Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Costello for raising this matter. The Government is committed to preserving our existing roads network. This is demonstrated through the Department of Transport's provision of regular grant funding to eligible local authorities.

By statute, local authorities are responsible for the maintenance and improvement of the regional and local roads present in their respective areas of responsibility. Any work undertaken on these roads is funded by the resources of the local authority concerned and, where eligible, this is supplemented by the Department of Transport's regional and local roads grant programme. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities. Our regional and local roads play a critical role in supporting economic activity and community links. As a result, the regional and local roads grant programme is primarily targeted at the maintenance and renewal of our existing roads network, with the remainder invested in new road projects, the rehabilitation of bridges, climate adaptation and safety improvements. The funds available through this programme have been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2026, €718 million was made available, which will facilitate an increase of €26 million for road protection and renewal throughout Ireland.

I come to the core of the issue the Senator raised. The design manual for urban roads and streets, DMURS, was jointly prepared by the Department of Transport and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2013. It places well-designed streets at the centre of our communities by supporting broader environmental, planning and transport objectives. It promotes highly connected, attractive and safe streets that encourage walking and cycling, support vibrant communities, and use design measures to calm traffic and create a safer, more people-focused environment.

DMURS is a living document and is updated as required. A review of it was undertaken in May 2019, with many chapters amended. In addition to this review, six advice notes have been prepared on various aspects, such as transition zones, materials and specifications, geometric design and quality audits. The most recent advice notes on urban drainage and junction tightening were prepared in 2023. This year, work commenced on a review of all minimum standards, guidelines and regulations that apply to the public transport network where it interacts with the built environment, including DMURS, as part of the national human rights strategy for disabled people.

The Department of Transport has prepared a programme for the review of DMURS - which is what the Senator is talking about - alongside other standards and guidelines that apply to the public transport network where it interacts with associated built environment with regard to accessibility. The first meeting took place in March 2026 and included members of disabled persons' organisations. The Department is in the process of assembling an expert group to co-ordinate and lead the review.

The current programme assumes the publication of a strategic report with recommendations in quarter 2 of 2027. This date is subject to the progress of the review process. Following approval of the national human rights strategy for disabled people review, action 71 of the Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan 2026-2030 commits to the review of DMURS by 2030.From this, it is evident that the DMURS is not a static manual, but is continually updated and informed by road users, interested groups and experts.