Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 17: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he is satisfied with the level of recreational activities on waterways here, that is canals, lakes and rivers; the funding his Department has allocated towards improving such facilities; the areas where such funding was allocated; the number of events funded; the number of applications with his Department for decision for funding; the proposals to extend unused canals to facilitate other areas for boating; the areas of the canal banks developed for recreational walking routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26515/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware that Waterways Ireland, a North/South Implementation Body set up under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, is responsible for the management, maintenance and development, principally for recreational purposes, of specified inland waterways.

I am satisfied that, since its establishment, Waterways Ireland has contributed significantly to the recreational use of the waterways coming within its remit. For example, the number of boats registered and using the navigations has more than doubled — from 5,544 registered boats at the start of 2000 to 11,468 boats in 2007. In addition, 8,500 additional metres of moorings have been provided across the waterways, thereby increasing mooring capacity by over 60% during the same period. The waterways are also used extensively for a range of other recreational purposes, including angling, walking, cycling and canoeing. Waterways Ireland has an extensive marketing and sponsorship programme in place to help promote the recreational use of the waterways and, in this context, has funded 48 sponsorship events this year, including the World Cup Skiing Championships at Enniskillen and the Tri-Athlone event at Athlone. In 2006 it is estimated that such sponsored events drew over 80,000 spectators to the waterways.

In 2007, €9m in capital funding was allocated by my Department for the development of recreational infrastructure on the waterways. Projects undertaken include the addition of 120 metres of moorings at Kilglass, Co Roscommon, on the Shannon Navigation and the completion of a bridge at Begnagh, Co Longford, as part of the restoration of the Royal Canal, which is scheduled for reopening in 2009.

At a meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council on 17 October last, approval was granted to Waterways Ireland to proceed with the restoration of the stretch of Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones.

The Deputy will be aware that the canals are part of the Waymarked Ways of Ireland and sections of the canal banks identified as recreational walking routes include:

the Grand Canal Way, from the 12th Lock at Lucan to Shannon Harbour;

the Royal Canal Way, from the 10th Lock at Ashtown to Abbeyshrule; and

the Barrow Way, from Lowtown to St. Mullins.

The Deputy might also wish to note that, under the Dublin City Canals Programme, Waterways Ireland has undertaken works with Dublin City Council to enhance the towpaths along stretches of both the Royal and Grand Canals.