúnacha amach anseo.

Pacáiste Aerfoirt an AE

Foilsíodh Pacáiste Aerfoirt an AE i mí na Nollag 2011 agus dírítear ann ar dhul i ngleic le saincheisteanna éifeachtúlachta, cáilíochta agus cumais ar fud aerfoirt na hEorpa agus dírítear go sonrach ar sheirbhísí ar an talamh, laghdú torainn agus leithdháileadh sliotán. Díríonn an pacáiste ar an iomlán ar iomaíochas níos mó a chur chun cinn laistigh den earnáil eitlíochta agus tá sé ar cheann de na tionscnaimh reachtaíochta AE is tábhachtaí i réimse na heitlíochta le roinnt blianta anuas. Cé gur aontaíodh seasamh coitianta ar na trí ghné sa Chomhairle in 2012, níor críochnaíodh an comhaontú deireanach ar an bpacáiste go dí 2013 de bharr éagsúlachtaí i gcur chuige idir Parlaimint na hEorpa, an Chomhairle agus an Coimisiún. I dtreo dheireadh 2013, chomhaontaigh Parlaimint na hEorpa, an Chomhairle agus an Coimisiún chun idirbheartaíochtaí a scaradh ar na trí thionscnamh reachtaíochta den phacáiste aerfoirt agus mar thoradh, athsheoladh bair ar thionscnamh an torainn aerfoirt chun comhaontú a dheimhniú le Parlaimint na hEorpa sa chéad leath de 2014. Ghlac Parlaimint na Eorpa leis an tuarascáil deireanach maidir le bearta um sheirbhísí ar an talamh le roinnt leasuithe in Aibreán 2013. Mar gheall ar thosaíochtaí eile faoi Uachtaránacht na Gréige ar an AE, seans go nglafaidh sé roinnt ama sula déantar dul chun cinn ar an gceist seo.

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CEARTA PHAISINÉIRÍ AEIR AN AE

Bhunaigh Rialachán (CE) Uimh. 261/2004, rialacha coitianta maidir le cúiteamh agus cúnamh do phaisinéirí i gcás go ndiúltaítear bordáil, go gcealaítear eitiltí nó go mbíonn moill mhór orthu; tháinig sé i bhfeidhm an 17 Feabhra 2005. I Márta 2013, d’fhoilsigh Coimisiún an AE tograí nua chun Rialacháin 261/2004 a athbhreithniú (agus 2027 a dhéileálann le dliteanas iompróirí do bhagáiste paisinéirí). Soiléireoidh an beartas le hathbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na Rialacháin roinnt réimsí lena n-áirítear cearta ar fhaisnéis maidir le heitiltí a bhfuil moill orthu nó atá ar ceal, céard is “cúinsí neamhghnácha” laistigh den Rialachán, cearta maidir le cúnamh/cúiteamh i leith moill fhada agus moill ar an rúidbhealach, etc. Anuas air sin, beartaítear sna forálacha roinnt cearta nua do phaisinéirí lena n-áirítear an ceart go gceartófaí saor in aisce ainmneacha a litríodh go mícheart; cearta nua i ndáil le bagáiste a dhíláimhseáiltear agus trédhearcacht táillí do bhagáiste cábáin agus seiceáilte. Cuireadh tús le pléití faoin togra sa Chomhairle faoi Uachtaránacht na hÉireann sa chéad leath de 2013 agus tá siad ag leanúint ar aghaidh. Táthar ag súil go sroichfear comhaontú faoin togra idir an Chomhairle agus Parlaimint na hEorpa i rith 2014.

Scairsealbhú Aer Lingus

D'fhan scaireanna an Stáit in Aer Lingus ag 25.1% in 2013. I bhFeabhra 2012, d’aontaigh an Rialtas clár diúscartha sócmhainne Stáit agus thug siad le fios go ndíolfaí a scaireanna in Aer Lingus nuair is cuí nuair a bhíonn na coinníollacha margaidh fabhrach agus ag praghas inghlactha a d’aontódh an Rialtas. Ach, níorbh ann do choinníollacha margaidh fabhracha i gcomhair díolacháin i rith chlár tacaíochta AE/IMF. Tá an Rialtas fós toilteanach a scaireanna a dhíol faoi na coinníollacha cearta agus idir an dá linn tá é ráite acu go mbainisteoidh siad a scaireanna go gníomhach, agus é mar aidhm acu luach na scaireanna a uasmhéadú, díbhinn a shlánú agus bealaí nua agus cumas breise a spreagadh nuair is indéanta go tráchtála.

Tairiscint Táthcheangail Aer Lingus

I Meitheamh 2012, rinne Ryanair an tríú tairiscint ar Aer Lingus. Cuireadh an tairiscint faoi bhráid an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh lena cheadú faoi Rialachán an AE um Chumaisc. I mí na Nollag 2012, dúirt an Rialtas nach raibh siad sásta tacú le haon tairiscint ar an gcuideachta a bhainfeadh an bonn d’fhostaíocht, de cheangailteacht agus d’iomaíocht i margadh na hÉireann. Dhiúlaigh an Coimisiún Eorpach cead ina dhiaidh sin i bhFeabhra 2013. I Meitheamh 2013, rinne Ryanair achomharc le Cúirt Ghinearálta an Aontais Eorpaigh in aghaidh chinneadh Choimisiún an AE le tairiscint táthcheangail ar Aer Lingus a thoirmeasc. Tugadh cead don Stát idirghabháil a dhéanamh sa chás le tacú le

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cinneadh an Choimisiúin agus cuirfear an idirghabháil seo ar aghaidh de réir amchlár na Cúirte.

Aerspás Eorpach Aonair

Tá an sprioc de chruthú Aerspáis Eorpaigh Aonair (SES) rialaithe ag sraith Rialúcháin AE a aontaíodh in 2004 agus in 2009. Is í aidhm lárnach an chreata rialála SES seo ilroinnt de bhainistíocht aeriompair a laghdú agus acmhainn Aerspáis Eorpaigh a mhéadú chun a éifeachtúlacht, sábháilteacht agus a éifeachtúlacht ó thaobh costais de a fheabhsú. I rith 2013, faoin gcreat SES, ghlac an Roinn páirt i gcríochnú rathúil idirbheartaíochtaí ar chreat rialála athbhreithnithe chun feidhmíocht na bainistíochta aeriompair Eorpaigh a thomhas sa tréimhse 2015-2019. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh éifeachtúlachtaí níos fearr i soláthar seirbhísí aerloingseoireachta mar gheall ar an gcreat. Lean an Roinn agus IAA ag obair go dlúth leis an RA i rith 2013 chun comhoibriú a chur ar aghaidh i mbainistiú aerspás faoi Bhloc Oibríochtúla Aerspáis (FAB), ina gcuimsítear Aerspás na hÉireann agus an RA. Is é is FAB na RA/na hÉireann, tairseach trasatlantaigh na hEorpa agus tá tábhacht straitéiseach leis i dtaobh aerspás a chomhtháthú ar fud na hEorpa (téann 90% de thrácht an Atlantaigh Thuaidh trí aerspás na Éireann nó na RA). Níl ról mar seo ar an scála céanna ag FAB ar bith eile. Sa tréimhse 2008-12, rinneadh coigiltis os cionn €70 milliún do chustaiméirí aerlíne, lena n-áirítear 232,000 tona CO2 agus 73,000 tona breosla.

Comhaontuithe um Iompar Aeir

Príomh-chomhábhar de bheartas eitlíochta seachtraí a AE is ea Comhlimistéar Eitlíochta Eorpach níos leithne a fhorbairt trí thíortha comharsanachta an AE a chorprú. Chuige seo aontaíodh roinnt comhaontuithe aeriompair idir an AE agus go leor tíortha agus réigiúin chomharsana le blianta beaga anuas, lena n-áirítear na Stáit Bhalcánacha Oirthear na hEorpa agus na Stáit Mheánmhara. I Meitheamh 2013, sínigh an AE comhaontú cuimsitheach leis an Iosrael agus i mí na Samhna cuireadh tús le Comhaontú cuimsitheach leis an Úcráin. I mí na Samhna chomh maith, reáchtáladh chéad chruinniú de chuid Dialóg Gníomhachtaithe an AE-na Murascaille in Riyadh. Is próiseas tábhachtach atá ann atá ag leanúint ar aghaidh In 2013, cuireadh tús le dialóg idir an Coimisiún Eorpach agus Cumann Náisiúin na hÁise Thoir Theas (ASEAN) chun aerthrácht idir an dá réigiún a fhorbairt. Reáchtálfar an chéad Chruinniú Mullaigh EU-ASEAN in 2014. Leis an chaibidlíocht tugtha chun críche ar chomhaontaithe maidir le hAerspás Oscailte leis na SAM agus Ceanada, tá fócas an Aontais Eorpaigh anois ar chomhaontú eitlíochta a oibriú amach le eochairmhargaí éiritheacha cosúil leis an mBrasaíl, an tSín agus an India, chomh maith le Stáit chomharsanachta. Leanadh le hidirbheartaíochtaí in 2013 chun comhaontú leis an mBrasaíl a chríochnú. Tacaíonn Éire go hiomlán le hiarrachtaí an AE chuige seo agus tá an Roinn ag leanúint leo ag

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saothrú beart chun caidreamh déthaobhach na hÉireann le margaí éiritheacha a threisiú.

Aonad um Imscrúdú Aerthionóiscí (AAIU) Is briseadh síos é an tábla a leanas ar na heachtraí náisiúnta agus idir náisiúnta uile taifeadta ag an AIA in 2013.

Tionóiscí Eachtraí Tromchúiseacha

Eachtraí Iomlán

Náisiúnta 6 10 67 83

Idirnáisiúnta 3 14 16 33

Iomlán 9 24 83 116

Rinneadh measúnú ar 9,216 Tuairisc Éigeantach ar Eachtraí (MOR) in 2013 ar tháinig 116 díobh faoi shainchúram an AAIU. Tugadh tosaíocht d’imscrúdú agus tuairisciú ar thionóiscí agus eachtraí tromchúiseacha, bhí 16 eachtra ar an iomlán faoi réir imscrúdaithe náisiúnta agus bhain 17 eile le himscrúduithe eachtrannacha i dtaobh aerárthach atá cláraithe/ag feidhmiú in Éirinn, áit ar thug AAIU cúnamh trí cheapachán Ionadaithe Creidiúnaithe. D’eisigh AAIU 31 moladh sábháilteachta ar an iomlán in 2013. Níor maraíodh an duine in 2013, ach, bhain gortuithe éagsúla do 13 duine, tar éis dóibh a bheith páirteach in eachtra eitlíochta. Díríodh méid shuntasach d’acmhainní an Aonaid ar Thuarascáil Imscrúdaithe maidir le timpiste marfach an Metro III i gCorcaigh in 2011. Foilsíodh 17 Tuarascáil ar fad, ina measc Ráiteas Eatramhach amháin agus 16 Thuarascáil Deiridh ar shuíomh gréasáin AAIU i rith 2013.

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Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Iompar ar Tír Chun soláthar a dhéanamh do chothabháil agus uasghrádú an líonra taistil agus le seachadadh seirbhísí iompair phoiblí a chinntiú le haird faoi leith ar iomaíocht eacnamaíochta, riachtanais shóisialta, inbhuanaitheacht agus spriocanna sábháilteachta.

Iompar Poiblí

Infheistíocht in Iompar Poiblí

Infheistíodh €265 milliún in 2013 i mbonneagar agus seirbhísí iompair phoiblí, arbh athnuachan ar bhonneagar reatha a bhí in go leor de. Chumasaigh sé seo forfheidhmiú an Tríú Chlár Sábháilteachta Iarnróid (2009-2013), tús le hoibreacha ríthábhachtacha don Líne Luas Tras-Chathrach mar aon le ceannach 80 bus nua i gcomhair Bus Átha Cliath. Tá Bus Átha Cliath anois ar cheann de na chéad cuideachtaí iompair phoiblí san AE chun gach bus dá chuid a dhéanamh inrochtana ag cathaoireacha rothaí. Leanadh ar aghaidh leis an obair thógála/shuiteála sa tionscadal athchomharthaíochta i lár Bhaile Átha Cliath. Dhírigh oibrithe an Chláir um Uathoibriú Trasnú Bóthair ar na línte i nGaillimh agus Maigh Eo in 2013. Leanadh sa 3ú Chlár um Shábháilteacht Iarnróid ar an obair a rinneadh sa dá Chlár roimhe.

Fóirdheontais do CIÉ

Cuireadh maoiniú €226 milliún ar fáil i bhFóirdheontais Stáit, tríd an NA, do chuideachtaí CIÉ in 2013. Tá soláthar seirbhísí oibleagáid seirbhís poiblí ag cuideachtaí CIÉ faoi réir chonarthaí idir na cuideachtaí agus an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Iompair (NTA).

Seasamh Airgeadais CIÉ

Tá Bord CIÉ ag leanúint de roinn bearta le dul i ngleic le seasamh airgeadais an Ghrúpa, lena n-áirítear laghduithe costais sna trí chuideachta oibríochta. Cuireadh roinnt áiseanna baincéireachta i bhfeidhm in 2012. Rinneadh dul chun cinn maith in 2013 le coigiltis chostais a aontaíodh in Bus Éireann agus in Bus Átha Cliath agus tá an líon paisinéirí agus cobhsú de réir mar atá a geilleagar ag téarnamh. Mar gheall ar spleáchas CIÉ ar na háiseanna bainc a socraíodh le déanaí, tá sé tábhachtach go bhfeidhmíonn an Grúpa de réir a phlean gnó mar a tugadh do na bainc é. Beidh spriocanna cúnaint níos éilitheacha le sásamh ag CIÉ gach bliain, mar sin tá sé ríthábhachtach go seachadtar bearta um choigilteas costais.

Athchóiriú ar an Margadh Bus – Athbhreithniú ar Bhronnadh Díreach Chonarthaí PSO

Rachaidh na conarthaí bronnta díreacha chun seirbhísí i margadh an bhus faoi Sheirbhís Oibleagáid Poiblí (PSO) atá ag Bus Átha Cliath agus Bus Éireann in éag níos

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déanaí sa bhliain. Is ceist don Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair (NTA) atá i mbronnadh conarthaí ina dhiaidh seo faoina shainchúram reachtúil neamhspleách. Ar an 5 Nollaig 2013, de réir fhorálacha an Achta um Údarás Iompair Baile Átha Cliath 2008, d’fhógair NTA go gcuirfear timpeall 10% de sheirbhísí bus faoi fhóirdheontas poiblí (PSO) ar conradh agus go dtosóidh na seirbhísí nua in 2016. Tá an próiseas tairisceana le tosú ag deireadh mhí na Samhna 2014 agus bronnfar na conartha ag deireadh 2015.

