Road tolls will increase to the highest charges permitted come next year.

Motorists can expect the cost of using one of Ireland's ten toll roads on the national road network to rise by up to 60 cent each journey.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has said that the decision has been "driven by the current rate of inflation".

The M50 in Dublin will not see as significant an increase, with tolls to jump from €2.10 to €2.30 for those using tags, €2.70 to €2.90 for those captured on video, and €3.20 to €3.50 for unregistered vehicles.

It's the first time in a decade that the M50 has increased tolls.

The Dublin Port Tunnel is the only tolled road not facing an increase.

Tolls for the eight public-private partnership companies running the countries other motorways will also rise by either 10 or 20 cent depending on the route.

The new charges relate to those driving cars, with charges higher again for those driving vans, buses and heavy vehicles.

TII has defended the hikes, as it is allowed to increase charges in line with inflation.

If the state were to fund the difference, it would require money to be reallocated from other national road projects, TII said.

The changes will come into force until January 1st 2023.

Main image shows someone paying their toll at a tool booth from their car. Picture by:  Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland