Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he remains satisfied that urgently required road improvements and upgrades or new roads previously committed to will continue to be provided as required, given the need to meet future as well as present public demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29069/24]
View answerAs 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 maintenance 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.
A major priority in the National Development Plan, in line with the Department’s investment hierarchy, is to maintain the quality and safety of the existing National Road network. The NDP foresees an exchequer allocation of circa €2.9 billion in capital exchequer funding for the Protection and Renewal of existing National Roads over the 10-year period to 2030. This has been allocated fairly evenly across the decade.
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key National Strategic Outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of numerous national road projects, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others. As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year – however many national road projects in the NDP continue to be progressed in 2024.
Approximately €411m in capital exchequer funding was allocated to local authorities through TII for the purposes of national roads in 2024. This includes funding for new roads projects, as well as for the protection and renewal of the existing network, such as pavement renewal.
This work is in keeping with the commitments made in the Programme for Government, namely; to maintaining the existing road network to a high standard and funding safety improvements; and to invest in new roads infrastructure to ensure that all parts of Ireland are connected to each other.
