Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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705. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he supports the development of a greenway between Kilmorna and Listowel, County Kerry along the old railway line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25153/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department is supportive of the development of greenways, where possible, along disused rail lines and recognises the benefits of these initiatives to the local economy. However, these projects must be locally supported and locally led. My Department is currently administering a multi annual funding programme related to the development of the National Cycle Network (NCN) to cover the period 2012 to 2016.  Significant investment has already been made in 2012 and 2013 with €7 million allocated to projects across Ireland. This funding, which is provided to local authorities, will help to deliver cycleways in keeping with the objectives of the National Cycle Policy Framework. As this phase of the programme will expire at the end of 2013, it is my intention to initiate a new funding call later this year to provide, through competitive process, a further tranche of funding for the remainder of the years to 2016.

The development of a greenway from Kilmorna to Listowel is  principally a matter for Kerry County Council.  Any plans to develop this stretch of rail line as a greenway by  Kerry County Council could be submitted to the Department under the next phase of the NCN funding programme, once initiated, although it should be noted that requests for funding are likely to significantly exceed the funds available and it is possible that only a small proportion of the projects seeking funding will be supported.