Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP.

The Government has earmarked €5.1 billion for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key national strategic outcomes. The Senator is right about relief roads. I recently travelled to Macroom to open a dementia café and that town has had a bypass built. The difference it has made is phenomenal. There is less congestion and a faster journey for people who do not have to go through Macroom. Approximately €411 million of Exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2024. In total, almost €15 million in Exchequer funding has been allocated to Galway County Council in 2024.

On the Senator's specific point, a funding application has been made by Galway County Council in relation to the N83 Baile Chláir-Claregalway relief road. This project is aimed at removing through traffic from the village and improving the environment for residents and visitors in the village centre. The project will include the construction of a new bridge over the River Clare. Production and submission of the project outline document is awaited from Galway County Council. This document will set out the issues and identify a range of potential solutions in line with the national investment framework for transport in Ireland and Government policy. In the meantime, funding of €500,000 has been made available in 2024 to progress drainage, pavement and safety works on the N83 within the town.