Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question on this project, which I know is of real interest to him. Approximately €411 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through Transport Infrastructure Ireland to local authorities this year. Of this, approximately €57 million was included for both Cork city and county to advance the roads projects in the region. I am pleased to advise that an allocation of €300,000 has been made available for the Mallow relief road. This scheme consists of a bypass of Mallow with the objective of removing east-west traffic from the town centre. This will provide increased scope for development and public realm improvements in Mallow town centre, greatly benefiting residents. As such, the project is in line with the Government’s commitment to promoting compact growth in our cities and towns, which is also a national strategic outcome.

The preferred route option for the scheme was identified last year and following this a public consultation took place. The project is currently in the design and environmental evaluation phase. The funding of €300,000 provided as part of the 2024 allocations will now allow the project to be progressed through the planning and design process.

Cork County Council has mobilised the technical advisers for the project and is reviewing the status of environmental surveys and other preparatory works previously carried out to support a planning application. This review will establish if information collated to date is still valid and if further work may be required to support the planning application. While the review has not yet been completed, it is hoped it will be possible to complete a preliminary business case in 2025, as is required under the infrastructure guidelines, along with an application for planning permission next year. I look forward to seeing this project advance over the next number of years.

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