Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2023
180. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide in tabular form the number of NTA-funded active travel officer roles filled and vacant in each local authority; the number of these roles filled through internal transfers within the local authority system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9368/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2009 National Cycling Policy Network sets out the requirement for Local Authorities to assign an officer at an appropriate senior level to act as an Active Travel Officer (ATO), also known as Walking and Cycling Officers.
Many Local Authorities employed an ATO prior to the commencement of the current National Transport Authority (NTA) Active Travel resourcing programme in 2021. As such, these positions are not funded by the NTA. 3 Local Authorities employ ATOs which are funded by the NTA;
- Cork City: one Active Travel Officer currently being recruited
- Dublin City: two Walking and Cycling Officers currently being recruited
- Kerry: one Active Travel Officer already in place.
Of the remaining Local Authorities;
- Carlow, Cavan, Donegal, Laois, South Dublin, Waterford and Wexford have full-time ATOs
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly and Roscommon have part-time ATOs.
There has been a significant increase in the number of filled positions across Local Authorities for technical roles in the delivery of active travel infrastructure, reflecting the substantial increase in funding and project delivery since 2019. These have not been included in the figures above as they are not specifically Active Travel Officers.