Athchóiriú ar Mhargadh an Bhus – Bronnadh Conarthaí Nua PSO

Bhronn an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Iompair, tar éis dhá chomórtas tairisceana in 2013, conarthaí seirbhísí iompair phoiblí le M&A Coaches, Béal Átha Ragad, Contae Chill Chainnigh chun seirbhísí bus a chur ar fáil idir Port Laoise agus Áth na nUrlainn agus idir Port Laoise agus Caiseal. Tugadh na seirbhísí nua seo isteach tar éis cinneadh de chuid Bus Éireann chun a sheirbhísí tráchtála ceadúnaithe a aistarraingt. B’iad na bealaí faoi chonartha seo na chéad bealaí a bronnadh ar chuideachta príobháideach agus faigheann siad fóirdheontas poiblí le tacú le seirbhísí riachtanacha sóisialta.

Rialachán iarnróid – idirbheartaíocht á déanamh ar bhearta AE nua

D’fhoilsigh an AE an Ceathrú Pacáiste Iarnróid in 2013. Tá bearta do thrí Threoir agus trí Rialachán sa phacáiste. Baineann na beart reachtúla seo le margaí iarnróid baile a oscailt a thuilleadh i gcomhair iomaíochta, lena n-áirítear forálacha i gcomhair conarthaí seirbhíse poiblí a chur amach ar conradh go héigeantach agus próisis agus córais do shábháilteacht agus idir-inoibritheacht iarnróid a nuashonrú agus a sruthlíniú. Baineadh amach comhaontú polaitiúil leis an gComhairle ar phéire den tí ghné teicniúla den Phacáiste a bhaineanna le hidir-inoibritheacht an chórais iarnróid agus sábháilteacht iarnróid. Cuireadh tús le hidirbheartaíochtaí faoi dheireadh 2013 ar an mbeart teicniúil deiridh den Phacáiste a bhaineann le sainchúram na Gníomhaireachta Eorpaigh Iarnróid.

Feabhsúcháin le Seirbhís do Chustaiméirí Iompair Phoiblí

Tugadh isteach breisithe eile le Scéim Chárta Leap i Mórcheantar Bhaile Átha Cliath in 2013. Áirítear orthu seo Pasanna Bliantúla CáinChoigilteora ar chártaí Leap pearsantaithe, seoladh Leap ar sheirbhísí réigiúin an oirthir Bhus Éireann mar aon le comhtháthú roinnt oibreoirí bus príobháideacha (lena n-áirítear Collins Coaches, Swords Express agus Wexford Bus) sa scéim. Seoladh teorainneacha oibreora singil agus iloibreora ar fud na cathrach chomh maith. Tá díolachán chártaí Leap fós láidir agus bhí 378,000 díolta faoi dheireadh 2013. Rinneadh dul chun cinn maith chomh maith ar fhoráil Fhaisnéis Réad-Ama do Phaisinéirí (RTPI) do Bhus Átha Cliath le 488 comhartha ag feidhmiú i Mórcheantar Bhaile Átha Cliath. Tá roinnt comharthaí ag feidhmiú chomh maith ag Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath (Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann agus Aircoach). Suiteáladh scáileáin réidhe réad-ama chomh maith ag roinnt stáisiún iarnróid (stáisiúin an Phiarsaigh, Uí Chonghaile, Shráid na Teamhrach) mar aon le UCD, Ospidéal an Mater agus Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath (Críochfort 1). Tá dul chun cinn maith déanta leis an tionscadal chomh maith i gcathracha réigiúnacha agus formhór na gcomharthaí i gCorcaigh, i

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nGaillimh agus i Luimneach anois ag feidhmiú. Tá suiteáil comharthaí i bPort Láirge ag dul ar aghaidh go maith freisin. Lean an Pleanálaí Aistir Comhtháite Náisiúnta (NIJP) ag oibriú go maith in 2013, ar pleanálaí aistir doras le doras atá ann a thugann faisnéis, treoracha agus meastacháin ama ar iompar poiblí. Íoslódáladh an feidhmchlár os cionn 160,000 uair. Breisíodh an feidhmchlár nuair a comhtháthaíodh Google Maps leis. Seoladh Pleanálaí Aistir Rothair Átha Cliath ag deireadh 2013 chomh maith. Cuireadh an NJIP le leathanach baile Transport for Ireland chomh maith a thugann rochtain níos tapúla ar an bpleanálaí.

Inrochtaineacht

Tugtar treochlár in Transport Access for All, Plean Earnála na Roinne faoin Acht um Míchumas 2005, i gcomhair breisithe eile i bhfeabhsúcháin ar inrochtaineacht in iompar poiblí. Díríonn sé ar chur leis an tógáil a rinneadh cheana agus réitíodh é tar éis próiseas sainchomhairliúcháin fairsing. Críochnaíodh an plean seo in 2012, d’fhaomhaigh dhé Theach an Oireachtais go luath in 2013 é agus foilsíodh i Lúnasa na bliana sin é tar éis formáidí inrochtana éagsúla a réiteach.

Clár Iompair Thuaithe (RTP)

Tá an fhreagracht náisiúnta ar an Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair (NTA) as iompar áitiúil agus tuaithe comhtháite, lena n-áirítear bainistiú an Chláir Iompair Thuaithe (RTP). I rith 2013, taifeadadh os cionn 1.7 milliún turas paisinéara ar os cionn 224,000 seirbhís iompair maoinithe faoin Chlár Iompair Thuaithe, méadú de 0.5% agus 3% le hais 2012 faoi seach. Caitheadh os cionn €9 milliún ar an gClár in 2013. Tar éis Athbhreithniú um Luach ar Airgead an RTP a foilsíodh in 2012, scrúdaigh an NTA cásanna éagsúla chun an struchtúr optamach le haghaidh seachadadh iompair thuaithe amach anseo chinneadh ó dhearcadh éifeachtúlachta agus seirbhíse. Mhol an NTA go mbunófaí 18 nAonad Comhordaithe Iompair (TCU) le teacht in ionad na 35 Grúpa RTP a sheachadann an tseirbhís faoi láthair D’fhógair an tAire Kelly na struchtúir nua an 9 Iúil 2013 agus eisíodh gairm oifigiúil ar iarratais don phróiseas roghnúcháin don 18 TCS chuig a 35 Grúpa RTP ar an 3 Deireadh Fómhair 2013. Cuireadh tús i mí na Nollag 2013 le próiseas breithmheasa ar na hiarratais a cuireadh isteach, arna bhainistiú ag an NTA, chun bunú céimnithe na TCUnna a thosú in 2014.

Athbhreithniú ar Rialáil Tacsaithe

Tá an fhreagracht ar an Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair (NTA) as rialáil thionscal na dtacsaithe faoi fhorálacha an Achta um Rialáil Iompair Phoiblí 2009. Is é an cheannghníomhaireacht é chomh maith d’fhorfheidhmiú moltaí na Tuarascála um Athbhreithniú ar Rialáil Tacsaithe 2011. Baineann go leor de phríomh-mholtaí na Tuarascála Athbhreithnithe seo le bearta forfheidhmithe agus comhlíonta. Tugann

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feidhm reachtúil do na moltaí seo tríd an Acht um Rialáil Tacsaithe 2013 a achtaíodh an 23 Deireadh Fómhair 2013.

Inbhuanaitheacht agus Comhtháthú

Leanadh le hinfheistíocht straitéiseach i dtaisteal inbhuanaithe faoi phríomhchláir agus tacaíocht leanúnach d’infheistíocht taistil níos cliste le buiséad cúig bliana ilbhliantúil €65 milliún aontaithe. Tá cur chuige dhá bheangáin á thógáil chun rátaí comaitéireachta inbhuanaithe a fheabhsú; infheistiú in iompar poiblí agus bonneagar chun rothaíocht agus siúl a éascú mar aon le tacaíocht do chláir chun daoine a spreagadh le cinntí taistil níos cliste a dhéanamh. Áiríodh le scéimeanna a maoiníodh chun taisteal níos cliste a spreagadh an ghné taistil de Chlár na Scoileanna Glasa, Clár um Champais níos Cliste agus Ionaid Oibre um Thaisteal níos Cliste.

Clár um Cheantair Thaisteal níos Cliste

Faoin gClár um Cheantair Thaisteal níos Cliste roghnaíodh trí bhaile (Cathair na Mart, Dún Garbhán agus codanna de chathair Luimnigh) in 2012 le bheith mar cheantair taispeántais do thionscnaimh iompair inbhuanaithe. Is clár ilbhliantúil é seo agus €23 milliún á chur ar fáil chun iompar inbhuanaithe a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn na bailte seo thar tréimhse cúig bliana. In 2013, críochnaíodh an dara bliain den chlár agus tá ag éirí go maith leis go dtí seo sna trí cheantar, i dtéarmaí bearta um athrú bonneagair agus iompraíochta a sheachadadh.

Tionscadail Rothaíochta

Cuireadh i gcrích naoi Thionscadal um Bailte Gníomhacha Taistil in 2013, a thug líon iomlán na dtionscadal do chlár 2012/2013 go dtí trí cheann déag. Fógraíodh an dara babhta maoinithe i Lúnasa 2013 i ndáil leis an tréimhse 2014-2016. Tá tograí á meas ar bhonn iomaíoch ag féachaint do thograí rathúla a fhógairt go luath in 2014. In 2013,seachadadh tionscadail rothaíochta chomh maith faoin gcéad chéim de Chlár Maoinithe um Ghréasán Náisiúnta Raonta Rothar 2012/2013. Maoiníodh cúig thionscadal déag ar an iomlán faoin gClár seo sa tréimhse go dtí deireadh 2013. Fógraíodh an dara babhta maoinithe i Lúnasa 2013 i ndáil leis an tréimhse 2014-2016. Tá tograí á meas ar bhonn iomaíoch ag féachaint do thograí rathúla a fhógairt go luath in 2014. D’éirigh go maith le Seachtain na Rothar 2013 arís agus os cionn 400 imeacht ar siúl ar ar fhreastal os cionn 30,000 duine arna n-eagrú ag údaráis áitiúla, comhpháirtíochtaí spóirt áitiúla agus pobail áitiúla.

Scéimeanna um Roinnt Rothar Cathrach

Tátha obair ag dul ar aghaidh go maith laistigh den Roinn agus san Údarás Náisiúnta Iompair ar thograí chun scéimeanna um roinnt rothar a thabhairt isteach i gCorcaigh, i Luimneach agus i nGaillimh. Tá an NTA ag súil le cuideachta a cheapadh chun na scéimeanna a shuiteáil agus a bhainistiú go luath in 2014. Roghnaíodh Coca-Cola mar urraí tráchtála ar na scéimeanna réigiúnacha um rothar cathrach.

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Cuireadh tús i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2013 le tógáil an tsínithe le scéim rothar Bhaile Átha Cliath. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh na 58 stáisiún rothar agus na 950 rothar ar fáil faoi Iúil 2014. Nuair a dhéanfar sin beidh 102 stáisiún rothar agus 1,500 rothar i mBaile Átha Cliath.

Treochlár Ísealcharbóin don Earnáil Iompair

D’fhonn go gcuirfidh Éire go héifeachtach agus go cothrom le hastacháin charbóin a laghdú, leagtar amach sa Bhille beartaithe um Ghníomh Aeráide agus Forbairt Ísealcharbóin dualgas bheartaithe reachtúla i ndáil le Treochlár Ísealcharbóin Náisiúnta a fhorbairt a ionchorpróidh treochláir earnálacha. Sheol an tAire Stáit um Iompar Poiblí agus Comaitéara, Alan Kelly TD, próiseas sainchomhairliúcháin phoiblí ar an 17 Nollaig le cuidiú le treochlár a réiteach don earnáil iompair. Le tacú leis an bpróiseas seo, d’fhorbair an Roinn Páipéar Saincheisteanna ina leagtar amach breithnithe beartais chun roghanna a luacháil mar chuid den phróiseas treochláir. Ba é an 7 Feabhra 2014 an sprioc d’aighneachtaí scríofa.

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Bóithre

Infheistíocht i mBóithre Náisiúnta

Infheistíodh €278 milliún i dtionscadail chaipitil (lena n-áirítear íocaíochtaí dúnta do thionscadail roimhe seo), agus infheistíodh €43.3 milliún ar chothabháil leanúnach an ghréasáin bóithre náisiúnta. Áiríodh sna hoibreacha cothabhála obair chun guaiseacha a mhaolú ag láithreacha aitheanta, athdhromchlú, comharthaíocht níos fear agus cothabháil eile a raibh gá leis. Chomh maith leis seo, caitheadh iomlán de €61.7 milliún ar íocaíochta oibríochtúla PPP. Bhí ceithre de na mórthionscadail le maoiniú ón Státchiste a bhí ar siúl ag tús 2013 oscailte do thrácht faoi dheireadh 2013 (i.e. Seachbhóthar Thrá Lí, Acomhail Chuarbhóthar Dheisceart Chorcaí, Seachbhóthar Bhéal Tairbirt agus Scaradh Íosghrádaithe in aice leis an gMuileann gCearr). Táthar ag leanúint leis an obair ar Sheachbhóthar Bhealach an Doirín. Níl aon tionscadal suntasach le maoiniú Státchiste pleanáilte sna blianta beaga amach romhainn. Tá an bhéim ina ionad ar chothabháil mar aon le bearta laghduithe tionóiscí. Cuireadh roinnt tionscadal PPP ar aghaidh i rith 2013 faoi Chlár Spreagtha Airgeadais an Rialtais ó mhí Iúil 2012 (i.e. Mótarbhealach ó Ghort go Tuaim, Seachbhóthar Ros Mhic Thriúin, Scéim Ghuaire go hInis Córthaidh).

