James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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302. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe on the completion of the Dundalk to Newry greenway cycle route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5215/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The proposed Great Eastern Greenway is an ambitious plan by Louth County Council (LCC) to construct a 44km cycleway stretching from Dundalk, Co Louth to Newry, Co Down.  A Steering Group was established in late 2014, comprising representatives of LCC and the Newry and Mourne District Councils, to discuss the delivery of the 7.4km link to Newry City to which the Deputy is referring. I understand discussions were positive.

Phase 1 of the Great Eastern Greenway is a 5.6km off road greenway running from Carlingford to Omeath. This section was completed by LCC in 2014  with funding provided by my Department under the National Cycle Network (NCN) 2012-2013 programme, with additional funding from the Loughs Agency and LCC.

Separately, LCC submitted two applications for funding under the current NCN 2014-2016 funding programme for Phases 2 and 3 of this greenway but was unsuccessful.  LCC applied for funding in respect of two short extensions at both ends of the current greenway, which would add, subject to funding, more value to the project and result in a continuous greenway of approx. 16km.

All current funding available to my Department for the delivery of greenways is  fully committed to end 2016.  However, given the success of greenways already delivered, I feel optimistic that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years.  The EU Structural Funds Programme 2014-2020 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under Interreg and the Rural Development Programme.  I understand that LCC is positioning itself to benefit from any possible opportunities that may arise.

Projects of the scale of the proposed Great Eastern Greenway are important to the development of the NCN given that while they cater for all levels of cyclists they present a real challenge to the more experienced cyclists both from home and abroad so adding to the valuable tourism product which cycling (and walking) routes have become.

I wish to assure you that my Department officials are monitoring the ongoing developments in relation to this project.