Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate – Dáil Éireann (34th Dáil) – Thursday, 5 Mar 2026

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Electricity Grid

Deputy Tony McCormack

I wish to raise a serious issue relating to electricity connections in the Cappincur area of Tullamore, County Offaly, where two important projects are currently stalled due to ESB capacity constraints. The first concern is the Cappincur recycling centre, which suffered a devastating fire on 1 March 2024. Anyone who has experienced a fire in a workplace understands the uncertainty and hardship it creates for both workers and owners. To their credit, the owners rolled up their sleeves, rebuilt the facility, complied with every regulatory requirement, completed all necessary works and are now ready to reopen and provide employment again in what is a critical environmental sector. However, despite everything being ready, the plant cannot reopen because it is still awaiting a reconnection from ESB Networks. The operators have been engaging with ESB Networks since last September seeking that reconnection. Workers are ready to return to their jobs, yet the facility remains unable to open.

The second issue concerns Waterways Ireland's new craft centre of excellence, which is also located in the Cappincur area. This is a major public infrastructure project that will support the maintenance of 120 locks across the 420 km of navigable waterways and provide a base for approximately 70 staff. Waterways Ireland has been engaging with ESB Networks for over two years, with a formal connection estimation in August 2025. Both of these projects have now been informed that ESB Networks requires a further two-month review of grid capacity in the Cappincur area before it can confirm when connections or reconnections can be delivered. Depending on the outcome of that review, delays of up to 12 months or longer may arise.

Another aspect that is particularly concerning is the timeline involved in even notifying these organisations about the review process. In the case of both the recycling plant and Waterways Ireland, engagement with ESB Networks has been ongoing for months. In the case of the recycling plant, engagement has been ongoing since last September. In the case of Waterways Ireland, it has been for more than two years. However, it was only recently confirmed that a two-month capacity review was required before any timeline could even be provided. In fact, it was only when my office made direct inquiries that clarity was provided that such a review was even under way. That raises a very fair question. How can it take nearly six months for customers to be informed that a review is required before a connection or reconnection timeline can even be considered?

The longer this situation continues, the more precious taxpayers' money is wasted through delays to a major State infrastructure project. That money should be delivering infrastructure and services for the public. Certainly, it cannot be redirected to resolve the reconnection issue facing a private recycling plant that is ready to provide employment.

The Government is investing significant sums into electricity infrastructure through the national development plan, with billions of euro directed towards strengthening and expanding the electricity grid. ESB Networks has a major capital programme to upgrade the network to support electrification, economic development and the transition to renewable energy. While all of that investment and reform are welcome, the situation in Cappincur raises a fundamental question - does the system currently have the capacity to deliver connections efficiently and effectively? We cannot have businesses, public bodies and workers left waiting indefinitely for connection or, worse again, a reconnection. What exactly are the grid constraints affecting the Cappincur area of Tullamore? Why are both projects now subject to two-month capacity reviews before any connection timeline can even be indicated? What immediate steps can be taken to ensure connections at both Cappincur recycling centre and Waterways Ireland are delivered without further unnecessary delay? Workers and businesses in Offaly cannot be left waiting indefinitely for electricity connections.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Deputy Robert Troy)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic. I will outline the ongoing initiatives for developing capacity in the electricity grid and relay the advice received from ESB Networks on the matter received. The Government does not have a role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is in line with the 2012 Government policy statement on the strategic importance of transmission and other energy infrastructure, which states: "The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies." The Government, however, can assist and is assisting to ensure the right environment exists to enable the delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas, has responsibility for the economic regulation of the electricity system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks. System operators are tasked with building, safely operating and maintaining a fit-for-purpose electricity system. Our electricity grid is made up of two interlinked networks, namely, the transmission network operated by EirGrid, which allows us to transport electricity around the country, and the distribution network operated by ESB Networks, which brings power to communities, businesses and homes.

In December, the CRU published its final determination on price review 6, PR6, setting out the investment that will take place in our electricity system over the coming five years. PR6 represents the largest ever investment in our electricity grid and will see up to €18.9 billion invested by EirGrid and ESB Networks between 2026 and 2030, with a baseline of €13.8 billion guaranteed. PR6 will enable the delivery of major upgrades and developments to the electricity network across the country, facilitating housing growth and heat and transport electrification, all while enabling and driving industrial and economic growth in Ireland.

