The funding is from the 2025 Budget set by the last government, so, not yet a clear indicator of how the new Government will fund active travel and greenways, but in a statement today, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, made supportive soundings of the €360 million yearly funding for walking and cycling.
The funding for the greenways today was made by Minister O’Brien (pictured), and his junior ministers, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer.
The figure is slightly down from the €72 million made available for 70 greenway projects in 2024 but within yearly variances. It’s in addition to the non-greenways active travel allocation of €293 million for 2025, which was announced just before the change of government.
Along with greenways, it includes National Roads Active Travel infrastructure through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). TII also administrates the greenway funding, while the main urban area active travel funding is allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA).
The Department of Transport said that it is expected that approximately 24km of greenways will be delivered in 2025. This includes further section openings expected on the Grand Canal Greenway and the South East Greenway, while work will continue on the South Kerry Greenway and other projects.
The Department further said that approximately 60 greenway projects in the planning and design stages will benefit from the funding. It listed examples as the Fingal Coastal Way, Limerick to Scarriff, Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway and the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway.
The two €67 million for the greenways and €293 million allocated for Active Travel projects follows the promise of €360 million in funding for walking and cycling in the previous government’s Programme for Government.
The Department of Transport press release said: “This combined allocation of €360 million for walking and cycling infrastructure in 2025 shows the Government’s continued commitment to safe, sustainable and healthy transport options.”
Minister O’Brien said: “The allocation of €360 million in 2025 for active travel and greenway infrastructure demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to expanding sustainable transport options. This funding will support the development of high-quality walking and cycling facilities in cities, towns, village and rural areas.”
“Today in Malahide, I am pleased to announce €67 million of this investment, which will help deliver key greenway projects all over the country. There is great excitement in my community as we anticipate the completion of the Broadmeadow Greenway in 2026 and look forward to the progression of the Fingal Coastal scheme north to Balbriggan,” he said.
Minister of State Canney said: “Greenways are safe and accessible transport corridors that encourage greater levels of travel by cycling and walking, rather than by private cars, for leisure users, tourists and commuters.”
He added: “The continued expansion of our walking and cycling network through Greenway and active travel infrastructure on our national roads is crucial in offering safe travel options to cyclists and pedestrians. It also contributes to our progress towards Vision Zero, our road safety strategy which sets out to achieve zero road fatalities or serious injuries by 2050.”
Minister of State Buttimer said: “Greenways have represented a tremendous success for rural Ireland showcasing our beautiful landscape, bringing visitors to overlooked areas and helping small local businesses to thrive.”
He added: “Greenways also provide an outdoor recreational facility that all members of the community can enjoy. I welcome today’s funding announcement for greenway projects and look forward to the delivery of new and expanded routes in the coming years.”
Peter Walsh, chief executive of TII, said: “The 2025 Greenway funding highlights the commitment of the Department of Transport and the Government to deliver active travel options throughout the country.”
He added: “TII, along with our Local Authority partners, will continue to deliver and progress these important Greenway Projects.”
| Transport Infrastructure IrelandGreenways and National Roads Active Travel Infrastructure Investment Grants2025 Allocations – Breakdown by Local Authority | |
| County | Allocation (€) |
| Cavan County Council | 330,000 |
| Clare County Council | 1,850,000 |
| Cork County Council | 6,970,000 |
| Donegal County Council | 4,370,000 |
| Fingal County Council | 750,000 |
| Galway City Council | 200,000 |
| Galway County Council | 3,500,000 |
| Kerry County Council | 8,250,000 |
| Kildare County Council | 4,200,000 |
| Kilkenny County Council | 1,700,000 |
| Laois County Council | 50,000 |
| Leitrim County Council | 1,700,000 |
| Limerick City and County Council | 1,150,000 |
| Longford County Council | 50,000 |
| Louth County Council | 610,000 |
| Mayo County Council | 4,600,000 |
| Meath County Council | 1,400,000 |
| Monaghan County Council | 2,050,000 |
| Offaly County Council | 855,000 |
| Roscommon County Council | 2,295,000 |
| Sligo County Council | 1,230,000 |
| South Dublin County Council | 2,150,000 |
| Tipperary County Council | 625,000 |
| Transport Infrastructure Ireland(contingency, studies and renewal works) | 8,000,000 |
| Waterford City and County Council | 1,000,000 |
| Westmeath County Council | 2,115,000 |
| Wexford County Council | 3,150,000 |
| Wicklow County Council | 1,650,000 |
| Grand Total | 66,800,000 |
Nothing for Dun Laoghaire Rathdown or Dublin City?
Surprising considering DLRCC tout the route from Cornelscourt to Cherrywood as a greenway. In my view it should be a separate cycle track and footpath rather than a shared surface as if it was out in the wilds of the Wicklow mountains rather than a suburban route with a large catchment area.
Their engineers were, however, steadfast because they don’t want to upset motorists more than the already are with the minimal interventions where it crosses through from Cabinteely park to Cornelscourt Hill.
Galway City Council seems really low for such a compact city?
Hi Sebastian, this funding is mainly for rural projects. Galway City was allocated a larger share of the urban active travel funding announcement separately.
Is €750K going to be enough for Fingal to complete the Royal Canal Greenway or do users have to continue to risk their lives by travelling on the towpath of the Deep Sinking. How many more years will this debacle run on for?
There is no planning permission yet for the Royal Canal Greenway, so, it will not be constructed. Going by similar projects, it will likely cost more than a few million and take at least two years to construct.