Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a road (details supplied) in County Kildare; the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1826/22]

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 Athy Southern Distributor Road is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan.  Following the conclusion of the tender process for the main construction contract for the scheme, the contract was awarded in late 2021 and the construction programme is now underway.  Kildare County Council is responsible for the implementation of the scheme and my understanding is that the estimated project completion date is 2024.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the provision of a roads project (details supplied) in County Kildare; if he or his Department have had contact and meetings with the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1827/22]

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. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. 

Under the National Development Plan (NDP), the primary focus for capital investment in regional and local roads continues to be the protection and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement projects.

Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding 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 (PSC) and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF).

No application has been received by my Department from Kildare County Council in relation to the proposed second bridge in Newbridge. It is my understanding that Kildare County Council previously applied for funding for the proposed second bridge in Newbridge under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.