The Government is committed to delivering electricity infrastructure. That is why we are investing €3.5 billion in equity in EirGrid and ESB Networks. The equity injection will support the ability to finance the unprecedented investment in our electricity system under PR6, with €1.5 billion transferred to ESB Networks last December to support the financing of our onshore electricity infrastructure. The remaining €2 billion will transfer to EirGrid over the next five years to support its investment in offshore transmission infrastructure.

Now that the investment plans for the next five years have been published and funding for the grid secured, it is critical that, as a country, we deliver the infrastructure. That is why the Government has established numerous task forces to accelerate electricity generation and grid infrastructure. In 2024, under the accelerating renewable electricity task force, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment established a future grid working group. The working group brings together key delivery staff from across the Department, the CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks. It is tasked with accelerating delivery of the grid, identifying issues that are impeding grid delivery and potential solutions to same, along with identifying priority grid projects. The work of the future grid group has fed into and is supported by the work of the accelerating infrastructure task force under the Department of public expenditure, infrastructure and reform. In December, the Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan to help deliver efficient delivery of infrastructure across Ireland. The action plan contains 30 time-bound measures to address 12 barriers to infrastructure development previously identified by the work of the task force. The national electricity grid must deliver connections locally and provide a quality electricity supply for new and existing customers.

Deputy Tony McCormack

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I hear what he is saying but the concern locally is that this situation could drift for a long time. I understand the Government does not have any say over what ESB Networks does but, at the same time, it has influence. Both projects have effectively been told that ESB Networks needs two months simply to complete a capacity review and only after that will it be known whether further reinforcement works are required. If that review concludes that upgrades are needed, we could be looking at delays of one year or more. That is not acceptable. It means that a recycling plant, which has already been rebuilt after a devastating fire and has been engaging with ESB Networks since last September seeking a reconnection, could remain idle with workers waiting to return to employment. At the same time, a major State infrastructure project could remain delayed, leaving taxpayers to continue to bear the cost while construction timelines slip further and further.

Businesses and public bodies understand that infrastructure takes time. What they cannot plan for, however, is the situation where it takes months just to be told a review is to take place and then potentially months or years more before a connection can be delivered. Will the Minister of State engage urgently with ESB Networks and the CRU to determine whether temporary capacity solutions, interim connections or accelerated network upgrades can be put in place to ensure these projects in Cappincur are not left waiting indefinitely? The workers, employers and public bodies involved have done everything asked of them. They now need the system to deliver for them.

A recycling plant rebuilt after a fire and a major State infrastructure project are now sitting idle in Offaly while everyone waits months just to find out whether the electricity can be turned back on. That cannot be acceptable.

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank the Deputy for his contribution on the matter. I acknowledge that he has raised a serious and specific query regarding an issue in his constituency. As I said, the national electricity grid must deliver locally. That should mean providing quality electric supply for new and existing customers. Under the grid connection policy set by the CRU, connection applications are dealt with on a sequential, first-come, first-serve basis. As I outlined, the Government has invested heavily in acknowledgement that the grid is at capacity and that there is a need to improve and enhance it. I have already outlined just how much money the Government has put behind this investment. Under my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, we have also established the infrastructure delivery task force to ensure infrastructure is delivered effectively and in a timely manner and barriers that have been identified are removed. This is critically important for the development and maintenance of our economy going forward.

The Deputy has raised a specific issue relating to Cappincur. I appreciate that businesses and projects in that area need certainty. I will bring back the message he has delivered this evening to my colleague, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, to determine whether we can get certainty for the projects in question in Cappincur.

We do and should expect ESB Networks to be able to identify, in a more timely fashion, exactly what is going to be needed. If a long lead-in time is needed for infrastructure improvements, it should be able to give the businesses in question the time to plan accordingly. As I said, the Government has invested heavily in acknowledgement that infrastructure improvements are needed. We want to see those rolled out in a timely fashion.

Regeneration Projects

Deputy Jen Cummins

I raise an important issue in my constituency, most particularly in Dublin 8, where I live. For many centuries, there has been a market in Newmarket. There is also the Iveagh Markets. There were markets all over this city but, sadly, we have seen the closure of many of them throughout this city.

