Dáil Debates & Questions January 2017

Dáil Debates & Questions January 2017

(1)            Greenways Provision Kerry – 17 January 2017

1530. Deputy Alan Kelly     asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport     when the Glenbeigh to Reenard greenway will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41189/16]
1531. Deputy Alan Kelly     asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport     the amount of funding he has spent on greenways in 2016; if he will provide a breakdown in this regard; his plans to provide funding to greenways in 2017; and the locations of same. [41192/16]

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross):     I propose to take Questions Nos. 1530 and 1533 together.

Under the National Cycle Network (NCN) Funding Programme 2014-2016, €3,458,281 was awarded to Kerry County Council for the construction of the Glenbeigh to Renard greenway.  I understand that this project has experienced significant challenges in terms of costs, planning, engineering and engagement with local landowners which has resulted in the delay in delivering the project within the timeframe of the funding programme.  The focus to date has been on progressing the planning and design elements of the route.  My Department officials will continue to liaise with Kerry County Council regarding the future development of the project.

​My Department is developing a new Strategy on Greenways to underpin the future development and funding of greenways. The proposed Strategy will include the approach to be taken by authorities and agencies tasked with delivering greenway infrastructure where engagement and consultation with landowners is required and, when finalised, will inform the approach to be taken to progress delivery of the South Kerry Greenway. The Department will undertake a public consultation process in the near future to inform the development of the new Greenways Strategy and all interested parties will have the opportunity to submit their views on such issues during the public consultation process.

​Details of funding claimed and paid by my Department to local authorities for greenway infrastructure in 2016 are set out in the attached table.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the delivery of greenway infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) in co-operation with the relevant local authorities. In light of its role in this regard, I have forwarded your question to the NTA to provide you with the relevant 2016 figures for the GDA.  If you have not received the requested information from the NTA within 10 working days please contact my office.

Funding for greenways infrastructure from 2017 onwards will be considered in the context of the new Greenways Strategy.  The Programme for Partnership Government commits to making additional funding available for greenways and I will be pursuing this in the context of the  mid-term review of the Capital Plan which is planned for later this year.

National Cycle Network Funding Programme 2014- 2016 (2016 expenditure)

(2) Afforestation Programme – On Commonages – 24/1/17

255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae     asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine     his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the planting of forestry on a commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3446/17]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed):     Commonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must give their consent to the application.  Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.

All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.  In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site.  National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC.  Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.

Afforestation Programme

256. Deputy Brendan Griffin     asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine     his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding planting a commonage with forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3462/17]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed):     Commonage land is not automatically excluded from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes. However, all shareholders must be identified and each must  give their consent to the application.  Further information on ownership and commonages may be obtained from Section 3 the Forestry Schemes Manual.

All applications for Afforestation are subjected to a screening process to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required.  In some cases, applications will be screened for an appropriate assessment to ascertain if there could be a potential adverse impact on a designated Natura 2000 site.  National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be requested to provide their observations, particularly when a proposed site is close to a SAC.  Any restrictions would depend on many factors, such as the location, size and type of site, and information received during the consultation process.