Infheistíocht i mBóithre Áitiúla

Caitheadh €400,561,124 as an Státchiste ar bhóithre réigiúnacha agus áitiúla in 2013. Áiríodh air sin leithdháileadh €50 milliún breise faoi Spreagadh Infheistíochta an Rialtais in 2013: • cothabháil ar 2,606 km de bhóithre (Clár Athchóirithe Cothabhála) • neartaíodh 2,522 km de bhóithre (Clár Athchóirithe Feabhsúcháin) • tugadh faoi 156 tionscadal feabhsaithe in 2013 faoi dheontais um Fheabhas ar

leith agus faoi dheontais Straitéiseacha Réigiúnacha agus Áitiúla i gcomhair oibreacha níos mó ar bhóithre agus droichid

• críochnaíodh 199 Scéim Feabhsaithe Sábháilteachta Ísealchostais agus tugadh faoi 15 scéim eile oibreacha ag baill dhubha timpiste ar fud na tíre.

Seoladh Scéim phíolótach Rannpháirtíochta Pobail (CIS) in 2013 chun obair chothabhála a éascú ar bhóithre nach bhfuil an oiread sin tráchta orthu.

Lámhleabhar Deartha i gcomhair Bóithre agus Sráideanna Uirbeacha

Foilsíodh an Lámhleabhar Deartha i gcomhair Bóithre Uirbeacha i Márta 2013. Mhaoirsigh an Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt agus an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil réiteach an Lámhleabhair. Leagtar amach ann bearta deartha praiticiúla chun pátrúin níos inbhuanaithe a spreagadh i gceantair uirbeacha.

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Leagtar amach sa Lámhleabhar treoir agus caighdeáin dheartha chun bóithre agus sráideanna uirbeacha in Éirinn a thógáil as an nua agus na cinn atá ann a athchumrú, agus dea-phleanáil agus cleachtas deartha a ionchorprú. Is é is aidhm leis, deireadh a chur le sráideanna a dhearadh mar chonairí tráchta, agus díriú ina áit sin ar riachtanais choisithe, rothaithe agus úsáideoirí iompair phoiblí agus riachtanais úsáideoirí a aithint chomh maith.

Córais Iompair Chliste

Tháinig an Grúpa Oibre ITS le chéile trí huaire i rith 2013 chun saincheisteanna beartais ITS a chur ar aghaidh agus a chomhordú. Bhí an Roinn agus a gníomhaireachta iomlán rannpháirteach leis an gCoimisiún Eorpach ar chúrsaí ITS agus go háirithe maidir le forbairt rialacháin tarmligthe faoi Threoir (2010/40/EC) i réimsí um fhaisnéis tráchta a bhaineann le sábháilteacht agus faisnéis um pháirceáil trucaile. Lean an Roinn a réiteach do thabhairt isteach na Seirbhíse Dola Leictreonaigh Eorpaigh. Is córas caighdeánaithe dola é seo ar fud na hEorpa agus tá sé á fhorfheidhmiú trí shraith beart teicniúla agus rialachais. Rinne an Roinn dul chun cinn chomh maith ar réiteach don tseirbhís eCall ar seirbhís ghlao éigeandála atá ann a shuiteáiltear ar fheithiclí. Lean an Roinn chomh maith lena rannpháirtíocht le heagraíochtaí agus ardáin náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta ITS cosúil le ITS Ireland agus ERTICO. Bhí dlúthbhaint ag an Roinn le heagrú agus cur i gcrích an 9ú Comhdháil Eorpach ITS a reáchtáladh i mBaile Átha Cliath i Meitheamh 2013. Mheall an t-imeacht seo, an ceann is mó dá chineál san Eoraip, 1,700 toscaire agus 80% as tíortha thar lear. Tharla an chéad chomhchruinniú de chuid Choiste ITS na hEorpa agus Grúpa Comhairleach ITS na hEorpa a bunaíodh faoin Treoir ITS i mBaile Átha Cliath le linn na Comhdhála.

Athbhreithniú ar an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre

Bunaíodh an tÚdarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre (RSA) faoin Acht fán Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre 2006. Ó shin, leathnaigh feidhmeanna an RSA go ór agus measadh go raibh sé in ann athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an Údarás lena fháil amach an bhfuil an reachtaíocht a bhunaigh an eagraíocht fós cuí agus sách láidir le tacú le gníomhaíochtaí reatha agus amach anseo an Údaráis. Bunaíodh grúpa oibre ar a raibh ionadaithe ón Rannóg um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre agus Seirbhísí Dlí na Roinne seo, an RSA agus DEPR agus thuairiscigh siad chuig an Aire. Tar éis an athbhreithnithe, glacfar bearta i rith 2014 chun struchtúr níos cuí a fhorbairt don RSA.

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Sábháilteacht ar Bhóithre

Maraíodh 190 duine go tragóideach ar bhóithre na hÉireann in 2013. B’ionann é seo agus bás 28 duine níos mó ná 2012 agus thug sé chun deireadh seacht mbliana de laghduithe as a chéile. Sheol an tAire ceathrú Straitéis um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre an Rialtais i Márta. Mairfidh an Straitéis – ‘Closing the Gap’ – go dtí 2020 agus tá sé mar aidhm leis ceann de na tíortha is sábháilte san AE a dhéanamh d’Éirinn i dtéarmaí básanna ar bhóithre. Dírítear ann chomh maith ar bhearta nua chun an líon agus déine gortuithe tromchúiseacha a eascraíonn as imbhuailtí bóithre a laghdú. Leagtar sprioc ar leith amach do 2020 sa Straitéis nua chun an líon básanna ar an mbóthar a laghdú chuig 124 sa bhliain, agus an líon gortuithe tromchúiseacha a laghdú chuig 330 sa bhliain. Achtaíodh 27 píosa reachtaíochta tánaisteach ar leith in 2013, deartha chun caighdeáin um shábháilteacht ar bhóithre a fheabhsú go ginearálta.

Tiomáint ar Meisce

Táthar ag leanúint le hobair chun bearta a thabhairt isteach le dul i ngleic le ceist na tiomána ar meisce agus go háirithe tiomáint tar éis drugaí a thógáil a bhfuil imní ag méadú ina leith. Folaíonn an Bille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Uimh. 2) do Ghardaí tástáil lagaithe a dhéanamh le taobh an bhóthair chun tiománaithe atá ar meisce a bhrath. Is é atá sa tástáil seo, tástálacha simplí fisiciúla, cognaíocha cosúil le siúl i líne díreach nó comhaireamh fad is a sheasann tú ar chos amháin agus cuideoidh sé seo le Gardaí cinneadh a dhéanamh an bhfuil tiománaí in ann smacht ceart a bheith acu ar fheithicil. Sa bhreis ar a Tuarascáil ar Thástáil agus Trealamh Drugaí le Taobh an Bhóthair agus Ceisteanna lena mBaineann arna fhoilsiú ag an Lia-Bhiúró um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre (MBRS) i Meitheamh 2012, ba é ceann de phríomhchuspóirí an staidéir a chinneadh an bhfuil aon ghairis oiriúnacha ar fáil, cosúil le hanáileadáin, chun leibhéal drugaí a bhraith agus a thomhas. Bunaíodh grúpa oibre chun na saincheisteanna a bhaineann le gairis mar seo a thabhairt isteach a phlé agus chun gaireas oiriúnach a aithint chun samplaí thógáil ó thiománaithe ag taobh an bhóthair. Tháinig an grúpa le chéile roinnt uaireanta in 2013 agus lorgóidh an MBRS tairiscintí do ghaireas oiriúnach in 2014. Bunaíodh grúpa oibre reachtúil, ar a bhfuil ionadaithe ón Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt, ón Lia-Bhiúró um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre, ón Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais agus ón nGarda Síochána i Meán Fómhair 2013. Bunaíodh an Grúpa seo chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na breisithe is gá a dhéanamh le reachtaíocht reatha le déileáil go sonrach le tiomáint faoi thionchar drugaí agus tabhairt isteach trealaimh oiriúnaí chun raon drugaí áirithe a úsáidtear go coitianta a bhrath ag seicphointí le taobh an bhóthair. Achtófar an reachtaíocht chumasaithe in 2014 mar chuid den chéad Bhille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre eile.

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Aitheantas Frithpháirteach Phointí Pionóis idir Éire agus Tuaisceart Éireann

I bhFeabhra 2012, aontaíodh scrúdú a dhéanamh faoi choimirce na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas ar roghanna d’aitheantas frithpháirteach phointí pionóis idir Éire agus Tuaisceart Éireann. Leagadh amach amchlár mionsonraithe don phróiseas ag cruinniú de chuid na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas ar an 5 Deireadh Fómhair 2012. Teastóidh reachtaíocht phríomha sa dá dhlínse chun forfheidhmiú a chumasú. I dtosach, is é a bheidh i gceist i dtosach aitheantas frithpháirteach ar phointí pionóis sa dá dhlínse don cheithre choir um thrácht ar bhóithre, luas, tiomáint faoi thionchar an óil/drugaí, gan crios sábhála a chaitheamh agus guthán soghluaiste a úsáid agus tú ag tiomáint. Is iad sin na príomhchoireanna um Thrácht ar Bhóithre a bhaineann le timpistí tromchúiseacha. Cuireadh comhráití eile ar ceal ar feitheamh réiteach roinnt deacrachtaí a d’eascair maidir le cúiseamh tiománaithe neamhchónaithe in absentia ag cúirteanna na hÉireann.

Ceadúnú Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre

Bhainistigh an tAonad um Cheadúnú Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre (RTOL) an próiseas ceadúnais d’oibritheoirí iompair ar bhóithre. Ag deireadh 2013, bhí 3,843 sealbhóir cheadúnas tarlaithe agus 1,841 sealbhóir cheadúnas paisinéara, iomlán de 5,684 oibritheoir ceadúnaithe. Eisíodh 713 Ceadúnas Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre agus 387 Ceadúnas Phaisinéir Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre in 2013. I rith 2013, lean RTOL le forbairt córas ríomhaire nua chun iarratais ar líne do cheadúnais oibritheoirí a éascú agus chun córas bainistíochta ceadúnais níos fearr a sholáthar. Chuaigh an oifig chúil beo in 2013 agus tugann sé slándáil sonraí breisithe do RTOL. Cumasaíonn sé RTOL chomh maith le faisnéis a mhalartú le comhlachtaí Stáit eile lena bhunú an bhfuil oibritheoirí ag cloí lena riachtanais dlí ar fad maidir le feithiclí, dlí na gcuideachtaí, dea-chlú etc. Seachadfar na céimeanna deiridh den tionscadal ag tús 2014 lena n-áirítear rochtain ghréasáin phoiblí, a chuirfidh ar fáil áis ar líne d’oibritheoirí le hiarratas a dhéanamh ar cheadúnais agus iad a bhainistiú, agus nasc le Clár Eorpach na nGnóthas Iompair ar Bhóithre (ERRU) a mhalartóidh sonraí maidir le sáruithe, ag tarlóirí i mBallstáit.

Athrú le Riarachán an Cheadúnaithe Tiomána

Mar a fhoráiltear faoi reachtaíocht an AE, tugadh an ceadúnas chárta plaisteach isteach in Eanáir 2013. Tar éis athbhreithniú chun an modh is fearr chun ceadúnas tiomána chárta plaisteach a tabhairt isteach in Éirinn in 2013, chinn an Rialtas múnla láraithe a úsáid i ndáil le soláthar ceadúnaithe tiomána. Ghlac an tSeirbhís Náisiúnta um Cheadúnais Tiomána (NDLS) le freagracht as ceadúnais thiomána a eisiúint ón 29 Deireadh Fómhair 2013 ó údaráis áitiúla. Tá freagracht ar an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre (RSA) as NDLS. Tabharfaidh an cur chuige láraithe sé éifeachtúlachtaí níos mó i seachadadh foriomlán na seirbhíse agus soláthróidh sé seirbhís níos fearr agus níos aonfhoirme le gach úsáideoir deiridh.

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I rith na bliana, d’oibrigh an Roinn go dlúth leis an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre, na Ranna Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil, mar aon leis na húdaráis áitiúla d’fhonn aistriú réidh a chinntiú chuig an córas cheadúnas tiomána láraithe nua. Bhí roinnt deacrachtaí tosaigh le próiseáil na gceadúnas nua i rith na céime tosaigh, ach d’fheabhsaigh sé seo go mór i gcéad ráithe 2014. Tá sonraí i gComhad Náisiúnta Feithiclí agus Tiománaithe (NVDF) na Roinne maidir le os cionn 2.4 milliún feithicil cláraithe agus a n-úinéirí, mar aon leis an 2.65 milliún tiománaí ceadúnaithe sa tír agus beidh ról ríthábhachtach aige mar bhunachair shonraí tagartha don chóras cheadúnas tiomána. Mionathraíodh an feidhmchlár bogearraí NVDF in 2012 chun na socruithe nua a éascú.

Táillí um Cheadúnú Tiománaithe

Réitíodh Rialacháin chomh maith chun ardú sna táillí do cheadúnas tiomána a cheadú. Tháinig sé i bhfeidhm a 1 Eanáir 2013. Ba é seo an chéad ardú ar tháillí ó 1989 agus dá bharr beidh an tseirbhís um cheadúnú tiománaithe féinmhaoinithe amach anseo.

Bearta Sábhála Costais i ndáil le hAthnuachan Mhótarcháin

Tá an Roinn, mar aon le Ranna Rialtais eile, de réir chuspóirí eRialtais, ag lorg deiseanna go gníomhach chun infhaighteacht seirbhíse ar líne a uasmhéadú do chustaiméirí agus ag an am céanna coigiltis chostais a sheachadadh don Státchiste. Eisíonn an Roinn os cionn 4.5 milliún fógra páipéir um athnuachan mhótarcháin gach bliain ar chostas €2 mhilliún. Is deis atá san aistriú chuig meabhrúcháin leictreonacha trí ríomhphost chun na costais a bhaineann leis an gcóras páipéarbhunaithe a laghdú go suntasach. Cuireadh tús in 2012 le heisiúint fógraí athnuachana mhótarcháin trí ríomhphost ar bhonn píolótach agus cuireadh ar fáil ar fud na tíre é i rith 2013, rud a choigil timpeall €700,000 go bliantúil.

