Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
107. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the additional personnel in local authorities working on cycling infrastructure; the number of personnel needed to implement the school streets initiative; the projected funds needed per local authority to roll out the initiative across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise that in the area of active travel, a key constraint in recent years has been the lack of sufficient resources within local authorities to oversee and deliver the design and roll-out of new infrastructure, and this constraint must be addressed if the significantly enhanced funding levels announced by this Government are to deliver the desired outcomes.
As the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future commits toward an expansion and enhancement of dedicated expertise on active travel across our local authority system, including the Regional Design Offices.
In recent months the National Transport Authority (NTA) has been working with local authorities to consider the resources required to deliver upon Government’s ambition in the area of active travel. Last week I announced that I had written to the County and City Management Association (CCMA) indicting my support for the proposals developed thus far by the NTA, committing to funding those proposals and requesting the CCMA consider the proposals as appropriate to ensure the issue is progressed.
It is intended that these additional resources, which may ultimately total almost 250 posts across the local authorities and Regional Design Offices, will work on all aspects of active travel, including any initiatives in relation to schools as are being developed by my colleague Minister of State Naughton.
I look forward to working with the NTA, CCMA and local authorities as we look to fundamentally change the nature of transport in Ireland and roll out high-quality, safe and segregated active travel infrastructure in urban and rural Ireland.
