Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014
314. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will approve funding in respect of the development of a greenway cycle track along the former northern counties railway line as proposed by the local authorities in counties Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32011/14]
View answerThe applications submitted by Cavan (with the support of Leitrim) and Sligo local authorities under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the development of sections of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) were of a high standard, however, the number of applications received in my Department under this programme far outweighed available resources and as a result these proposals did not receive funding.
Given the great success of the Greenways delivered to date the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTT&S) will continue to seek out funding to expand the opportunities for local authorities to deliver greenways of merit within each county.
It is worth noting that the EU Structural Funds Programme 2014 to 2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under its various sub programmes. The projects prioritised for funding by DTT&S under INTERREG V include a number of cross border Greenway cycle routes. The concept of cross border greenways was strongly endorsed by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and his counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Minister for Regional Development, earlier this year at the North South Ministerial Council meeting.
I look forward to the continued participation of the above mentioned authorities in any future funding opportunities and to the continued development of the National Cycle Network.
