Dáil debates
Thursday, 21 June 2018
Other Questions
Waterways Ireland Funding
3:55 pm
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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19. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding that will be provided to Waterways Ireland to maintain and enhance canals as a tourist amenity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26712/18]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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This is to ask the Minister what her proposals are in respect of the funding to be provided to Waterways Ireland. There are a number of very important canals in the country, not least the canals on the north side and south side of Dublin. Other canals pass through very touristic country and through urban areas. They are very popular with local people and visitors. Waterways Ireland has been struggling in terms of the funding allocated by the Department. I would like to know what the Minister's proposals are and when that funding will start to become available. Waterways Ireland is a North-South body, as the Minister is aware.
Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of some 1,000 km of navigable inland waterways, principally for recreational purposes. It has responsibility for the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Barrow Navigation, the Grand and Royal canals - which latter runs through the Deputy's constituency - the Erne System and the Lower Bann Navigation. This is a significant recreational resource and Waterways Ireland has been proactive in the development of blueways and greenways as a means to attract new visitors and in response to the growth of recreational activities such as walking, canoeing and cycling.
The amount of funding allocated to Waterways Ireland from my Department's Vote in 2018 is €24.106 million to undertake its statutory functions across its entire network. Recently I announced that a further section of the Ulster Canal would be developed, in addition to the section currently nearing completion from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson. Waterways Ireland is actively involved in the development of the towpaths along the canals to provide off-road, safe amenities for walkers and cyclists. Waterways Ireland has worked with local authorities, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Fáilte Ireland and other partners to upgrade the Royal Canal towpath as part of the Dublin-Galway cycle route and it is hoped that this route will be largely completed, and indeed extended to the Shannon River, by the end of this year. There is continued development of the Grand Canal towpath and the Barrow towpath as important off-road links to open up southern and western Ireland to tourists. Waterways Ireland is also at the forefront of developing blueways along the canals network. They offer opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy outdoor recreational activities on and beside the water in a comfortable, safe environment. Infrastructure is in place and plans are under way to have an operational blueway in place along the Royal Canal at Mullingar for summer 2018.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Acting Chairman, Deputy Durkan, probably has an interest in the Royal Canal as well. Has any work been done in respect of design for a proper footpath in the area called the deep cutting, which runs from Castleknock and Blanchardstown up to Clonsilla? It is a very deep and dangerous section of the canal. The Department has been considering this in conjunction with Waterways Ireland for many years. It is in an area with a population of over 100,000. It is a very important amenity for the area. Until recently, the Taoiseach was a frequent jogger along the path. This cutting is so deep and the footpath so high and narrow that it is very difficult for more than two or three people to walk abreast. It is quite a difficulty. Somebody using a wheelchair would probably find this section of the canal, which is lengthy enough, extremely difficult to go along. Has the Minster made any progress in this regard?
Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My understanding is that it is called the deep sinking but I will bow to the Deputy's knowledge of the area. It is part of the Royal Canal between Castleknock and Clonsilla, starting just after the 12th lock and continuing for about 4 km west of Clonsilla station. It is very narrow in places, making it difficult for boats to pass each other. At its deepest, the towpath is carried some 9 m above the water and in places it is only 1 m wide or less, making it difficult to develop. Waterways Ireland along with Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority is exploring design options to integrate the development of the towpath along the deep sinking into the overall development of a multi-use trackway as part of the Royal Canal greenway, the national cycling network route from Dublin to Galway. Waterways Ireland is also carrying out work on the Royal Canal towpath in conjunction with local authorities. The overall funding for this work will not come from the Waterways Ireland budget but from other agencies such as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Waterways Ireland initially funds the work and then recoups the majority of the cost from the various agencies. At this point in the year, it is anticipated that the net spend by Waterways Ireland following this recoupment will be negligible.
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Will the proposals be put on public view? This part of the canal, which the Minister described correctly, is quite extensive in length. It is an area of enormous natural beauty with a very large bird and wildlife population. It is really important that whatever design is drawn up, given the particular difficulties of the height of the towpath above the canal, it is subject to a proper environmental assessment in terms of protecting the natural environment of the canal at that point.
I certainly hope there will be more consultation that there has been with many residents of those areas of the Barrow waterway who have had various proposals that would interfere with the peace of the area.
4:05 pm
Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I think there should be consultation. Following completion of each section of the Royal Canal towpath, Waterways Ireland will enter into service-level agreements with the local authorities with regard to the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the towpaths and greenways. The potential running costs for Waterways Ireland have yet to be determined but will be monitored as discussions advance. Due to the drier weather, we are experiencing lower than normal levels of water in some areas of the Royal Canal. Waterways Ireland is managing individual passages at the summit level on a one-to-one basis. This is being monitored and a marine notice will issue on this if it is necessary. It is important that the blueways are used for tourists - not just for tourists but also for residents living in the area, as the Deputy correctly pointed out, so that they can avail of their canal from a recreational perspective.