Written answers

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Departmental Funding

Photo of Tony McCormackTony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding allocated to transport projects in County Offaly in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51421/25]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Funding is allocated to transport projects in County Offaly both directly through Departmental programmes and through programmes managed by agencies such as the NTA and TII as well as the relevant Local Authority.

Roads

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. Full details of national roads allocations for 2025 are available on the TII website at www.tii.ie.

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.

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.

In 2025, Offaly County Council received an allocation of €17,235,400 which is an increase of €2,481,250 on their 2024 allocation. This funding will support Offaly County Council in carrying out an extensive 2025 programme of maintenance and restoration works. In addition, the funding is earmarked to support various climate adaptation projects, bridge rehabilitation schemes and vital safety improvement works.

Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.

In this regard, Offaly County Council received an allocation of €2,600,500 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme for three schemes; the Edenderry Inner Relief Road Phase 2, the Birr Distributor Road and the R441, Monasteroris. Additionally, €140,000 has been allocated to Offaly County Council under the Strategic Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for two schemes; the Birr South Eastern Distributor Road and the Clara Relief Road.

Greenways

As Minister for Transport, I also have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Offaly County Council have received an allocation of €855,000 in 2025 to progress five greenway schemes, detailed below:

  • Grand Canal - Daingean to Edenderry - €650,000
  • Grand Canal - Kilbeggan Link €30,000
  • Grand Canal - Leabeg to Boora - €25,000
  • Grand Canal - Shannon Harbour to Banagher - €30,000
  • Grand Canal - Turraun to Shannon Harbour - €120,000
EV Charging

Funding of €99,626.30 was allocated to County Offaly in 2024 from my Department through ZEVI for development of the relevant regional EV Charging Strategy for which Offaly is the lead local authority, however no additional funding has been allocated to date in 2025.

Active Travel

Over €290 million has been allocated by the Department of Transport to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2025 for active travel measures around the country. The NTA disperses this funding to all local authorities, works with them to identify walking and cycling projects and oversees their delivery.

Of the total 2025 funding, €2.75 million has been allocated to Offaly County Council for over twenty active travel projects, including Tullamore Urban Greenway, Edenderry Harbour & Grand Canal Link Active Travel Schemes and Birr Riverside Upgrade Links.

Included in this funding are projects under the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme, which launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools through the provision of active travel infrastructure interventions. Eight schools in Offaly were included in the first three rounds of the Programme and of these, six projects are currently in design. Round 4 of the SRTS Programme is expected to be announced towards the end of 2025.

Public Transport

Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including any rail projects in County Offaly in 2025, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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