Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is considering allocating further funding for the upgrade of the stretch of the N25 national road between Carrigtwohill and Youghal in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33945/25]

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

The Government has earmarked approximately €5.1 billion for investment in new national roads projects between 2021 and 2030. While the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, I can confirm that approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds was provided to local authorities through TII for national roads in 2025. Of this, approximately €74 million was allocated for Cork City and County.

There are two road projects on the N25 between Carrigtwohill and Youghal. The Midleton to Youghal project has received an allocation of €700,000 for 2025. I understand that Cork County Council will be appointing technical advisors in the next quarter who will take the scheme through the route selection phase, detailed design and the statutory processes. While the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton project did not receive an allocation for 2025, it is anticipated that it could be funded in 2026, subject to the outcome of the ongoing review of the NDP. It is also important to note that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to increase funding for new roads and the maintenance of existing roads as part of the NDP review

With regard to the future progression of both projects, the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation are leading the review of the NDP, and work is ongoing within my Department to contribute to this review, with input from TII and other agencies. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040 and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Funding commitments for roads such as the N25 for 2026 and beyond are currently under consideration as part of this review.