Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide confirmation of the exact funding which will be provided for the N25 in 2025; the amount of funding will be provided to progress to the next phases of the development of the N24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34126/25]

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 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.

The N24 Waterford to Cahir project has been allocated €80,000 for 2025 to meet outstanding route selection commitments, and while the N25 Waterford to Glenmore project did not receive an allocation for 2025, there are a number of minor works on the N25 which received allocations this year. Kilkenny County Council received allocations of €58,500 for minor works on the N25 and €330,000 for minor works on the N24 this year. Full details of these allocations are available in TII's allocation booklet here: www.tii.ie/media/orbdngms/tii_local-authorities_2025-road-grant-allocations.pdf.

Both projects remain part of the NDP and the delivery programmes will be kept under review in the coming years. Funding commitments for National Roads for 2026 and beyond are currently under consideration as part of the ongoing NDP review.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider additional funding allocation for local authorities during 2025 to address the need for improvements on local and regional roads across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34030/25]

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 is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.

On 14th February 2025 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.

This funding will support local authorities in carrying out an extensive 2025 programme of maintenance and restoration works. Funding also supports various safety improvement works, bridge rehabilitation schemes, drainage works, climate adaptation measures, community involvement schemes and the maintenance of former national roads.

In addition to protecting and renewing the regional and local road network, it is a priority to carry out targeted improvements to sections of the network. In 2025, €47.8 million is being invested in developing and upgrading this infrastructure through vital strategic projects which are continuing to be progressed. These include projects identified for development under the National Development Plan such as the Tralee Northern Relief Road and the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road.

An additional 22.2 million is provided for smaller-scale road improvements under the Specific Grant category.

It should be noted that 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.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progress of the northern distributor road, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34133/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route, which will link the N22 (Carrigrohane Road) to Glanmire, was established in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. It is intended that the Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route will include both car traffic and bus lanes, as well as cycling and pedestrian facilities.

In December of 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) approved a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the project. The approval of the SAR authorised Cork City Council to proceed with the next stage of the project, namely the route selection stage.

Cork City Council launched a public consultation on the emerging preferred route for this project earlier this year. That process is now completed and the Public Consultation Report is being finalised. It is expected that the Preliminary Design stage of the project will commence before the end of the year.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.