Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2022
39. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be made available to progress to phase 3 of the N52 Tullamore Kilbeggan link road scheme in the context of having been identified as a key piece of infrastructure for the economic and development of the wider Tullamore area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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 TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
Approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan Link Road Scheme. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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.