The Iveagh Markets have been closed for some time and Newmarket has become a place that would not inspire people to go and visit it because it is a bit soulless. There was a market there a number of years ago that brought the community together. This is an urban area. There are people who have lived there for decades and people who have moved in. What was really uniting about everything was that this market brought people together. It was an indoor market. There were different varieties of markets that happened on weekends. There was a fruit market and a vegetable market, a flea market, and a permanent space where you could go and have a coffee with your neighbours, and it was immensely important to our neighbourhood. Unfortunately, people love building in Dublin 8. They love building hotels, apartments and tourist attractions because the area is very attractive to tourists with all the historic parts we have. However, we live there and we want to have an area that is more than just a tourist attraction. When planning permission was put in for a new building that would go there, part of that planning permission was that a market space needed to be made available there. That has been subject to observations and objections over the last number of years as the place lies idle.

I have been contacted by so many people about this issue for almost two years, including when I was campaigning before the different elections, and people are really angry. That place is vacant. There is nothing in there. It is completely soulless and there are markets that want to happen in that area. There is an organised outdoor market at the moment. It happens in the summer to autumn time. It was really lovely. People came back and said it was great to have the market back there again. It is outdoor, however, and we all know what that means. Yesterday was boiling hot, today it is lashing rain and I heard it has been snowing in Tallaght. You could not have a market that would be reliable outside. We need indoor markets.

I have been contacted by somebody who would love to run the market there. They have been told that it would cost €66,000 per annum. That is not a like for like. It is not a culture- and community-based sum being charged. It is a serious amount of money. I would love to know what markets are so successful that they can pay that much rent. People are angry and disappointed and it is wearing the community down. We have this view now that this lovely opportunity has just been taken away from us. What can be done when things are part of planning permission and are granted on the basis of planning permission and then they are being priced out of it? The local community and markets are not able to apply for this. They are being priced out for a reason. The people who own that building clearly do not want to have a market in there. What can be done by the Department to ensure this does not happen again? We have seen this in Dublin 8 with other areas. Dublin 8 suffers in the context of planning permission. I do not know if the Minister of State has been to my community but there is very little green space, so often access to things like green spaces is cut off when student accommodation or co-living is built. It is part of the planning permission that the developer should have it open to it but it applies for retention afterwards. It is not good enough and it is happening time and again in Dublin 8.

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I can confirm that I drive through her constituency probably every day getting to Leinster House and I have been in it many times. My brother lived down from the Iveagh Markets in Francis Street, so I know it well.

The Iveagh Markets complex, a protected structure located on Francis Street, Dublin 8, was designed to provide accommodation for street traders. It opened in 1907 but, unfortunately, ceased operations in 1996 and has remained disused ever since. Today, the building is in a state of severe dereliction due to prolonged neglect and damaging interventions, with parts of the structure currently deemed unsafe. Dublin City Council has identified that the first step in resolving the issues with the building is to carry out essential stabilisation and repair works to prevent it from deteriorating any further. Dublin City Council has identified major works that will be required, to include the reconstruction of floor areas, roof and external wall repairs and the rebuilding of collapsed or demolished brickwork sections.

Under urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, call 2, which was announced in 2021, Dublin City Council was allocated €179.7 million in URDF funding for two proposals across the north and south inner city, comprising 27 different projects. In 2023, almost €9.5 million of funding from the URDF was made available to Dublin City Counil for the Iveagh Markets project when it was substituted for another project from the south inner-city proposal. The proposal brought forward by Dublin City Council was to secure the fabric of the structure through a programme of essential works to be carried out to prevent this protected structure from further deterioration. Following the completion of essential stabilisation and repair work, this significant part of the city’s architectural heritage will be secured, allowing Dublin City Council to develop long-term sustainable proposals for its reuse.

Initially the focus was on making the building safe for access, inspection, and survey work. Following a comprehensive dilapidation survey in 2019 and further assessments by the appointed integrated design team, it was determined that immediate interventions were required to facilitate safe entry and roof-level access. These stage 1 works included the installation of a crash deck, limited structural repairs and enabling surveys. They were procured through the Dublin City Council framework for building repair contractors and were substantially completed in October 2024. The current focus is on the main emergency stabilisation works, informed also by the 2019 dilapidation report and the extensive surveys and inspections completed by the internal integrated design team. These stage 2 essential stabilisation and repair works are required to safeguard the structure for the future and are expected to cost approximately €13.5 million. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage gave approval for the final business case for these works in August of last year. These works began last December and are expected to be completed over the next two years. The completion of these works will allow Dublin City Council to consider the viable options for the future use of the market.

