John Brady
Question:203. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if funding for the upgrade of the N11 will be made available; when works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62543/25]
View answerRoad Projects
Questions (203, 204)
John Brady
Question:204. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the N11 bus priority scheme; if funding is currently available for the scheme; the phases and timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62544/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of these projects.
I can confirm that €1,450,000 has been allocated for the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim scheme and €4,000,000 has been allocated for the N11/N25 Oilgate to Rosslare scheme in 2025. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for 2026 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding projects on the N11. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 203.
Coastal Protection
Questions (205)
John Brady
Question:205. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to carry out costal protection works at the Murrough in Wicklow Town to protect the rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62545/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP).
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Rail Network
Questions (206)
John Brady
Question:206. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the plans to extend the LUAS to Bray; the planning completed on the project to date; the cost of the project to date; for a timeframe for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62546/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including light rail.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. An extension of the Luas Green line to Bray is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals for development and delivery within 2031-2036 and is part of a number of proposed expansions to the Luas network over the lifetime of the strategy.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Bus Services
Questions (207)
John Brady
Question:207. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the planned new Local Link service between Bray and Glendalough in County Wicklow, including when the service is due to commence; to provide details of the schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62547/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In light of the NTA responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Transport Policy
Questions (208)
John Brady
Question:208. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the projects in Wicklow that will be prioritised and funded following the review of the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62548/25]
View answerWritten answers
The recently concluded review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is in the process of reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that newly confirmed capital funding envelope, including plans for investment in public transport projects, and a decision on a programme of delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming months. My Department will now progress the sectoral plan for the 2026 to 2030 period, which will be published later this year and which will inform transport priorities in the coming years.
I can at this time confirm that the overall funding for the Active Travel and Greenways Programme will be €360 million for next year, supporting the delivery of high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure across the country. As part of the local authority allocation’s determination process, both the NTA and TII will liaise with local authorities to fully understand their Active Travel and Greenways project proposals and priorities. Allocations for 2026, including those for Wicklow County Council, are expected to be announced in early 2026 at which point a list of supported projects will also be available.
Road Projects
Questions (209)
John Brady
Question:209. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to progress the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood Cross upgrade scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62549/25]
View answerWritten answers
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 the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood Cross.
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.
Road Traffic Accidents
Questions (210)
John Brady
Question:210. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of road traffic accidents on the N81 in County Wicklow for each year between 2015 and 2025; the type of accidents; if anyone was injured; if there have been any fatalities, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62550/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has a statutory remit to report on fatal, serious and minor injury collisions on public roads. The RSA receives both coronial data and collision data from An Garda Síochána for this purpose and produces official statistics to help develop evidence-based road safety interventions.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Airport Policy
Questions (211)
Gillian Toole
Question:211. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the responses from Dublin Airport Authority, AIRNAV and Irish Aviation Authority to the solutions for safer and lawful flight departure paths from the north runway at Dublin Airport, as proposed by the North Runway Technical Group in June 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62587/25]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for the question.
Following engagement with the daa on the matter of flightpaths at Dublin Airport , I have been advised that given the ongoing regulatory and planning processes in track regarding Dublin Airport, including matters under Judicial Review, it is not daa’s intention to embark on a flightpath review at this time.
Under EU legislation, the operator of an airport, daa in the case of Dublin Airport, is responsible for the design and maintenance of Instrument Flight Procedures (IFPs) which set flight paths into and out of an airport. While the Irish Aviation Authority, as the civil aviation safety regulator in Ireland, has responsibility for ensuring that IFPs adhere to safety standards set out in national, EU and international regulations.
Flight paths are also monitored for compliance with noise requirements by the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority, in line with EU Regulation 598/2014.
Separately, monitoring compliance with planning permission conditions is matter for the relevant planning authority that granted those permissions, and enforcement of planning conditions is a matter for those authorities.
