Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total allocation from central Government/Departments and TII for roads in County Offaly for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 in tabular form. [25657/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.

On 15th February an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State was announced which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations. Each local authority received an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement grant. This Exchequer funding is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. On 31st May, Supplementary Restoration Improvement funding of €30 million was announced following persistent rainfall over winter and spring.

The primary focus for capital investment under the National Development Plan continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network which plays a critical role in supporting economic and community links throughout the country. Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient.

Please see table below outlining the regional and local road grant payments made to Offaly County Council in 2022 and 2023. The 2024 allocation includes the Supplementary Restoration Improvement funding announced on 31st May 2024.

In respect of 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 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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

Full details of the exchequer allocations for TII are available in the respective grant allocations booklet for each year, which are placed in the Oireachtas library. They are also available on the TII website.

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline any additional funding given to Offaly County Council from central Government for strengthening of roads that are transversing peatlands in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [25659/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.

Offaly County Council in conjunction with the Department of Transport have been working on a pilot project for the roads over peat. The pilot project is to help identify innovative solutions in dealing with the issue of road over peat.

Between 2022 and 2023, Offaly County Council received €1,953,572 in funding for this pilot project. In 2024, the Council has been allocated €1 million for the pilot project.

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 requirements of the Public Spending Code and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise in relation to any additional funding for National Roads transversing peatlands in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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