Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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494. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding available to communities and groups under the smarter travel scheme for a community (details supplied) in County Galway which wishes to install footpaths and cycle lanes to enable children to travel safely to and from school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2808/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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 My Department is currently funding a number of projects being delivered by Local Authorities which have responsibility for cycle lanes and footpaths in their areas. All Department funding for the purpose of delivering Smarter Travel projects is fully committed up until the end of  2016. I would advise the Deputy to contact Galway County Council in the first instance with a view  to progressing this project in as far as possible. It would be advisable for Galway County Council to have plans  prepared for sustainable transport projects, including securing agreement with the relevant stakeholders in order  to be in a position to submit an application to my Department under the next funding call for Smarter Travel initiatives which I  anticipate will be announced later in 2016. I would also advise that schools in the vicinity in question  apply to An Taisce to participate in the Green Schools Travel Programme which assists schools to develop sustainable and safe travel plans for their pupils.