Deputy Jen Cummins

I thank the Minister of State for that answer but that is not what I was talking about. However, I am glad he has given me that answer because I can go back and let the people know what they already know about the Iveagh Markets. I was asking about the market on Newmarket. Newmarket is an historic part in the Liberties that is not the Iveagh Markets. I am delighted with this answer because I can go back to them but they and I already know this answer. What I am asking the Minister of State about is the market that does not exist any more on Newmarket because planning came in and a big fancy building was built. They have built lots of fancy buildings in Newmarket but part of the planning permission was that a market needed to go in there. The problem is that the developer is pricing any market stall-holder or market organisation out so that they will not be able to do it and it keeps putting in for permission for change of use. This is difficult for the Minister of State because he has been given a different answer but I really need to know what can be done when planning permission has been put in and we have been told as a community that a market will go in there and then it has not because it is priced out.

Second, the cultural aspect of our city has to be about the residents who live in the city 365 days a year. It has to be about what makes it wonderful to live in the city. I am very proud of living in the city and of being a TD for Dublin South-Central but I do not represent tourists. I represent the people who live in my neighbourhood. If the cultural and community activities are only for people who come for short visits, that is not good enough. What can be done to prevent that happening but also, more importantly, what can be done in this situation in Newmarket where this market is being priced out and is going to disappear? How can I help the community to prevent this from happening and how can the Government put in place legislation that disallows this sort of thing happening?

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank the Deputy for her kindness in her response in acknowledging that I was given the wrong answer to the question that was submitted. I appreciate that. My understanding from listening to her follow-up is that Newmarket was a community market that operated in an open space and subsequently ceased trading, and planning permission was approved for a development of a structure of some sort. I am not quite sure what the structure was but it was a building of some sort.

As part of that planning permission there was a condition that a market would also be provided in the future for the community. The developer who got that planning permission is marketing the market at €66,000 per annum, which is in excess of €1,000 per week. That is excessive by any stretch of the imagination for someone to conduct a market.

It is clear to me that what the developer is trying to do is to be able to go back to Dublin City Council and say there is no demand for a community market, but if you price something so high you will not get a demand. I hope the Deputy will use her good offices to identify to Dublin City Council what is potentially happening in this space. I am taking this all on what the Deputy is saying. I am not aware of it. If somebody is being granted planning permission to maintain a community space in an area, they should maintain the community space in the area, be it for a market, a playground or whatever. It is critically important in our communities that amenities for the communities are maintained. We need to see progress. We need to see commercial and residential buildings built and sometimes they have to be built on open spaces. However, when it is a condition of planning permission to maintain the community element and amenities in the space they must be protected, and Dublin City Council must ensure they are protected. That is its role as the authority that has given planning permission in the first instance.

Road Projects

Deputy Colm Burke

I ask the Minister for Transport what progress will be made towards the much-needed northern distributor road and Cork city northern transport project in 2026, given that only €400,000 was provided in funding under national road funding allocation in 2026, and whether this will be prioritised given that there is a huge growth in population in Cork. This is a difficult issue. We have the biggest taxpayer in the country situated in Hollyhill, Cork. Apple computers employs over 6,000 people. It started off 45 years ago with 60 people. The same road infrastructure is there now as 45 years ago. We are talking about a distributor road on the northern side of Cork city. If you are coming in from Limerick through Mallow to go to the western side of Cork city you now have a huge problem getting there. You are either coming down through the city on roads that were constructed for a far smaller volume of traffic or you have to come through Blarney, Cloghroe and back through Ballincollig. When are we going to prioritise this? We have been able to fast-track the Adare bypass. This is essential for Cork city. We are putting in funding for the Ringaskiddy bypass, which is essential. Again, we are waiting 14 years for funding for that. This one is crucial because we have a lot of people working there who have to come through that part of the city to get to their place of work because we have a lot of people living in Mallow and north of the city. Yet, we are putting in €400,000 in 2026. I am gobsmacked that what is regarded as a priority project is being put on the back burner again. This request was put in over 20 years ago, and 20 years later we still have nothing delivered.

