Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 April 2017
352. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and from other sources under the capital plan to the smarter travel policy; the amount that has been spent to date; the expected completion date; the estimated capital cost to finishing the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has prioritised investments that specifically encourage cycling and walking in accordance with the Smarter Travel Policy with the aim of reducing dependence on the private car in favour of more sustainable forms of travel. This is recognised and reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government where we commit to ensuring that the €3.6bn investment in the public transport system provided for in the Capital Plan 2016 - 2022 will uphold the principles of Smarter Travel. The Capital Plan allocates €100m in funding for implementation of the Smarter Travel policy and carbon reduction measures. Expenditure to date has been in the region of €11m. However, this does not reflect the totality of the capital funding allocated for sustainable transport more generally. Significant funding is also provided to the National Transport Authority (NTA) on an annual basis for the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the Regional Cities. This is delivered through the Regional Cities Grants Programme and the Sustainable Transport Measures Programme. €28m has been allocated to these programmes for 2017. A further €1.6m has been allocated in 2017 to the NTA for the delivery of the Green Schools Travel Programme by An Taisce.
