Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the status of the future plan to upgrade Ballinrea Cross in Carrigaline, County Cork. [2850/25]

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.

Noting the above, it is my understanding that Cork County Council has submitted a Specific Grant funding application for a proposed upgrade to the Ballinrea Cross in Carrigaline. This application, alongside all other 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.