Seán Sherlock
Question:87. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement she has had with her Government counterparts on active travel allocations for footpaths in rural areas. [28049/23]
View answerTuesday, 13 June 2023
Questions (87)
Written answers
The Department of Transport is the principal department with responsibility for Active Travel and the Active Travel Grants Programme is managed by the National Transport Authority.
While I have no responsibility towards the Active Travel budget, officials from my Department have liaised with the Active Travel section of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The purpose of these discussions was to gain a better understanding of the works suitable for funding by the NTA to ensure that there are no gaps in funding for public realm works such as footpaths, which have been previously funded through my Department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS).
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €154 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.
The Scheme is administered through local authorities, who work closely with local communities and businesses to develop proposals that can make a lasting impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country.
The Active Travel Grants Programme funds important projects supporting strategic pedestrian and cyclist routes, access to schools, permeability links, urban greenways and some minor public transport improvement projects. Through TVRS my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and communities across the country.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, Ireland's rural development policy, the TVRS priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities. The review process for the main Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2023 is currently at an advanced stage and I intend to launch the 2023 scheme shortly.