Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads.

As outlined in the 2024 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 15th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.

Irelands regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. As such, €658 million was allocated to Regional and Local Road Grants in 2024, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works. This represents an overall grant funding allocation increase of 5%.

As part of the 2023–24 European windstorm season, Ireland experienced several severe weather events, most noticeably Storm Babet, causing considerable damage to the regional and local road network.

Prompt restoration of our roads and bridges is essential to maintain social and economic connectivity as well as enabling safer journeys. For this reason, at the end of 2023, Cork County Council was allocated an additional €350,000 to enable immediate repairs to key and lifeline routes. The Department has engaged with Cork County Council to attempt to quantify the costs of the damage caused by Storm Babet.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities are providing damage assessments and estimated repair costs. To date submissions from Cork have indicated significant damage to their respective regional and local road and bridge networks. Repair works will be conducted over a time and are restricted by additional factors such availability of external resources such as materials, labour and engineering expertise.

In the Regional and Local roads grants allocations 2024, an amount of €22.5m is to be allocated to severe weather repairs in affected local authorities. Cork County Council was allocated €13m from Department of Transport in 2024 for emergency repairs on Regional and Local Road Network following the impacts of Storm Babet.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the design, planning, construction, operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

In 2024, approximately €411m in exchequer capital funding was allocated for the development of new national roads and for the protection and renewal of the existing network. Of that, approximately €55m has been allocated by TII to Cork County Council.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.