Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 5

Written Answers. - Mayo Road Funding.

Seán Calleary

Question:

97 Mr. Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment if he will refund Mayo County Council the cost of urgent repairs to the bridge on the N57 at Cloongullaune, Swinford, County Mayo; if he will make a statement on the need to upgrade the N57 to national primary standard; the number of projects submitted by the Mayo County Council which relate to the N57; if his attention has been drawn to the continuous representations made by Deputy Calleary on behalf of organisations in the North Mayo area concerning the upgrading of this road; if he will ensure that this road is included in the national programme; if he will sanction the new bridge at Cloongullaune; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith):

I am aware of the representations made on behalf of organisations in the north Mayo area in relation to the N57. The case for reclassification of this route has been examined but, having regard to the criteria set down for the reclassification of roads to national primary status, it has been concluded that circumstances do not warrant such upgrading.

Over the past number of years Mayo County Council has submitted a total of five projects for funding on the N57, viz., Foxford-Ballina Phases 1, 2 and 3; Irish-town-Foxford and Swinford-Cloon-gullaune.

The major improvement projects on National Primary routes which are scheduled to be commenced and/or completed in the period to 1993 are identified in the Operational Programme on Peripherality, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library. Other improvement works to National roads are determined annually in the context of the road grant allocations for that year. The grants already allocated absorb all of the funds available to me for distribution in the current year and there are no further funds available from which additional grants may now be made.

The question of providing a grant towards the cost of works to the bridge at Cloongullaune will be considered when the road grants for 1993 are being determined or in the event of savings emerging on grants already notified this year.