Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department realised a number of transport-related policy achievements and new transport initiatives in Waterford during 2023.

Active Travel

My Department funded a wide range of active travel projects last year with over 35 individual projects receiving funding throughout the year, with notable projects including –

• Bilberry to Waterford City Centre Greenway;
• Dungarvan to Youghal Pathfinder Project with a public consultation on the study area and route corridors expected later this month;
• Safe Routes to School, with two projects completed at Garranbane National School in Dungarvan and Our Lady of Mercy National School in Stradbally;
• Waterford Greenway: asset renewal and improvement works, including re-pointing of parapet walls at Kilmacthomas viaduct and minor realignment works at Killoteran and
• Waterford Sustainable Transport Bridge.

In total just over €21million was provided by my Department through its agencies to support the local authority’s active travel and greenway programme in 2023.

National Roads

Waterford County & City Council (WCCC) received an allocation of €4,901,490 for the National Roads programme. This included €4,550,123 for Capital Investment (Protection & Renewal and Active Travel) and €351,367 for Current Maintenance – (Protection and Renewal). There are also two projects related to Waterford in the National Development Plan:

• the N24 Waterford to Cahir and;
• the N25 Waterford to Glenmore.

Public Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in County Waterford, I have referred the Deputy’s question in relation to those to the NTA for a direct reply on these matters. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Regional & Roads

Under the Regional and Local Roads Grants Programme, WCCC was allocated approximately €19.7 million. Under this programme, grant funding is provided to supplement local authorities’ own resources, for the maintenance and improvement of the Regional and Local Road network. The majority of this funding was allocated to road maintenance and renewal.

Beyond the extensive protection and renewal works carried out, a number of additional projects were progressed in Waterford in 2023, namely:

• Works on Rice Bridge (a Specific Improvement Grant).
• Nine schemes under the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works Programme.
• Thirteen bridges under the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme.
• Fourteen schemes under the Safety Improvement Works Programme.