133. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the timeline and schedule of stages to deliver the Second Liffey Bridge and Southern Relief Road in Newbridge; and the expected commencement and completion dates. [66971/26]

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. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with the remainder invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.

Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by my Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines and my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works, it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.

In late 2023, Kildare County Council submitted a preliminary appraisal application to the Department of Transport. It was noted to the Council that the project would require a business case outlining the need for the scheme, the transport issues, opportunities and demonstrating provides value for money. In 2025, my Department made an allocation to the Council in support of the preparation of a business case for the remaining section of the Newbridge Southern Outer Orbital Route. In mid-2025, the Council submitted the updated business case which was approved.

It is understood that, in 2023, Kildare County Council obtained planning approval for the remaining section of the scheme and is currently in advanced discussions with landowners regarding land acquisition.

The scheme more recently received funding approval under Call 1 of the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund which is managed by the Housing Activation Office (HAO) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The HAO have assumed funding responsibility for this scheme and will manage future queries in relation to timelines for different stages of the project. In the meantime your query has been referred to the HAO for direct response in relation to this question.