Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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1123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will open the €100 million greenway fund for applications from greenways, such as the Sligo Greenway which will be part of the Western Railway Greenway; the timeline for allocating the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9681/16]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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1140. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the Sligo Greenway, which aims to protect the rail line from Bellaghy to Collooney in County Sligo for future use whilst also providing a vital item of tourism infrastructure for the north west, should be funded under the €100 million greenway fund with regard to the Western Rail Corridor, as contained in the new programme for Government, and given that he will shortly begin to implement an independent cost benefit analysis and review for the Western Rail Corridor between Athenry in County Galway and Claremorris in County Mayo for commuter and freight use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10232/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1123 and 1140 together.

I have yet to decide on how the €100 million earmarked for Smarter Travel projects in the Programme for Government is to be invested.  However, I am confident that investment in greenways will continue given the economic and social benefits they bring to communities, particularly those in rural areas. 

As the Deputy will be aware, funding  from my Department for the delivery of greenways is awarded to local authorities by way of a competitive process. In advance of future funding calls it would be important for interested parties and/or local authorities with a project in mind to endeavour to have all statutory requirements, land ownership/access issues etc. in place so as to be well placed to compete for any funding which comes on stream over the coming years.