Each of the aforementioned competent authorities has a range of powers of enforcement available where issues of non-compliance are identified. They are independent in the performance of their functions, and it is not open to me as the Minister, to intervene on matters which are the responsibility of these independent authorities.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (212)
Emer Currie
Question:212. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No's 177 to 184 of 16 October and No. 265 of 4 November 2025, the date that his Department actually started its concerted effort in 2025 to deep dive into the area of court disqualification orders received without a driver number attached; his Department's plan to publish more complete data on the matching process by the end of 2025 as he stated in his reply of 4 November 2025.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62599/25]
View answerWritten answers
In the second half of this year my Department initiated a project to deep dive into the area of court offence information received without a driver number. This work is underway presently, including engagement with An Garda Siochana as they are a key player in the processes involved. We remain committed to publishing more complete data on the matching process by the end of 2025.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (213)
William Aird
Question:213. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the number and locations of EV charging hubs to be installed under phase 3 of the light duty vehicle scheme; the timeline for completion of these hubs; the measures in place to ensure that both urban and rural areas, including counties such as County Laois, have equitable access to high-powered charging infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62626/25]
View answerWritten answers
The sites of the 90 new recharging hubs to service the expanding electric vehicle (EV) fleet across Ireland's national road network were announced 10th October 2025.
These new sites will deliver 192 new fast recharging points, with an average capacity of typically 250kW, at 90 locations along the national primary and secondary road network. This is part of a wider plan to build a reliable recharging network across the country, with the distance between recharging hubs envisaged as 30km or less. As this scheme covers national secondary roads, it will ensure delivery of high powered charging in more rural areas.
The recharging hubs are funded through the Light Duty Vehicle (LDV) initiative operated by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and delivered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). These hubs are due to be in place by end 2026.
Successful applicants include sites in County Laois, and an illustrative map and full location listings of the successful applicants are outlined on the TII website. The scheme aims to significantly boost Ireland’s EV recharging capacity by focusing investment on targeted locations, with public recharging facilities within 3km of national roads, including petrol stations, car parks, and supermarkets and rapid roll-out, enabling accelerated delivery of high quality recharging infrastructure.
Public Transport
Questions (214)
William Aird
Question:214. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan to expand and improve public transport options in rural and regional areas; if he will provide details of the funding allocated in 2025; the number of new routes planned; the measures in place to ensure reliability and affordability of Local Link services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62627/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
Connecting Ireland is a major 5-year public transport initiative developed by the NTA to increase connectivity outside our major cities and towns, which commenced in mid-2022. Over 180 new and enhanced services have commenced since then connecting 240 towns and villages to the public transport network. These services have provided connections to 61 healthcare facilities, 41 higher education facilities and 71 rail services.
Funding of €51 million was provided for Rural Regular Services in 2025 and a further €15 million was provided for new services which includes Connecting Ireland, new town services, and Bus Connects. More than 30 new and enhanced services have been implemented to date in 2025.
The NTA has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In light of the NTA responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Vehicle Testing
Questions (215, 221)
William Aird
Question:215. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the number of those currently waiting for Cat C, Cat C1, and Cat BE testing in test centres in County Laois; the number tested in each of those categories for July, August, September and October 2025; the number of tests scheduled for November 2025, by category, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62628/25]
View answerWilliam Aird
Question:221. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the average wait time for driving tests in Portlaoise, County Laois for October 2024 and October 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62634/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 221 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, this includes all application and scheduling matters. Accordingly, the information requested for testing centres in Co. Laois is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
The Deputy may wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Road Safety
Questions (216)
William Aird
Question:216. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport 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]
View answerWritten answers
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Questions (217)
William Aird
Question:217. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is progressing toward the transport sector's emissions reduction targets under the Climate Action Plan; the additional measures being considered to meet 2030 goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62630/25]
View answerWritten answers
For the transport sector, we are required to pursue a decarbonisation pathway to achieve a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030 in a manner that is consistent with sectoral emission ceilings that were agreed by Government in August 2022. Despite continued economic and population growth, transport emissions have started to decline year-on-year.
The transport chapter of the annually updated national Climate Action Plan (CAP) sets out the policy pathway to achieve these emission reductions and uses an Avoid-Shift-Improve framework where the aim is to:
• Avoid generating unsustainable additional transport demand through, for example, better spatial, urban, and land-use planning.
• Shift to more sustainable modes of transport, such as active travel and public transport.
• Improve the efficiency of residual vehicle journeys through widespread electrification and the use of renewable alternative fuels.