An Bille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Uimh. 2)

Foilsíodh an Bille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Uimh. 2) 2013 agus cuireadh faoi bhrád na Dála é i rith 2013, agus achtaíodh ag tús 2014 é. Áirítear i bpríomhghnéithe den Bhille bearta breise leis an gcóras cheadúnais tiomána céimnithe, tabhairt isteach tástáil lagaithe le taobh an bhóthair, pionóis níos déine as bheith páirteach in eachtraí buille is teitheadh, athruithe le leibhéal na bpointí pionóis as cionta éagsúla, foráil do shampla fola a thógáil san ospidéal ó thiománaí lagaithe tar éis imbhualadh um thrácht ar bhóithre agus cion a dhéanamh de bheith ag cur isteach ar odaiméadar.

An Bille um Chlampáil Feithiclí 2014

Ní dhéileálann an reachtaíocht reatha ar chlampáil ach le clampáil ar an tsráid, ag nó faoi chonradh chuig údaráis áitiúla ach ní bhaineann sé le clampáil ar thalamh phríobháideach. De réir an tiomantais i gClár an Rialtais “chun reachtaíocht a chruthú chun an tionscal clampála feithicle a rialú”, d’fhaomhaigh an Rialtas

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dréachtú cinn Bille ar an 26 Márta 2013. Tá an reachtaíocht riachtanach á dhréachtú faoi láthair ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne. Ag brath ar fhaomhadh an Rialtais, meastar go bhfoilseofar agus go dtabharfaidh chuig an Oireachtas an Bille i rith R2 2014.

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Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Muirí

Chun sábháilteacht agus iomaíocht seirbhísí iompair mhuirí, cosaint na timpeallachta muirí agus soláthar seirbhís práinnfhreagartha éifeachtach a chinntiú.

Muirí

Soithí faoi Bhrat na hÉireann

B'ionann líon na long i gcabhlach trádála idirnáisiúnta na hÉireann agus 37 soitheach (níos mó ná 500 olltonnáiste) ag deireadh na bliana. Leanadh le clár nua tógála d’úinéirí Éireannacha sa Chóiré Theas i rith 2013.

Calafoirt agus Loingeas

I Márta 2013, d’fhaomhaigh an Rialtas foilsiú Bheartas Calafort Náisiúnta a sheol an tAire ar an 26 Márta. Is é croí-chuspóir an bheartais nua, margadh iomaíoch agus éifeachtach do sheirbhísí iompair muirí a éascú. Tugann an beartas isteach roinnt athchóirithe tábhachtacha agus rangaíonn sé cuideachtaí calafoirt thráchtála ina dtrí shraith– • Calafoirt le Suntasacht Náisiúnta – Sraith 1 (Baile Átha Cliath, Corcaigh agus Cuideachta Phort na Sionainne agus Fhainge) • Calafoirt le Suntasacht Náisiúnta – Sraith 2 (Port Láirge agus Ros Láir) • Calafoirt le Suntasacht Réigiúnach (Droichead Átha, Dún Laoghaire, Gaillimh,

Ros Mhic Thriúin agus Cill Mhantáin). Ó foilsíodh an Beartas Calafort Náisiúnta, cuireadh tús le forfheidhmiú i roinnt réimsí. Tá reachtaíocht chun aistriú Calafoirt le Suntasacht Réigiúnach chuig smacht údaráis áitiúil ar siúl agus reáchtáladh sainchomhairliúcháin le geallsealbhóirí i rith R3 agus R4. Seoladh sainchomhairliúchán poiblí ar an 7 Márta 2013 maidir le haistriú Cuan Bhá Bheanntraí chuig smacht Chalafort Chorcaí. Mar thoradh ar an sainchomhairliúchán, cinneadh go dtarlódh an t-aistriú agus bhunaigh Cuideachta Chalafort Chorcaí fochuideachta chun Cuan Bhá Bheanntraí a bhainistiú. Fuair Cuideachta Chalafort Chorcaí faomhadh an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe i mí na Nollag 2013 chun fochuideachta a bhunú agus dáta aistrithe an 1 Eanáir 2014.

Rialú Stáit ar Chalafoirt

Chloígh Éire lena dualgas faoi Mheabhrán Tuisceana Pháras (PMoU) agus faoi Threoracha AE. Choinnigh brat na hÉireann a stádas “Riosca Íseal” agus tá Éire ar cheann de bheagán Stáit ar domhan a bhfuil an stádas sin acu.

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Lean Éire le forfheidhmiú an Chórais Iniúchta Nua (NIR) de MT Pháras atá bunaithe ar riosca. Rinneadh líon méadaithe iniúchtaí i rith na bliana, ag ardú ó 266 (2012) go dtí 289 (2013). Chomhlíon Éire an leibhéal riachtanach iniúchtaí de réir NIR in 2013. Rinneadh cigireacht ar gach long idirnáisiúnta paisinéara rolladh ar/rolladh as a tháinig isteach sa Stát agus a d'imigh as, agus dearbhaíodh gach bád farantóireachta agus bád paisinéara baile le linn na bliana.

Feachtas Cigireachta Dírithe

Ó Mheán Fómhair go deireadh mhí na Samhna, ghlac Éire páirt i bhFeachtas Cigireachta Dírithe (CIC) a dhírigh ar an innealra tiomána agus cúntacha ar longa eachtrannacha ag teacht chuig calafoirt. Cuirfear na torthaí ar fáil trí MoU Pháras don Eagras Idirnáisiúnta Mhuirí (IMO). Tar éis timpiste an Costa Concordia, ghlac Éire páirt i gClár Fíoraithe Comhchuibhithe (HAVEP) de chuid MoU Pháras ar shábháilteacht loinge paisinéirí i rith 2013. Faoin HAVEP, rinneadh próiseas fíoraithe ar longa paisinéirí a raibh cigireacht dlite orthu nuair a tháinig siad chun na hÉireann. Cuirfear na torthaí ar fáil trí MoU Pháras don IMO.

Slándáil Mhuirí

Críochnaíodh forfheidhmiú Threoir AE 2005/65/CE maidir le slándáil chalafort i rith na bliana agus bunaíodh roinnt Údarás Slándála Calafort de réir riachtanais na Treorach. Chomh maith leis sin, leanadh le gníomhaíochtaí maoirseachta i ndáil leis an gCód Slándála Saoráid Chalafoirt agus Longa Idirnáisiúnta (ISPS) le linn na bliana.

Rialacháin Shábháilteachta do Shoithí Iascaireachta

Leanadh le forfheidhmiú Rialacháin Shábháilteachta do Shoithí Iascaireachta i rith na bliana. Bhí cruinnithe ann le hionadaithe ón tionscal agus leis an tionscal iascaireachta maidir le sábháilteacht soitheach iascaireachta. Leanadh le hobair in 2013 ar athbhreithniú ar an gCód Cleachtais do shoithí iascaireachta beaga níos lú ná 15 méadar ina iomláine.

Reachtaíocht

Rinneadh cúig ionstraim reachtúil i rith na bliana, a thug éifeacht do reachtaíocht idirnáisiúnta, AE agus náisiúnta chun sábháilteacht mhuirí a bhreisiú agus an comhshaol muirí a chosaint ó thruailliú ó longa. Is fógraí eolais iad Fógraí Muirí atá eisithe ag an Roinn le heolas tábhachtach sábháilteachta, rialála agus eolas eile ábhartha i ndáil le cúrsaí muirí in Éireann a phoibliú. Eisíodh 58 Fógra Muirí in 2013. Leanadh le hobair ar reachtaíocht thánaisteacha réiteach a thacóidh le forfheidhmiú an Choinbhinsiún Oibre Muirí agus a nuashonróidh reachtaíocht náisiúnta i ndáil le roinnt coinbhinsiún idirnáisiúnta eile lena n-áirítear SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) agus STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). Chuathas ar aghaidh le hobair ar réiteach bearta reachtaíochta i gcomhair réimeas nua do chlárú long in Éirinn le teacht in ionad an Achta Loingis Thráchtála, 1955, arna leasú Foilsíodh an Bille Loingeas Ceannaíochta (Clárú Long) 2013 ar an 23 Nollaig 2013. Is é cuspóir an

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Bhille seo réimeas cláraithe log na hÉireann a nuashonrú trí chóras cláraithe long nua-aimseartha a bhunú le Clár Long na hÉireann leictreonach, láraithe agus inrochtana ina lár. Cuirfear an Bille faoi bhráid an Oireachtais in 2014.

Scéim Oideachais agus Oiliúna Mhuirí

Tá Scéim Oideachais agus Oiliúna Mhuirí (MET) deimhnithe ag an Roinn Iompair, Turasóireachta agus Spóirt de réir an Eagrais Idirnáisiúnta Mhuirí (IMO) agus riachtanais an AE le haghaidh oiliúint agus deimhniú maraithe. Lean Éire le forfheidhmiú leasuithe Mhainile 2010 ar International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Cuardach agus Tarrtháil (SAR)

D'fhreagair Garda Cósta na hÉireann ar 2,627 eachtra in 2013 agus rinneadh 50,882 craoladh sábháilteachta Muirí. Tugadh cúnamh do 5,685 duine agus tugadh os cionn 156 duine slán ón mbás mar gheall ar fhreagairt chomhordaithe an Gharda Cósta inar baineadh úsáid as héileacaptair de chuid an Gharda Cósta, aonaid tharrthála d'oibrithe deonacha, báid tharrthála de chuid an RNLI agus Báid Tharrthála Phobail sa bhliain ba ghnóthaí riamh don Gharda Cósta de bharr na haimsire fíormhaith a bhí ann sa samhradh i bpáirt.

Nuachóiriú ar Threalamh agus Cóiríocht d’Aonaid Gharda Cósta na hÉireann

In 2013, críochnaíodh clár nuachóirithe agus nuashonraithe ar threalamh ag Fo-Ionad Tarrthála Mara Dhairbhre (MARSC). Leis an méid seo déanta, feabhsaíodh gréasán cumarsáide náisiúnta an Gharda Cósta, cuirfidh sé athléimneacht níos mó ar fáil agus éascóidh sé roinnt acmhainní ar fud an ghréasáin choitianta. Is í an chéad chéim eile den fhorbairt na córais IT a thacaíonn le hoibríochtaí sna trí ionad tarrthála comhordaithe a uasghrádú chun éifeachtacht agus éifeachtúlacht oibríochta níos mó a bhaint amach agus rachaidh sé amach ar tairiscint in 2014. Cuireadh an ceathrú héileacaptar S92 Chuardach agus Tarrtháil (SAR), i seirbhís ag Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath i mí na Nollag 2013. Tá an aerárthach seo cumraithe go speisialta i gcomhair oibríochtaí SAR le ga feidhme 270 muirmhíle aige agus atá deartha chun réimse riachtanas SAR a shásamh. Cuireann sé seo críoch le haistriú iomlán ón múnla S61 chuig an S92 sa cheithre bhunáit aerfoirt. Mar aon le seirbhísí SAR, tá sé mar aidhm ag Garda Cósta na hÉireann bheith in ann cúram paraimhíochaine a sheachadadh chuig 70-75% d’eachtraí laistigh de 60 nóiméad. D’oscail an teach stáisiúin nua i mBun an Tábhairne in 2013 agus críochnaíodh oibreacha ag teach stáisiúin na gCealla Beaga. Osclaíodh stáisiún na gCealla Beaga go foirmiúil i Márta 2014. Cuireadh tús le hoibreacha i rith na bliana ar an teach stáisiúin i nDúlainn. Chuir Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí spás ar fáil d’Aonad Gharda Cósta Deonach i nDún Laoghaire (roinnte le BIM). Cuireadh tuilleadh cóiríochta ar fáil ar Oileán Dhairbhre (in aice le Stáisiún Gardaí Bhaile an Ridire) agus ag an gCoireán agus tá oibreacha athchóirithe le tosú in 2014.

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Plean Gníomhaíochta um Riarachán Muirí na hÉireann

Tar éis Tuarascálacha um Luach ar Airgead i réimsí na sábháilteachta muirí agus seirbhísí phráinnfhreagartha a foilsíodh in 2012, chuir an tAire Plean Gníomhaíochta faoi bhráid an Rialtais i mí Iúil 2013 a chuaigh i ngleic le roinnt de thorthaí na dTuarascálacha. Dírítear go príomha sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta ar athruithe struchtúracha inmheánacha, socruithe oibríochta chun éifeachtúlachtaí a uasmhéadú agus an úsáid is fearr a bhaint as acmhainní agus sainaithnítear ann tionscadail theicniúla agus breisithe le tacú leis na hathruithe a bhfuiltear ag súil leo. I measc tiomantas an Phlean bhí athbhrandáil ar fheidhmeanna muirí na Roinne mar aonán aonair ar a dtugtar Riarachán Muirí na hÉireann (IMA). Bunaíodh Riarachán Muirí na hÉireann nua roimh dheireadh 2013 agus tá sé dírithe ar éifeachtúlachtaí agus éifeachtacht níos mó a sheachadadh trí chomhtháthú agus teicneolaíochtaí breisithe. Ar cheann de phríomh-aschuir an IA beidh Straitéis Sábháilteachta Muirí nua a chur le chéile. I rith na bliana, cuireadh tús le hobair ar Straitéis Sábháilteachta Muirí nua a rachaidh i ngleic leis an gcuspóir chun an líon básanna agus gortuithe i measc úsáideoirí áineasa, iascairí, paisinéir agus maraithe a laghdú. Déanfar próiseas sainchomhairliúcháin phoiblí roimh fhoilsiú na straitéise le dul i ngleic leis an líon is mó páirtithe leasmhara agus is féidir. Bunaíodh Rannóg um Sheirbhísí Muirí nua in 2013 chun aonaid um thacaíocht riaracháin de chuid Oifig an tSuirbhé Muirí (lena n-áirítear an Oifig Loingis Mara) agus Garda Cósta na hÉireann (IRCG) agus tacóidh sé le comhordú agus seachadadh seirbhísí d’ardchaighdeáin do na réimsí seo. Tá acmhainní curtha ar fáil chomh maith chun pleananna teagmhais um dramhaíl chalafoirt agus doirteadh ola a sheachadadh faoi dheireadh 2014.

