Greenways Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (1805, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1839)

Josepha Madigan

Question:

1805. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Dodder greenway project will go ahead; the start and completion dates for the different parts of the project; if funding from the National Transport Authority is available or if there have been any delays in this matter; if he will clarify the commitment of his Department to this project; and if he will confirm that funding is available and advise on any delays foreseen. [25747/16]

Brendan Ryan

Question:

1827. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a funding shortfall for cycling infrastructure projects in the Dublin area; his views on the NTA proposal to request Dublin City Council to postpone design work on the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city centre cycleway and the delay in the Royal Canal cycleway phase 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/16]

Brendan Ryan

Question:

1828. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding which was withdrawn by the NTA from cycling infrastructure and provided for Luas cross city and city centre traffic management works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26058/16]

Brendan Ryan

Question:

1829. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a timeline for and expedite the completion of a number of cycling infrastructure projects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26059/16]

Imelda Munster

Question:

1831. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NTA has provided him with a new start date for the Dodder greenway, the Grand Canal greenway, phase four of the Royal Canal greenway, the Clonskeagh to city scheme, the Drury Street cycle parking project and the Heuston to Chapelizod greenway, which have all been suspended by the NTA. [26061/16]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

1839. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the National Transport Authority regarding the decision to postpone funding support for the design phase of the Dodder greenway and the design of new cycling routes along the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and the Liffey quays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/16]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1805, 1827 to 1829, inclusive, and 1831 and 1839 together.

The National Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).

Under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme, my Department provides funding to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the GDA for the implementation of sustainable transport projects such as cycling/walking infrastructure, Quality Bus Corridors, safety, integration and traffic management projects throughout the region.  Funding of €23.2m has been allocated to this Programme in 2016.  Of this total, I understand that NTA has allocated €14.7m to Dublin City Council to progress 37 different projects including the cycling projects mentioned by the Deputies.

The STMG funding programme is completely separate from the LUAS Cross City Project and I can confirm that funding has not been diverted from the STMG programme to the Luas Cross City project which is being constructed within budget and which is on target for the commencement of passenger services at the end of 2017. 

However, I am advised by the NTA that with the technical resource requirements available to the Council, not all the desired projects can be progressed simultaneously.  The NTA and Dublin City Council have therefore decided to prioritise the works associated with LUAS Cross City plus a slightly reduced number of other sustainable transport schemes and to pause a small number of other projects (including those mentioned by the Deputies) all of which are at the design stage only. Works will resume at the earliest possible date.