Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

37. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update the improvements to roads maintenance funding for Galway County Council, including work being done to clear the backlog of local improvement scheme applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22884/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

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. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.

In 2025, Galway County Council received an allocation of €43,650,160 which is an increase of €3,723,860 on their 2024 allocation. This funding will support Galway County Council in carrying out an extensive 2025 programme of maintenance and restoration works. In addition, the funding is earmarked to support various climate adaptation projects, bridge rehabilitation schemes, community involvement schemes and vital safety improvement works.

As regards the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), the Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the LIS, allowing funding to be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads which meet certain criteria. It is important to highlight that the maintenance of non-public roads is the responsibility of the relevant landowners; local authorities only have statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads.

My department has not provided dedicated funding towards the LIS programme since 2012. Between 2013 to 2017, local authorities were permitted discretion to use a proportion of their Discretionary Road Grant for the LIS programme if they chose to do so. In September 2017, the Minister for Rural and Community Development reintroduced a dedicated funding stream for the LIS. Considering the significant funding support being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the need to direct limited resources into maintaining and renewing public roads, it was decided that Discretionary Grants would no longer support LIS programmes. This remains the position. Maintenance and improvement of public roads is essential to ensure a safe network with a high level of service and social/economic connectivity.

With respect to national roads, 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 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.

The 2025 Grant allocations to local authorities for national roads were published on 28th March and can be viewed at www.tii.ie/en/news/press-releases/funding-for-national-roads.

For further detail on roads maintenance funding allocated to Galway County Council for national roads, 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.