Iompar Muirí Inrochtana

Cosnófar paisinéirí faoi mhíchumas nó le soghluaisteacht laghdaithe in aghaidh leithcheala chomh maith agus turas á chur in áirithe acu agus, nuair a thugtar fógra cuí, cinnteofar go dtabharfar cúnamh dóibh agus iad ag dul ar bord agus ag fágáil an longa agus fad is a bheidh siad ar bord. Mar chuid d’iarrachtaí na Roinne chun inrochtaineacht iompair mhuirí a chur chun cinn, leanadh le clár chun monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar iarrachtaí deonacha a dhéanann úinéirí/oibreoirí longa agus báid phaisinéirí chun inrochtaineacht a seirbhísí iompair mhuirí do phaisinéirí i rith 2013. Is é a bhí i gceist anseo, ceistneoirí inrochtaineachta a chomhlánú i rith suirbhé bliantúil ar longa paisinéirí nó i gcomhthéacs cheadúnais bháid phaisinéirí a dheonú nó a athnuachan. Déanfar athbhreithniú ar thorthaí an chláir in 2014.

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Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Turasóireacht Chun tacú le hearnáil na turasóireachta ioncam agus fostaíocht a ardú trí iomaíocht a fheabhsú agus trí mhargaíocht agus forbairt táirgí.

Turasóireacht

Forbhreathnú

Fostaíonn an earnáil turasóireachta agus fáilteachais thart ar 200,000 daoine agus gineann sé ioncam de tuairim is €5.5 billiún sa bhliain ón mbaile agus i gcéin. Is tionscal atá ann ina bhfuil fiontair bheaga den chuid is mó agus tá sé lonnaithe go mór i mbunús saol geilleagrach, uirbeach agus tuaithe na hÉireann. Tá polasaí turasóireachta lárnach do chlár um théarnamh eacnamaíocht an Rialtais agus tá sé comhtháite sa chreat oibre straitéiseach eacnamaíoch leathan. Léiríodh príomhthiomantais sa Chlár don Rialtas i dTionscnamh Post an Rialtais ina dhiaidh sin, agus sa gníomhaíochtaí tosaíochta arna leagan amach sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta do Phoist in 2013. In 2013, le cúnamh ó na bearta seo, mhéadaigh an líon cuairteanna ó thar lear chun na hÉireann don tríú bliain as a chéile chuig 6.986 milliún cuairt. Dar leis an bPríomh-Oifig Staidrimh (CSO), tháinig méadú 7.2% ar an iomlán ar chuairteanna i gcomparáid le 2012 agus chonacthas fás sna réimsí margaidh ar fad. Mhéadaigh cuairteanna ón mBreatain 5.6% don bhliain chuig os cionn 2.9 milliún; b‘ionann cuairteanna ón gcuid eile den Eoraip agus beagnach 2.5 milliún, méadú 4.9% ó 2012; bhí líon na gcuairteanna ó Mheiriceá Thuaidh thuas ag 1.01 milliún, suas 13.9% agus bhí líon na gcuairteanna ón chuid eile den domhan (an Astráil agus mhargaí eile i bhfad i gcéin atá i mbéal forbartha den chuid is mó) thuas ag 435,900, ardú de 15.1%. Mhéadaigh tuillteanais iomlán thurasóireachta agus thaistil ó thar lear do 2013 9.4% chuig os cionn €4.1 billiún i gcomparáid leis an tréimhse chéanna in 2012. Anuas air sin, tháinig méadú arís ar an bhfostaíocht san earnáil chóiríochta agus seirbhíse bia i rith 2013. Léirigh sonraí an CSO gurbh ionann fostaíocht san earnáil seo amháin agus 137,700 sa tríú ráithe de 2013 (buaic shéasúr na turasóireachta) – méadú 12% (14,600 post) i gcomparáid leis an ráithe chéanna in 2012, an líon ba mhó ó R3 2007. Dar le Suirbhé Fháilte Éireann ar Thaistealaithe ó Thar Lear, chonacthas feabhsuithe sna leibhéil sásaimh le luach ar airgeadh i measc cuairteoirí ó phríomh-mhargaí thar lear ar fad na hÉireann a chuidíonn le hiomaíochas na hÉireann agus ba cheart go bhfásfadh sé seo an sciar den mhargadh a thuilleadh.

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An earnáil turasóireachta a chur chun tosaigh

Mar a dúradh cheana, tá turasóireacht lárnach do chlár um théarnamh eacnamaíocht an Rialtais. Cuireann obair na ngníomhaireachtaí turasóireachta, Fáilte Éireann agus Turasóireacht Éireann, leis seo. Agus na tosaíochtaí Rannacha á fhoilsiú do 2013, dheimhnigh an tAire a rún le tús a chur le hobair ar athbhreithniú ar bheartas turasóireachta in Éirinn. Sheol an tAire agus an tAire Stáit Ring an tAthbhreithniú ar Bheartas Turasóireachta go hoifigiúil an 11 Meán Fómhair 2013. Foilsíodh cáipéis sainchomhairliúcháin agus lorgaíodh aighneachtaí ó chomhlachtaí, eagraíochtaí, gnólachtaí agus daoine aonair sa tionscal turasóireachta. Fuarthas 174 aighneacht mar fhreagra ar an gcáipéis sainchomhairliúcháin. Chomh maith leis sin, reáchtáladh sé sheimineár ar fud na hÉireann chun príomhcheisteanna a ardaíodh sa cháipéis a phlé. Reáchtáladh ceardlann i mBaile Átha Cliath i mí na Nollag 2013 ag a raibh réimse ionadaithe thar ceann geallsealbhóirí turasóireachta náisiúnta. Tá anailís á déanamh faoi láthair ar a aiseolas a fuarthas ag na seimineáir réigiúnacha, agus táthar ag pleanáil le críoch a chur leis an mbeartas nua faoin gCáisc 2014. Tar éis roinnt beart a sheachadadh cheana féin faoin Tionscnamh Post chun costais a laghdú agus iomaíochas a bhreisiú (cosúil leis an gClár um Tharscaoileadh Víosa a thabhairt isteach, a ghearr ina leath PRSI fostóirí dóibh siúd ar phá íseal agus ag laghdú VAT ar roinnt seirbhísí turasóireachta chuig 9% – ar beart sealadach a bhí ann i dtosach ach a coinníodh), leagtar príomhghníomhartha beartais amach i bPlean Gníomhaíochta 2013 chun ranníocaíocht turasóireachta le téarnamh geilleagrach a chinntiú, a chuireann tuilleadh le Clár an Rialtais. Áiríodh leo sin:

• Tóstal na hÉireann 2013 a Sheachadadh

Tacú le tionscnaimh a dhíríonn ar rochtain aeir a fheabhsú chuig Cósta Thiar SAM gus áiteanna eile a bhfuil ardtábhacht straitéiseach leo i gcomhair trádála, infheistíochta agus turasóireachta (e.g. an tSín, an India).

Leanúint ag obair go dlúth le haerlínte, cuideachtaí farantóireachta, calafoirt agus aerfoirt i dtéarmaí feachtais chomhoibríocha bholscaireachta chun an t-éileamh ar sheirbhísí ó phríomh-mhargaí turasóireachta thar lear a thiomáint.

Ábhar turasóireachta oiriúnach a chur ar fáil d’Airí a théann thar lear a dhíríonn go háirithe ar dheiseanna a úsáid chun “Tóstal na hÉireann 2013” a chur chun cinn.

Feachtas margaíochta agus bolscaireachta thar lear a fhorfheidhmiú arna tacú ag an gCiste Margaíochta Turasóireachta agus buiséad an Tóstail

Úsáid a bhaint as an gCiste Margaíochta Turasóireachta le tacú le cláir mhargaíochta agus fhógraíochta idirnáisiúnta, a dhíreoidh ar na ceithre príomh-mhargadh (an RA, SAM, an Ghearmáin agus an Fhrainc).

Cuir leis an obair a rinne Tascfhórsa um Théarnamh Turasóireachta atá faoi stiúir an tionscail, mealltacht na hÉireann do thurasóirí thar lear a

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uasmhéadú, go háirithe trínár gcumarsáid, bolscaireacht agus táirge a athscagadh chun ár n-iomaíochas a bhreisiú do lucht saoire agus taistealaithe áineasa na Breataine.

Aidhm eile a bhí i bPlean Gníomhaíochta 2013 táirgí/gníomhaíochtaí turasóireachta a fhorbairt san áit gur féidir le hÉirinn buntáiste comparáideach a fháil (e.g. bia, cultúr, saoire gníomhaíochta, imeachtaí agus féilte), atá le baint amach trí infheistíocht chaipitil dírithe gus straitéisí bainistíochta ceannphointe áitiúla. Tá turasóireacht ag baint tairbhe as Clár JobBridge an Rialtais chomh maith, mar aon le hinfheistíocht shuntasach i mbonneagar iompair eile. Lena chinntiú go bhfuil riachtanais an tionscail turasóireachta léirithe i bpolasaithe ábhartha eile nó i bpolasaithe uileghábhalacha eile, glacann oifigigh ó Rannóg Turasóireachta na Roinne páirt gníomhach i Grúpaí crosghearrtha ardleibhéil IdirRannacha chomh maith le hionchur eile.

Margaíocht Turasóireachta

In 2013, rinne an Roinn níos mó ná €37 milliún a chur ar fáil do na gníomhaireachtaí turasóireachta le hÉirinn a chur chun cinn mar láthair turasóireachta. Na buaic phointí a bhí ann ná feachtas mór thart ar Lá Pádraig nuair a rinneadh "glasú" ar fhoirgnimh mhóra le rá go domhanda e.g. Pirimidí Giza, Pálás an Phrionsa i Monacó, Túr Claonta Pisa, Áras Ceoldrámaíochta Sydney, dealbh an tSlánaitheora i Rio de Janeiro agus London Eye. Chuir an tAire tús chomh maith le clár glasaithe foirgneamh móra le rá in Éirinn. Bhí an príomhfhócas i dtéarmaí gníomhaíochta margaíochta thar lear fós ar na ceithre phríomh-mhargadh turasóireachta, an Bhreatain Mhór, SAM, an Fhrainc agus an Ghearmáin arb ionainn iad agus trí cheathrú de chuairteoirí chun na hÉireann.

Tóstal na hÉireann 2013

D’éirigh go hiontach le Tóstal na hÉireann 2013 i mbaint amach a chroí-chuspóir de líon na gcuairteoirí as thar lear chun na hÉireann a mhéadú. Is é an réamh-mheasúnú gur thug an Tóstal idir 250,000 agus 275,000 turasóir breise chun na tíre in 2013. Meastar gur chaith na cuairteoirí breise seo suas le €170 milliún in Éirinn. I dtéarmaí imeachtaí an Tóstail, bhí sé mar aidhm ag an bplean 500 imeacht breise a chruthú. Faoi dheireadh 2013, áfach, bhí 4,942 “Tóstal” cláraithe ar an suíomh oifigiúil. Mar aon leis sin, tá a fhios gur reáchtáladh “Tóstail” eile nár cláraíodh ar an suíomh, a thugann an t-iomlán chuig os cionn 5,000. Ba ghné ríthábhachtach a bhí sa Tionól chun cás a dhéanamh i gcomhair rochtain aeir bhreise chun na hÉireann i rith 2013. Chuige seo, mhéadaigh cumas suíochán aeir 4% do bhuaicshéasúr an tsamhraidh agus 7% do thréimhse an gheimhridh. Bhí rannpháirtíocht mhór leis na meáin chun an tionscnamh a chur chun cinn agus meastar go raibh Luach Fógraíochta Coibhéiseach os cionn €40 milliún ag an gclúdach sna meáin anseo agus gurbh ionainn an figiúr do chlúdach thar lear agus €75 milliún.

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Cé go raibh an Tionól dírithe ar 2013, beidh tionchar níos faide ag roinnt gnéithe, ar thurasóireacht agus níos leithne. Tá sé dóchúil go reáchtálfar go leor de na himeachtaí a reáchtáladh don chéad uair in 2013 arís, agus beidh cuid díobh ina n-imeachtaí bliantúla. D’éirigh go iontach leis an Tóstal i dtéarmaí údaráis áitiúla a úsáid chun creat a bhunú chun pobail shlógadh agus imeachtaí áitiúla a eagrú. Láidrigh agus dhoimhnigh sé rannpháirtíocht údaráis áitiúla sa turasóireacht. Sheachaid an Tionól díbhinn sóisialta suntasach agus chuidigh sé le hómós pobail athnuaite a chothú. Cuirfear go leor de na ceachtanna a foghlaimíodh agus na saincheisteanna leagáide dearfacha a d’eascair as a tionscnamh san áireamh san Athbhreithniú ar Bheartas Turasóireachta atá ar siúl in 2013/2014.

Turasóireacht Imeachta

In 2013 lean Fáilte Éireann leo ag tacú le himeachtaí móra (m.sh i réimsí gnó, cultúir agus spóirt) agus iad a chur chun cinn, nuair a bhí seans maith go ndéanfaidís líon suntasach turasóirí a mhealladh agus líon mór áirithintí thar oíche a mhealladh. Is eochairthiománaí é an Clár Turasóireacht Imeachta do chuairteoirí ardtoradh agus ardluach don tír, fíric a aithnítear sa Chlár don Rialtas. I measc na hImeachtaí móra in 2013 bhí Féile Naomh Pádraig, an Irish Open mar an le Féile Oíche Chinn Bhliana i mBaile Átha Cliath, chomh maith leis na céadta féile tríd na tíre. In 2013, chuir Fáilte Éireann maoiniú €2.5 milliún ar fáil do 31 féile náisiúnta agus €746,000 do 160 féile réigiúnacha a bhí ar siúl ar fud na tíre. Áiríodh le féilte a fuair tacaíocht faoin gClár Náisiúnta Féilte agus Imeachtaí, Féile Rós Thrá Lí, Féile Cheoldrámaíochta Loch Garman, Féile Snagcheoil Guinness Chorcaí agus Féile Amharclannaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath.

Turasóireacht Gnó

In 2013 lean Fáilte Éireann leis an infheistíocht in aithint, mealladh agus socrú níos mó comhdhálacha agus cruinnithe le reáchtáil in Éireann. In 2013, d’óstáil Éire comhdhálacha cosúil le Comhdháil na hEorpa do ISPOR, Cumann na hEorpa um Oistéa-comhtháthú agus Comhdháil Chónaidhm na gCumann Eorpach um Ainmhí Chompánacha. Chuidigh Ciste na Scéime um Thacaíocht Airgeadais do Chomhdhálacha 2013 de chuid Fáilte Éireann le 214 comhdháil ar an iomlán, agus tugadh tacaíocht mhargaíochta do chomhdhálacha tiomanta. B'ionann a comhdhálacha seo timpeall 132,000 toscaire idirnáisiúnta agus luach gnó measta ag €165 milliún.

