Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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264. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that no funding was allocated for works on the N24 and N25 roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/22]

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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266. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Kilkenny County Council has not been provided with any extra funding to deliver the N24 and N25 which will provide economic and infrastructural benefits for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4753/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 266 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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 TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of this proposed project.  

Approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N24 Waterford to Cahir and N25 Waterford to Glenmore projects. The delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

However, funding was allocated to a number of other schemes on the N24 and N25. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status of funding for these improvements.  

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.