Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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435. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to introduce a specific maintenance and management team for the N20 Ring of Kerry route, the importance of which is immeasurable to both county and country, as it is the backbone of our tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19732/25]

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 operation and management 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.

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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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436. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific, significant investment will now be made in the North Kerry road network to prepare for the imminent development of the Liquid Natural Gas project at the Ballylongford Landbank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19733/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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437. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further funding can be made available to complete to modernisation of the road network in and out of Corca Dhuibhne, Daingean Uí Chúis, Contae Chiarraí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19734/25]

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 and Exchequer funding for these roads is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.

On 14th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an overall increase of over 8% in funding this year.

Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.

In 2025, Kerry County Council received an allocation of €33,360,450 which is an increase of €3,219,340 on their 2024 allocation.

Full details of the 2025 regional and local grant allocations are available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/df86e-ministers-announce-713-million-for-regional-and-local-roads/.

It should be noted that, as mentioned above, Exchequer funding for regional and local roads 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.