Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
184. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport to outline the funding allocation to Louth County Council for the roadworks programme this year; if it is anticipated that additional funding will be available later this year for roadworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15491/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, which are supplemented by State grants for regional and local roads. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
On 17th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €718 million in our regional and local roads across the State. This will facilitate an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works.
In 2026, Louth County Council has been allocated a total of €10,810,650. Of this, €10,040,650 has been allocated for the protection and renewal of Louth's regional and local roads.
This funding will support Louth County Council in carrying out an extensive 2026 programme of maintenance and restoration works. Funding also supports various safety improvement works, bridge rehabilitation schemes, drainage works, climate adaptation measures and community involvement projects.
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 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 this regard, Louth County Council has received an allocation of €770,000 in 2026 for one Specific Improvement Grant scheme; Transport Corridor from L-3161 Marlbog Roundabout to L7163 Chapel Road Roundabout and two Strategic Regional and Local Road schemes: Cavan - Dundalk Scheme RibGeom R178 Sections D6 & D7 and Port Access Northern Cross Route (Drogheda), Phase 3.
Full details of the 2026 regional and local grant allocations are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-for-transport-announce-over-15-billion-for-national-regional-and-local-roads/.
At present, all funding under the Regional and Local Road Programme has been allocated.
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 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on this.
2026 TII Allocations can be located on the TII website in order to find the allocation for a particular project for inclusion above 2026-tii-la-national-roads-allocations-booklet.pdf
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.
