Cycling Facilities Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2014

Thursday, 4 December 2014

Questions (210, 211)

Brendan Smith

Question:

210. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Leitrim-Cavan greenway; the outcome of the assessment of this application by the independent assessment team; the reason funding has not been approved; when it is likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46703/14]

Brendan Smith

Question:

211. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Sligo-Leitrim greenway; the outcome of the assessment of this application by the independent assessment team; the reason funding has not been approved; when is it likely that this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/14]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

The proposals submitted by Sligo and Leitrim County Councils under the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the development of greenways along sections of the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway were assessed by an expert team comprising officials from the Sustainable Transport Division of my Department, the National Trails Office (Irish Sports Council), Fáilte Ireland and the National Transport Authority.

The number of proposals received under this funding call from authorities far outweighed the funding available. As a consequence it was only possible to award funding totalling €6.3 million to three projects in Kerry, Galway and Waterford. All Department funding is now fully committed up to 2016.

I would hope that given the success and popularity of greenways already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years. The EU Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under Interreg and the Rural Development Programme.

Full details of the assessment and marking process in relation to the selection of projects funded under the NCN Funding Programme 2014-2014 are in the public domain following disclosure under a recent FOI request and can be viewed on the Department's website at www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/foi-decisions or on the Smarter Travel website www.smartertravel.ie.