Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The material that was prepared for me by the Department of Transport does not deal with the question of the use of the corridor for housing. That is more properly a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In regard to the wider active travel measures being promoted by the Government, I am pleased that this year has seen another increase in the Department of Transport's overall funding for cycling and walking facilities, in line with the Government's prioritisation of active travel and greenways, as well as an increased allocation of €289 million administered through the NTA to active travel. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has also announced further funding of €60 million for investment in greenways. These allocations form part of an annual provision of €360 million promised in the programme for Government and being delivered by local authorities throughout the country.

The programme for Government sets out an ambitious and wide-ranging set of commitments on the provision of walking and cycling amenities, supported by an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation amounting to some €1.8 billion over the lifetime of the Government. The overall increase in funding across urban and rural Ireland will not only support the construction and improvement of safe and connected walking and cycling infrastructure but also the deployment of almost 250 dedicated active travel staff in local authorities around the country. The funding committed in budget 2022 for investment in sustainable transport projects is proof of the Government's commitment to active travel. I look forward to the development of the active travel plans, to include plans for the revised corridor, that will promote sustainable transport options for people in the locality and the wider Dublin area.