James O'Connor
Question:24. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed update on a road project (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43093/23]
View answerThursday, 5 October 2023
Questions (24)
Written answers
As 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, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
The N25 Midleton to Youghal scheme, which includes bypasses of the villages of Castlemartyr and Killeagh, was not listed in the NDP; however, an allocation of €100,000 was made available in 2022 to Cork County Council to allow for the development of a Strategic Assessment Report as then required by the Public Spending Code. That Strategic Assessment Report was submitted to my Department in January 2023 and a further allocation of €800,000 was provided by my Department in 2023 to ensure continued progression of the scheme this year. By the end of the year it is expected the scheme will have completed the next phase of its development through the finalisation of a feasibility report while Cork County Council are also seeking to have a new technical advisor in place by year end to assist with the scheme’s subsequent phases.