Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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38. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the blueway projects identified for development in 2018 and 2019; the level of funding available for such projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27097/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Waterways Ireland commenced the development of Blueways as a means to attract new visitors to use the waterways recognising changes in recreational activity with the growth in demand for activities such as walking, canoeing, cycling and stand up paddle boarding.

Further Blueway development planned for 2018  include:

- The Barrow Blueway - in part

- Shannon Blueway - Carrick to Boyle

- Royal Canal Blueway Development at Mullingar

- Blueway - Acres Lake and Lough Allen

- Blueway - Leitrim village to Kilclare Trail Development

- Blueway - Ballyconnell to Bellaheady Bridge Trail Development

The total funding budgeted by Waterways Ireland for such projects in 2018 is €228,000

The Blueway projects for 2019 is under review at present.  Waterways Ireland will determine the projects as part of the Business Plan for 2019 and it will include further development at various locations along the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow navigation and the Shannon-Erne.

On the Royal Canal plans are currently being put in place for the establishment of a 22km Blueway at Mullingar  and it is hoped that this Blueway will be in place by July 2018.  As part of the Blueway initiative Waterways Ireland has been working with local councils and recreational activity providers in establishing multi-activity Blueway hubs.  A successful hub was established in Carlow Town in 2017 and this model will be replicated in Mullingar harbour in 2018.

Waterways Ireland is currently working with Offaly County Council, Kildare County Council, South Dublin Council and Dublin City Council to ensure the progression of planning permission for the development of the Grand Canal Towpath as a walking and cycling route for recreational, tourism and commuter purposes.