€67 million for Ireland's Greenways in 2025

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister of State Seán Canney and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer have announced €67 million in funding for Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2025. This allocation is dedicated to developing walking and cycling facilities that offer safe, sustainable and healthier transportation options to communities.  

It is expected that approximately 24km of Greenways will be delivered in 2025. Further section openings are expected on the Grand Canal Greenway and the South East Greenway, and work will continue on the South Kerry Greenway and on other projects located across the country. 

This allocation will also be used to fund approximately 60 Greenway schemes to move through the planning and design stages. These include the Fingal Coastal Way, Limerick to Scarriff, Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway and the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway. 

The allocation will also be used to enable delivery of active travel infrastructure on national roads, and to progress the National Cycle Network which identifies 3,500 km of cycling corridors around the country linking cities and towns. 

This allocation of €67 million for the Greenways programme is in addition to approximately €293 million allocated to fund the Active Travel programme, announced by the NTA in January 2025.The Active Travel programme supports a range of walking and cycling schemes including improved pedestrian environments, new segregated cycling lanes, pedestrian and cycling bridges, and pedestrian crossings. 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. 

Announcing the Greenway Allocations, 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.” 

Minister of State Seán 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. 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 Jerry 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. 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. TII along with our Local Authority partners will continue to deliver and progress these important Greenway Projects.”