Vol. 471 No. 2
111 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment whether there is cause for concern that some major road building works throughout the country have not kept to their original completion schedule; if any improvements are envisaged in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20494/96]
The strategy and financial plan set out in the Operational Programme for Transport, 1994 to 1999, provides the framework within which individual projects on both national primary and national secondary routes are progressed by the National Roads Authority, in co-operation with local authorities, and forms the basis for the allocation of grants to individual projects by the Authority.
The operational programme does not contain a schedule of specific timescales for individual projects. Instead, with the objective of providing an understanding of the general strategy, the programme included an indicative overview of specific projects being considered for the period of the programme. The list was necessarily tentative, given the complex statutory and other procedures which must be completed before particular projects can proceed to construction stage, the factors which can impact on progress once construction stage is reached, and the fact that many projects for which EU assistance is sought have to be individually approved by the European Commission.
The programme as a whole is monitored on an ongoing basis by a monitoring committee established to oversee the implementation of the programme and to ensure satisfactory progress in achieving its objectives. A mid term evaluation of the operational programme is also currently under way in accordance with the requirements of the Community Support Framework for Ireland 1994-1999.
While some individual projects have not proceeded as rapidly as had been anticipated, progress with the programme as a whole has generally been satisfactory and the planned overall expenditure totals for each year have been maintained.
