Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, T.D., and Minister of State for the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, T.D., have welcomed the announcement today of over €13 million in co-funding for transport projects in Ireland under the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument which aims to promote growth, jobs, and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at the European level.
The Irish projects receiving funding are as follows:
- Donegal County Council will receive €1.1 million for the planning and preliminary design for improvement works on a section of the N13 between Bridgend and Derry.
- €3.4m has been granted towards the creation of a dedicated unmanned aerial vehicle testing and vertiport facility at the Future Mobility Campus in Shannon.
- Irish Rail has been awarded €2.5 million for supporting studies for the development of a rail freight system connecting Ireland’s busiest seaports and establishing transfer points for freight between rail and road.
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland will receive €3.3 million to support the deployment of technology to enhance road safety and traffic management, such as wrong-way driver and advanced warning signs, on the M7/N7 approach to the M50 and around the Jack Lynch Tunnel.
- Wexford County Council has been awarded €2.8 million to support its work in the planning and design phase of The N11/N25 between Oilgate and Rosslare Harbour.
There was also Irish involvement in two multi-country projects which will demonstrate new air navigation systems and contribute to the efficiency and evolution of the aviation sector.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. said: “This is positive news with five Irish transport projects awarded funding under the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility. These projects will improve transport connectivity and safety as well as supporting the development of future transport systems and technologies across Ireland.”
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D. said: “This funding will help realise key transport projects which will be of benefit to communities and businesses for years to come. The award of over €13million in funding shows the important role the Irish transport system plays and the support available to building an EU-wide smarter transport system.”