Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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731. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop a cycle path between Athlone, County Westmeath and Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Planning for the proposed Dublin-Galway cycle route of which the Athlone to Ballinasloe cycle path will form part  is currently being carried out by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and National Transport Authority (NTA).     

A proposal for the development of the Mullingar to Athlone section is currently under consideration by my Department  under the National Cycle Network (NCN) 2014 - 2016 programme. The preferred route corridor has been selected from Athlone to Galway but there are no applications  under consideration by my Department at present for its development.  

Any decision to develop a cycleway from Athlone to Ballinasloe under future funding calls would be a matter for the relevant local authorities.  

The proposals currently on hand are being assessed against the criteria outlined in the NCN funding call in August, 2013.  A decision and announcement of the successful projects is expected in the coming weeks.