Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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367. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the grant application in respect of the development of a greenway in counties Leitrim and Cavan; when this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14777/18]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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368. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the grant application in respect of the development of a greenway in counties Sligo and Leitrim; when this application will be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.

You will be aware that my Department is in the process of developing a Strategy for the future development of Greenways. The strategy will ensure that Greenways are constructed to an appropriately high standard in order to provide a quality experience for all users.

I understand that applications were submitted to Fáilte Ireland in 2016 by Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo County Councils under the Grants Scheme for Large Tourism Projects. However, a decision was taken by Fáilte Ireland, following consultation with the Tourism Development Division of my Department, to postpone the evaluation of all applications relating to greenway development. This decision was taken given the preparation of the Greenway Strategy and to ensure a consistent and cohesive approach to the development of greenways in Ireland and the alignment of public policy and funding.

Following publication of the Strategy my Department will announce a Greenway funding call to local authorities. The current budget available to my Department for the period 2018 to 2021 is almost €56m. I expect to announce the criteria for awarding funding at the same time as the Strategy is published, with funding awarded late in 2018. This is to provide local authorities with as much time as possible to progress the planning of their Greenway proposals. The Strategy is scheduled to be published during Q2 of 2018.