I propose to take Questions Nos. 548, 549 and 570 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants programme has now been replaced by the Sustainable Urban Transport Programme. Funding for cycling is provided under a number of different programmes, of which the two principal ones are now the Smarter Travel/Sustainable Urban Transport programme and the Cycling & Walking programme.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that I have secured a significant improvement in funding allocations over the period 2018-2021 which will benefit both cyclists and walkers. These improved allocations over this period include:
- €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;
- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures;
- €750 million approximately towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible; and
- €53 million to support the development of new Greenways.
In addition to the above, Government has also made additional money available for cycling projects through both the Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds under the National Development Plan.
For ease of reference please see below table which outlines the initial allocations per relevant programme and subhead of B8 (Public and Sustainable transport) for 2019 -
Subhead
|
Programme
|
Amount €m
|
B8.1
|
Smarter Travel /Sustainable Urban Transport
|
€20m
|
B8.2
|
Heavy Rail / Development
|
€274.7m
|
B8.3
|
Public Transport Infrastructure
|
€156.4m
|
B8.4
|
Green Schools
|
€1.6m
|
B8.5
|
Cycling and Walking
|
€28m
|