138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if he will visit Letterkenny to meet with Donegal County Council and local representatives to see at first hand the severe traffic congestion currently affecting the town; and to discuss the immediate and long-term measures required to address Letterkenny’s transport infrastructure needs. [67469/26]

147. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will travel to Donegal and meet with locally elected councillors to learn at firsthand about the serious traffic management crisis in Letterkenny impacting the people of and visitors to Donegal; and the proposed local roads infrastructure projects that can address this crisis. [67363/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 147 together.

In 2026, through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), €659 million was allocated for our national roads. Approximately €23 million in exchequer funding was allocated for the national road network in Donegal. This funding supports the progression of new road projects, such as the Donegal TEN-T Project, as well as the protection and renewal of the existing network in the county.

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.

For 2026, €718 million was allocated, through State road grants, for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal and the remainder directed towards new roads, bridges, and road realignments. This total allocation will facilitate an increase in funding of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal work.

In 2026, Donegal County Council was allocated a total of €46,220,650. Of this, €38,350,650 was for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads and €7.870,000 was for new roads and road improvement. In particular, the Letterkenny Southern Network Project received an allocation of €200,000.

Any new road project that seeks State funding is 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 that local authorities prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility.

Any requests for a meeting and similar engagement should be directed to my private office, where it will be appropriately considered.