I do not believe this is the way we should be treating major employers in an area where we have difficulties with workers accessing their places of employment. We are doing nothing to assist them. We are doing nothing to assist the people who have to go outside the city to get housing and who are working in other parts of the city and have to come through this traffic chaos. When exactly will we give this project priority? I am talking about the northern distributor road. The route as it has been identified stretches from Carrigrohane Straight up the north side of Cork city, north of Apple computers onto the Cork-Mallow road and on to Glanmire. We seem to have parked it now that the route is identified. I believe we need to give priority to it. We need to fast-track it. The employer I am talking about employs 6,000 people. We collected €14 billion in tax in one year alone. Last year we collected another €4 billion. The three biggest taxpayers in corporate tax are paying 46% of corporate tax. Two of them are in Cork - Eli Lilly and Apple. We are telling them it is not our problem to put in roads for them. That is their problem. I do not think that is good enough. It is about time we got our act together on this and gave it the priority it deserves and identify the funding to progress this project at the earliest possible date.

Deputy Robert Troy

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue in the House. The proposal for the Cork northern distributor road, NDR, is set out in the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy 2040, CMATS, which was developed by the NTA in collaboration with Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. During the preparation, the opportunity to thread together several upgrades of existing roads was identified. This would create a coherent orbital route on the north side of Cork city. This route, which was termed the northern distributor road, was considered to address several of the access issues that currently exist on the northside of the city and was included in the final CMATS document. As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Transport published its NDP review sectoral plan in November 2025. As is noted in the sectoral plan, procurement on the NDR is expected to occur over 2028 and 2029, with a view to construction commencing thereafter. The NTA has received all required documents and approved Cork City Council to proceed with the tender for consulting services for phase 3, the preliminary design, and phase 4, the statutory process, for the Cork northern distributor road project. Cork City Council published the consultants tender in December 2025 and has since received interest from 18 consultancy firms on the NTA’s framework. Cork City Council briefed councillors on this update in mid-December. Tender submissions are due by 13 March this year, and Cork City Council plans to appoint a consultant for phases 3 and 4 in May. Phases 3 and 4 are expected to take approximately 36 months to complete, which should then allow for the lodgement of a planning application for the project. Cork City Council plans to undertake another round of non-statutory public consultation after appointing a consultant, so draft designs are likely to be available to the public in quarter 3 of 2027. I look forward to seeing this project progress over the coming years and I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to update the House.

Deputy Colm Burke

I am concerned that the Minister of State is saying 36 months. That is three years. We have the biggest taxpayer in the country in this part of the city. We are saying sorry that they are waiting 45 years, but they will now have to wait between five and eight years more before we do anything for them. It is not good enough to wait three years. We fast-tracked the Adare bypass because we have a lot of people flying in for four weeks, and after those four weeks they will all be gone. Apple is there 45 years. The people of Cork are there all of the time. They are not there for just four weeks out of 20 years. I do not understand why it takes three years to progress a project because that is what we are now talking about. This is not good enough where there is substantial money being earned by the State in respect of a company providing employment to 6,000 people.

That is the number employed there. This is together with all the other people who are employed in Ballincollig, on the western side of the city, or the people employed in south Cork who have to travel through the city to get to their place of employment. We are now saying it is going to be another three or four years before we even go to the stage of inviting tenders for construction, and it may very well be six years. In view of the urgency of the matter and the fact that this project was parked for over ten years, can we not now give it priority? Can we not give priority to the consultation, the drafting of the plans and to advertising to bring in the contractors to build? It is extremely important for the city and for the many people who are working in the city and on its outskirts. I thank the Minister of State.

Deputy Robert Troy

It is not in my gift to say that we can accelerate the timeframe for the delivery of-----

Deputy Colm Burke

You did it for Adare for the sake of four weeks. Everything was done.

