575. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he will direct Transport Infrastructure Ireland to progress work on the Mallow northern relief road. [41297/15]

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Cork County Council. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. The timeframe for progressing individual projects included in the Capital Plan is, therefore, a matter for decision by TII taking into account its annual budgets.