Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the 250 staff for local authorities and national roads offices cited for recruitment in the National Development Plan to assist with the delivery of active travel infrastructure that have been hired to date; the breakdown of which local authorities or agencies they are based in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13383/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department announced funding in January 2021 for up to 248 new posts in local authorities to support expansion of walking and cycling facilities all over the country. This increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8bn of funding committed for walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government. The additional staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting Active Travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight.

As of 1 January 2022 I can confirm that 117 additional staff have been recruited to work in Active Travel in local authorities across the country. In addition, 39 positions are currently ‘pending’, meaning interviews have either been completed or are ongoing, and the positions are expected to be filled shortly. Once these pending positions are filled, the total staff numbers will be 156. Recruitment processes are ongoing and it is expected that all the remaining positions will be filled in 2022.

It is important to note that there is strong competition for staff given the strength of the economy and the fact that COVID-19 has impacted the traditional movement of potential recruits around Europe.

Details of the current staffing levels dedicated to Active Travel are set out in the table below.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the establishment of regional cycle design offices; the number that have been established; the number of staff that are working in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13384/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department announced funding in January 2021 for up to 248 new posts in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. This increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8bn of funding committed for walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government. The additional staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting Active Travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight.

The National Transport Authority has been working closely with all the local authorities in the State to deliver the additional resourcing plan for Active Travel. Following discussions with the relevant stakeholders including my Department, the Local Government Management Agency, the County and City Management Association and the local authorities, it was decided that the new Active Travel staff would be located in each local authority rather than co-located in the Regional Cycle Design Offices as had been initially proposed.

As of 1 January 2022 I can confirm that 117 additional staff have been recruited to work in Active Travel in local authorities across the country. In addition, 39 positions are currently ‘pending’, meaning interviews have either been completed or are ongoing, and the positions are expected to be filled shortly. Once these pending positions are filled, the total staff numbers will be 156. Recruitment processes are ongoing and it is expected that all the remaining positions will be filled in 2022.

It is important to note that there is strong competition for staff given the strength of the economy and the fact that COVID-19 has impacted the traditional movement of potential recruits around Europe.

Details of the current staffing levels are set out in the table below.