Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Willie Penrose

Question:

241 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason he has declined a request from Offaly County Council to meet a joint deputation from Offaly and Kildare County Councils to discuss the joint proposals submitted to his Department to upgrade the R402 road from Edenderry to Enfield under the EU-funded scheme for local roads of economic importance; if he will reconsider his decision to meet this deputation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17736/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

My Department has responded to Kildare County Council on this matter indicating that it is open to them and to Offaly County Council to submit an application for funding for this project in 1998 under the EU co-financed scheme of non-national road grants. Since then Offaly County Council's applications for 1998 under the EU co-financed scheme have been received and include a proposal in respect of Kishawanny bridge on the R402.

Applications from local authorities for these grants are currently being examined in my Department; decisions on funding will depend on compliance with strict EU eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from local authorities and the funds available relative to demands for the scheme in 1998. It will be appropriate to consider the priority of a joint initiative by Offaly and Kildare County Councils to upgrade the R402 when grant applications for 1998 are also received from Kildare County Council, which has yet to make its submission to my Department.