James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding allocations to road projects contained within the NDP; if the funding has been spent in full during 2023; if not, the amount of unspent funding returned to his Department, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29502/24]

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 operation, management, 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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

Approximately €491m of exchequer capital funds were provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2023. I can confirm that these allocations were drawn down in full. Please see below link to the 2023 allocations on the TII website for ease of reference: www.

This funding was used for the protection and renewal of the existing national road network, as well as to progress a number of new roads projects. Projects completed in 2023 include the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom, the N5 Westport to Turlough and the Moycullen Bypass.

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 those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.

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. In 2024, over €688m has been allocated towards regional and local roads, with approximately 90% of this funding being directed towards maintenance and renewal works.

In addition to maintaining the regional and local road network in good repair, it is a priority to carry out targeted improvements to sections of the network. This includes 12 strategic schemes identified in the NDP. To date 7 of the NDP schemes have been completed including the Athy Southern Distributor Road which opened late last year, along with the Portlaoise Southern Relief Road, Sallins Bypass and the Sligo Western Distributor Road. A further two projects are at construction stage, namely the Tralee Northern Relief Road, the Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade schemes.

As regards the regional and local road grant funding allocated to local authorities for road projects in 2023, details of the regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.

As regards to the funding drawn down by local authorities, this is reflected in the regional and local road payments booklets which are also available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.