Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
26. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport to outline if he is satisfied with the public consultation aspect of active travel projects supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42891/23]
View answer41. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport to make whatever arrangements are necessary to ensure that full Part 8 planning requirements are followed with regard to active travel schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42892/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 41 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
All projects funded under the NTA’s Active Travel programme must show compliance with all necessary planning approvals, including Part 8, as well as compliance with requirements under the Public Spending Code. Projects supported through Departmental funding via the NTA are subject to oversight to ensure compliance with the various planning and design requirements, including circulars issued by the Department’s National Guidelines and Standards Group (NGSG) in relation to design, audit and quality control.
Department of Transport-funded projects are subject to statutory and non-statutory public consultations, and I am currently considering proposals to strengthen the public consultation requirements in accordance with Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. In addition, my Department is working with local authorities in order to create an environment whereby there will be greater levels of community engagement at early stages of infrastructure projects in order to enhance public support for these important projects, without which they will not have the desired impact in terms of modal shift and emissions reduction.
