Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 April 2015
10. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make funding available to local community groups that apply for the construction of new greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16484/15]
View answerTo date, my Departments's funding initiatives for the delivery of greenways have been open to local authorities only. Local Authorities have staff in place with the right skills, experience and knowledge to plan and procure cycle projects and can ensure that greenways fit in with the Development and Local Transport plans. They also have, generally, a more robust system of financial controls in place.
When community groups contact my Department requesting consideration of funding for local initiatives I would normally suggest that they contact their local LEADER group given the role this body plays in providing advice and funding for community ventures. LEADER can then work with the Local Authority to develop plans for a greenway.
While the current and previous National Cycle Network funding initiatives were solely open to local authorities, my Department will consider widening future funding calls to include other bodies and community groups.
The Deputy will appreciate that the interest in providing Greenways is growing substantially throughout the country and far outweighs the funding available to my Department for that purpose. With this limitation in mind the projects which do succeed in being awarded funding must be of a very high standard with robust cost estimates in place, with a business plan that clearly identifies potential users of the greenway and with the potential to deliver a good return for investment. Cognisance must also be given to how a proposal links into the national cycle network although my Department is open to suggestions as to how this network can evolve over the coming years and this also could provide opportunities to create a role for local communities.
At the moment I would encourage community groups to continue to work with their local authority and/or LEADER group to develop projects which they feel would contribute to their communities so as to be in a position to avail of future funding opportunities.
