Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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274. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision of funding for traffic calming measures and the amount applied for in Cork city and county, respectively, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [38854/25]

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision of funding for road maintenance and the amount applied for in Cork city and county, respectively, in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [38855/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 275 together.

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.

My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. In this context funding can be sought for traffic calming measures.

The Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated to local authorities on a pro-rata basis, determined mainly by the length of the regional and local road network in a local authority functional area.

As regards the funding allocated to and drawn down by Cork City Council and Cork County Council for safety improvement works and the maintenance of regional and local roads in each of the past five years, details of the regional and local road allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.

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 operation and management 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 in relation to National Roads in Cork City.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.

Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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276. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for a list of schools funded under the safe routes to school scheme in Cork in each of the past five years; and the amount provided for same. [38856/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting, and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions including, in some cases, School Zones.

These projects should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school. The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and An Taisce's Green Schools is co-ordinating the programme.

Invitations to express interest were sent to all primary and secondary schools in the country, and 931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland.167 schools form Round 1 of the SRTS Programme while a further 108 schools were announced for Round 2 in December 2022. Round 3 of the SRTS Programme was launched in November 2024 with a further 141 schools entering the programme, including 67 schools located on high-speed rural routes. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in the Rounds to date will be selected for forthcoming rounds.

Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If a reply is not received within 10 working days, please contact my private office.