Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make funding available to complete greenways from Tralee to Fenit and from Listowel to the Limerick border near Kilmorna along CIE owned routes; if he will fund a feasibility study for the Tralee to Listowel route; if feasibility studies would be initiated to find a viable route possibly incorporating local back roads in places and so on where historic railway lines used to be in State ownership from Glenbeigh to Farranfore and from Killarney to Kenmare, with absolute recognition being given to landowners along these routes and with an approach of consultation, respect for property rights and co-operation being central to all efforts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27094/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I was very pleased to be in a position to provide funding to Kerry County Council (KCC) under both the National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014-2016 and the Government Stimulus Package.  As you say, almost €4 million has been provided to the Glenbeigh - Reenard Point Greenway.  However,  I should also mention that funding of €345,000 has also been provided to a phase of the Tralee to Fenit Trail from Rock Street to Casement Station.  This was provided under the recently announced Government Stimulus for Infrastructure Development.  Additionally, this project was the beneficiary of €200,000 from my Department in 2010, which resulted in the opening of a 1.8km section of the trail last year.  I was delighted to have the opportunity to be there on that occasion.

While I do not anticipate any further funding announcements in the near future, it is my intention to continue to seek out funding for such infrastructure. In the meantime, I look forward to the delivery of the projects currently being funded and to the participation of Kerry County Council in future funding initiatives.  It is likely, given the popularity of greenways already delivered, that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years which will enable the Council to progress, with the consent and support of the communities involved, those other projects you mention.  The local authority is best placed to examine options for the delivery of further cycle routes and to respectfully consult with landowners as projects develop.   

It is also worth noting that the EU Structural Funds Programme 2014 to 2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under its various sub programmes including the Rural Development Programme. I understand that many local authorities are already positioning themselves to avail of such opportunities.