Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 6

Written Answers. - Replacement of Kildare Bridge.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

137 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received outline plans for the realignment and replacement of Bond Bridge, Maynooth, County Kildare, from Kildare County Council; if he will outline the means whereby it is expected that this work will be carried out having regard to the fact that Kildare County Council have already set aside the necessary sums by way of local contribution; if he expects this work to proceed in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith)

As this bridge is located on a regional road, responsibility for carrying out work on it rests with Kildare County Council and the cost would normally fall to be financed from local resources, supplemented by the discretionary grants provided annually by my Department for such roads. In the current year, the discretionary grants to Kildare County Council total £2.11 million, including a supplementary grant of £600,000 for improvement works because of the special needs of the county. Subject to general guidelines, the determination of priorities in the expenditure of these grants and the timing of works are matters for the local authority and the approval of my Department is not required.

The local authority submitted proposals for a scheme involving improvements to Bond Bridge with a request for special road grant assistance. Having regard to the level of funds available for non-national roads and the competing demands of other projects throughout the country, I am not in a position to provide a special grant in this case.