Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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265. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding for cycleways that was available to Wexford County Council in 2020; the amount of this funding that was drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44326/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy will be aware that active travel (walking and cycling) infrastructure is supported through a number of different programmes across Government and local authorities can access funding to support both walking and cycling through my own Department’s programmes as well as programmes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme etc.

This year as part of Government’s July Jobs Stimulus an allocation of €1.3m was provided under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for active travel measures, which included cycling infrastructure. Almost €1m of the allocation has been drawn down to date with some of the allocation expected to be now paid in 2021.

Separately under my Department’s greenways programme funding is being provided to support the New Ross Greenway with additional funding announced as part of Budget 2021. My Department has now committed €15.7m to support the development of this 24 km long greenway and I understand approximately €649,544 has been drawn down to date. My Department has also announced an allocation under the Carbon Tax Fund for pre-construction Statutory Process work on part of the proposed 58 km Rosslare-Waterford greenway; however, draw down has not commenced.

Finally the Deputy will be aware that I recently announced a new €50m active travel fund to support active travel interventions in towns and villages across the country and I would certainly encourage Wexford County Council to apply to the National Transport Authority in that regard.