Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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233. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will provide funding for the new bridge in Sligo (details supplied); if so, the estimated allocation for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/25]

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 State 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.

The Department has been providing grant funding under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a proposed road improvement scheme in Sligo – the Eastern Garvogue Bridge and approach roads scheme.

This scheme, which is being co-funded under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), was proposed to support regeneration in Sligo by improving community links, facilitating reduced journey times for walkers, cyclists and vehicles between the North and South sides of the River Garvogue on the eastern side of the City and improving access to facilities on opposite sides of the river which includes schools, the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo and Sligo General Hospital.

Sligo County Council has received an allocation of €740,000 in 2025 for the Eastern Garavogue Bridge Scheme.