Road Projects
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-10
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Charlie McConalogue (FF), Donegal

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I thank the Senator for raising the matter and for explaining the need for the project so succinctly. She is raising the importance of, and necessity, for a second bridge for Newbridge linking the Great Connell Road and the Athgarvan Road over the River Liffey.
The Senator will also be aware, as outlined in the 2025 regional and local roads programme, that the Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing road network. As we all know, this network is fundamental in connecting people and places across the country. It is also important to highlight the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local road network is a statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the Roads Act 1993.
Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000 km and requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose. As such, on 14 February 2025, the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million for our regional and local roads across the State, which represents an increase of 8% year on year.
Due to pressures on the regional and local road network, the primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme is on the maintenance and renewal of the network, the implementation of the strategic regional and local road projects identified for development, subject to necessary approvals in the national development plan, NDP, and targeted minor safety schemes across the regional and local road network. Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding 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 infrastructure guidelines, formerly the public spending code, and the Department's transport appraisal framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works, it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In 2025, Kildare County Council was allocated €20,828,600 for the maintenance and improvement of its regional and local roads network, of which over €19 million was allocated to road protection and renewal. In addition, the Department is providing funding for three strategic regional and local road improvement schemes, namely, NDP scheme Athy southern distributor road, NDP scheme R407 Sallins By-Pass and the Osberstown interchange, as well as the Newbridge south orbital relief route.
As regards the Newbridge south orbital relief route scheme, Kildare County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal application in late 2023, with an approximate cost estimate of €12.5 million. It was noted to the council that the project would require a business case to be developed in order for the council to substantiate the need for the scheme, which addresses the transport issues or opportunities and provides value for money. The Department made an allocation to the council in 2025 in support of the preparation of a business case for the Newbridge south outer orbital route.
In summary, the Minister for Transport recognises the importance of the funding provided to local authorities for the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network, together with some targeted investment in road improvement projects. This funding helps to maintain a safe road network for people on a day-to-day basis. Regarding the Newbridge south orbital route, the most up-to-date position is the Department made an allocation to the council this year to support the preparation of a business case for the route and that is where it sits from the Department's point of view at present.

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Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted.

Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-10