Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided for footpaths to each of the 31 local authorities in each of the past five years; the distance of footpaths covered with this funding in each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37406/25]

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.

Investment in Active Travel infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA this year alone for the delivery of new footpaths and cycle lanes and the protection and renewal of existing active travel infrastructure.

While funding for the maintenance of active travel infrastructure, which is a current funding stream, was not secured in Budget 2025 due to a high level of competing demands both within the Department of Transport and across Government, Department officials are working to identify alternative funding streams which could be utilised for this important purpose and will continue to seek funding as part of the annual estimates process.

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.

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.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on additional funding to meet the possible cost of the acquisition of a new boat for Cahore Inshore Rescue, and other plans for funding for similar voluntary bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37414/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Department of Transport provides annual maintenance grants to the Community Rescue Boats of Ireland to support day to day running costs of those organisations. The Community Rescue Boats of Ireland, of which Cahore Inshore Rescue is a member, are Search And Rescue (SAR) organisations declared to the Irish Coast Guard with governing Service Level Agreements between them and the Coast Guard. Each one receives a set annual maintenance grant which is currently under review. This review, which is at the final stages, is being conducted in the context of an unchanged grant amount for a number of years and the improved safety and assurance standards required of SAR operators under the recently published IRCG Rescue Boat Guidelines.

In relation to the acquisition of a new rescue boat for Cahore Inshore Rescue, the Department of Transport does not have any other grant mechanism outside of the annual maintenance grant scheme to support such a project.