Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the designated cycling officers in each local authority; the official contact details of each; the suitable qualification for the role; the form of coordination, communication and reporting that will be carried out between his Department and the cycling officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In line with the objectives of the National Cycle Policy Framework my Department works closely with local authorities in relation to relevant matters, particularly in relation to cycling promotional activities such as Bike Week. In that regard my Department works with designated officials in all 31 local authorities in co-ordinating activities and allocating funding to support the work of the local authorities in promoting Bike Week and other active travel activities.

The formal designation and/or employment of officials within local authorities is a matter for each individual local authority as the responsible employer and as the Deputy can see there is a network of officials across all local authorities who work with my Department on relevant matters.

However, the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future calls for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and commits toward an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation of some €1.8 billion over the lifetime of the Government.

Complementing that increased investment I also wish to see a renewed focus on active travel within local authorities, including the recruitment of suitably qualified active travel officers and offering support to local authorities in the design of active travel infrastructure through the establishment of regional design offices.

I can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently developing proposals to deliver upon these specific commitments, as well as the other commitments contained within the Programme for Government .