Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the provision of funding for the Barrow Blueway; the status of the progression of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24414/21]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Planning approval for development of the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy (46km) was received in March 2019.

The project objectives are to:

(1) Provide upgraded and new physical infrastructure in accordance with planning permission;

(2) Provision of infrastructure to achieve ‘Accredited Blueway’ status for the route;

(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.

The project is being delivered through the partnership of Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and Laois County Council for a total project cost of €6.75 million.

Construction work commenced in Autumn of 2020 with some delays due to COVID-19 restrictions. It is currently anticipated that all aspects of construction should be complete by the end of 2022.

Waterways Ireland was refused planning permission for the section of the proposed Barrow Blueway route between Athy and St Mullins. This decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála but the appeal was unsuccessful.

Waterways Ireland believes that the Carlow portion of the Barrow Navigation has much to offer in terms of recreational, tourism and well-being attractions and is open to engagement with the respective County Councils to review all options for the development of the Blueway extension from Athy to St Mullins.