Brian Stanley
Ceist:25. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding prioritising the provision of a new relief road for the N80 in Mountmellick. [11271/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 March 2022
Ceisteanna (25)
Freagraí scríofa
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, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan, 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 proposed N80 Mountmellick Bypass is not included among those projects which have been identified for development during the period of the NDP. However, following consultation with TII, I can advise the Deputy that Laois County Council is currently in the process of finalising the Strategic Assessment Report as required by the Public Spending Code which will set out the project rationale, the objectives and establish and assess a long-list of potential options.
I understand that an allocation of €100,000 was previously provided by TII to the Council to assist in this regard. Submission of the final report to TII for review is expected in early 2022. If TII is satisfied that the report meets the required standards and that there is a justification for developing the proposal further, it can approve the project to proceed to the next stage of Preliminary Business Case.
Any progression will be subject to compliance with government policy, availability of funding and further approvals. All projects under the NDP, or indeed any proposed projects outside of the scope of the Plan, will typically require the necessary approvals under the Public Spending Code. This will include Government approval in cases where project costs are estimated to be above €100 million.