Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding commitment to the A5/N2 upgrade, as well as an annual breakdown of this commitment for the years 2024-2029, in tabular form. [28552/24]

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 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.

There are a number of projects on the N2 which are listed in the current NDP. I can confirm that €1.6 million was allocated for the N2 Clontibret to the Border Scheme in 2024. With regard to future years, exchequer capital funding is allocated on an annual basis through TII to local authorities and as such it is not possible to confirm the level of any future funding allocations. All national roads projects in the NDP are kept under review each year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the projects on the N2. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland.

The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 were governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government had committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland was concluded. Provision of £25 million sterling was made by my Department in 2024 for funding the scheme should it be required. It was announced on February 20th that as part of Government funding commitments for Shared Island projects, €600 million was being committed for the progression of the A5 project.

The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland estimates the total scheme cost for the A5 project is £1.6 billion with completion expected by 2032/2033 and the largest funding demands over the 2025 to 2028 period. The Department for Infrastructure has informed the Department of Transport that construction of the Main Works may commence in 2024. However, this is subject to a number of conditions being met. In addition, if there is a further legal challenge the start dates will likely be revisited.