229. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the status of emergency roads funding for Wexford County Council following significant damage caused by storm Chandra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40677/26]

230. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the status of emergency roads funding for Wicklow County Council following significant damage caused by storm Chandra; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40678/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

My Department has liaised with those local authorities affected by Storm Chandra on the damage caused to their regional and local roads and the remediation needed. Means to address this are under consideration.

For 2026, €718 million was allocated, through the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, for improvement and maintenance, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal.

All funding available through the 2026 Regional and Local Road Grant Programme was allocated to local authorities in February this year. It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. Further, local authorities are advised to set aside a contingency, from Department allocations and their own resources, for severe weather events.

Wexford County Council was allocated €23,317,100, with €22,747,100 of this for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads.

Wicklow County Council was allocated €14,908,200 for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads.

In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.