The Climate Action Plans, which are updated nationally, are underpinned by a detailed Annex of Actions, and reported upon quarterly by the Department of An Taoiseach. We have already seen positive progress in all aspects of the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework:
Avoid – My Department has developed a new national strategy, Moving Together: A Collaborative Approach to Systems Change in Transport. This strategy seeks to encourage a collective and collaborative approach to behavioural change, in an effort to reduce or avoid the need for unsustainable travel - insofar as possible - across all areas of the economy and society. It is also expected to have a key role in reducing congestion and air pollution, and in meeting the CAP23 commitment of reducing total vehicle kilometres travelled, both private and commercial, by 20%. I look forward to progressing work on the recommendations within the strategy, following approval by Government which will complement and mutually reinforce the significant investment that is being made in public transport services and active travel infrastructure to help ‘Shift’ people to more sustainable modes like walking, cycling, public and shared transport.
Shift – Shared mobility holds enormous potential for a genuinely new approach to transport – a people-centred approach that offers many different options for a range of everyday journeys. In terms of active travel, earlier this year, a TFI e-bike trial scheme commenced with the introduction of 100 e-bikes in Cork. Following the success of the initial rollout of the e-bikes in Cork, a further 400 are due to be put into operation across Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford later this year.
Since the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021, my Department has invested over €1 billion in active travel projects through the National Transport Authority’s (NTA’s) Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme, delivering over 1,000 km of walking and cycling projects around the country. In 2025 approximately €293 million has been allocated to this Programme, in addition to a commitment by my Department and TII to spending €67 million on Greenways and National Roads Active Travel infrastructure. It is expected that approximately 200km of walking and cycling infrastructure will be delivered in 2025.
In respect of Public Transport, in October, the NTA launched the most extensive phase of BusConnects yet, connecting more Dublin communities - and the construction of the Liffey Valley Corridor is set to being in December 2025. I also recently secured Government Approval for BusConnects Cork, which will bring enhanced bus and cycle infrastructure to the city offering an improved network that will have over 50% more bus services in place, with two routes operating 24-hours.
Improve - We are still seeing steady growth in the number of EV registrations, and I announced in October that Ireland has already met its Climate Action Plan target of 195,000 electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025, a key milestone in the nation's transition to cleaner transport. Additionally, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) continues to see increases in our biofuel blend rates and increased the volume of biofuel supply by 60% between 2021 and 2023, representing displacement of two hundred thousand tonnes of CO2 each year.
Transport is a very difficult sector to decarbonise, and Climate Action Plans 2023-2025 set out policies intended to put the sector on a pathway to achieve an emissions reduction of 50% by 2030. However, achieving the carbon budget 1 target of 54 Mt CO2eq will be extremely challenging and with that in mind, my Department is working closely with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to deliver the CAP corrective action modelling project, which is progressing well and will inform future iterations of the Climate Action Plan and wider policy initiatives within the transport decarbonisation domain.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (218)
William Aird
Question:218. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to expand the national EV charging network, address regional disparities in charger availability, and support lower-income households in transitioning to electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62631/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is a vital need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging. The objective is to be ahead of demand and deliver on the AFIR requirements and install EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy, is currently being revised with a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 to be published for consultation in the coming months.
In 2024, the locations of 17 new high-powered recharging pools for electric vehicles were announced along the National Road Network.
In June 2025, the locations of 53 new high-powered recharging pools to be rolled out under this scheme on the National Road Network were announced under Phase 2 of the ZEVI EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme.
In October 2025, we announced the locations of 90 new high-powered recharging pools to be rolled out under Phase 3 of the scheme.
The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging, was published in April this year. The plan will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed, including:
• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers in sports clubs on the island of Ireland.
• Local Authority pilot schemes, funding the roll out of EV charging in Local Authorities who have already developed local EV network plans, while supporting the development of local EV Network plans in other areas.
Rural motorists are often in an advantageous position to make the switch to an electric vehicle, due to the large number of dwellings in rural Ireland which are suitable for home EV charging.
Home charging means lower running costs and many EVs are now capable of doing over 400km on a single charge, which will meet most people’s daily driving needs.
Over €100m has been allocated in 2025 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure.
There is a suite of incentives in place from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from taxation incentives through the Department of Finance, to support the continued transition to EVs, including a purchase grant for battery electric vehicles; a home charger purchase grant; VRT relief of up to €5,000; and a low rate of annual motor tax.
