Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
134. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be made available to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in order to reinstate funding for local authorities to tender pavement projects previously approved, given the request by TII to local authorities to place a hold on tendering pavement projects while an expenditure review is undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29111/24]
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 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.
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. 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 No funding has been withdrawn by my Department from TII this year.
