Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I will raise the matter with the Minister, Darragh O'Brien. Approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funds has been provided to TII for national roads in 2025. In line with the NDP and Government policy, TII has sought to allocate national road funding to local authorities in a manner which seeks to achieve the following key outcomes: protection and renewal of the existing national road network; progressing major projects in or near construction; and progressing major projects which are at an earlier stage of the development pipeline.

An allocation of approximately €6.6 million has been provided to Kilkenny County Council for national roads in 2025. A number of new roads projects which are included in the current NDP have already been delivered. This includes the N22 Ballyvourney-to-Macroom project, the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, the N5 from Westport to Turlough and the Moycullen and Listowel bypasses.

A review of the NDP is being undertaken and the outcome of that review will inform TII on the schemes to be progressed over the coming years, pending the availability of sufficient funding. The programme for Government commits to investing in all road projects in the current NDP. The programme for Government commits to increased funding for new roads as part of the NDP review and to the maintenance of existing roads. I will raise the matter with the Minister.

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