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

I thank the Deputy for his question.

Approximately €411 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2024. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on 22 February 2024.

With regard to the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction scheme, I am pleased to confirm that €650,000 was allocated to this project in 2024, which will enable it to progress through the design and environmental evaluation phase. This will enable the preparation of a preliminary business case for the scheme, which will then be brought to Government for a decision at approval gate 1 of the infrastructure guidelines.

TII has indicated that it may be possible to submit this business case before the end of the year.

This project will enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford. It will also provide the opportunity to provide better connectivity with public transport through direct access to the train stations in Cahir and Limerick Junction. It is also important to point out that it includes a bypass of Tipperary town, which will improve the quality of life for residents in line with the Government's town centre first policy and promote compact growth, which is a national strategic outcome under the national planning framework.

The other project mentioned by the Deputy, the N24 Waterford to Cahir project, was not among the projects identified as part of the initial 2024 allocations. However, a commitment has been made to fund the project to the end of the options selection stage, which will allow for the selection of a preferred route and TII has made funding available to complete that process. I assure the Deputy that the project remains part of the national development plan and will be considered for funding in future years.

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