Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Senator on his election to Seanad Éireann and wish him well. I thank him for raising this important matter relating to active travel funding for small rural towns and villages. He is correct; the issue of ring-fencing money for rural villages is an important one and I will bring this back to the Department. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport.

The Government is committed to the funding of active travel and to achieving a modal shift in transport and increasing the number of active travel journeys over the coming years. This is evidenced in the commitments under various policy documents including the programme for Government, the climate action plan and the Department of Transport's national sustainable mobility plan, as well as in the significant increase in funding for walking and cycling measures over recent years.

The Government is committed to the provision of improved and expanded walking and cycling infrastructure in both urban centres and towns and villages throughout Ireland. The programme for Government has committed approximately €360 million per annum for the period 2021 to 2025 for walking and cycling infrastructure, the majority of which will be allocated to local authorities through the National Transport Authority, NTA’s, active travel infrastructure programme. A total of €290 million has been allocated to the active travel programme alone in 2025, with a further €67 million allocated to greenways this year. It is important we move quickly to reduce our carbon emissions and in doing so, we must promote a modal shift away from private car use. This will not be achieved without the provision of alternative transport modes such as active travel.

In respect of active travel funding, the NTA works with local authorities to identify projects that would benefit from investment through its active travel programme. These projects are usually based in cities, towns, both large and small, and rural villages. There are many examples of projects throughout the country that have received funding outside the larger urban areas. The Senator is nonetheless correct that there should be a liaison with the local authority, the district engineer and the NTA in regard to the matter he has raised.

A large number of projects are in the pipeline for delivery around the country in the coming years and as such, we are moving into a space of project prioritisation whereby funding will be allocated to the areas of greatest impact. While this may sometimes favour urban areas, the NTA will continue to work with local authorities to identify viable projects in both urban and rural areas that should receive funding. I assure the Senator there is no rule in place whereby funding must only be spent in our cities and larger towns. Providing viable active travel infrastructure in both rural and urban areas is vital for encouraging a modal shift away from private car use where possible, which, I am sure the Senator will agree, is a key priority as we try to meet our carbon emission reduction targets.

The Department's active travel funding also allows for dedicated active travel staff within the local authorities, including the 19 local authorities outside the greater Dublin area and the regional cities that did not receive active travel funding before 2021. Approximately 240 staff in place throughout the country are tasked with delivering the significant number of active travel projects in which the Department is currently investing. I am delighted we overachieved on our targeted spend for the past two years, with approximately €340 million invested through the NTA in walking and cycling projects in 2023 alone and an additional €321 million invested in 2024.

The safe routes to school programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority. It was launched in 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities through the provision of infrastructural interventions.

On the Senator's specific question regarding the selection of projects that receive funding under the NTA’s active travel programme, this is solely a matter for the local authorities and the NTA and, as he will be aware, neither the Minister or the Department has a role in this process. Nevertheless, I will take on board the Senator's points regarding direct input. He is correct and, as a former councillor for Enniscorthy, he is well aware of the needs of his area and similar areas. I thank him for raising the matter.

Notwithstanding what I have outlined, Department of Transport officials liaise with their counterparts in the NTA regularly in respect of overall funding of the active travel programme. I will ask my officials to bear in mind the Senator's suggestions regarding a designated active travel fund for small rural towns and villages during these discussions.