Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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421. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons for and output from the substantially increased research budget for Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Conference of European Directors for Roads in 2021 compared to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20913/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 operation, management and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 

To support the activities of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in managing road and light rail infrastructure, TII organises a research programme covering all technical areas of interest to TII. The main aim of the programme is to promote practical measures that will contribute to reducing costs, enhancing quality and encouraging innovation with regard to TII's functions. The research commissioned by TII provides the information needed in the development of the standards and technical documentation that is required to provide a safe and efficient transport network. 

TII also participates in collaborative research programmes with other European road administrations through its memberships of the Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR), an organisation which brings together the road directors of 27 European countries. The aim of CEDR is to contribute to future developments of road engineering as part of an integrated transport system under the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability and to promote co-operation between the national road administrations. 

The annual budget allocation to the TII Research Programme is €1,200,000, of which about €300,000 is committed to CEDR collaboration. The utilisation of this allocation varies from year to year depending on the current research requirements and on the scheduling of payments.

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