Written answers
Thursday, 13 February 2025
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Active Travel
Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a breakdown on active travel funding drawn down, broken down by local authority, in each year from 2020 to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5280/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to expand active travel in rural towns, villages and counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5281/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.
The Government is committed to the provision of improved and expanded walking and cycling infrastructure both in our urban centres and in towns and villages across Ireland. The Programme for Government has committed approximately €360 million per annum for the period 2021-2025 inclusive for walking and cycling infrastructure, the majority of which will be allocated to local authorities through the NTA’s Active Travel Infrastructure Programme. €290 million has been allocated to the Active Travel Programme alone in 2025.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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139. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on the bike schemes operating throughout the country; if he plans to expand those schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5282/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in support of public bike-sharing schemes in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. However, matters related to the day-to-day operations, management and expansion of these public bike schemes are primarily a matter for the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
In addition to the above, many local authorities independently enter into contracts or licence agreements directly with companies to provide shared mobility services, and it is my understanding that, outside of the cities, these companies are operating bike-sharing schemes in a range of counties including Carlow, Kilkenny, Meath, Wexford, Offaly, Westmeath and Sligo. While such schemes are not centrally funded, my Department published an advice note last year with the aim of supporting a best practice approach to the delivery of shared micro mobility services and to assist local authorities in their engagement with private operators on issues such as, but not limited to, safety, data-sharing, infrastructure, parking, operations, charging and monitoring. The advice note is available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ffba4-advice-note-for-local-authorities-shared-micromobility-services/.
Given the NTA's role in overseeing the public bike schemes in the regional cities, I have referred your request for a report to the Authority . If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
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