Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the ongoing works along Carlingford Lough Greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34557/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I understand that work is ongoing with regard to the detailed design for the project. Tender documents for the main contract are being drafted. The contract for the site clearance and site investigation (S.I) began in March 2021 and both the site works element of the investigation and laboratory testing elements have been completed. The final S.I Report has now been issued and the design consultants are using the data and information gathered to finalise the design and required land acquisition.

Mapping of the route is being finalised and it is envisaged that this will go on public display in July. Louth County Council have begun to engage again with the impacted landowners regarding land acquisition and potential accommodation works. It is anticipated that a decision on the Planning application on the northern section of the route will be made in July.

The Special European Union Programme Body (SEUPB) have granted a 12 month extension to the project programme and have engaged a third party to independently assess the request for additional funding by the three border region Greenway projects with a decision expected in August 2021. My Department supports the request for additional funding and we hope to see this project completed within the revised timeline for completion which will be by the end of 2023.

I understand that the project partners are continuing to meet on a monthly basis to review and assess the various aspects of the project.