Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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310. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding has been allocated for road safety improvements in rural areas of Roscommon and Galway; and if so, the amount allocated and the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61479/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

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.

This year, funding of €13 million has been allocated under the Safety Improvement Works Grant Programme to regional and local roads for 339 schemes across the State. Of this, Roscommon County Council received an allocation of €515,000 and Galway County Council received an allocation of €523,500. The implementation of schemes is the responsibility of each local authority.

As the relevant local authority is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources.