Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to upgrade the road infrastructure leading to Castletownbere port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41897/24]

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 approximately 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.

Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the 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.

Cork County Council received an allocation of €50,000 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme for the R572 Realignment project. Planning and implementation of the R572 Realignment project is the responsibility of Cork County Council.