Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the guidance document on the new Government policy on speed limits in towns and city centres will be available to local authorities nationwide; if the new policy will include for funding for engineering solutions to be put in place for example, raised crossings as part of the overall policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33513/25]

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

The Irish Government’s road safety strategy 2021 to 2030 ‘Our Journey Towards Vision Zero’, as published by the Road Safety Authority, includes the primary aim of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads in half by 2030 and to achieve ‘Vision Zero’, zero deaths or serious injuries, by 2050. To help achieve this aim the strategy included an action for a working group to be established to review the framework for the setting of speed limits and to give specific consideration to the introduction of a 30kph default speed limit in urban areas.

Accordingly, this working group was established, and it comprised representatives from the City & County Managers Association, the Road Safety Authority, an Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the Department of Transport. Their work led to the publication of the ‘Speed Limit Review’ in 2023', which included a number of principal recommendations concerning speed limit reductions in the interest of improving road safety:

1. A reduction in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h.

2. The introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in built-up and urban areas.

3. A reduction in the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h.

The first phase, the change in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h took effect nationally on the 7th February 2025.

The second phase of the proposed speed limit changes concerns the introduction of a 30km/h speed limit in urban areas. It is intended that this speed limit change will be introduced, at this time, by way of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’, rather than a change in the ‘default speed limit’. Accordingly, in respect of those roads in urban areas where local authorities propose to change existing speed limits to 30km/h, it will be necessary for each local authority to undertake a statutory public consultation process and consider representations, in accordance with the requirements of the ‘Road Traffic Act 2004’, as amended. As the making of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’ is a reserved function, the speed limits on roads in urban areas will only be changed where a majority of the elected members vote to do so.

To assist local authorities with the process of setting ‘special speed limits’ in urban areas and the attendant bye-laws procedures, a working group is presently revising the ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’. Five regional workshops were held with local authorities during April 2025, for the purpose of highlighting the proposed revisions to the ‘Guidelines’, together with the procedures to be followed, and the criteria to be considered by local authorities, in respect of setting speed limits in urban areas. The workshops also provided an opportunity to gather feedback from local authorities for the purpose of improving the ‘Guidelines’.

It is expected that the ‘Guidelines’ will be finalised in Quarter 3, this year, and thereafter issue to the Minister. Subject to the Minister’s approval, it is envisaged that the updated ‘Guidelines’ will issue to local authorities with a direction to commence the process of reviewing existing speed limits in urban areas in their respective administrative areas, and to set appropriate speed limits in accordance with the 'Guidelines'.

The Department of Transport provided funding to local authorities for the procurement and installation of poles and signs associated with the change in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h. It is intended that a similar funding arrangement will be put in place by the Department of Transport, to fund costs associated with the procurement and installation of poles and signs for the proposed speed limit changes in urban areas.

With regard to the Department providing funding for engineering solutions, such as raised crossings, it should be noted that each year the Department of Transport provides grant allocations to local authorities in respect of the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads. The total regional and local road grant allocation for 2025 is €713.67 million. This funding is provided under various grant headings, with a focus on road maintenance and improvement works which promote the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Grant categories include, for example, 'Low Cost Safety Schemes', 'Specific grants' and 'Discretionary Grants'. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded under these grant categories is a matter for the local authority. Local authorities may therefore apply for funding for schemes that improve road safety, including engineering solutions to improve safety and/or reduce traffic speeds.

Furthermore, state grants for road works on regional and local roads are provided on the basis that they supplement contributions from local authority own resources. Engineering solutions to reduce traffic speeds can also therefore, be funded from the local authorities' own resources, as 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'.