Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
569. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding he has allocated for the development of cycleways in 2017; the amount of funding that will be allocated to the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48295/18]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, over the period 2018 to 2021 I have secured significantly improved funding allocations which will benefit both cycling and walking.
These improved allocations over the 2018 to 2021 period include:
- €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures; and
- €750 million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible.
I am also providing €53 million to support the development of new Greenways in more rural areas, in line with the Greenways Strategy, published earlier this year.
As can be seen from the above, these are multi-annual capital expenditure programmes which will positively assist with the better development and provision of cycling and walking infrastructure across the State.
In addition to these infrastructure measures, my Department also provides funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to behavioural change programmes and to Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which was rolled out in January 2017 and expected to train approximately 20,000 primary school students this year.
In relation to cycleways specifically, the NTA has statutory responsibility to secure or provide cycling infrastructure in the State. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
