Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
742. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the provision of matching funding for the Barrow Blueway, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10471/20]
View answerIn November 2019, funding of €5m was awarded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to Waterways Ireland and its partners, Kildare and Laois County Councils to progress the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy. As part of indicative timescales in relation to the project, Waterways Ireland has informed the Department that detailed analysis and design of the route and infrastructure is taking place currently. Work is due to commence on the project in Autumn 2020 with a completion date of Spring 2022.
The provision of the balance of the capital funding will now be addressed in the 2021 and 2022 Estimates‘ process and my Department is in touch with Waterways Ireland as to project scheduling, capital-flow needs and associated timing of this and other capital projects, including the conclusion of the ongoing Meelick Weir capital project.
