Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position regarding the TEN-Ts in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9289/25]

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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the latest status of the TEN-Ts in Donegal.

However, I can confirm that approval-in-principal was given by Government to the Donegal TEN-T Project last year, and it will now proceed through the necessary statutory processes and planning.

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

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase funding to Louth County Council in 2025 to deal with specific issues such as road safety works and road repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9412/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

The 2025 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities on 14th February this year and Louth County Council received an allocation of €10,992,550.

This funding will support Louth County Council in carrying out an extensive 2025 programme of maintenance and restoration works. In addition, the funding is earmarked to support various climate adaptation projects, bridge rehabilitation schemes, vital safety improvement works, community involvement projects, drainage works and the maintenance of former national roads.

The Department is also providing grant support to Louth County Council for two Specific Improvement Grant schemes; Obelisk Bridge and the Boyne Link Road project; and for two Strategic Regional and Local Roads schemes; Cavan - Dundalk Scheme RibGeom R178 Sections D6 & D7 and the Port Access Northern Cross Route (Drogheda), Phase 3.

The details of the 2025 regional and local road allocations by county can be found at .

It should be noted that Exchequer funding is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities' own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.