Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the N17 national primary route in line with Government policy as set out in the national planning framework and Project Ireland 2040. As he will be aware, I am answering today on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Ryan, who unfortunately cannot be here in person.

The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in regard to 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 NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII, 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. Approximately €491 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in the current year. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on 16 February 2023.

The N17 Knock to Collooney scheme has been identified in the NDP. TII has worked to progress this scheme through planning, design and construction. The Minister, Deputy Ryan, met recently with Sligo County Council on a number of issues and this project was one of the topics discussed at the meeting. I can confirm €400,000 has been allocated for the N17 Knock to Collooney scheme in 2023. The close out of the route option selection reporting is ongoing and an emerging preferred transport corridor is expected to be completed in quarter 3 of 2023. Additional tasks, including traffic modelling and reporting, are also ongoing. As with the national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024. The scheme remains part of the NDP and will be considered in terms of the overall funding available to TII in future years.

There is a commitment of €400,000 for this calendar year. It is vital that in the interests of the taxpayer and, in particular, road users and people who are used to travelling on a road that is not safe, when funding is invested that people get the benefit of that funding and the scheme is continued in the coming years.

The proposed project assists in the delivery of high-quality road networks on the Atlantic corridor, linking Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo. It is important that projects in the programme for Government are implemented during the lifetime of this Government. That is a Government decision and not a decision for any particular group within the Government. These programme for Government commitments are Government commitments involving all three parties.

The project provides enhanced regional accessibility and access to international markets via the airport in Knock. Through the provision of improved infrastructure, the project will support commercial growth and investment in the area, including the Knock Airport strategic development zone. I know the Deputy is very keen to ensure that happens for the development of the region. This particular road project will involve counties Sligo and Mayo.

The proposed project will remove traffic from a number of towns and villages, which will have positive social and environmental impacts on local residents. Road users will benefit from improved journey times and certainty and, in addition, the project provides an opportunity to introduce active transport facilities and encourage physical activity in the area.

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