Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for her question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members of the House today on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I thank the Senator for articulating so well the unintended consequences of reopening the Limerick to Foynes railway line, which runs at the rear of the houses at the Glencairn and Ballycummin estates. I am delighted to hear that the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, went there with the Senator to understand the issue. This is everyday living for many communities, families and children trying to navigate that particular issue.

I understand that the Senator's question relates to the current funding allocations for the protection and renewal of the national, regional and local road network, with a particular emphasis on the Limerick city and county region, along with a query about the Limerick to Foynes railway line.

The Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing road network. The construction and operation of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Ireland's road network spans over 102,000 km and so requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient. This year, €444 million was allocated to national roads projects while an additional €658 million was allocated to regional and local roads. Of this funding, Limerick City and County Council is in receipt of over €37 million for national roads as well as over €38 million to fulfil the council's statutory responsibilities in maintaining its local and regional road network. This €38 million is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities' own resources.

Due to the vast scale of the network, the Department of Transport employs an array of grant types to target investment. Within the budget available, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain their networks. The allocation of the three biggest Exchequer grant types for regional and local roads is based on the length of road within a local authority’s area, with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas. In this regard, Limerick receives an equitable share of State funding.

Regarding the noise issues along the Limerick to Foynes railway line in the Glencairn and Ballycummin areas close to the M20, it has been identified as a hot spot for further assessment in Limerick City and Council's noise action plan. TII had a role in the implementation of noise mitigation measures during the construction stage of the M20, with the installation of sound barriers required at certain points on the route. TII also has a role in the environmental noise regulations for the preparation of noise maps for major national roads to assist local authorities developing noise action plans. However, the development of noise action plans and the provision of sound barriers and other mitigation measures are matters for the individual local authorities. I understand that Limerick City and County Council has undertaken to make information on the progress of its noise action plan publicly available and to keep residents' groups informed.

The Minister of Transport recognises the importance of funding provided for the renewal and protection of the road network. The main issue the Senator is raising today relates to the problems with the noise these residents are enduring every day of the week. As the Minister's answer makes very clear, that is a matter for Limerick City and County Council.