Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way a determination will be made regarding the development of the series of small bypasses he has spoken of in recent times; his views on the level of priority that will be given to the section of the N24 around Tipperary town in this regard; his plans to continue to engage with the population of Tipperary town on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32430/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Background

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. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the NDP.

Within the overall context of Project Ireland 2040, the NDP was developed to underpin the successful implementation of the NPF. This provides the strategic and financial framework for the National Roads Programme for the period 2018 - 2027.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the review of the NDP and use the review to set out an updated Plan for the period out to 2030. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the NPF and Project Ireland 2040. Accordingly, work is underway within my Department, in conjunction with TII, to contribute to this review.

Developing a series of Bypasses

A comprehensive analysis of the status of all national road projects listed in the current NDP, and new ones proposed by TII to 2030, will be carried out to consider whether changes could feasibly be made to alter the project scope/delivery and projected cost. The strategic transport issues, including those for national roads, are being considered in the context of the ongoing review of the NDP.

As part of this review, I am focused on prioritising the relief of traffic congestion within towns, facilitating compact growth, decarbonisation and the provision of a robust secondary network of roads between 2021 and 2030. Towns such as Tipperary Town will be considered in this light.

It should be noted that all projects, including those listed in the NDP or any revision to the NDP, require statutory approval and compliance with the Public Spending Code.

N24 - Tipperary Town Bypass

The proposed N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Improvement Scheme, which would include a bypass of Tipperary Town, is currently at early Planning and Design stage.

Tipperary County Council, in association with Limerick City and County Council, has worked to procure the services of Technical Advisors who are now appointed and in-place and working on advancing the scheme. Phase 1 activities (Concept and Feasibility) are complete and the proposed N24 scheme is currently at Phase 2 activities (Option Selection).

A Public Consultation on Constraints (obstacles or barriers) to possible routes took place in Quarter 1 2021 informing the Options Selection stage, with the shortlisted transport corridors expected to be unveiled in June 2021. Tipperary County Council has advised TII that the scheme will be going to public consultation on 25th June for a six-week period ending on 6th August 2021.