The 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 supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework.
Tipperary County Council must submit an appropriate project appraisal with updated scheme costs in order for the Thurles Inner Relief Road to be considered for funding. To date such an appraisal has not been submitted by Tipperary County Council in relation to a Thurles Inner Relief Road.