Deputy Robert Troy

I will acknowledge that the Deputy makes a very valid case to ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to serve major companies that are contributing significantly in terms of corporation tax to our country and employment for Cork and across different regions in Ireland. I have been given a document this evening to outline on behalf of the Minister for Transport the current timelines in place. The Deputy will be aware that the Government and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in the Department of public expenditure and reform, have published a document on accelerating the implementation of critical pieces of infrastructure. I honestly do not know if that will have an impact on the delivery of what the Deputy rightly identified as a critical infrastructure in relation to this northern distributor road. There was an acknowledgement on behalf of the Government that it was taking too long for infrastructural projects to be rolled out. As a consequence of that, a group was formed, an action plan has been published and those actions are there to be implemented to ensure we reduce the time it takes to put in critical infrastructure. I honestly do not know whether that will improve the situation the Deputy spoke about. I hope it will. I will bring back the points the Deputy has raised here to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I am sure the Deputy will use the opportunity within his own parliamentary party, which is a member of this Government, to also articulate the points made here this evening.

Deputy Colm Burke

I thank the Minister of State.

Road Projects

Deputy Louis O'Hara

The Athenry ring road is a key infrastructural project for our town. It is fair to say that progress has been quite slow. While parts of the road have been completed, we need to see this full project progressed and delivered. Construction is ongoing at the elbow section at Ballygarraun. That is very welcome and will provide another connection to the schools and the motorway and make it quicker and easier to get around the town. The next section to be completed is the eastern section through Ballydavid. This is key because it will connect the Tuam road to the Monivea road and take a huge amount of traffic out of the town centre. Cars coming in from the likes of Monivea, Attymon and surrounding areas will be able to completely avoid the town. It will make a huge difference in reducing traffic and congestion.

Traffic is becoming a serious issue in the town. The population of Athenry is expected to grow considerably in the years ahead. We have a lot of planning permissions approved for new housing developments. That is, obviously, a very good thing, but it is absolutely critical that we have the infrastructure in place to support and cater for an increased population and increased demands on infrastructure and public services. This means proper educational facilities. Our local schools need increased capacity. In particular, we need to see the new Gaelcampus, which we have been waiting 20 years for. It will mean having improved healthcare services, access to GPs and recreation spaces and amenities.

It is important to say a lot of good work is going on locally through the Athenry town centre plan and other initiatives to enhance our public spaces and the heritage of the town. In particular, we need improved transport services and infrastructure. Our rail services are at capacity and we are still waiting for a new bus service. The eastern section of the ring road is critical to taking traffic out of the town. We now know that the western rail corridor project from Athenry to Tuam is going ahead. It is a very welcome project. The western rail corridor and this section of the ring road will intersect, so it is positive that we now have clarity on the future of the rail line in the context of this project as well, as both of them can and should proceed together. I ask the Minister of State to please provide an update on this project.

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank Deputy O'Hara for his question. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with members of the House today on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I understand that the Deputy’s question is in relation to the Athenry relief road in County Galway. As Deputy O’Hara is aware, and as outlined in the 2026 regional and local roads programme, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country. It facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of critical services and activities. It is important to highlight that 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 these roads are funded from county councils' own resources and supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000 km and it requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient. As such, on 17 February 2026, the Minister for Transport announced an Exchequer investment of €718 million for our regional and local roads across the State. This will facilitate an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works. The pressures on the regional and local road network mean that the primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme is on the maintenance and renewal of the network; the implementation of the strategic regional and local road projects identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the national development plan; and targeted minor safety schemes across the regional and local road network. 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 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.

To date, two of the four sections of the Athenry relief road have been constructed. Funding was provided in 2025 to facilitate the construction of the third section, which will connect the previous two sections already constructed. The contract was awarded in 2025 for the third section following the conclusion of the tender process, and the construction programme is under way. The implementation of this project is the responsibility of Galway County Council. In 2026, Galway County Council received an allocation of €2 million for the Athenry relief road to continue construction of the third section. The Department has provided funding to Galway County Council under the strategic regional and local road grant programme to undertake surveys to allow the development of the preliminary design, including aspects of the bridge works required to facilitate the final section of the relief road. This work has been progressed in conjunction with Irish Rail. The current proposal indicates that the existing bridge over the final road section may have to be raised and there may be additional impacts on another bridge. The cost implications are being assessed on the final section of the Athenry relief road and any possible impact on the business case for the scheme.

