Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
681. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider an application by Westmeath County Council to extend the pathway along the banks of the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Coolnahay; and when a decision will be made on this application. [6837/14]
View answerWestmeath County Council submitted two applications for funding under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016. One of these relates to a proposal for a Mullingar Greenway linking Lough Owel to Lough Ennell.
The Department received 38 applications under the funding call and these are currently being examined by an expert assessment panel comprising officials from my Department, the National Transport Authority, Fáilte Ireland and the National Trails Office. Proposals are being assessed, as part of a competitive process, against the criteria outlined in the funding call in August, 2013. €6.5 million is being made available and it is expected that a small number of projects, or phases of projects, which have the potential to be significant trip attractors will be selected for funding. A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.
