Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge that more than half of the projects funded under active travel are in rural areas, which is 500 of the 1,200 projects, and there is €290 million coming into rural areas. It is greatly needed. We know there are busy roads and there are no footpaths. One can live in the country and yet not get a chance to go out and have a walk safely on roads at all. It is great to see the projects, and particularly in my own hometown of Ballinasloe where we have had the completion of loop walks. This is a great way for people all over the town to do a 5 km loop, and especially around Beechlawn, which is getting the funding to finish. It has been difficult for county councils. I acknowledge the active travel teams. Costs have increased and the projects that would have looked to be completed a year or two ago now have costs that have increased. On the Roscommon side, more than €1 million is coming into the Ballaghaderreen town development. This also includes funding for schools. It is the safe routes to schools programme that was launched about two years ago and now we are seeing the next round of funding for schools to apply to the programme. More than €100,000 in funding is coming in for Summerhill in Athlone. There are other footpath projects coming into the county also, including Castlerea, Boyle, Ballinlough and Bealnamullia just outside Athlone. It is really wonderful to have the funding for safe routes to schools and for safe places for families to walk and to cycle. This is government funding that will make a real impact in rural areas. It will encourage people to get out for a sunny spring walk on St. Brigid's Day.