187. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport to approve the application by Tipperary County Council for a safety improvement grant amounting to €50,000 for a scheme of traffic calming measures along with associated line markings and signage at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49040/26]

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.

According to my Department's records, an application has not been received from Tipperary County Council with reference to the Clonoulty National School.

My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including Safety Improvement Works. Applications are sought each year from local authorities for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. While funding can be sought for traffic calming measures and other safety improvements, it is a matter for Tipperary County Council to submit such an application.

It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment in regional and local roads.

For 2026, Tipperary County Council received an initial allocation of €49,379,670, with €829,370 of this allocated for Safety Improvement Works.

In 2026, funding of €30,000 was allocated to the Clonoulty Village Footpath Link scheme through a Specific Improvement Grant. This scheme aims to connect the playground and the GAA grounds to the rest of the village.