Smith calls again for additional funding for non-national roads

Deputy Brendan Smith, has raised with ministers the need for additional funding for local roads across Cavan and Monaghan.

Citing the impact of inflation on available funding, the local Fianna Fáil TD raised the pressing issue with Tánaiste Micheál Martin and with the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan.

"There has been a welcome and much-needed increase in Government funding for the non-national road network in the last few years but unfortunately inflation has eaten into the available resources," Deputy Brendan Smith said.

“In a series of Parliamentary Questions, I have highlighted again the urgent requirement for additional investment due to the very substantial increase in costs that have arisen over the past two years in road maintenance products and construction works and also the additional traffic on our roads due to increased economic activity and a growing population,” stated Deputy Brendan Smith.

Deputy Brendan Smith concluded by seeking assurance that in the mid-year review of the 2023 capital programme, priority will be given to a further allocation to local authorities of grant aid for regional, county and local roads.

"The councils in my constituency, Cavan and Monaghan, have the capacity to put such funding to good use in the best interests of rural communities,'' he said.