Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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946. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Boyne Greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29048/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Officials from my Department, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, met representatives of the Boyneside Trail group earlier this year to discuss this project. The meeting was constructive in that my officials outlined a clear path to the group to assist in bringing the project to the next step. 

At that stage no detailed design work had been done on the project. My officials undertook to arrange for the group to meet the National Transport Authority to pursue NTA funding for the design works through Meath County Council.  I understand that a meeting took place with the NTA, which subsequently visited the project site and agreed to provide design and planning funding of €40,000.

This funding, which was drawn down in April or May, will bring the project to a stage where Meath County Council can make a decision on the feasibility of the project and whether they will back the project through an application to the Department for Greenway funding in the normal way.

The NTA is keeping in touch with the project on the design spend and will update the Department on progress. Until this work is complete, there is no viable project backed by the County Council to consider for funding.