Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Finglas roundabout scheme. [20738/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.

The NTA has allocated €50,000 this year to Dublin City Council to advance proposals which seeks to improve pedestrian and cyclist measures at two busy junctions in Finglas. The first location is the junction of St Margaret’s Rd / McKee Avenue which is next to the planned LUAS extension to Finglas and in close proximity to the proposed Finglas to Phibsborough BusConnects scheme.

The Finglas Luas extension proposes to realign the St. Margaret’s Road/McKee Avenue junction and replace the roundabout with a signalised junction. In advance of the Luas works, the Active Travel Programme Office proposes to install pedestrian crossings on both the St. Margaret’s Road southern arm and McKee Avenue arm of this junction.

The detailed design and tendering for the St. Margaret’s Road/McKee Avenue junction is planned to be completed in Q2/Q3 2023 and a contractor appointed by the end of the year. This is subject to updated appraisal being approved and funding confirmed.

The second location is at the intersection of Jamestown Rd / Melville Road on the jurisdictional border between Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council. The Active Travel Programme Office proposes to replace the Jamestown Road Roundabout with a signalised junction. The new arrangement will include pedestrian crossings on all sides to improve safety for pedestrians. The work will also include protected cycle lanes through the junction.

The preliminary design for this junction has been completed. The environmental screening reports, detailed design and section 85 agreement with Fingal County Council are expected to be completed this year. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 subject to funding approval.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide sufficient funding in 2023 to permit the N2 Ardee-to-Castleblayney road project to proceed to the next stage. [20523/23]

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 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.

The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year – however most national road projects in the NDP will continue to be progressed in 2023. In this context, €600,000 has been allocated for the N2 Ardee to south of Castleblayney scheme. This project is listed in the NDP and will continue to be considered for further funding in future years over the life of the current NDP.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the status of this scheme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.