Johnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which his Department is working with other agencies to improve transport infrastructure in County Meath, in view of the fact this is essential for enterprise growth for the county and for bordering counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50986/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.

Rail Connection

The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals.

I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 the NTA allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.

IÉ commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project, and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multi-disciplinary consultants RPS were appointed by IÉ for the duration of the project to work with the rail company’s in-house project team.

It is anticipated that a public consultation on the route options for the project will take place by early 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and support the development of a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government, in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines, before any planning application.

The Navan Rail Line is being delivered by IÉ on behalf of the NTA, with funding for the project being provided by my Department through the NTA.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Active Travel

The Department of Transport has allocated €12 million to Meath County Council in 2025 to progress 23 walking and cycling projects around the county, including sections of the Navan 2030 project, the Cycle Scheme from Navan to Trim and the Johnstown Village Cycle Scheme. This allocation also includes funding for Safe Routes to School projects around Meath. 15 schools were selected across the first three rounds of the Safe Routes to School Programme. Six of these projects are completed with one additional under construction and the remainder at various early stages of development.

Roads

In 2025, Meath County Council were allocated €26,567,800 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network of which over €25m was allocated to road protection and renewal for Meath County Council. The breakdown of funding per grant scheme is outlined below.

Funds have been allocated to Meath Co. Council for 2025, as follows:

• Two Strategic Regional and Local Roads Schemes (projects over €5million):
  • Bettystown to Laytown Link Road
  • Julianstown
• Six Specific Improvement Grant Schemes (projects under €5 million):
  • R156 Mullagh Cross
  • L6210 Newtownmoyaghy Safety Improvement
  • R162 Navan to Kingscourt Road (Lisnagrew)
  • R108 L16111 Junction Safety Scheme at Bey More
  • MCC Major Bridge Rehabilitation Stage 0/ Stage 1 review
  • R125 L1007 Kilbride Road Junction Improvement
• Twelve schemes under Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works Programme.
• Eleven bridges under Bridge Rehabilitation Programme.
• Twelve schemes under Safety Improvement Works Programme.