Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
252. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to provide a significant increase in funding for long overdue roads projects in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11586/26]
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 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.
National roads allocations for 2026 will be announced in the near future.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In 2025, Kerry County Council received funding of €35,808,971 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network of which over €28m of expenditure was for road protection and renewal.
The 2025 allocation included funding for three Strategic Regional and Local Roads Scheme; the Tralee Northern Relief Road; the Killarney Strategic Links Project; and the Kenmare Relief Road Phase 2; and seven Specific Improvement Grant Schemes including: the R556 Dale Road; Clash Cross to Ballymullen Road; and the Tralee to Fenit Realignment Phase 3.
Regional and local road grant allocations for 2026 will be notified to local authorities in the near future.
