Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progression of safety and traffic management measures on the N25 between Midleton and Carrigtwohill, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15464/26]

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am taking this parliamentary question on behalf of Deputy Noel McCarthy.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this project on behalf of Deputy McCarthy, which I know is of great importance to him. The Minister for Transport has overall responsibility for the allocation of Exchequer funding for national roads. As part of the annual allocation process for national roads, TII prepares the booklet for funding for each project for the year. We announced this year's allocation last week. Approximately €139 million in Exchequer funding was allocated to Cork County Council for national roads in 2026. This represents an increase of over €66 million for Cork County Council when compared to last year, and will help to progress a number of major national road projects such as the M28 and N25. I know Deputy O'Shea has been advocating a greater increase in funding for Cork.

I am pleased to confirm that Cork County Council's allocation also includes €500,000 to enable of the progression of the Carrigtwohill to Midleton project, which has been paused at the route options selection phase since 2021 due to funding constraints. This project consists of an upgrade and realignment of approximately 5 km of the N25 dual carriageway from Carrigtwohill to Midleton. It will separate local and strategic traffic, and deliver upgraded junctions. Most important, it will improve safety for all road users on the N25 between Carrigtwohill and Midleton. Those of us who use that road know that it has become very congested and popular.

In addition, over the past number of years, TII has provided funding to Cork County Council for identifying smaller, more localised interventions on this section of the N25, including €100,000 this year for junction safety improvements. These are badly needed and we would all welcome them. While interventions on this section have proven challenging due to the number of access points, limited land in public ownership and budgetary constraints, one measure that has been developed and proposed by Cork County Council is at Milebush, where it is hoped to provide improved access by utilising lands owned by the local authority. I hope that will be progressed this year.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The current stretch of the N25 national route between Carrigtwohill and Midleton remains a safety issue. The configuration of the road is dangerous. There are frequent accidents, some of which have been fatal. TII's collision analysis has confirmed the collision rate for the route is above average. Low standard junctions, medium crossings and direct access points to the road for properties are not encouraging safe travel. At peak times, it is not unusual to see traffic on two busy lanes travelling at high speed. I acknowledge that TII has recently confirmed funding of €500,000 for the Carrigtwohill to Midleton route. While I appreciate that TII is the authority tasked with planning, design and construction of individual national roads, will the Minister of State please advise what the latest funding will be allocated for? Is it the intention that the junction will remove dangerous median crossings at Ballyrichard and Water-rock? Will they be closed? Any additional information the Minister of State can provide would be welcome.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Shea, speaking on behalf of Deputy McCarthy, is right that the N25 is an important road. It is the road to Rosslare Europort and funnels traffic into Cork city. As I said, the interventions for junction safety on the N25 are a matter for Cork County Council in this case. It will identify the points the Deputy has outlined and the need for enhanced safety measures to be taken. Funding has been allocated to it. The important point for our Department is that this road has had a number of accidents and fatalities. We have allocated resources to the council to ensure we can have the on-ramp, off-ramp, access points and egress improved.

I will take the points the Deputy made back to Cork County Council and back to the NTA on behalf of Deputy McCarthy because it is about ensuring that road is safe. We have already seen a huge allocation of resources to the improvement of the road at the tunnel. This will further augment the work being done there.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I note that the N25 Carrigtohill to Midleton project was included in the latest national development plan review, which was published in November, as one of the roads projects to be advanced for future construction. It is, however, currently lagging behind the proposed upgrade to the Midleton to Youghal section of the N25 as no tendering or construction date has commenced or is yet outlined for the Carrigtohill to Midleton section. The situation is likely to worsen in future with thousands of housing units currently under development at Water Rock and more proposed for Midleton. This will put additional pressure on the already overburdened junction at the Lakeview roundabout in Midleton. This roundabout was upgraded with a slip road in 2019, which has made some difference. However, the whole design of the roundabout is no longer fit for purpose given the traffic volumes currently. Can the Minister confirm if the upgrade to the Lakeview roundabout will be progressed as one of the additional interventions proposed at the N25 Midleton to Youghal route? I am sure Deputy McCarthy will welcome any progress.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Government with the NTA and the council have allocated funding. This is a very important route. Living in and being from Cork, I recognise the volume of traffic has increased, and the number of accidents has increased. It is a priority for us in government. That is why we have allocated money after having had a pause. I will take the areas the Deputy mentioned back to Cork County Council because the issues he raised are a matter for the council in the main. I will articulate the views of Deputy McCarthy to the council. I will make the point to Deputy O'Shea that we have allocated €139 million in Exchequer funding to Cork County Council for national roads this year, which is an increase. I hope that as part of that allocation of funding, we will see the route and the junctions the Deputy mentioned are addressed by the council.