Oiliúint Scileanna, Tacaíochtaí Gnó, Iomaíochas agus Cumas Fiontraíochta

Chuir an Roinn acmhainní ar fáil d'Fháilte Éireann le ligean dó tacú le forbairt eolais, scileanna agus cumais in earnáil na turasóireachta. San áireamh leis na heochairbheartais gníomhaíochta ar chlár forbartha agus oiliúna Fáilte Éireann le linn 2013:

Cuireadh tacaíocht um fhorbairt Scileanna Oibríochtúla ar fáil do 5,081 rannpháirtí i 1,573 gnólacht.

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ghlac 465 mac léinn ceardaíochta/printíseachta páirt i gclár oideachais creidiúnaithe.

ghlac 1,046 mac léinn páirt i gcláir fháilteachais, cheardaíochta agus thurasóireachta in Institiúidí Teicneolaíochta.

Cuireadh tacaíocht um Fhorbairt Ghairmiúil Leanúnach ar fáil do 4,585 rannpháirtí i 3,355 gnólacht.

bhain 1,295gnólacht agus 1,312 duine aonair leas as an gclár Sales Connect.

Cuireadh tacaíocht um Fhorbairt Cheannaireachta agus Bainistithe ar fáil do 535 gnólacht agus 744 duine aonair.

Tugadh meantóireacht agus comhairle gnó do 235 rannpháirtí in os cionn 235 gnólacht, óstáin, bialanna agus nithe is díol spéise turasóireachta go príomha.

Tugadh tacaíocht ghréasáin do 3,649 gnólacht agus 3,675 rannpháirtí. Áiríodh air sin 597 gnólacht agus 623 duine aonair a fuair tacaíocht a bhain le tionscnamh Sales Connect chun díolacháin thurasóireachta thar lear a mhéadú.

Forbraíodh agus seachadadh réimse leathan nua de chláir, lena n-áirítear ceardlann lae, i gcomhar le Cónaidhm Óstán na hÉireann, agus arna thacú le AIB agus Banc na hÉireann ar Riachtanais Nua um Thuairisciú Airgeadais do Bhainisteoirí Ginearálta agus Cuntasóirí Óstán; Clár Tithe Saoire na hÉireann/Forbartha Féinfhreastail; Clár Thurasóireacht Ghnó; Clár Treoracha Turasóireachta Náisiúnta; seachadadh píolótach san Oirdheisceart de Chlár Treoracha um Nithe is Díol Spéise Áitiúla ag díriú ar nithe is díol spéise oidhreachta agus forbairt léirmhínithe bheo. Seachadadh tionscnamh chun seirbhís do chustaiméirí ó Thiománaithe Tacsaithe a bhreisiú, agus a gcur chun cinn gníomhach den Tóstal 2013, chuig Tiománaithe Tacsaí i réimse ionad ar fud na tíre. In 2013, bhain 1,295 gnólacht agus 1,312 duine aonair leas as an gclár Sales Connect. Áiríodh anseo, sraith GB Sales Connect de thacaíochtaí a chuidigh leis an tionscal léargais nua GB atá sa tuairisc ‘GB Path to Growth’ a thuiscint agus freagairt dóibh, lena n-áirítear sraith ceardlann agus oiliúint a seachadadh ag leibhéal cheannphointe.

Infheistíocht i gCaipitil Turasóireachta

Cuirtear tacaíocht Rialtais d'infheistíocht caipitil sa turasóireacht ar fáil trí Chlár Infheistíochta i gCaipitil Turasóireachta, a úsáidtear chun críche cuidiú le forbairt cineálacha áirithe bonneagair turasóireachta, nithe is díol spéise do chuairteoirí, agus gníomhaíochtaí do chuairteoirí, ach ní do chóiríocht do chuairteoirí. In 2013, cuireadh €19 milliún ar fáil d’Fháilte Éireann chun an Clár Infheistíochta i gCaipitil Turasóireachta a fheidhmiú, do thionscadail reatha fhaofa. Áiríodh le tionscadail a críochnaíodh in 2013 Bád Eitilte agus Músaem Mara Fhainge, Caisleán Luimnigh, Luimneach, Teach agus Gairdíní Bhaile an Chaisleáin i gCill Droichid agus Caisleán Átha Luain.

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Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Spórt Chun sochaí níos sláintiúla agus níos aclaí a fhorbairt trí rannpháirtíocht i spóirt a chur chun cinn agus trí thacú le hardghníomhaíocht agus soláthar áiseanna.

Spórt

Clár Caipiteal Spóirt

Is é an Clár Caipiteal Spóirt (CCS) an phríomhbhealach do thacaíocht Rialtais chun áiseanna spóirt a fhorbairt agus trealamh spóirt a cheannach do chlubanna spóirt agus eagraíochtaí timpeall na hÉireann. Tar éis an líon is mó iarratas riamh faoi SCP 2012, tugadh SCP 2014 ar aghaidh agus fógraíodh i mí na Nollag 2013 é. Déanfar leithdháiltí €40 milliún faoin gClár i lár 2014. In 2013, íocadh amach €13.558 milliún do dheontaithe SCP. Rinneadh leithdháileadh €1 milliún le Cumann Dornálaíochta Amaitéaraí na hÉireann in 2013. Ceadóidh sé seo d’uasghrádú bunáiseanna (lena n-áirítear soláthar ceathanna agus leithris) i gcumainn dornálaíochta. Anuas air sin, i Meán Fómhair, sheol an tAire Ring agus Comhlachtaí Poiblí na hÉireann (IPB) comhthionscnamh ar a dtugtar Sport Nation chun deontais a chur ar fáil do Chomhairlí Contae agus Cathrach chun áiseanna agus trealamh spóirt a sholáthar. Rinneadh 37 leithdháileadh de luach iomlán €1.98 milliún (€991,000 ón Roinn agus ó IPB araon).

Linnte Snámha Údaráis Áitiúla

Cuireann an Clár um Linnte Snámha Údaráis Áitiúla deontais ar fáil do sholáthar linnte snámha údaráis áitiúla nua nó athchóiriú de linnte atá ann faoi láthair. In 2013, íocadh amach €5.541 milliún.

An Chomhairle Spóirt

Tacaíonn an Roinn le gníomhaíochtaí na Comhairle Spóirt agus coinnítear teagmháil rialta leis sa mhonatóireacht ar an bhforbairt éifeachtúil, maoiniú agus cur i bhfeidhm clár, i gcomhlíonadh le ceangaltais airgeadais Rialtais agus polasaí. Sonraíonn pleananna agus tuairisc bhliantúil an CS an leibhéal feidhmíochta agus na táscairí atá á mbaint amach. Bhí buiséad de €43.5milliún ag an ISC do 2013, a léirigh laghdú de 2.5% ar leithdháileadh 2012.

Cheadaigh an maoiniú in 2013 don ISC leanúint le forfheidhmiú a phlean straitéiseach a d’fhaomhaigh an tAire agus a foilsíodh in earrach 2012. Clúdaíonn an plean tréimhse trí bliana ó 2012 go 2014, agus tá trí aidhm lárnach leis;

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rannpháirtíocht a mhéadú, caighdeáin a fheabhsú i spórt ardfheidhmíochta agus cumas Fhorais Náisiúnta Rialaithe um Spórt a fhorbairt.

Le linn na bliana fuair scoth-lúthchleasaithe agus scothimreoirí na hÉireann €1.6 milliún i ndeontais faoi Scéim Cardála Idirnáisiúnta an ISC agus rinneadh €6.8 milliún a leithdháileadh faoin Chlár um Ardfheidmíocht. Sna spóirt lenar thacaigh an Chomhairle Spóirt, ghnóthaigh Éire curiarracht 67 bonn ag imeachtaí ag leibhéil Domhanda agus Eorpach i réimse leathan spórt. Áirítear san iomlán sin roinnt bonn óir Domhanda agus Eorpacha agus áirítear ann chomh maith roinnt taispeántais an-mhaith ag lúthchleasaithe atá ag teacht chun cinn.

D’fhoilsigh an Chomhairle Spóirt Tuarascáil Leathbhliana um Monatóireacht Spóirt na hÉireann 2013 i nDeireadh Fómhair 2013. Léirítear sa tuarascáil gur choinnigh rannpháirtíocht iomlán ag daoine fásta i spórt ag méadú idir 2011 gus 2013. Léiríonn sé chomh maith go bhfuil laghdú fós ag teacht ar an leibhéal neamhaistreachais (a léiríonn méid na neamhghníomhaíochta i measc an daonra).

Ghlac 47% páirt i spórt go rialta (go seachtainiúil) in 2013 i gcomparáid le 44.5% in 2011.

Thit an leibhéal daoine neamhaistreacha ó 13.2% in 2011 go 12.1% in 2013.

Tá tóir ar shiúil ag méadú i gcónaí agus os cionn 64.7% de dhaoine fásta na hÉireann anois ag siúil i gcomhar aclaíochta ar bhonn seachtainiúil. Tá fás suntasach tagtha ar shiúlóid áineasa i measc daoine fásta na hÉireann le cúig bliana anuas agus tá an ISC agus leanúint le hobair i gcomhair le roinnt gníomhaireachtaí sláinte agus spóirt chun rátaí rannpháirtíochta i siúil a mhéadú a thuilleadh sna blianta romhainn.

Forais Náisiúnta Rialaithe um Spórt

San áireamh leis an leithdháileadh a rinne na Forais Náisiúnta Rialaithe (FNR) um Spórt in 2013 bhí €7.9 milliún le tacú le hobair an Chumainn Lúthchleas Gael, Cumann Peile na hÉireann agus Cumann Rugbaí na hÉireann rannpháirtíocht daoine óga sa spórt a mhéadú. Íocadh €11.4 milliún le 59 Comhlacht nach ón Rialtas iad le ligean dóibh a ngníomhaíochtaí lárnacha a dhéanamh atá riachtanach do sholáthair ardcaighdeáin spóirt in Éireann, lena n-áirítear riarachán, oideachas cóitseálaithe, agus imeachtaí idirnáisiúnta a reáchtáil agus rannpháirtíocht a dhéanamh iontu. Fuair NGBanna 50% d’infheistíocht iomlán ISC in 2013 thar gach ceannteideal buiséid.

Páirtnéireachtaí Áitiúla Spóirt

In 2013, chuir 31 Páirtnéireachtaí Áitiúla Spóirt (PAS) clúdach náisiúnta do chláir agus seirbhísí rannpháirtíochta spóirt. Rinne an ISC infheistíocht de €5.1 milliún sa líonra PAS sa bhliain. Lig don líonra Páirtnéireachta 16 Oifigeach Rochtana Spóirt do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas a bheith fostaithe.

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Rannpháirtíocht sa Spórt a Leathnú

In 2013 rinneadh maoiniú iomlán de €600,000 a leithdháileadh ag an CS faoin Chlár 'Téigh don Saol', a dhéanann iarracht cuidiú le clubanna agus eagraíochtaí deiseanna a mhéadú dá mbaill atá níos sine rannpháirtíocht gníomhach a ghlacadh i spórt mar chaitheamh aimsire agus réimse gníomhaíochta aclaíochta. San áireamh leis an maoiniú iomlán seo bhí leithdháileadh deontais de €285,000 faoin 13ú Scéim Deontais Náisiúnta do Spórt agus Gníomhaíocht Aclaíochta d'Aosaigh. Leithdháil NGB agus LSP thart ar €0.8 milliún faoin Tionscnamh Mná sa Spórt le rannpháirtíocht na mban i Spórt agus i ngníomhaíochtaí aclaíochta a mhéadú. Tá bearta forbartha ag an gComhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agus Measúnachta (NCCA) chun an bealach a sheachadtar corpoideachas (PE) sna sraitheanna sóisearacha agus sinsearacha in iar-bhunscoileanna a athrú. Tagann na bearta seo le tosaíocht an Aire sa réimse seo chun spórt (corpoideachas) a chur chun cinn mar ábhar scrúdaithe

Indéantacht Mhúsaem Spóirt a Fhorbairt

Lean an Coiste, a bhunaigh an tAire Ring a cuid scrúduithe ar indéantacht Mhúsaem Spóirt a fhorbairt I rith na bliana, d’oibrigh oifigigh na Roinne le OPW chun riachtanais i gcomhair láthair oiriúnach do mhúsaem a aithint agus rinne Fáilte Éireann athbhreithniú ar chumas turasóireachta do mhúsaem spóirt.

Frithdhópáil

Feidhmíonn ISC Clár Frithdhópála Spóirt na hÉireann lena n-áirítear tástáil, oideachas agus taighde. Tá cáil sármhaith náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta ar an gclár ata tábhachtach do spórt agus lúthchleasaithe na hÉireann atá in iomaíocht ag na leibhéil is airde spóirt. Ceapadh an tAire mar dhuine de thriúr ionadaithe AE chuig Bord Forais um Ghníomhaireacht Frithdhópála an Domhain (WADA) le héifeacht ón 1 Eanáir 2013 ar feadh tréimhse 18 mí. D’fhreastail an tAire ar dhá chruinniú de chuid an Bhoird Forais a reáchtáladh in 2013 (Bealtaine agus Samhain). Ag an gComhdháil Dhomhanda ar Dhópáil i Spórt 2013, ceadaíodh Cód Domhanda Frithdhópála athbhreithnithe mar iarracht lena chinntiú go leanfar agus go láidreofar cláir fhrithdhópála chomhchuí ar fud an domhain.

Acmhainn Eagraíochtúil a Thógáil (OCB)

Tá Aonad HR agus Acmhainn Eagraíochtúil ISC freagrach as acmhainn a thógáil ar fud eagraíochtaí san earnáil spóirt. Baintear amach é seo trí sholáthar straitéiseach seirbhísí OCB i réimsí acmhainne de bhainistíocht tionscadail, rialachas, bainistiú riosca, pleanáil straitéiseach, bainistiú airgeadais, bainistiú feidhmíochta fostaí agus ceannaireacht eagraíochtúil le hearnálacha NGB agus LSP. Rinneadh dul chun cinn ar fhorbairt straitéise nua i rith 2013 agus seolfar go luath in 2014 é.

