David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the N2 schemes from Ardee to Castleblayney and Clontibret to the border joining the A5; and, with work to prepare the final route on Clontibret to the border being published soon, for an update on next round of funding for both schemes. [14098/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for his question.

The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there was a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year. However, I can confirm that approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds was provided to local authorities through TII for national roads in 2025.

The N2 Clontibret to the Border project is currently at the Design and Environmental Evaluation stage of the project management guidelines, and is expected to be submitted for approval in principal under the Infrastructure Guidelines in late 2025 or early 2026. Subject to approval, the project would then proceed through the statutory processes, including a planning application. As part of the national road allocations for 2025, the project received an allocation of €3,000,000.

The next element of the upgrades needed to the North West’s road network is the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney project which is also at the Design and Environmental Evaluation stage. I’m delighted to say that next year’s allocations will allow for this element of the project to proceed in support of the Clontibret to the Border project and I look forward to seeing this element of the project proceed at pace in the years ahead. These schemes south of the Border will of course link in with the A5 north of the Border which will itself be supported by funding of €600m from the Exchequer and which will link into the Donegal TEN-T Improvement scheme as approved by Government last year. Taken together these schemes will significantly upgrade connectivity to the North West region.

Finally I am pleased to note that a number of new roads projects which are included in the current NDP have already been delivered. This includes the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom project, the Dunkettle Interchange upgrade, the N5 Westport to Turlough, and bypasses of Moycullen and Listowel. The Programme for Government commits to increased funding for new roads and for the maintenance of existing roads, as part of the current NDP review process.

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.