Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which traffic congestion points have been identified throughout north County Kildare, with particular reference to Maynooth, Leixlip, Celbridge and Kilcock; the measures proposed to eliminate any such bottlenecks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42370/24]

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 those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. In this context funding can be sought for traffic calming and other measures. It is a matter for Kildare County Council to submit such applications for consideration of funding.

Regional and Local Road Improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding will be 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 (IG) (formerly known as the Public Spending Code (PSC)) and my Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF).

It is important to stress that the responsibility for the management of roads, including traffic management measures, lies with each individual local authority within its administrative area. Local authorities work in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the case of national roads. While the National Transport Authority is responsible for overall transport strategy in the Greater Dublin Area and liaises with local authorities in that regard.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to combat the traffic congestion on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42371/24]

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 and management of individual national roads, including the M50, 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding traffic on the M50. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.