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Cóitseáil

Is é Cóitseáil Éireann an t-aonad sa Chomhairle Spóirt a bhfuil ról ceannasach aige i bhforbairt chóitseáil in Éirinn ar bhonn uile-Éireann. Áirítear sa ról seo, an tábhacht a bhaineann le cóitseáil d’ardchaighdeáin i bhforbairt lúthchleasaithe agus deiseanna a chur ar fáil do rannpháirtithe a léiriú. In 2013, cháiligh 22,803 cóitseálaí mar aon le 104 teagascóir agus d’fhaomhaigh Cóitseáil Éireann 1,921 cúrsa.

Údarás Forbartha an Champais Náisiúnta Spóirt (NSCDA)

I rith 2013, rinne an tÚdarás dul chun cinn suntasach i bhforbairt áiseanna a áirítear i Máistirphlean Champas Náisiúnta Spóirt. Cuireadh tús i Márta 2013 ar fhorbairt ar áis pháirce ilspóirt sintéiseach agus osclaíodh na páirceanna lena n-úsáid, tar éis foirgneamh pailliúin tiomanta a chríochnú i mí na Nollag 2013. Tá na páirceanna deartha le freastal ar ceithre spórt páirce – cluichí gaelacha, sacar, rugbaí agus haca – ag gach leibhéal (ó fhoirne idirnáisiúnta agus contae chuig clubanna áitiúla agus scoileanna, agus an pobal i gcoitinne). Mar aon leis a háiseanna sin i Máistirphlean an Champais, thug NSCDA faoi fhorbairt áiseanna breise. Áiríodh leo sin an tIonad Náisiúnta um Oiliúint Tumadóireachta nua a chríochnú le dul leis na háiseanna atá ar fáil san Ionad Náisiúnta Uisce; an Láthair Eachspóirt Náisiúnta i ngairdíní múrtha thailte Bhaile an Aba; agus Ionad Náisiúnta Nuapheantatlain, a fhreastalaíonn ar dhisciplíní na foghlaeireachta agus na pionsóireachta den spórt, agus dá bhrí seo agus an NAC agus an Láthair Eachspóirt is é an Campas an t-aon áis san Eoraip ar féidir na cúig dhisciplín den nuapheantatlan a dhéanamh ar shuíomh amháin. Tar éis an fhógra in 2012 go mbeadh Comhpháirtíocht Spóirt ann le CLG, FAI, IRFU agus Haca na hÉireann chun gnéithe de spórt páirce Mháistirphlean an Champais, d’oibrigh NSCDA go dlúth leis an FAI agus CLG chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar a bpleananna forbartha agus tosóidh obair ag tús 2014. Mar chuid den straitéis, cuirfidh NSCDA cistí comhfhreagracha suas le €0.5 milliún ar fáil do gach comhlacht. Leanann NSCDA ag obair leis an IRFU agus IHA chun a bhforbairtí faoi seach a chur chun cinn. Chun forbairt áiseanna Campais a éascú, críochnaíodh obair ar bhóthar rochtana inmheánach nua chun an suíomh a oscailt, mar aon le réimse oibreacha bonneagair agus cumasaithe le cuidiú lena fhorbairtí féin agus forbairtí na gcomhlachtaí eile ar an suíomh. Tugadh faoi athchóiriú ar iartheach cónaithe feirme ar thailte an Champais chun cóiríocht a chur ar fáil (ar a bhfuil comhaontú ligin socraithe anois le Cumann Snámha na hÉireann) le ceadú do lúthchleasaithe ardghníomhaíochta traenáil agus fanacht ar an gCampas. Críochnaíodh obair ar athchóiriú iarfhoirgneamh na hInstitiúide Mara mar Cheannáras nua do Spórt na hÉireann do 19 n-eagraíocht. Ghlac NGBanna lena n-oifigí ó Aibreán 2013 agus d’oscail an Taoiseach an foirgneamh go foirmiúil an 29 Bealtaine 2013.

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Leithdháileadh cuid d’fháltais ó dhíolachán Ceadúnas Chrannchuir Náisiúnta nua i bhfógra na Cáinaisnéise ar an 15 Deireadh Fómhair 2013 chun tosú ar Láthair Náisiúnta faoi Dhíon ar an gCampas. Meastar go dtosóidh oibreacha tógála i rith 2014 agus go dtógfaidh sé timpeall 24 mí chun é a chríochnú. Táthar ag súil go gcríochnófar an áis ag deireadh 2016. Roimh fhógra na Cáinaisnéise, agus d’fhonn luas a chur le seachadadh áiseanna traenála ríthábhachtacha, d’fhorbair an tÚdarás, mar aon leis an gComhairle Spóirt agus Institiúid Spórt na hÉireann, tograí d’Ionad Traenála Ardfheidhmíochta. Áireofar anseo limistéir um leigheas, neart agus cleachtadh, dornálaíocht agus seirbhíse lúthchleasaí breise. Tá sé i gceist go dtosóidh an tionscadal seo i lár 2014 agus go gcríochnófar ag deireadh 2015 é, dá bhrí sin beidh tionchar suntasach aige ar oiliúint ardfheidhmíochta roimh na Cluichí Oilimpeacha in Rio in 2016. Chuir NSCDA tús chomh maith le forbairt dhá pháirc ilspóirt, scraithe phobail i gcomhair cluichí gaelacha, sacair agus rugbaí. Críochnófar na páirceanna seo in 2014 agus beidh siad mar áis phobail eile mar aon leis na háiseanna Ardfheidhmíochta eile atá ar fáil ar Champas.

NSCDA (Oibríochtaí) Teoranta

Lean an NSCA, trína fhochuideachta NSCDA (Oibríochtaí) Teoranta, ag feidhmiú agus ag bainistiú an Ionaid Náisiúnta Uisce (NAC) agus Staid Morton, Seantrabh. Tá an chuideachta oibríochtaí freagrach anois as bainistiú laethúil na háiseanna nua ar fad atá ag teacht aníos. I rith 2013, rinneadh os cionn 850,000 cuairt ar an NAC, an bhliain ba ghnóthaí ó tháinig an áis faoi bhainistíocht dhíreach an Champais, rud a chuir sa chéad chúig ní is díol spéise do chuairteoirí sa Stát é. Mar aon leis sin, d’fhreastail líon níos mó daoine ná riamh ar acadaimh shnámha an Ionaid i rith 2013 (2,364 san earrach; 2,384 sa samhradh; 2,215 san fhómhar; 2,222 sa gheimhreadh), rud a dheimhnigh an tIonad mar an phríomháit do thraenáil uisce in Éirinn. Chomh maith le Craobh Lúthchleasaíochta Sinsir Náisiúnta an-rathúil, d’óstáil Staid Morton roinne imeachtaí lúthchleasaíochta áitiúla, réigiúnacha agus náisiúnta, lena n-áirítear Cluichí Idirnáisiúnta Morton bliantúla. I Meitheamh 2013, d’óstáil an Staid tionól de Shraith na hEorpa, imeacht foirne idirnáisiúnta a craoladh ar fud na hEorpa.

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Seachadadh Seirbhísí Tacaíochta

Aidhm Ardleibhéil – Seirbhísí Tacaíochta Chun a chinntiú go bhfuil an Roinn agus a Forais eagraithe agus forbartha ar bhealach éifeachtúil lenár Ráiteas Misin agus Aidhmeanna Ardleibhéil a sheachadadh.

Uachtaránacht an AE

Bhí ról tábhachtach ag an Roinn i gclár Uachtaránachta na hÉireann, ag cuir tosaíochtaí agus sainchomhaid chun cinn thar réimse foirmíochtaí Comhairle atá ábhartha do théama foriomlán na cobhsaíochta, post agus fáis. Bhí an tAire ina chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle Iompair faoi dhó, an 11 Márta sa Bhruiséil agus an 10 Meitheamh i Lucsamburg mar chuid de chumrú na Comhairle Iompair, Teileachumarsáide agus Fuinnimh. Bhí an tAire Stáit Michael Ring ina chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle Spóirt an 17 Bealtaine mar chuid den chumrú níos leithne Oideachais, Óige, Cultúir agus Spóirt. Threoraigh an Roinn agus chuir sí le hobair ar shainchomhaid a thiteann faoi shruthanna oibre na Comhairle Iomaíochais agus Comhshaoil agus bhí ról comhordaithe lárnach aici i gcur ar aghaidh chlár an AE san Eagras Idirnáisiúnta Mhuirí (IMO) agus sa Ghníomhaireacht Frithdhópála an Domhain (WADA). I gcomhair iompair, ba é an tosaíocht ba mhó don Uachtaránacht gréasán iompair níos sábháilte, níos éifeachtaí agus níos inbhuanaithe a chur chun cinn don Eoraip. I gcomhair spóirt, ba í an phríomhthosaíocht clár an AE sa troid in aghaidh dópála i spórt a chur ar aghaidh. Den ocht gcomhad ar díríodh orthu le comhaontú le Parlaimint na hEorpa, d’éirigh le hidirbheartaíochtaí ar sheacht gcinn, lena n-áirítear dhá phríomhthosaíocht – an tSaoráid um Chónascadh na hEorpa (CEF) agus an Gréasán Tras-Eorpach Iompartha (TEN-T). Níorbh fhéidir teacht ar chomhaontú faoin bPacáiste Aerfort de bharr moill i ndéileáil leis an sainchomhad i bParlaimint na hEorpa. Baineadh amach cúig chomhaontú um Chur chuige Ginearálta, lena n-áirítear gné shuntasach den 4ú Phacáiste Iarnróid agus na gnéithe atá fágtha den Phacáiste um Ródacmhainneacht. Sheol an tUachtaránacht díospóireachtaí ar dhá thogra iompair shuntasacha; Cumhacht Ghlan d’Iompar agus Cearta do Phaisinéirí Aeir, agus éascaíodh malartú tábhachtach meon sa Chomhaire Spóirt maidir le bearta frithdhópála i spórt.

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Rinneadh comhaontú le linn na hUachtaránachta ar dhá shraith de Chonclúidí Comhairle, Cathracha Cliste agus déghairmeacha i spórt. Óstáladh seacht gcomhdháil/imeacht idirnáisiúnta i mBaile Átha Cliath a dhírigh ar shábháilteacht ar bhóithre, córais iompair chliste, turasóireacht agus oidhreacht agus maoiniú inbhuanaithe spóirt, le rannpháirtíocht os cionn 2500 toscaire as ballstáit ar fad an AE. Bhí go leor de na gníomhaireachtaí sa teaghlach DTTAS níos leithne páirteach i seachadadh na n-imeachtaí sin lena n-áirítear an Chomhairle Spóirt, an tÚdarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre agus Fáilte Éireann.

Comhoibriú Thuaidh/Theas

Tá an dá réimse, Iompar agus Turasóireacht, aitheanta mar réimsí comhoibrithe thuaidh/theas faoi Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta. In 2013, leanamar orainn mar Roinn leis an rannpháirtíocht ghníomhach leis na hÚdaráis i dTuaisceart Éireann faoin Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh/Theas le comhoibriú ar chlár aontaithe maidir le nithe iompair chun leasa an dá Roinn a chur chun cinn. Tá Turasóireacht Éireann ar cheann de na comhlachtaí Thuaidh/Theas a bunaíodh tar éis Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus tá sé mar phríomhfhócas na bpléití turasóireachta NSMC. Reáchtáladh cruinniú Earnála Turasóireachta ar an 26 Meitheamh 2013. I measc a nithe a pléadh bhí Plean Gnó Thurasóireacht Éireann do 2013, gníomhaíocht mhargaíochta do “Thóstal na hÉireann 2013” agus Doire, Cathair Chultúir na RA, agus forbairt Phlean Corparáideach Thurasóireacht Éireann 2014-2016. Reáchtáladh dhá chruinniú NSMC Earnála Iompair in 2013 ar an 17 Aibreán agus an 28 Samhain. Áiríodh ar na nithe a pléadh, bóithre A5 agus A8, úsáideoirí bóithre agus sábháilteacht feithiclí, aitheantas frithpháirteach ar phointí pionóis, agus ceisteanna AE.

Aonad um Measúnú Geilleagair agus Airgeadais

In 2013, bhunaigh an Roinn an tAonad um Measúnú Geilleagair agus Airgeadais (EFEU) chun acmhainn anailíse agus taighde a chur ar fáil le tacú le Rannóga agus Gníomhaireachtaí agus chun tiomantas an Rialtais do dhéantóireacht bheartais fianaisebhunaithe a leabú. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an Aonad taighde agus anailís a dhéanamh, bearnaí agus réimsí a aithint ina dteastaíonn imscrúdú, torthaí taighde a scaipeadh agus moltaí beartais fianaisebhunaithe a sholáthar. Déanann sé iarracht trína chuid oibre saineolas agus fianaise a chur i dtoll a chéile sa Roinn. Tá bunú an EFEU gaolta le bunú Seirbhís Gheilleagair agus Luachála Rialtas na hÉireann (IGEES) ag an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe i Márta 2012. Tá IGEES, bunaithe go príomha trí athstruchtúrú a dhéanamh ar acmhainní geilleagair agus luachála reatha agus breisithe ag earcaíocht speisialtóra, ina líonra idir-rannach soiléir, le struchtúir oiliúna agus tacaíochta comhchoiteann.

Cuíchóiriú Gníomhaireachta

Tá an Roinn ag déanamh athstruchtúrú ar ghníomhaireachtaí áirithe faoina cúram de réir thiomantas an Chláir don Rialtas.

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Rinneadh dul chun cinn ar reachtaíocht chun cumasc an NRA agus an RPA a chur ar aghaidh in 2013 agus leanfar leis in 2014. Bainfidh an eagraíocht nua tairbhe as saineolas teicniúil agus an taithí atá ar fáil san NRA agus san RPA a chónascadh. Fuair Cuideachta Chalafort Chorcaí faomhadh an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe i mí na Nollag 2013 chun fochuideachta a bhunú agus dáta aistrithe an 1 Eanáir 2014. Rinneadh dul chun cinn in 2013 ar réiteach reachtaíochta chun eagraíocht nua a bhunú le teacht i gcomharbacht ar an gComhairle Spóirt (ISC) agus Údarás Forbartha an Champais Náisiúnta Spóirt (NSCDA) Cuireadh dréachtscéim ghinearálta de Bhille Spórt Éireann i gcrích i Meán Fómhair 2013 agus d’fhaomhaigh an Rialtas dréachtú an Bhille ar an 21 Eanáir 2014.

