Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

594. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent by his Department to support public cycling infrastructure in each of the years 2008 to 2017. [7439/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Over recent years, Exchequer investment in cycling infrastructure has been made under a number of different programmes and schemes.

The following table sets out the combined investment that occurred under the National Cycle Network programme and the Active Travel Towns programme (both of which commenced in 2012), and the Smarter Travel Areas programme (which commenced in 2009). Projects funded under the Active Travel Towns programme and Smarter Travel Areas programme involved integrated initiatives across a number of aspects of active/smarter travel and incorporated measures such as investment in cycle lanes, bike parking, footpaths, traffic calming measures, shared streets and other interventions that encourage and support modal shift to walking and cycling. In this context it is not possible to isolate specific expenditure on cycling infrastructure alone.

In addition to the funding set out in the table, since 2010 my Department has also provided funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for allocation under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities Programme to implement sustainable transport projects, including providing cycling infrastructure, in the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Looking to the future and following the recent mid-term review of the Capital Plan, investment of over €110m will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over the next four years (2018-2021). This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure.

In addition to these cycling-specific investments, BusConnects, that will involve re-configuring the bus network and infrastructure, will also entail construction of significant new cycling facilities alongside bus routes on the key radial routes into the city centre and provide safe cycling arrangements, largely segregated from other traffic along those corridors. These substantial investments will allow us to further increase the numbers cycling, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our cities.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this regard, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to past funding for cycling infrastructure provided under the investment programmes and schemes referenced earlier. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.