Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for coming to the Seanad to discuss the very important matter of the Broadmeadow greenway, which links Donabate with Malahide. The greenway is a cycleway and a pathway for cyclists and pedestrians linking the two towns and Newbridge Demesne, which a fantastic amenity in Donabate owned by Fingal County Council, with Malahide and Malahide Castle. The population of Donabate is approximately 8,000 and that of Malahide 16,000. I believe the application to An Bord Pleanála is imminent so I call on the Minister to work closely with Fingal County Council to ensure there is adequate funding for the development of this greenway as soon as planning permission is granted.

I believe the council has a fund of €10 million which is earmarked specifically for the development of eight greenways in Fingal over the next two years. That would mean an average of €1.25 million per greenway. The construction of the Portmarnock to Baldoyle greenway is under way and is estimated to cost €2.5 million so it does not take a genius to work out that these council funds could fall well short. I ask the Minister to commit his Department to giving the money to Fingal County Council to develop this vital piece of infrastructure between Donabate and Malahide.

I note from his recent budget speech that the Minister for Finance referred to the development of greenways and spoke about €1.26 billion in capital expenditure for the Department for the period 2018 to 2020. He also made reference to the design, planning and implementation of cycling and walking projects from the fund. I ask the Minister for a very small amount to be allocated to the development of the Donabate and Malahide greenway.

I live in Donabate, which it is a beautiful part of north County Dublin. A lot of construction is under way on the peninsula and in the town. The construction of 1,200 new homes is planned for the area in the near future and the greenway should be constructed alongside those houses. Public amenities and transport links, such as a greenway, are absolutely essential as one cannot put in houses without the essential infrastructure around them. Not only would the greenway be a massive boost from the point of view of tourism, with a knock-on effect on the economic development of the two towns, it would also benefit the people living in Donabate and Malahide. Fingal is the fastest growing area in Ireland and we are trying to promote a healthy lifestyle among our children. We are trying to get people out of their cars and off the sofa so that they can enjoy a vigorous and healthy outdoor lifestyle. We need to ensure our children are safe as they cycle in the area and this greenway is a massive opportunity for us to do that, and to address growing childhood obesity and other issues.

The tourism aspect of the development is important. We live very close to Dublin Airport but millions of tourists come into the airport only to leave it very quickly. We want to capture some of them and get them to stay in Fingal to enjoy the fabulous coastline and wonderful public amenities we have. Primarily, though, the people of Donabate and Malahide deserve it. It is a small amount of money for the Department to absorb and would only cost around €2.5 million. I want the Minister to guarantee that the funding will be made available to Fingal County Council so that the project can be delivered without delay.

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank Senator Clifford-Lee for raising a subject about which she is very passionate. I also thank her for the good case she made for this greenway.I am pleased to inform her that I launched the strategy for the future development of the national and regional greenways in Moate, County Westmeath, on 20 July. This strategy provides a framework for the development of Ireland's greenways and will determine the type of project to be funded by my Department over the coming decade, as can be seen from the fact that both Commencement matters originally allocated to me today related to greenways. It is a very popular and important topic.

The strategy is long-term in nature, with the aim of increasing the number, length and regional spread of greenways throughout the country. It sets out guidance for project promoters on matters including strategic nature, length, design standards, accommodation works and early consultation with communities and landowners along proposed routes. The strategy also sets out the general high-level criteria regarding what we believe makes for a good greenway - one that is scenic, provides access to things to see and do, is sustainable, is substantially segregated, involves shared use and-or is strategic. This is based on both Fáilte Ireland research and experience on the ground of what has and has not worked with regard to previous investment.

I was happy to secure €53 million in funding for greenways projects to be constructed in the period 2019 to 2021. In addition to the strategy, a funding criteria document that outlines what we are looking for in projects to be funded under this scheme has been published. It is vital that local authorities and State agencies study the document and the application form in detail. There is an information session planned for 24 October that will provide assistance to applicants in understanding the process and requirements.

The funding call for the €53 million is currently open. The application form is available on my Department’s website, along with the strategy and other relevant documents. Following the closure of the application process for the funding call on 30 November 2018, we will assess all applications received and, based on the criteria laid out in the application form and strategy, award funding to the projects we believe meet the criteria. It is also important to note that this is the first funding call. The fact that funding may not be obtained on this occasion does not mean it will not be obtained in the future. It will be important for project promoters to continue working with communities and landowners to achieve agreement on routes that will work for users and landowners.

The positive economic impact greenways can have on their local communities is significant. The Waterford greenway has provided very beneficial to towns along the route. It is likely there will be a number of high-quality applications for funding received.

I understand that the Broadmeadow Way is quite short, measuring only 6 km in length. In the strategy and associated funding call, however, we are focusing on national and regional greenways of scale. The minimum length is 20 km, with a preference for a greenways in the order of 40 km because it is these longer greenways that will generally necessitate overnight stays and thus generate greater economic return on investment in the localities in which they are based. There is also the possibility of strategic sections of greenway being funded. These are sections that extend current greenways or that link to current greenways. The Broadmeadow Way forms part of the greater plans for greenways and cycling infrastructure generally in north County Dublin. It is part of the NTA's greater Dublin area cycle network plan. Another potential avenue for funding this greenway is though the NTA, which is responsible for urban greenways.

I take this opportunity to wish all those applying for funding the best of luck. I look forward to the very difficult facing my Department and me in determining where the funding will be awarded.

Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for that information. I wish to make sure I am clear on it. Since the link between Donabate and Malahide is shorter, it will not be prioritised for funding unless it is part of the overall greenways strategy. Is that correct? If so, it must be pointed out that there is a strategy to have a greenway running the entire length of the coast of north County Dublin and linking to the city. The Broadmeadow Way would actually form part of a larger strategy. This is a very strategic link to the Baldoyle-Portmarnock link. There is already a link from Portmarnock to Malahide, and this would form a very strategic link to Donabate. I ask the Minister to consider that, even though the length in question is shorter than he envisaged.

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I repeat what I already stated, namely, that the minimum length for consideration is 20 km, with a preference for greenways in the order of 40 km because it is these longer greenways that will generally necessitate overnight stays.We are trying to get people to stay overnight, particularly in this first round. That may not be great news for the Senator but, in view of the case she has made, I undertake to look at any avenues open to me to help her out and see if there is any direction in which I can point.