Funding has been secured for four greenway projects in Ireland.

The schemes, in Kildare, Meath, Longford and Westmeath, were awarded funding by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Mr. Shane Ross TD.

He said: "It has recently been brought to my attention that some funding awarded to projects under the National Cycle Network funding call of 2014 would not be fully drawn down in 2016. I have been examining a number of other 'shovel-ready' projects that would be in a position to utilise this funding in 2016 and am pleased to now announce funding for three projects in four counties that have planning permission in place. I am confident that the projects in Longford and Westmeath will be finished by the end of this year whilst the project in Kildare and Meath will be finished by the end of 2017.

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"Funding the Kildare and Meath sections of the Galway to Dublin Greenway shows my Department's commitment to the medium-term goal of completing this coast to coast greenway. Whilst I understand the concerns raised regarding the preferred route in Galway that led to the pausing of the planning for the route west of the Shannon, the time is now right to continue construction of this project east of the Shannon and ensure that progress is maintained."

(CD)