Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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935. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocated to the Royal and Grand canal greenway projects; the progress made to date on works; and the expected completion date of works of each stage and or section of these projects. [9054/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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My Department has allocated €12.332 m to the Royal Canal Greenway since 2012. This greenway is expected to open this year from Maynooth in County Kildare to Cloondara in County Longford and will become the longest stretch of Greenway in the country. It will be 130km in total length, including the Longford Branch. There is still some work on signage and marketing to be completed. The tenders for this work have had to be postponed due to COVID-19

My Department awarded €2.35m to Offaly County Council and €1.70m to Kildare County Council for construction of the Grand Canal sections outlined below. My Department also provided funding of €415,321 for construction of the section known as Arthur’s Way in 2014/15.

These two Greenways are strategically important national greenways with the Royal Canal Greenway also forming a section of the Dublin Galway Greenway. It is our intention over the coming years to complete the Grand Canal Greenway as funding and planning allows.

In relation to Urban Greenway sections of both the Royal and Grand Canals, these are funded and managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA ). Noting the NTA's role, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.