Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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113. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of delays in the roll-out of the school mobility programme in the administrative area of Dublin City Council due to staff shortages; if he will sanction the recruitment of two walking and cycling officers to join the school mobility team of this council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25338/23]

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.

Given the significant increase in investment in Active Travel infrastructure around the country in recent years, my Department has allocated funding towards the employment of dedicated Active Travel staff in each local authority. Funding is available for the recruitment of up to 340, with varying levels of staff allocations across local authorities depending on the size of their work programme. As of end March 2023, approximately 240 of these roles have been filled.

Efforts to fill positions have been hampered by factors which are out of the control of my Department and the other organisations involved, such as shortages in the labour market particularly in urban areas. The NTA have notified me that in some areas, including Dublin City Council, this is having a detrimental impact on delivery of certain projects.

To this end, my Department continues to liaise with our colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who provide sanction to local authorities to recruit staff, as well as with the NTA, who in turn are working with all local authorities including Dublin City Council, with a view to addressing these issues.