Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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182. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which new roads are proposed from County Dublin via Confey, Leixlip, County Kildare, and other parts of north Kildare, with particular reference to ensuring that local residents are accommodated in every way possible given that their established travel routes are being interrupted; when the works will commence and conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2572/23]

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, as amended. Works on those roads are funded from Councils’ own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable. The planning and implementation of new road schemes is, therefore, a matter for the relevant local authority. My Department is not providing any grant assistance to Kildare County Council under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for the planning or development any new roads in the North Kildare area at present.

As regards national roads, 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 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 and the necessary statutory approvals.

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.