281. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the number and location of identified high-risk road routes, in tabular form; the measures he is taking to address safety on these high-risk routes; and if he will consider a rapid rollout of average speed cameras on these roads. [17901/26]

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 operation and management 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 in relation to identified high collision locations on National Roads.

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

With regard to the Regional and Local Road network, collision data is analysed which allows the identification of high-risk road safety areas, called Locations of Interest (LOI), requiring remediation and road safety improvements. When these locations are identified through collision analysis, local authorities and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are consulted regarding proposed road safety measures in the LOI areas. Since 2022, more than 400 locations of interest have been funded under low-cost safety schemes and local authorities continue to review and apply for funding to complete additional schemes each year.

Locations of interest are officially notified by the Department to each local authority, and they are invited to submit applications for low-cost safety schemes in Quarter 3/4 of each year for funding and implementation in the following year. This ensures targeted investment for road safety to areas of the network where it is needed most.

The increased deployment of safety cameras is a commitment under the programme for government and is also a primary action to be delivered under the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Road Safety Strategy.

Work on the first National Safety Camera Strategy is progressing. The Department is working closely with all road safety stakeholders including the NTA, TII, RSA and An Garda Síochána on how best to implement the Strategy. The Strategy will, focus on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future. It is expected that the Strategy will be published shortly. Once this strategy is in place, it will provide the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences.

In addition, since 2024, An Garda Síochána has deployed 12 new speed cameras – 9 new static cameras and 3 new average speed cameras across the road network. There is now a total of 5 average speed cameras in place at the M50 (Dublin Port Tunnel), M7 (Nenagh Tipperay J26 – J27), N3 between Belturbet and Cavan Town, N5 at Swinford in Mayo, and N2 between Cullen and Ballymagarvey in Co.Meath. Also, the Deputy may wish to note that An Garda Siochána confirmed that as of 1 January 2026 390 new safety camera zones have become operational bringing the total number of safety camera zones nationwide to 1,901. Safety cameras operate in areas where there is a history of speed-related collisions known as speed enforcement zones.

The ongoing measures above demonstrates the Government's commitment to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland.