Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this issue. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members on behalf of the Minister for Transport.

I understand that Deputy Stanton's questions relate to State funding provided to Cork County Council for emergency repairs of roads and bridges following Storm Babet, with a particular emphasis on the east Cork region.

As Deputy Stanton is aware, Ireland has already experienced several severe weather events this winter, including Storm Babet. Heavy rainfall associated with this event led to widespread flooding in certain areas. Unfortunately, saturated ground conditions and high river levels compounded flooding events, particularly in the south of the country. Consequently, there is significant damage to parts of the national, regional and local road networks.

It takes time to assess the impact of a storm event on the road network. Clean-up activities take precedence, and it is only when river levels recede that a full assessment of damage to bridge infrastructures can be determined. Indeed, the full extent of the damage following Storm Babet in mid-October is only becoming wholly apparent now. Some roads remain impassable and some bridges are still out of commission.

The Department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and Cork County Council are working closely together to identify and assess the damage, and thereafter to plan appropriate remedial action and determine estimated costs of repair.

Prompt restoration of the road network is essential from a safety perspective as well as maintaining key social and economic connections. As such, Cork County Council has begun some emergency rehabilitation works and the Department of Transport has reprioritised funding to provide the council with €350,000 to facilitate the opening of some key roads for access to schools and communities.

Unfortunately, as all regional and local road grants are fully allocated for 2023 there was little additional scope for extra funding for emergency works from this year's programme.

At this point, it is important to highlight that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from the council's own resources, supplemented by State road grants, while the construction and operation of national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. I understand that Cork County Council has been in contact with TII regarding the impact of Storm Babet on the national road network, and that TII is currently reviewing the matter.

The Department of Transport emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage events such as severe flooding and storms. That being said, due to the severity of Storm Babet, some local authorities, including Cork County Council, have sought additional financial assistance to carry out their duties as road authorities. The Minister for Transport is conscious that significant action is required to restore our critical road infrastructure to active use. He is committed to giving due consideration to repair and rehabilitation funding requirements as part of the 2024 regional and local road grant allocations process. It is expected that these road grants will be issued in early 2024.

In summary, the Minister for Transport recognises the requirement for a prompt restoration of the road network. It is vital for safety as well as providing a high level of service and maintaining social and economic connectivity. In 2024, the Minister for Transport is committed to assisting Cork County Council, where possible from within resources, in managing essential repair works, especially the opening of key roads and bridges, as well as investing in future-proofing our road networks to help reduce the probability of such damage reoccurring.

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