Over €216 Million in Road Funding Announced for Cork County

Cork is set to benefit from nearly €235 million in combined road funding as part of a national investment of over €1.5 billion for roads in 2026, representing a 13% increase on last year.

Cork County Council will receive over €216.7 million, while Cork City Council has been allocated over €18 million. The funding covers both national road projects and regional and local road improvements across the county and city.

Among the headline projects is the N25 Midleton to Youghal scheme, which has been awarded €1 million for 2026. The project is expected to involve the upgrading of the Lakeview Roundabout in Midleton and the bypass of both Killeagh and Castlemartyr villages. Cork County Council, in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, has appointed the Roughan and O'Donovan Ltd. / AECOM Ireland Ltd Alliance following a procurement competition to progress the scheme.

The appointed team will guide the project through the Phases of Options Selection, Design and Environment Evaluation, and the Statutory Process in line with the Government's Infrastructure Guidelines.

Several other major national road projects affecting Cork have also received funding, including the N/M20 Cork to Limerick, the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy, which is currently under construction, the Cork City Northern Transport Project, the N72/73 Mallow Relief Road, and the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton scheme.

Cork East TD James O'Connor welcomed the announcement, highlighting the significance of the N25 investment.

Deputy James O'Connor said:

"This is very significant news for the East Cork and wider region. As many people will know, the N25 has become one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the country. The upgrading of the N25 between Midleton and Youghal and Carrigtwohill to Midleton will be of substantial benefit to the East Cork area, including the town of Youghal which needs urgent economic investment."

Further East Cork funding includes the N72 Kilmagner to LittleGrace Pavement on the Fermoy to Tallow road (€2,600,000), the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton (€500,000), the Great Island Connectivity Scheme on the R624 Cobh Road (€250,000), and the Midleton North Eastern Transport Corridor (€100,000).

Deputy O'Connor highlighted the R624 Cobh to Fota road investment in particular, noting that the route was raised during an emergency meeting he held with then Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, and Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath in October 2021.

Deputy O'Connor added:

"This funding will allow the project to move forward to a Preliminary Design later this year which is a huge step forward for the largest Local Authority Regional Road project in the country."

Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said:

"The allocations I'm announcing today will enable multiple major new road projects on the national road network to progress, including those that are at or are close to construction. This will enable greater connectivity across our country, support economic development, and deliver safer roads and less congested towns and communities."

Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said:

"The allocation of €718 million for regional and local roads will strengthen and support towns, villages and communities right across the country. It's an investment that will improve connectivity, help local businesses thrive, and make everyday journeys to school, work and community activities safer and more convenient for families."

Nationally, the regional and local roads allocation of €718 million will allow approximately 2,800 kilometres of roads to be maintained and 2,330 kilometres to be improved. The Government also confirmed it is liaising with local authorities affected by Storm Chandra regarding financial support for remediation.