In summary, the Minister for Transport recognises the importance of the funding provided to local authorities for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network together with some targeted investment in road improvement projects. This funding helps to maintain a functioning, safe interconnected network that facilitates thousands of people in their day-to-day activities.

Deputy Louis O'Hara

Go raibh maith agat. What I am really looking for is clarity on this project. The people of Athenry have been waiting for the ring road for a very long time. It is a hugely important infrastructural project for the town and for reducing congestion in the town.

It is critical for us as a growing town and a town that is going to continue to grow significantly in the years ahead. The design work is going on for a very long time at this stage. We know what is required for the bridge works to facilitate the road and the new railway. When will this project proceed? Will these projects proceed together? That is the clarity I am looking for on behalf of the people of Athenry. We want both projects to progressing as quickly as possible because they are both very important. That is also the position of Galway County Council. It is very welcome that we have clarity on the rail line and certainty that it is going to reopen in the future. There is no reason the rail and road projects cannot progress together and be up and running in the near future. We need the plans to be put in place for that, and funding allocated to make that a reality. I appreciate this is not the Minister of State’s Department, but if a request could go into the Department to provide that clarity, it would be much appreciated on behalf of the people of Athenry.

Deputy Robert Troy

I thank the Deputy for raising forcefully the need for clarity and certainty in relation to when the next phase of works will happen for this relief road. I have outlined the current state of play and there is no point in outlining it again but I will undertake to raise what the Deputy has said this evening with the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and ask him to come back to the Deputy with any further updates regarding the state of play of the road.

Traveller Community

Deputy Sinéad Gibney

I am very grateful for the opportunity to raise the issue of the closure and liquidation of the Southside Traveller Action Group, STAG. STAG has provided support to the Traveller community in my constituency and neighbouring constituencies for four decades. It provides support for some of the most marginalised people in our country, through periods when Travellers have faced horrific racism and abuse, a structural lack of support from the State and unimaginable tragedies such as the Carrickmines fire in which ten people tragically lost their lives. The announcement that STAG is closing has resulted in feelings of anger, betrayal and devastation for the Traveller community because for 40 years it has been helping Travellers with education, health supports, housing advocacy, employment and training programmes and after-school programmes. I understand that issues have arisen within the organisation and that the governance of the organisation is not for discussion in this Chamber. However, what is clearly within our scope is ensuring that Travellers in south Dublin continue to have the services they have relied on for over 40 years. We need to make sure the relevant Departments of equality, justice and social protection across government work together with the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to ensure the Traveller community itself is not penalised due to a situation it has not created. We need to ensure that education and health supports, housing advocacy and employment and training programmes for Travellers in my area continue and that there is a premises for these activities to take place.

These supports are vital for a community that has worse employment, educational and health outcomes and a much lower life expectancy than the settled population. If we are serious about equality, we need to address these issues for the Traveller community. STAG has been a huge part of that response in south Dublin for 40 years, and it is absolutely vital that any dissolution of the organisation does not leave these issues and that work abandoned.

I worked a lot on Traveller issues during my time in the human rights sector, and I have to say, it was an absolute privilege to work with groups such as the Southside Traveller Action Group from across Ireland that really provide for the gap in services I have described, which the State unfortunately as of yet does not provide for. The Traveller community is structurally vulnerable. What I mean by that, because the Traveller community is a very proud people and community, is its members face discrimination in areas across Irish life. They face racism that is the last accepted racism in our society, particularly in areas like mine where historically, political leaders have not shown the kindness to Travellers that we expect and Travellers deserve, and recognition of the racism and discrimination they experience in all spheres of Irish life. Attitudes of NIMBYism are not dealt with by political leaders and, in some instances, they are even fomented by political leaders within my constituency.

This is an opportunity for me and my constituency colleagues to show up for the Traveller community in Rathdown and specifically help put forward solutions when the Southside Traveller Action Group is in crisis. I really want to work with Government on this. I want to work with the Minister of State or whoever is responsible for this area to find a solution and show up for this delicate community.

Deputy Robert Troy

The Minister for Children, Equality and Disability would like me, on her behalf, to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and offering her, through me, an opportunity to respond. She sends her genuine apologies that she cannot be here to take this debate.

