Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 278 together.

As the Deputy is aware, 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 these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. The Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage events such as severe flooding.

Storm Babet has caused significant damage to the regional and local road network in Cork and it will take time to assess the full extent of the impact on the road network. Cork County Council is presently liaising with my department's road engineers to provide initial damage assessments and estimated repair costs. Noting the extent of damage and the associated potential costs occurred towards the end of the annual work programme, the Department is aware that most of the Council's funds in this financial year are expended or committed and any level of reprioritisation of work is limited.

For this reason, Cork County Council have been allocated a Severe Weather Grant of €350,000 to support immediate emergency repairs and facilitate the opening of some key roads. Prompt restoration of the road network is required to maintain a safe environment and enable social/economic connectivity. This funding is being made available from within the 2023 Regional and Local Roads Grant allocation, and as such, the fund is limited.

I am committed to working closely with Cork County Council to assist in addressing the issues caused by Storm Babet and to help restore our road network. Road grant allocations for the coming year are expected in early 2024.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the southern relief road in Carlow. [52621/23]

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 each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

Approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.

Any new road projects proposed by local authorities are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All new projects must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.

Having regard to the above, Carlow County Council have prepared a Strategic Assessment Report which examined options in relation to a potential Southern Relief Road. Following consideration of this Report, the Council was given clearance to proceed to prepare a Preliminary Business Case. I am given to understand that the Council is in the process of progressing this Preliminary Business Case now.