Written answers

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Greenways Development

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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541. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received correspondence from Donegal County Council regarding proposals to develop a dedicated greenway route on the former rail line linking Letterkenny to Burtonport; the progress that has been made to develop this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42579/17]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Donegal County Council (DCC) submitted a proposal to my Department for the construction of a greenway from Letterkenny to Burtonport under the National Cycle Netork 2014-2016 funding programme. However, the Council was not successful in securing funding at that time.  I understand that since then DCC have progressed a section of the route with the support of local groups and DCC would be best placed to update the Deputy on the current status of the route.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Donegal is benefitting from a number of cross-border greenways that are being funded by my Department, the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and the EU. Lifford, Muff and Buncrana will all benefit from these INTERREG VA projects. 

The Deputy may be aware that my Department recently undertook a public consultation process to inform the development of a new Greenways Strategy.  My officials are currently reviewing the many submissions received from both citizens and stakeholders including one received from Donegal County Council.  My Department is aiming to have the new Strategy completed by the end of the year. Following completion, it is expected that a new round of funding for greenway infrastructure will be announced.

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