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

As I have said previously, once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, 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 2023. These allocations were announced by the Department and TII on 16 February 2023.

The N17 Knock to Collooney scheme has been identified in the national development plan. TII has been working to progress this scheme through planning, design and construction. I met Sligo County Council recently on a number of issues, as has the Minister for Transport. This project was one of the topics that was discussed. I can confirm that €400,000 has been allocated for the N17 Knock to Collooney scheme in 2023.

An emerging preferred transport corridor was released earlier this year, with a period of public consultation taking place thereafter. Finalisation of route selection following feedback and public consultation is under way by TII and is expected to be completed in the near future. Additional tasks, including traffic modelling and reporting, are also ongoing. As I have said previously, as with all national roads projects in the national development plan, the delivery programme for 2024 and the funding allocations will be made later this year. The scheme remains a key part of the national development plan and will be considered as part of the overall funding envelope made available next year and in future years.

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