Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an approach has been made to his Department from Louth County Council to discuss the need for financial assistance from his Department to complete the phase of the port access northern cross route in north Drogheda that will involve the road crossing the Dublin-to-Belfast rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9413/25]

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 existing network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.

Louth County Council is the statutory planning and road authority in its functional area. It is, therefore, a matter for Louth County Council to consider options regarding the development of the proposed Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme in Drogheda.

It should be noted that there is a limited budget available for projects under the Regional and Local Road Strategic Grant Programme and that, under the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code), a Project/Programme Outline Document is required for all projects which are estimated to cost in excess of €15 million (previously €10 million). A Project Outline Document has been received by my Department from Louth County Council in connection with a Phase 3 of the PANCR and following consideration by my officials was returned for further consideration by Louth County Council.

Funding of €30,000 has been allocated to Louth County Council for the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme in 2025.