€240 million to fund road improvements

Cork is set to receive €240 million in roads funding in 2026, as part of a broader €1.514 billion investment nationally.

The funding will be divided among the City and County Councils, and will cover national, regional, and local roads.

Cork City Council will receive almost €6 million for national roads, and €18 million for regional and local roads.

Cork County Council will receive almost €139m for national roads, and just over €78m for regional and local projects.

The M28 project is set to receive €110 million, which Minister of State in the Department of Transport Jerry Buttimer said is part of an investment of €500 million that “will allow the Port of Cork to grow”.

A further €28 million will be allocated to the county council. Funding is being made available for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme (Cobh), the Midleton-Youghal Bypasses, and the Mallow Relief Road.

Ballinrea Cross in Carrigaline has been allocated €300,000 to tackle safety improvements. The area is recognised as being dangerous, and Minister Buttimer said it is the “first time this legacy issue is being invested in properly”.

In West Cork, €3 million will be invested to improve the road in Ballylickey, while in Innishannon and Bandon, €100,000 and €650,000 will be allocated respectively to advance works on the bypasses.

Minister Buttimer said that he has been “strongly advocating for Cork in this year’s allocation, and I’m glad to see Cork doing well.

“If we’re serious about balanced regional development and making Cork a strong economic driver for the country, this is the scale of investment we need to be starting with. I’m very ambitious to grow this level of investment year on year through the lifetime of this Government,” he said.

Fianna Fáil TD Aindrias Moynihan said he was “delighted” to see the investment in regional and local roads.

“This funding will make a real difference in communities right across the county, delivering safer roads and more efficient journeys.

“Investing in road infrastructure is critical for supporting local economic growth, making daily commutes safer and more efficient, and ensuring our road network is sustained in the future,” he said.

Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, also welcomed the announcement, but said more emphasis should be put on plans of “strategic importance”.

“Government must also consider the introduction of multi-annual funding plans for projects of strategic importance, including transport infrastructure, to provide greater certainty and enable the delivery of large-scale capital projects on time and on budget.

“While the funding announced today for critical projects is welcome, the focus must now be on delivery without delays,” he said.