asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the poor conditions of the approach roads to Waterford city; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Waterford Roads.
144.
I am aware that there are deficiencies on sections of the national primary routes. One of the primary objectives of roads policy is the development of programmes on a national basis for the systematic improvement of these routes, and the maximum amount of grants, within the limit of the funds available to me, are allocated each year for such works. In the preparation and implementation of these programmes due account is being taken of the need for improvements to the Waterford routes.
145.
asked the Minister for Local Government (a) why approval was withheld in 1971-72 and in the current year of the expenditure of part of the county road improvement grant in County Waterford on improvement of dangerous bends and junctions in view of the fact that it was approved in the previous year and (b) if he considers that the work on which the county road improvement grant moneys are to be spent should be left to the discretion of the local authority in each case and that this principle should apply retrospectively to 1971-72 as well as in the current and forthcoming financial years.
It is the responsibility of the county council as road authority to make provision from their own funds for the improvement and upkeep of county roads. The purpose of the Road Fund Grants for the improvement of county roads is expressly to assist the council to extend the mileage of such roads provided with a dust-free surface. It is only in exceptional circumstances that proposals for expenditure out of the grant on other types of improvement works on county roads are considered. Certain schemes included in the county council programmes for 1971-72 and 1972-73 required such exceptional consideration. Without prejudice to the general position which I have outlined, the county council were notified on 16th November, 1972, for reasons which I have indicated to them, that the scheme in question had been accepted for grant purposes.