Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.

Investment in Active Travel infrastructure, including footpaths, has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA for such projects last year. While the majority of this funding is dedicated to the development and construction of new walking and cycling infrastructure, just under €40 million was earmarked at the start of 2023 for protection and renewal of existing footpaths and cycle lanes and a similar level of funding looks likely to be allocated for this purpose in 2024.

To reiterate, however, it is the responsibility of the NTA to allocate the capital funding for active travel to projects they deem most likely to have a positive impact on modal shift, therefore the local authorities should, and do, work closely with the NTA to identify such projects.

Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.

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.

As the pipeline of projects seeking funding under the Active Travel (AT) Programme continues to grow, we are now moving into a period of project prioritisation, where funding will be focused on areas where it will have the greatest impact on the primary purpose of AT, which is modal shift away from private cars.

While this may favour projects in urban areas, there is no requirement that funding must be spent in larger towns and cities and viable projects in commuter towns and villages can also be considered by the NTA for inclusion in their Active Travel Programme.

I will bring this matter to the attention of the NTA for their consideration in the allocation of AT funding to projects that encourage modal shift and I would also encourage Local Authorities to engage directly with the NTA in this regard.

Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.