Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a coordinated plan to oversee the building of road projects such as the Adare and Macroom bypasses, to ensure adjacent county projects are proceeded with in alignment and when Adare is completed; if there are plans for Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale and on into Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2523/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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, 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.

TII delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP. The projects referred to are among those new roads projects contained in the current NDP. The Macroom Bypass was opened in 2022 as part of the wider N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project. The Adare Bypass is at construction, and bypasses of Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West are at the design phase.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale Projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to expedite the replacement of Listry Bridge, County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2524/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Any new road projects that seek funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed 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.

In this regard, it is my understanding is that Kerry County Council are currently examining options for Listry Bridge, considering the needs and objectives, and deciding how best to progress to ensure value for money.

All applications received from local authorities for Specific Grant allocations are currently being assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. Specific Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities as part of the general grant allocation process which will be issued in the coming weeks.