Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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473. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Glenbeigh to Renard South Kerry greenway; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department awarded funding of almost €4m to Kerry County Council in 2014 for the development of a South Kerry Greenway from Glenbeigh to Renard.

I understand that Kerry County Council is continuing to work on planning, design and environmental assessment of the Greenway and expects to be in a position to submit a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in the coming months.

Given the specific engineering challenges and potential land acquisition and other costs associated with the South Kerry Greenway, the funding currently allocated to the project will not be sufficient to provide for its construction. Kerry County Council is preparing a revised business case for this project which, I understand, will shortly be submitted to my Department for consideration.

As you will be aware my Department is currently developing a Strategy for the future development of greenways which I aim to publish in Q2 2018.  This Strategy will provide a long term vision and framework upon which Ireland's greenways can be planned in a strategic manner.  The Strategy will also, among other things, seek to address the issues experienced in delivering the South Kerry Greenway and will provide guidance to all local authorities wishing to avail of funding under future funding calls.