120. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport taking into account the heavy dependence on the non-national road network in counties Cavan and Monaghan, if he will consider as a matter of urgency the provision of additional financial allocations this year to both local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/26]

186. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport taking into account the severe damage due to more intensive heavy rainfall in shorter timeframes that is caused to the non-national road network, if he will give urgent consideration to the provision of additional funding this year following the recent financial allocations to the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15560/26]

188. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline any plans to review or increase the local and regional roads funding allocations for both counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2026; if he will consider providing additional or emergency funding to address urgent repair, restoration, and maintenance needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14948/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 120, 186 and 188 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.

On 17th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €718 million in our regional and local roads across the State. This will facilitate an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works.

Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.

In 2026, Cavan County Council received an allocation of €19,165,275 which is an increase of 14% when compared to 2022 and Monaghan County Council received an allocation of €17,231,600 which is an increase of 8.6% when compared to 2022.

Full details of the 2026 regional and local grant allocations are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-for-transport-announce-over-15-billion-for-national-regional-and-local-roads/.

Government is committed to assisting affected local authorities in the aftermath of Storm Chandra. My Department is liaising with affected counties, who are continuing to compile and assess damage on the ground to enable proper estimation of the total damage caused and the estimated cost of remediation.

It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. Local authorities are also advised to set aside a contingency from Department allocations and own resources for severe weather events. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is also open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.