Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the operation of the cycle to work scheme in his Department; if all agencies under the remit of his Department will be included in the scheme; if not, the reason for same; the other Departments and State agencies currently offering this scheme to employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The scheme is an important measure which highlights the Government's commitment to creating a culture of cycling in Ireland. It will, in conjunction with other measures that I will be announcing shortly, contribute to the achievement of my vision of increasing the modal share enjoyed by cycling to 10% of all journeys by 2020.

I am pleased to confirm that the Cycle to Work scheme has recently been introduced in my Department and that an invitation has issued to staff to avail of this worthwhile initiative. I am aware that the Department of Finance will in the near future be issuing a circular to all Departments to facilitate an homogenous scheme across the Civil Service. The scheme in my Department will, in due course, be adjusted if necessary to conform with this. As the Cycle to Work scheme is optional, the implementation of the scheme in the agencies under the remit of my Department is a matter for decision by those agencies. It would however be my expectation that these agencies would also respond positively and offer the benefits of this scheme to their employees.