On 17 February, the board of Southside Traveller Action Group informed its public funders, including the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, that following an emergency meeting of the board and members, a resolution had been passed to place the company into voluntary liquidation on the grounds of insolvency. This was a deeply regrettable development as for more than 40 years, STAG played an important role in supporting members of the Traveller community and advocating for equality, inclusion and improved outcomes in areas such as accommodation support, education, training, employment, Traveller healthcare and youth services for local Traveller families. The main public funding organisations are the Health Service Executive, the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board and the Department of Social Protection, with an application also coming from the Department of Children, Equality and Disability to support and enable front-line service delivery. The Department of Children, Equality and Disability has contributed to State funding and supports to assist the organisation in delivering vital services for many years. However, over time, governance and financial challenges have been the focus of concern and attention of all State funders. Notwithstanding these concerns, and to ensure the organisation could continue to provide services, all funders continued to make funding available while allowing the identified issues to be addressed. All funders have a responsibility to ensure that public funds are used appropriately, transparently and in line with good governance standards. The effective stewardship of public resources is essentially not only for accountability, but also to maintain public trust, and safeguard the continuity of services for vulnerable communities. It was for that reason that public funders of STAG commissioned an independent finance and governance review of the organisation, which commenced in mid-October 2025. The review had not been completed at the time of the board's announcement.

The Minister wishes to acknowledged the work of everyone involved with STAG over many years to represent and advocate for the local Traveller community in south County Dublin. Its contribution has made a real impact in the lives of many individuals and families who are among those in most need within society. At this point, each of the State funders will assess the implications of the board's decision and, in so doing, will be conscious of the need to ensure services are delivered for the community. In this regard, it is vital that services and advocacy support remain accessible, and the needs of Traveller communities continue to be prioritised and met.

Deputy Sinéad Gibney

I thank the Minister of State. The Minister of State mentioned the governance issues that have arisen. This organisation has operated for 40 years and the governance and running of the organisation was done very well during that time. I have worked with many of these groups and it is against all odds sometimes that they survive with very little funding, a lot of volunteer power, and community spirit driving them forward. The has been operating and functioning well as an organisation for many decades. It is crucial to not to lose sight of that while dealing with the current issues that arise. I am seeking assurance that, as the Minister of State mentioned all the funders being conscious of the need to ensure services are delivered to the community, that they remain accessible and that the needs of the Traveller community continue to be prioritised and met.

That means those services must be provided by alternative organisations, by the council and by funding that comes from elsewhere across Government while this issue is being dealt with.

I appreciate this is a complex issue and something that needs input from multiple sources but I want to make sure some of the good work is not lost in regard to things like the lease this organisation has, which I believe may be under threat if we do not get a solution in place fast enough. This is the kind of thing I would urge Government and the Minister to look at to make sure the 40 years of really hard work by the Southside Travellers Action Group is not lost because of the crisis that arisen over the past year or so. For me, the difficulty is that we know how hard it is. This is one of the first groups that was ever set up to provide these services to Travellers in Ireland. The thought that we would lose that infrastructure and continuity is really devastating. One thing I really want to emphasise is that the Minister should really seek to maintain that continuity.

Deputy Robert Troy

Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which is a priority for the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and, indeed, for the whole of Government. The Minister acknowledges the staff, volunteers and community members who have worked with commitment and dedication over many years to advance the rights and well-being of Travellers in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area. Their efforts, often in challenging circumstances, have made a real difference to so many lives. This includes the significant contribution made by Southside Travellers Action Group in supporting local Traveller families after the tragic fire that occurred at a halting site in Carrickmines in October 2015, which the Deputy also acknowledged.

The Minister and the Government are committed to working towards the effective inclusion of Travellers in all aspects of Irish life, most immediately through implementation of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028. Strong community organisations advocating for and representing local Traveller communities are essential elements in that strategy. In their response to the situation at the Southside Travellers Action Group, the public funding organisations, including the Department, will be very conscious of the need to ensure that services are delivered to the community. I will relay the messages the Deputy brought here this evening, particularly in relation to the lease of the existing premises.

On a wider level, the Minister and her officials will continue to take steps under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 to strengthen the supports available to local organisations to help them meet the governance and financial requirements that go hand in hand with public funding while at the same time, supporting their most necessary efforts to represent the genuine and authentic voice of local Traveller communities.

Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 5 Mar 2026