165. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Transport the key measures taken to support the local and regional road network since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53488/26]

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.

Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local roads network. This network is fundamental to maintaining our social and economic connections across the country.

Irelands regional and local roads network spans over 96,000kms, and requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient. As such, for 2025, €713 million was allocated to it for maintenance and renewal works. For 2026, this funding was increased to €718 million.

This funding supports our local authorities to carry out extensive programmes of maintenance and restoration works. Funding also supports various safety improvements, bridge rehabilitations, drainage works, climate adaptation measures, community involvement projects, and the maintenance of former national roads and strategic regional roads.

In addition to maintenance, targeted improvements are a priority. Funding is allocated to investing in developing and upgrading this infrastructure through vital Strategic Grant projects. These include the Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade, which opened in May 2025, and Section A of the Tralee Northern Relief Road, which opened earlier this month. In 2026, a number of other projects are at construction stage, including the R498 Latteragh Upgrade in County Tipperary, Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road in Limerick city, and Fintra Bridge and approach roads in County Donegal.

Funding is also allocated for smaller-scale road improvements under the Specific Grant category.

On 1 July, I announced additional funding of €40 million, for the worst-affected counties, to address the damage caused to regional and local roads by Storm Chandra earlier this year. Which again serves to demonstrate Government's commitment to the protection of our regional and local roads.