As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the allocation of funding at local authority level as well as the oversight of development and delivery of individual projects.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment is to support high quality walking and cycling infrastructure, for everyday trips in villages, towns and cities with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel. Investment in active travel across the country, including in Cork City, has remained at a consistently high level in recent years with over €290 million in funding provided to the NTA this year alone. Of the €290 million, just over €27 million has been allocated for walking and cycling infrastructure to Cork City Council in 2026.
Given the ramping up of activities over the last few years in the Active Travel area, the number of projects being progressed now exceeds the level of funding made available to the NTA. Accordingly, the NTA is unable to fully fund all proposed Active Travel projects and has to prioritise certain projects over others in order to remain within its allocated budget. While a project may not be selected by the NTA for funding in a particular year, it may be funded in subsequent years.
As part of the allocations determination, the NTA liaises with each local authority to fully understand the projects being proposed by the local authority and its considerations in terms of priorities. €140,000 was allocated to the Kerry Pike Pedestrian Scheme in 2026, and the local authority should continue to communicate with the NTA in relation to budget management as the project progresses.
