Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has conducted any study or analysis to examine the effectiveness of cycle lanes constructed to date in increasing cycling rates across Dublin. [53331/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to achieving modal shift in transport and increasing the number of Active Travel journeys over the coming years. This is evidenced in both the commitments made under various policy documents including the Programme for Government, the Climate Action Plan and my Department's National Sustainable Mobility Plan (SMP), as well as the significant increase in funding for walking and cycling measures over the past six years.

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. They are also responsible for a number of studies and surveys aimed at assessing levels of modal shift towards walking and cycling in light of the recent increased investment in Active Travel.

In conjunction with the development of such infrastructure, the NTA carries out a Household Travel Survey annually in line with a requirement in my Department's SMP. The Survey is designed to provide a comprehensive picture of the daily travel patterns of Irish residents. The NTA also conducts the annual Canal Cordon survey which measures the mode share of vehicles and people crossing the canal into Dublin city centre.

Additionally, the Walking and Cycling Index is Ireland's largest assessment of walking, wheeling and cycling activity developed by the NTA and Sustrans. It gathers data through local information, modelling, and surveys of residents to understand usage, public support for active travel, and necessary infrastructure to encourage more walking and cycling. The index provides key insights that inform the NTA's Active Travel Investment Programme and help cities become more sustainable by reducing car reliance.

Finally, an upcoming study on the Benefits of Active Travel investment commissioned by the NTA should provide insights into the economic impact of such investment, inflation pressures and the wider benefits of funding for walking and cycling. This study is due to be published by year end.

Taken in tandem, these studies and surveys provide a comprehensive look at the impact of our investment in walking and cycling in recent years; however both the NTA and my Department are constantly seeking new opportunities to engage in such research and data-gathering with a view to strengthening our evidence base for investment decisions.