Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is absolutely right to highlight the level of priority this Government affords to the issue of active travel. We have committed €1.8 billion towards its development over the five-year period to 2026.

On the specific issue of getting the correct mix of skills and experience to deliver these programmes, it is primarily a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Section 160(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2001 states: "The appropriate Minister may declare qualifications of such classes and descriptions as he or she thinks fit for a specified employment under a local authority or for such of the employments as belong to a specified class, description or grade."

It could, therefore, just be a case of rewriting the question and putting it before the Minister with responsibility for housing. I have direct responsibility in respect of recruitment to the Civil Service but public service recruitment falls to the line Minister and the Local Government Act 2001 provides a statutory basis. I agree with the Deputy's core point on the need for a balance of skills, one that is broader than those brought by civil engineers, to ensure a holistic approach is adopted to delivering the active travel programme. If there is anything my officials or I can do to support or facilitate the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, and his team to achieve that, we are certainly willing to help.

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