170. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport the need to provide funding to local authorities for traffic cams and pedestrian crossings in rural towns and villages, including those on national roads; and whether he acknowledges that high speeds become a problem for safety of pedestrians and vulnerable road users. [67539/26]

Government is committed to reducing road deaths and creating safer roads for everyone in Ireland. Our Road Safety Strategy 2021 to 2030 has the primary aim of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries by half by 2030 and to achieve zero deaths or serious injuries by 2050.

Our strategy identified speed as one of seven priority intervention areas, with the aim of its reduction to safe, appropriate levels for the roads being used and the roads users using them.

In this regard the speed limit review of 2023 set out three principal recommendations concerning speed limit reductions:

• A reduction in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h,

• The introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in built-up and urban areas, and

• A reduction in the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h.

These recommendations are being implemented on a phased basis by our local authorities, supported by my Department.

The first recommendation, concerning rural local roads, was implemented in February 2025.

The second recommendation, concerning built-up and urban areas, is being implemented by local authorities by way of ‘special speed limit bye-laws’, rather than a change in the ‘default speed limit’. As directed by the Minister for Transport, local authorities are to complete the bye-law process for this phase by 30 October this year and implement all permanent speed limit changes by 31 March 2027.

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.

Under the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, my Department provides supplemental funding to local authorities for several targeted programmes, including Safety Improvement Works. Applications are sought each year from eligible local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. Funding can be sought for traffic calming measures and other safety improvement works. The individual schemes for inclusion in such applications are decided by the local authority concerned.

This year, €14 million was allocated for Safety Improvement Works, supporting over 300 schemes across the country. This was an increase of approximately 7.7% on the 2025 allocation. A further €12.4 million, through Specific Improvement Grants, was allocated to road improvement schemes related to road safety.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The operation and management of national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply with information on TII’s Road Safety Improvement Scheme Programme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.