William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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216. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions being taken to improve road safety, reduce fatalities, and ensure adequate maintenance of national and regional roads, particularly in light of recent accident statistics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62629/25]

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. This is an increase of 22.8% on the 2024 allocation. A further €12.3 million of the Specific Improvement Grant Programme was allocated to road improvement schemes related to road safety.

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 maintenance of national roads.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.