Active Travel
Questions (219)
William Aird
Question:219. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding allocated in 2026 for rural active travel infrastructure such as footpaths, cycle ways, and safe routes to schools; the way his Department will ensure that all local authorities have the capacity to deliver these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62632/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the allocation of funding at local authority level as well as the oversight of development and delivery of individual projects.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment is to support high quality walking and cycling infrastructure for everyday trips in villages, towns and cities, with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel. Investment in active travel across the country has remained at a consistently high level in recent years with over €290 million in funding provided to local authorities through the NTA's Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme in 2025 alone.
Given the ramping up of activities over the last few years in the Active Travel area, the number of projects being progressed now exceeds the level of funding made available to the NTA. Accordingly, the NTA is unable to fully fund all proposed Active Travel projects and has to prioritise certain projects over others in order to remain within its allocated budget. While a project may not be selected by the NTA for funding in a particular year, it may be funded in subsequent years.
As part of the allocations determination, the NTA liaises with each local authority to fully understand the projects being proposed by the local authority and its considerations in terms of priorities. I was delighted that in Budget 2026, the overall funding for the Active Travel and Greenways Programme will remain at €360 million into next year. Local authority allocations for 2026, including for Safe Routes to School projects, will be confirmed by the NTA early in the New Year.
Road Safety
Questions (220)
William Aird
Question:220. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on implementing the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, with particular reference to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads; the level of resources allocated to Garda enforcement and local road safety improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62633/25]
View answerWritten answers
The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This Strategy was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe Systems approach. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.
Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy ran until the end of 2024, with approximately 169 concrete actions complete or on track at its conclusion, out of a total of 190 actions. A key achievement of Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy was the publication of the Speed Limit Review and subsequent work on implementation. The Speed Limit Review was published in September 2023 and allows for changes to be made, where necessary, to speed limits to improve safety on the road network. The reduced default speed limit for local/rural roads from 80km/h to 60km/h came into effect on 7 February 2025. Work on implementing Phase 2 of the review in relation to the introduction of 30km/h speed limits in urban/built up areas is now underway. Other key road safety actions delivered during Phase 1 of the strategy include -
• The sharing of insurance data with AGS;
• The introduction of mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions in the same way as testing for alcohol; and
• The roll out of additional safety cameras with work currently underway on the development of a National Safety Camera Strategy.
In July I published the Phase 2 Action Plan for the Road Safety Strategy, which will run from 2025 to 2027. The action plan focuses on the delivery of 12 primary actions that have the potential for truly transformative change. Each of these actions will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working with a range of road safety stakeholders. Some of the key actions include
• Investing significantly into new and improved active travel and public transport;
• Expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations, guide investment decisions and prioritise safety interventions including for the local road network;
• Implementing in full all actions in the Phase 2 Action Plan based, based on the 2023 Speed limit review; and
• Reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum.
The 12 primary actions are supplemented by a suite of 77 supporting actions, which reflect a wider range of ongoing important activities currently being delivered by road safety partners. There is also much important ongoing work within partner agencies that is not fully captured in the action plan.
The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner and questions in that regard should be directed to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.
Question No. 221 answered with Question No. 215.
Road Network
Questions (222)
William Aird
Question:222. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that rural and regional road networks are made more climate-resilient in response to increased flooding, storm damage, and extreme weather events; if additional funding will be made available to local authorities for road repair and adaptation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62635/25]
View answerWritten answers
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, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. The Department of Transport also emphasises to local authorities the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage unforeseen events such as severe flooding.
As outlined in the 2025 Regional and Local Roads programme which I released on the 14th of February this year, the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country.
In line with established practice, local authorities are advised by my Department that a contingency provision should be reserved from the overall resources available to each authority for regional and local roads so as to deal with damage caused by severe weather conditions.
In addition, local authorities may carry out repairs from the regional and local road grants available to them and from their own resources and in this context, it is open to each Council to determine and reprioritise its work programme following severe weather events.
As part of the 2023–24 European windstorm season, Ireland experienced several severe weather events, most noticeably Storm Babet, causing considerable damage to the regional and local road network. The Department continues to engage with local authorities, and in 2025 allocated €10 million for severe weather repairs.
My Department sought applications in October 2024 for funding of climate change adaptation and resilience works on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities during 2025. The schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the local authorities. Allocations are made by the Department taking into account the terms applying to the scheme and the available budget for the grant programme, and it is not possible to allocate funds to all projects. In 2025, 16.5 million was allocated for climate adaptation and resilience works.