Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the underuse of the 2022 Active Travel budget according to figures released by the National Transport Authority; if analysis has been carried out of its under-utilisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government has committed to an investment of approximately €360 million per annum in cross-Government funding for walking and cycling up to 2025. This includes the Active Travel Programme delivered by the National Transport Authority, as well as TII's Greenways Programme and other smaller infrastructure and behavioural change interventions across my Department and other Departments.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. As mentioned above, funding is administered through the NTA, who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.

In 2022, just under €290 million was allocated to the NTA’s Active Travel Infrastructure programme. This funding was allocated across all local authorities in Ireland, with over 1,000 active projects providing improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. While a number of issues slowed delivery in 2021 leading to an underspend, these were addressed in 2022 leading to the successful investment of all allocated funding on Active Travel projects. The NTA and local authorities managed to achieve, and indeed exceed, delivery and spending targets with almost €310 million invested in walking and cycling infrastructure projects in 2022.

In order to mitigate any potential for underspend and meet the €290m target, the NTA over-allocated to each local authority by a significant amount based on their experience and view of credible projects for delivery. Over-allocation will continue in 2023 but to a lesser amount, due to the increase in delivery pace and the progress of a number of projects to construction and finalization stage this year, leading to more certainty of target achievement.

Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the 2023 Active Travel budget and current data on uptake by local authorities, campuses and hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14442/23]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the 2023 Active Travel budget and resources to support uptake and implementation by local authorities, campuses and hospitals. [14443/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

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.

With regard to the resources provided to Local Authorities to assist in the development and implementation of selected projects, my Department previously announced funding for up to 248 new posts in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. Following discussions with local authorities and the National Transport Authority (NTA), I wrote to the County and City Management Association (CCMA) in January 2021 confirming an allocation of a higher figure of 282 posts around the country. This figure was subsequently revised once again in April 2021 to 320 posts, given the required increase in capacity particularly in local authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities which did not previously have an Active Travel Programme in place.

As of 1 March 2023, 241 of these positions have been filled in local authorities around the country. Recruitment has been slow due to a number of factors including shortages in the labour market, however my Department is monitoring this closely, together with the NTA. This significant increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8 billion in funding committed to 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.

Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed reply in relation to the 2023 Active Travel budget uptake. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.