Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts, 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TIl, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP.

The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key national strategic outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national roads projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others. Approximately €491 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2023. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TIl on 16 February 2023.

In the context of the national roads programme capital budget, which is provided by the Department to TIl, significant funding has been provided towards the improvement of the N71 since 1994, funding a variety of improvement schemes. Regarding the N71 between Bandon and Clonakilty, there is a proposed scheme to extend the existing Bandon relief road. The proposed relief road extension would involve bridging the R603 to remove the steep gradient and the construction of approximately 2.5 km of a new single carriageway, tying back into the existing N71, just to the west of the town. Some €150,000 was allocated for this project in 2023. A public consultation has been held and procurement of technical advisers is ongoing to advance the scheme based on the feedback received.

On the Deputy's query on the N71 Newmills to Owenahincha road realignment scheme, it aims to improve the safety of this section of the N71 and to provide for active travel options. A public consultation was held by Cork County Council in October 2022 as part of the option selection process. A procurement of technical advisers is ongoing to advance the scheme based on the feedback received.

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