Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the future of the active travel programme for local authorities in view of the reduced allocation for 2023, particularly for Tipperary County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8948/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. Funding levels to particular local authorities can vary year-on-year as projects proceed through the various stages of planning, design and construction.

The Programme for Government committed to cross-Government spending of around €360 million per annum for walking and cycling throughout the lifetime of the Government. This includes investment in Active Travel, Greenways and other outdoor recreation measures.

A high level of investment has been committed to Active Travel infrastructure projects specifically in recent years with €290 million being made available in 2023 to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the delivery of approximately 1,200 walking and cycling projects across Ireland. 2023 funding is in line with the 2022 allocation of €289 million.

This constitutes a significant increase on investment levels even a few years ago, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. Just four years later we are seeing over six times as much funding dedicated to making walking and cycling infrastructure safer and better connected than ever before.

To this end, we have also invested in resources to increase local authority capacity to deliver these projects. Over 200 additional staff have been recruited since 2021 across local authority to work on the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure, and recruitment is ongoing.

Additionally, where historically we invested heavily in Active Travel projects in the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities, 2021 saw an expansion of the Active Travel programme to include the 22 local authorities outside these areas under the National Transport Authority’s Rural Active Travel Programme. In 2022, this funding was mainstreamed and the NTA’s overall Active Travel Programme now sees significant investment in each of Ireland’s local authorities, ensuring that walking and cycling are increasingly becoming viable options for both our rural and urban population.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation to specific funding for Tipperary County Council. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.