Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
125. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of proposed cuts to the spending programme of Transport Infrastructure Ireland; if he provided sanction for such expenditure cuts; the scale of the expenditure cuts; the locations/projects impacted by such expenditure cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
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. The allocations announced by TII earlier this year are an indication of the progress that TII believes is possible on each national roads project during the year. However, if the progression of any national roads project, programme or operation is impeded or priorities change, the funding will be redistributed by TII, in accordance with its statutory remit, to other national roads or greenways projects, programmes, or operations. No funding has been withdrawn by my Department from TII this year, and the overall level of exchequer funding for 2024 remains as outlined earlier this year in February.
