Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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102. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Athy distributor route; the recent progress; his plans to bring this project to fruition; the target date for opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3752/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. State grants, where applicable, are intended to supplement the funding allocated to the maintenance and improvement of roads by local authorities from their own resources.

The National Development Plan (NDP) does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads. For this reason the primary focus for capital investment continues to be the maintenance and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement schemes. In this context 12 regional and local road improvement projects were identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the NDP and the construction of a Distributor Road to the south of Athy connecting to the N78 is one of those schemes.

Under the Public Spending Code and the terms and conditions applying to regional and local road grants, capital projects are subject to review and approval at a number of stages. In this context Kildare County Council has submitted the contract documentation for the main Athy scheme construction contract to my Department for review.

As the project will be subject to further consideration before a decision is made on whether the tender process proceeds, I cannot give an indication at this point of a construction timeframe.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeline for completion of the inner relief road Thurles, County Tipperary linking Slievenamon Road to the Mill Road; if funding is in place for same; if a route been finalised; and if all land required has been secured. [3768/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. State grants, where applicable, are intended to supplement the funding allocated to the maintenance and improvement of roads by local authorities from their own resources. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.

Under the capital project appraisal process a Preliminary Appraisal must be submitted in relation to each proposed project. Where an appraisal is received, it has to be assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. To date such an appraisal has not been submitted by Tipperary County Council in relation to a Thurles Inner Relief Road.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in advancing plans for a bypass for Thurles, County Tipperary; and when it will be completed. [3769/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.