Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of local authorities that have been mandated to assess their road networks to reallocate space for pedestrians and cyclists to date as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19569/20]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the local authorities which have been mandated to assess their road networks to reallocate space for pedestrians and cyclists to date as promised in the rogramme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19570/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

The package of measures included in the July Jobs Stimulus Plan as well as helping to stimulate a jobs-led recovery and build economic confidence are also designed in the transport sector to support improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

In this context the Plan includes the provision of €115 million for active travel, public transport and renewal of transport infrastructure.  This allocation includes €82 million for measures to improve accessibility, pedestrian infrastructure and support for urban and rural cyclists, together with €10 million for the adaptation of the regional and local road network to climate change.   The Stimulus will allow local authorities to access funding through either the National Transport Authority or my Department's Regional and Local Roads Division.  Applications have already been sought from local authorities. This initiative is in addition to over €7 million of funding which has already been allocated by the NTA to 12 local authorities (the cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick and the counties of Cork, Wicklow, DunLaoghaire/Rathdown, Kilkenny, Clare, Louth, Kerry and Sligo).

Under the Roads Act 1993-2015, local authorities, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the case of national roads,  are the statutory road authorities in their areas of responsibility and I will be looking to work with stakeholders to further follow through on the measures outlined in the Programme for Government.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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185. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the local authorities which have begun works to segregate cyclists and pedestrians from motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19571/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I understand that the Deputy is enquiring which local authorities have accessed the financial and technical supports announced by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in response to the COVID-19 Emergency, rather than the much broader programme of active travel infrastructure improvements generally that occurs every year.

In recent months the NTA has been engaging with local authorities to provide support in delivering required infrastructure improvements such as providing additional transport capacity and also facilitating social distancing in urban areas.

The NTA wrote to all 31 local authorities to offer its financial and technical support and this support is being funded through my Department's sustainable mobility investment programme. The approach taken was to engage with all local authorities to see what their requirements were and to grant aid in full various temporary intervention proposals, subject to those proposals being agreed with the NTA in advance of implementation.

In relation to the number of local authorities that have accessed the NTA’s programme I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to the matters raised.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Separately, the Deputy will also be aware that under the July Stimulus an additional €82million has been announced to support pedestrians and cyclists in urban and rural Ireland in the coming months. The Stimulus programme will further support local authorities across the country as they respond to the needs of local communities and businesses in the months ahead. Funding under the Stimulus programme must be expended by year end.