Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
282. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of all funding and grant aid provided by heading and subhead to Kildare, Wicklow and Meath local authorities in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the amount returned and or not expended over the same period. [70318/25]
View answerFunding for Local Authorities is primarily allocated to different regions both directly through Departmental programmes and through programmes managed by agencies such as the NTA and TII as well as the relevant Local Authority itself.
National Roads
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 funding in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath
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.
Greenways
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway and National Roads Active Travel projects is also subject to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, I will again refer your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Active Travel
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Regional and Local Roads
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.
As regards the regional and local road grant programme funding allocated to and drawn down by Kildare, Wicklow and Meath for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2023, 2024 and 2025, details of the regional and local road allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.
EV Charging
County Kildare is Regional Lead which has been identified as part of Region 4 under the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan and will be working with counties Louth, Meath and Wicklow as well as with relevant support organisations and stakeholders to identify the charging needs for their region.
ZEVI will continue to directly work with the local authority groups as they develop their strategies and will provide other supports and resources as necessary.
Public Transport
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, including in Counties Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
In light of the NTA’s responsibilities for providing funding or grant aid to local authorities, as appropriate, including in Kildare, Wicklow and Meath I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
