David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport , further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 9 September 2024, if he will specifically address the possibility of providing multi-annual funding to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the development of national projects, such as the N72 Mallow relief road, which is of particular relevance given that the project was not granted enough funding at the beginning of 2024, therefore recently requiring the provision of a supplementary allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36535/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 the status of the N72 Mallow Relief Road.

As stated in response to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 9 September 2024, funding is put in place as part of the annual budget process, Exchequer funding is drawn down by TII through the submission of invoices to the Department of Transport on a regular basis. Robust procedures are in place to ensure that expenditure can be attributed to individual projects and there are regular meetings between the Department and TII in relation to the roads programme throughout the year.

There are currently no plans to provide multi-annual funding to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the development of national road projects.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.