Cúrsaí foirne

Lean an Roinn le forfheidhmiú athchóirithe ina seachadadh ar Chomhaontú na Seirbhíse Poiblí (Páirc an Chrócaigh), Comhaontú Cobhsaíochta na Seirbhíse Poiblí (Bóthar Haddington) agus bearta athchóirithe ginearálta arna leagan amach ina Plean um Sheachadadh Athchóirithe Comhtháite. Baineadh amach é seo laistigh de shrianta an mhoratóra ar earcaíocht agus spriocanna bliantúla um an Chreat Rialaithe Fostaíochta (ECF) a bhaint amach. D’fhorfheidhmigh an Roinn a Plean Gníomhaíochtaí um Chreat Pleanála Lucht Saothair i rith 2013. Áirítear sa Chreat anailís ar riachtanais tosaíochta acmhainne agus riachtanais scileanna lena mbaineann, le béim ar leith ar an soláthar/éileamh agus gníomh um aithint bearnaí chun tosaíochtaí gnó na Roinne a sheachadadh. Lean an Roinn ag feidhmiú ag leibhéal éifeachtach d’ainneoin na hacmhainní laghdaithe airgeadais agus foirne. Laghdaíodh líon na foirne go 447 Coibhéiseach Lánaimseartha (WTE) faoi dheireadh 2013, 2% faoi bhun sprioc ECF deireadh bliana de 455 WTE. Baineadh an laghdú seo amach de bharr seachtar ball foirne WTE a d’imigh ar scor i rith na bliana agus úsáid na meicníochta ath-imlonnaithe faoi Chomhaontú na Seirbhíse Poiblí. Rinneadh ath-imlonnú ar sheachtar agus d’fhág nó aistríodh ceathrar eile an Roinn in 2013. Léirítear sa tábla in Aguisín 5 an laghdú leanúnach sa líon foirne i gcomparáid le spriocanna ECF bliantúla. Áiríodh le héifeachtúlachtaí foirne eile a baineadh amach i rith 2013 feabhas leanúnach i bhfreastal foirne agus laghdú eile i neamhláithreachtaí saoire bhreoiteachta in 2013 i gcomparáid le 2012, 2011 agus 2010.

Oiliúint agus Forbairt Foirne

In 2013 bhí an bhéim ar oiliúint dírithe ar riachtanais fhorbartha aitheanta ag an bhfoireann agus a bhainisteoirí tríd an gCóras Bainistíochta agus Forbartha Feidhmíochta (PMDS). Tá aitheantas na riachtanas seo de réir riachtanas gnó agus aidhmeanna na Roinne mar phríomhghné den Straitéis Oiliúna agus Forbartha Foirne 2010-2014, a cuireadh i bhfeidhm den chéad uair i 2010.

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I measc na ngníomhaíochtaí oiliúna bhí an fhorbairt phroifisiúnta leanúnach do sheirbhísí éigeandála na Roinne, Garda Cósta na hÉireann go háirithe. In 2013, lean an Roinn ag tacú le foireann cáilíochtaí tríú leibhéil a bhaint amach ach na cúrsaí áirithe a bheith ábhartha agus mar chuidiú don Roinn.

Seirbhísí Comhroinnte

Tá tiomantas chun Seirbhísí Comhroinnte a fhorbairt i gcomhair croí-fheidhmeanna tacaíochta riaracháin lena n-áirítear Pinsin agus Acmhainní Daonna (HR) – próisis bhainteacha, córais bhainistíochta airgeadais agus párolla mar ghné de Chlár um Athchóiriú na Seirbhísí Poiblí (TPS) agus Comhaontú na Seirbhíse Poiblí. Tar éis na feidhme párolla a aistriú ón Roinn chuig an Roinn Airgeadais, an Tulach Mhór in Aibreán 2012, d’aistrigh an Roinn chuig PeoplePoint – an tIonad um Sheirbhísí HR agus Pinsin Chomhroinnte i gCluain Sceach, i Lúnasa 2013. Dá bharr seo, laghdaíodh an líon foirne san Aonad HR sa Roinn.

Seirbhísí um Theicneolaíocht Faisnéise

Sheachaid clár WorkSmart dhá fheidhmchlár suntasacha nua leis an tsraith feidhmchláir reatha do chroí ár bpróisis ghnó, an Córas e-Chomhfhreagras (córas bainistithe leictreonach do gach Comhfhreagras Aire) agus córas eFOI (córas bainistithe do gach iarratas FOI). Lean an Roinn le haistriú a suíomhanna gréasáin chuig córas bainistithe ábhair foinse oscailte saor in aisce, ar a dtugtar Drupal. Chuaigh an suíomh gréasáin athdheartha SafetyOnTheWater.ie beo in earrach 2013 agus aistríodh príomhshuíomh na Roinne, www.dttas.ie, i mí Lúnasa. Seoladh an Clár Caipitil Spóirt ar Líne (OSCAR) don phobal i Meán Fómhair 2013. Ceadaíonn OSCAR do chlubanna clárú, agus ina dhiaidh sin iarratais ar dheontais agus iarratais íocaíochta a dhéanamh ar líne. Déanann sé sruthlíniú ar an bpróiseas iarratais trí iarratais a dhearbhú sula gcuirtear isteach iad. In 2012, faoin gcóras páipéarbhunathe, bhí 45% d’iarratais neamhbhailí agus b’éigean neamhaird a dhéanamh orthu. Meastar go gcuideoidh córas OSCAR leis an bhfigiúr seo a laghdú. Chur an Roinn tús le tionscadal mór chun a bonneagar freastalaí agus a flít deisce a aistriú de bharr na n-athruithe in infhaighteacht áiseanna cóiríochta agus tacaíochta bogearraí.

Pleanáil Éigeandála

Tá ionadaíocht á déanamh don Roinn ar an Tascfhórsa Rialtais ar Phleanáil Éigeandála agus ar an nGrúpa Stiúrtha Náisiúnta a dhéanann maoirsiú ar an gCreat Oibre do Bhainistíocht Móréigeandála. Is í an Roinn Treoracha í do chásanna éigeandála iompair agus tacaíonn sí le Ranna Treoracha eile d’éigeandálaí a mbíonn tionchar acu ar thaisteal agus iompar e.g. dianaimsir. Lean an Roinn lena ról de bheith ina cathaoirleach ar Fho-Ghrúpa Iompair a chríochnaigh dhá cháipéis treoracha in 2013 do sheirbhísí práinnfhreagartha, ceann

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do Riachtanais Straitéiseacha agus ceann do riachtanais oirbheartaíocha do phráinnfhreagairt ar eachtraí ar mhótarbhealaí agus débhealaí. Bhí dul chun cinn maith déanta ar an tríú cháipéis treorach agus an ceann deireanach, maidir le cúrsaí oibríochtúla, faoi dheireadh na bliana.

Clár Riosca

Éilíonn an AE go bhforbraíonn Ballstáit cur chuige agus nósanna imeachta náisiúnta le bainistiú riosca a thacóidh chomh maith le cur chuige Pobail ar chosc tubaistí nádúrtha agus de dhéantús an duine. Bíonn an Roinn páirteach i dTascfhórsa an Rialtais ar Phleanáil Éigeandála chun rioscaí ar leibhéal náisiúnta a shainaithint. Foilsíodh an Clár Riosca Náisiúnta i rith 2013 dá thoradh. Coinníonn an Roinn a chlár riosca chomh maith mar chuid dá phróisis phleanála inmheánacha.

Seirbhísí do Chustaiméirí

Lean an Roinn lenár mbeartas i dtaobh an oireadh faisnéise agus is féidir a fhoilsiú ar ár suíomh gréasáin www.dttas.ie i rith 2013, lena n-áirítear iarratais um Shaoráil Faisnéise (FOI) neamhphearsanta, tosaíochtaí an Aire agus tuairiscí dul chun cinn bliantúla orthu siúd, tuairiscí íocaíochta soláthraí, ballraíocht ar Bhoird Stáit agus faisnéis eile de leas an phobail. Rinneadh nuashonrú agus athdhearadh ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne le go mbeadh sé soláimhsithe agus in ardán poiblí idirghníomhach.

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Aguisín 1

Staitisticí Gharda Chósta na hÉireann – Treocht Chúig Bliana

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Eachtraí 1893 1839 1817

1980 2627

Daoine a tarrtháladh / ar cabhraíodh leo

3127 3675 3563

2776 5685

Eachtraí a bhain le Báid Áineasa 667 576 580

578 498

Eachtraí a bhain le Soithí Ceannaíochta

47 45 77

67 61

Eachtraí a bhain le Báid Iascaireachta

142 188 180

179 215

Tuarascáil Truaillithe / Tarrthálais 51 47 41

47 46

Aonaid Chósta IRCG úsáidte 766 795 912

933 1156

Héileacaptar IRCG úsáidte 512 470 553

532 808

RNLI úsáidte 709 740 728

723 877

Báid Tharrthála Phobail na hÉireann úsáidte

146 122 124 170 145

Cúnamh tugtha do Ghardaí 53 51 50 60 61

Rabhadh Bréige 132 140 118 76 91

96

Aguisín 2

Liosta Prasíocaíochtaí do 2013

http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/prompt-payment-returns-department http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/prompt-payment-returns-non-commercial-bodies

97

Aguisín 3

Na hAirí agus Bainistíocht Sinsearach sa Roinn

An tAire Varadkar An tAire Stáit Kelly An tAire Stáit Ring Bord Bainistíochta na Roinne

98

Aguisín 4

Reachtaíocht na Roinne a achtaíodh i rith 2013 Tá liosta den Reachtaíocht Phríomha agus Thánaisteach ar fad a d’achtaigh an Roinn in 2013 le fáil ag an nasc seo: http://www.dttas.ie/legislation?field_sector_tid=All&keys=&items_per_page=10&order=field_legislation_year&sort=desc

99

Aguisín 5

Staitisticí HR Léirítear sa tábla seo a leanas an laghdú leanúnach sa líon foirne i gcomparáid le spriocanna ECF bliantúla.

100

Aguisín 6

Tosaíochtaí an Aire do 2014

Cuir go hiomlán le hiarrachtaí an Rialtais an t-easnamh a laghdú, fás

geilleagrach a chothú agus fostaíocht a mhéadú; Beartais nua um Thurasóireacht agus Eitlíocht a fhoilsiú agus tús a chur le

hobair ar Mháistirphlean do Spórt; An reachtaíocht seo a leanas a fhoilsiú/achtú:

An Bille um Fheithiclí a Dhéanamh Doghluaiste (Clampáil),

An Bille Aerfoirt an Stáit (an tSionainn),

An Bille Bóithre (cumasc NRA/RPA),

An Bille Spórt Éireann,

An Bille Leasaithe Cuanta (aistrithe calafoirt chuig rialú údarás áitiúil),

An Bille Loingeas Ceannaíochta (Clárú Long). An bunchloch a leagan i gcomhair tairisceana ar Chorn an Domhain sa Rugbaí; Straitéis ‘Sábháilteacht ar an bhFarraige’ a fhorbairt agus a fhorfheidhmiú

chun an líon básanna agus gortuithe mara a laghdú; An fócas ar Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre a athnuachan chun an líon básanna

agus gortuithe tromchúiseacha a laghdú in 2014, lena n-áirítear acht an Bhille um Thrácht ar Bhóithre agus tabhairt isteach trealaimh chun tástáil le taobh an bhóthair ar thiománaithe faoi thionchar drugaí a chumasú;

An líon cuairteanna ó thar lear chun na hÉireann a mhéadú 4% agus ioncam a mhéadú 8%;

Tús a chur le hoibreacha ar Thionscadal Luas Tras-Chathrach agus a chinntiú go láimhseáiltear go maith agus go n-íoslaghdaítear an suaitheadh sa chathair a mhéid agus is féidir;

Tús a chur le tógáil an Mhótarbhealaigh idir an Gort-Tuaim agus dul a chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an gcéad bheart eile de PPPanna chun tairisceana (Loch Garman);

Oibriú le NTA, CIÉ, Luas agus oibreoirí iompair eile chun an líon daoine a úsáideann iompar poiblí a mhéadú 2% i.e. 5 mhilliún turas paisinéara;

Tacaíocht a thabhairt do roinnt Féarbhealach suaitheantais; Athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar Chreat an Bheartais Náisiúnta Rothaíochta; Slí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn sa bhaile agus thar

lear; Leithdháiltí nua a dhéanamh d’áiseanna agus trealamh faoin gClár Caipitil

Spóirt; Áiseanna a fhorbairt ag an gCampas Náisiúnta Spóirt lena n-áirítear tús a chur

le hobair ar an Láthair Náisiúnta faoi Dhíon; Críoch a chur le forfheidhmiú an Chláir Iompair Thuaithe nua le bunú 18

nAonad Comhordaithe Iompair comhshuite le húdaráis áitiúla; Tús a chur leis an Acht um Rialáil Tacsaithe i gcomhar le glacadh rialachán

forfheidhmithe de chuid an NTA; Moltaí an Athbhreithnithe ar Teorainneacha Luais a fhorfheidhmiú;

101

Áis ar líne a sheoladh i gcomhair iarratais um Cheadúnais Oibritheoirí Iompair ar Bhóithre;

Scéim mhuirearaithe bóthair a fhorbairt do HGVanna; Treochlár i gcomhair aistriú an iompair chuig todhchaí ísealcharbóin agus

Creat Straitéiseach um Infheistíocht in Iompar Talún a fhoilsiú a chinnteoidh go mbíonn tosaíochtaí d’infheistíocht chaipitil amach anseo fianaisebhunaithe;

Rothair Chathracha a chur ar fáil i gCorcaigh, Luimneach agus Gaillimh; An cárta LEAP a chur ar fáil i gCorcaigh agus i nGaillimh; Forbairt amach anseo ar Chalafort Ros Láir a leagan amach.