To ask the Minister for Infrastructure (i) for her assessment of the findings in the Northern Ireland Audit Office report on Active Travel in Northern Ireland; and (ii) to detail the actions she will take to ensure active travel spend is used wisely to deliver active travel projects.

With respect to the Member’s first question, I welcome the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report into active travel in Northern Ireland. I can confirm that the report will be considered very carefully and a response to the recommendations will be provided in line with the established process.

With respect to the second question, my department has taken a number of important steps in recent years to increase capacity to support the effective delivery of active travel projects. This work has included the development of a draft Active Travel Delivery Plan, including proposed network plans for our major towns and cities. Officials are currently reviewing responses to a public consultation on that plan with a view to publishing the final plan later this year. When complete, the Active Travel Delivery Plan will complement the Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan and Strategic Plan for Greenways to provide a firm basis for the prioritisation and delivery of active travel infrastructure for the next ten years and beyond.

Other steps that have been taken include filling key posts within the Active Travel team and increasing supply chain capacity to facilitate an increased future delivery pipeline. My officials will continue to work diligently to ensure robust financial governance arrangements are in place for the delivery of active travel projects.