Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department are taking to provide a dedicated maintenance budget to each local authority to maintain active travel infrastructure, with special reference to footpaths, as promised in the Programme for Government; when this dedicated budget is likely to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38420/25]

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 protection and renewal of existing active travel infrastructure and delivery of new footpaths and cycle lanes.

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.