Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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531. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for public cycle lanes over each of the past ten years; the breakdown of maintenance on existing cycle lanes and spend on new cycle lanes; and the expected allocation for 2019. [23380/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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In response to the Deputy's question, I wish to refer the Deputy to my previous reply in response to Dáil Question number 594 on 13 February 2018 from the Deputy on a similar question.

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

The table below 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. 

Please see attached correspondence from the NTA setting out the expenditure by year under cycling and walking for the Greater Dublin Area and the Regional Cities for the years 2011 to 2017 inclusive also in response to Dáil Question number 594 on 13 February 2018.

Looking to the future and following the recent mid-term review of the Capital Plan, investment of over €110 million 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.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, including the maintenance of existing cycle lanes. As this is the function of the local authorities it is appropriate that this issue is be better addressed by my colleague the Minister for the Department of Housing Planning and local Government.

In relation to the expected allocation of funding for 2019 the NTA working with the local authorities will determine the 2019 allocation in the latter part of this year.