The Government has announced an investment programme of €658 million for regional and local roads in 2024.

This is an increase of €32m in funding this year which will allow approximately 2,640 kilometres of regional and local roads to be maintained to required standards and a further 2,160km to be strengthened to improve the overall road quality on the network.

Minister Ryan said:

"My main priority in 2024 continues to be safety for all road users and key to that is the ongoing protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Most of this funding is going towards restoring the network which is essential for maintaining social and economic connectivity, linking people and places across the country. Central to this is the need to ensure that the journeys that people take, whether it's a quick hop up the road or a longer trip, are as predictable as possible and as safe as possible.

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"We are also allocating €16 million for 335 climate change adaptation projects to help future proof our roads. Projects to be completed in 2024 under the climate adaptation grant vary from seawall protection works at Malin Head, County Donegal to flooding alleviation works in Camross Oldtown, County Wexford."

Minister Chambers said:

"This is essential investment in our local and regional road network that will benefit towns, villages and communities up and down our country. This funding will enhance connectivity, support businesses and make it easier and safer for families to get to and from school, work and in their everyday activity. To improve road safety specifically, funding is being allocated to allow more than 250 safety projects to be carried out on the road network this year. These road safety schemes will target remedial measures to improve the overall safety of the road network for the benefit of all road users.

"In addition to measures like road safety awareness, policy reform and increased enforcement, engineering solutions are vital in reducing road deaths as well as instances of serious injury, and helping to create a safer transport environment for all."

A total of €50 million is allocated to advance several strategically significant road projects, including those outlined for development in the National Development Plan.

An extra €20 million is allocated for smaller road improvements. These include bridge work, junction changes, and projects to ease traffic and enhance access to education, businesses, and public transport. Projects funded in 2024 include the Edenderry Relief Road in County Offaly and Castlestrange Bridge Rehabilitation in County Roscommon.