Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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290. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the transport projects planned for Cork North Central over the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10873/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, as Minister for Transport, I am fully committed to progressing key projects across Ireland, including in Cork North Central, working with the relevant agencies under my remit and other partners to achieve their delivery. The Deputy may wish to note that Government has committed to prioritising an early review of the National Development Plan 2021-2030, which underpins the delivery of a range of transport projects, to be completed in July 2025. Preparatory work is underway within my Department to contribute to this planned review, and I will work closely with fellow Ministers involved in the review to ensure that the revised NDP underpins the development of a strategic, robust and resilient transport network.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Within this policy framework, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 has been developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council. A key principle for CMATS is to reduce dependency on the private car within the Cork commuter area, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options, such as Cork Area Commuter Rail and BusConnects Cork.

With regard specifically to BusConnects Cork, the NTA submitted the Preliminary Business Case for the programme to my Department in January 2025. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing this business case. In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, the business case will also go through an external assurance process and be reviewed by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's Major Projects Advisory Group before being submitted to Cabinet for consideration. If approved by Cabinet at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, this will allow the programme to enter the planning process.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme represents the largest investment in the rail network in Cork undertaken by the State. Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, largely funded through the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, aims to provide a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton, by Quarter 3 of 2026. The new platform at Kent station is now almost complete and should enter use this year. In 2024, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract for the design of Phase 2 of the Programme. This Phase provides for eight new stations, a new fleet maintenance depot, electrification of the network and upgrades to existing commuter stations. Phase 2 will be progressed following the completion of Phase 1, subject to funding and relevant approvals.

As Minister for Transport, I also 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) 2021-2030, 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 status of such Road projects.

The N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project, Mallow Relief Road, and the Cork City Northern Transport Project are among those national roads projects included in the current NDP, and are at various stages in the project development pipeline. The NDP 2021-2030 earmarked approximately €5.1 billion for new national roads projects, the majority of which is in the second half of the decade.

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, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. 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 in February this year. Cork City Council received an allocation of €11,762,000, and Cork County Council received an allocation of €82,838,900 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network, and progression strategic regional and local projects such as the Great Island Connectivity Scheme (R624 Cobh Road) and Clontarf Bridge Upgrade. The details of the 2025 regional and local road allocations by local authority can be found at: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=

In addition to the updates provide above, noting the role of TII and the NTA in these matters, I have referred the Deputy's question to these bodies for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.