Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding he is making available for the improvement of cycling lanes; his views that there should be a prioritisation of the provision of segregated and continuous cycles lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33260/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Funding for the development of cycling infrastructure is provided under a number of different programmes in my Department.  In 2016, €23.2m is being provided under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and a further sum of €13.5m is being provided under the Regional Cities programme for the implementation of sustainable transport measures such as cycling/walking infrastructure, Quality Bus Corridors, safety, integration and traffic management projects.  This funding is provided to the NTA for the seven local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area and the local authorities in the Regional Cities for the implementation of such measures.

In delivering cycling infrastructure, the National Transport Authority (NTA)  and the relevant local authorities adhere to the recommendations contained in the NTA Cycling Manual (www.cyclemanual.ie)and in particular, the principles underpinning this guidance.  A GDA Cycle Network Plan is included in the NTA's GDA Transport Strategy 2016-2035 approved by my predecessor. This plan provides the blueprint for the development of a cycling network in the GDA that includes segregated and continuous cycling infrastructure and I am fully supportive of such measures.

Funding is also provided under my Department's Smarter Travel programme for the development of cycling infrastructure including Greenways. Under the Capital Plan, €100 million is committed to smarter travel and carbon reduction measures, including Greenways.  The Programme for Government also commits to providing additional capital funding for various tourism projects, including greenways. I will be seeking to deliver this additional funding in the context of the mid-term review of the Capital Plan next year.