I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 to 313, inclusive, together.
I am acutely aware of the crucial role that strategic planning plays in ensuring that future developments are planned in a manner that facilitates sustainable modes. My Department's input to date into the development of the new National Planning Framework has emphasised the need for more formal integration between land use and transport planning.
The National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF) has been integrated into the Development Plans of the majority of local authorities so ensuring that the objectives and policies to support and promote cycling are taken account of in current and future planning. In addition, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) Cycle Network Plan covering the seven local authority areas in the GDA in 2013.
The Deputy will recall that the precise targets set out in the Smarter Travel policy and the NCPF were largely predicated on the availability of the substantial funding which did not transpire because of the significant scaling back in overall public investment in response to the economic and fiscal crises and priorities had to be made for the delivery of specific actions. Nevertheless, despite this, considerable progress has been made and continues to be made in providing the infrastructure and other interventions that support modal shift. The Department is currently undertaking a full review of the National Cycling Policy Framework and action 8.10 will form part of that work.
Three towns, Limerick, Westport, and Dungarvan were awarded funding under the Smarter Travel Areas funding programme to develop smarter travel demonstration towns. The Programme ran from 2012 to 2016 and has recently finished. The three projects are now being independently evaluated and this work will inform future policy on investment in Smarter Travel and what works best in an Irish context.
