asked the Minister for the Environment the sections of the national primary routes on which improvements have now to be postponed because of curbs in the road budget for this year.
Written Answers. - Primary Road Improvements.
31.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the schedule of major works contained in the road development plan. The plan provides for flexibility in the timing of these projects, having regard not merely to the availability of finance, but to progress by the road authorities in planning, design and the acquisition of land by agreement or by compulsory purchase. Taking these factors into account, it has been possible to allocate funds this year to eleven schemes which were not originally scheduled to commence before 1981, in place of nine schemes which the road authorities might otherwise have commenced this year. While it has not been possible to meet the level of investment projected in the plan for all schemes this year, this does not of course affect the full implementation of the plan to which the Government is committed.