John O'Leary
Question:123 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a scheme of grants available for the improvement and maintenance of country roads in areas of high attraction to tourists. [4362/96]
Written Answers. - Road Improvements.
Under the EU co-financed scheme of grants, local authorities may submit for funding proposals for specific projects on non-national roads, including projects of benefit to tourism. Total grants under this scheme in 1996 amount to £33.317 million.
Grant allocations totalling £7.5 million have been made under the INTERREG II programme in 1996 to eligible local authorities for projects on non-national roads, including projects of benefit to tourism. In addition, indicative allocations to eligible counties have been made under the peace process initiative; the improvement of cross-Border tourist routes is likely to be among the eligible categories of works.
Apart from these specific grant allocations, it is also open to county councils to consider using a proportion of their discretionary or restoration programme grants on tourist roads.