Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
410. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on Louth County Council's application for €3.6 million in emergency storm damage funding submitted in February 2026, in light of the fact that the council has already carried out substantial resurfacing and repair works without any additional allocation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28568/26]
View answerMy Department has liaised with those local authorities affected by Storm Chandra on damage caused and remediation needed and is now looking at means to address it.
In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.
For 2026, €718 million has been allocated, through State road grants, for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal.
All funding available through the 2026 Regional and Local Road Grant Programme was allocated to local authorities in February this year. Such allocations should supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.
This year, Louth County Council has been allocated €10,810,650, with €10,040,650 allocated for the protection and renewal of its regional and local roads.
Local authorities are advised to set aside a contingency, from Department allocations and its own resources, for severe weather events.
