John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to have another round of funding under the active travel grants in 2021; if so, if he will provide the application timings for such a process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government committed to an investment of €360 million per annum in walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. I consider this investment to be hugely beneficial to our society, our health and our environment. It will support projects across the country, in both urban and rural Ireland, as this Government seeks to change the nature of transport in this country.

In 2021, almost €313 million has been allocated to local authorities around Ireland through the National Transport Authority (NTA) for active travel projects, and this is expected to be the full allocation for the year. It is split between €240 million for the Greater Dublin Area and the regional cities, and almost €73 million for Rural Active Travel investment. The latter is the first ever major active travel investment programme for rural Ireland, and is greater than the entire 2019 funding for national walking and cycling programme.

Projects allocated funding under both investment programmes were identified by the local authorities in cooperation with the NTA. I look forward to seeing the planned projects progress and to developing high-quality walking and cycling networks around the country through the increased annual funding over the lifetime of the Government.