Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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83. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the detail of the funding component to be provided by his Department towards the development of the north quays strategic development zone, SDZ, in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35526/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I very much welcome the announcement this week of Government's funding for infrastructure improvements to support the North Quays Strategic Development Zone and believe it demonstrates Government's collective intent for the development of all our regional cities.

I was particularly pleased to see the funding made available under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund was complemented by €30m of funding made available by my Department through the National Transport Authority.

The majority of my Department's funding will go toward the new sustainable transport bridge linking the North and South Quays and which will ultimately act as a link between the extended Waterford Greenway and the new Waterford to New Ross Greenway, both of which are also being funded by my Department's sustainable mobility investment programme. A smaller element of the funding is being used to support sustainable mobility measures along the Dock Road and the Abbey Road.

My Department is also funding the development by the NTA, in co-operation with the local authority, of a new Metropolitan Area Transport Strategywhich will set out a framework for how transport in the city will develop over the next 20 years. I have no doubt that at the heart of that transport strategy will be ambitious plans for much improved active travel infrastructure across the city, making it easier and safer than ever to walk and cycle across the city. I also expect the new Strategywill look to complement the development of the new integrated transport hub at the North Quays, as to be funded by the URDF, and build on the investments made in the city's public transport last year with the overhaul of the city’s bus network and introduction of new bus fleet.