Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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246. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when a project (details supplied) will be completed and opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60858/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The Project referred to in the Question is a very significant initiative. It will support communities, and create exciting opportunities for recreation and ways to experience interesting places from new perspectives.

Waterways Ireland obtained planning permission for the Project including the canal side works and the roadside works from Lowtown to Athy.  Kildare County Council is the Project Manager for the Project and is responsible for overall project delivery.

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; and

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

Waterways Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the canal side works elements only and have completed 29.9km of the towpath. This equates to 83% of the overall towpath being developed. A further 5.9km is currently under construction with a target completion date of Q2 2023.

The roadside works elements are being undertaken by Kildare County Council who will be responsible for delivery of ancillary infrastructure including signage and visitor facilities. A report from Kildare County Council is currently being finalised setting out these requirements, with implementation planned for 2023.

Project updates are published regularly by Kildare County Council on its website.  

The target completion date for the remaining works is Q2 2023.