The Tánaiste has said he wants to see money allocated for roads in Cavan and Monaghan "being spent as it was intended".
Deputy David Maxwell asked Simon Harris for an update on any further allocations for roads in Cavan and Monaghan.
He explained that this year's allocation will be "eaten up by price increases" in supply and labour.
Speaking in Dáil, the Fine Gael TD said that roads in the region are in a "deplorable state"
Deputy Maxwell explained that it will cost Monaghan County Council just over €1.4 million for repairs to cover storm damage alone on their local roads this year.
He said: "Following the announcement in February of the annual roads allocation, will the Tánaiste give an update on any further allocations for Monaghan, Cavan, and all of the other counties?
"This year's allocations for local and secondary roads will not go as far because they will be eaten up by price increases in supplies and labour year on year. With the excessive wet weather this winter and a number of storms, the latest being Goretti in February, local and secondary roads in counties Monaghan and Cavan are in a deplorable state.
"Will there be a further allocation to help local authorities reinstate these roads? These roads are used by farmers, all types of businesses and the people who live on them. It will cost Monaghan County Council just over €1.4 million for repairs to cover storm damage alone on their local roads this year.
"At the moment this €1.4 million is being taken out of the ordinary roads maintenance budgets that are already cut to the bone. The people of rural Ireland deserve roads that are fit to be used safely.
"We need sustained increases to bring all local roads up to the required standard over the coming years. Can the Tánaiste give a commitment here today to local authorities that another tranche of funding will be coming forward?" Deputy Maxwell added.
Tánaiste
In his response, the Minister for Finance said the government increased the funding for roads in Cavan and Monaghan.
He said that this is “important” and that there has been an increase in funding in 2026, compared to 2025.
In March this year, Northern Sound reported that that there is a €110M deficit when it comes to bringing all Cavan roads up to a good standard.
At a Council meeting in March, Cavan County Councillors and local Oireachtas members were told that there are 1140Km of roads that require structural/surface restoration at an estimated cost of €234M based on current rates.
This week, the Tánaiste told Deputy Maxwell he has advised the Department of Transport to ask councils about damages caused by storms, in respect of providing additional funding.
He said that there is currently an application in from eight local authorities, of which Monaghan is one- and that he was unsure if Cavan has submitted yet.
The Tánaiste told Deputy Maxwell that he would “follow up” on the situation.
The Minister for Finance said: "Cavan and Monaghan has been significantly impacted by Storm Chandra. While we have increased the funding for roads in Cavan and Monaghan, which is important - there is an increase in the funding in 2026 versus 2025 - I want to see that money, and more importantly the Deputy wants to see that money, in Cavan and Monaghan being spent as it was intended and not sucked up by the road damage.
"We have gone out to the councils. When I say "we" I mean the Department of Transport has gone out to the councils and asked them to come back to us in terms of their storm damage so we can see if we can allocate additional funding for that storm damage within the Department of Transport Vote.
"That is the direction the Taoiseach and I gave a special Cabinet committee on the flood damage. There is currently an application in from eight local authorities, of which Monaghan is one.
"That is now being assessed. I am not saying this to be difficult but I am not sure if we have one in yet from Cavan. On foot of the Deputy raising this, I will follow that up," the Tánaiste added
