Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Enda Kenny

Question:

299 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if sufficient moneys will be made available for development of the R311 from Snugborough junction to Derrycoosh crossroads on the Newport Road, Castlebar, County Mayo arising from the new design line currently on display by Mayo County Council and awaiting approval; the location where the £100,0000 allocated for development of the Castlebar - Newport road at Snugborough in 2000 will be spent; if this is part of the new design line; when work will commence on this project; the estimated cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18227/00]

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

No application for funding has been received in the Department for the development of the R311 from Snugborough junction to Derrycoosh crossroads on the Newport Road, Castlebar. Neither are any cost estimates or schedules available to my Department in relation to the project. It will be open to Mayo County Council to prioritise this project, having regard to compliance with the eligibility criteria, for funding under the 2001 specific improvement grants scheme.

Under the 2000 EU co-financed specific improvement grants scheme, my Department allocated £100,000 to the R311 Newport Road at Snugborough for pavement strengthening and improvement. I understand that this section of road would coincide with the eastern end of the proposed new design line referred to in the question.

Enda Kenny

Question:

300 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the priorities submitted by Castlebar UDC for allocations under the specific improvement grant scheme for 2000; the amount sought in each case; the decision he has made in relation to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/00]

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

My Department received an application from Castlebar UDC on 12 November 1999 in which it sought funding in 2000 under the specific improvement grant scheme for the following projects:

Project	Amount
Castlebar UDC Link Road (Mountain View Distributor Road)	£100,000
Barrack Bridge – Castle Street Link Road	£1,010,000
McHale Road, Castlebar	£275,000

This application, together with all other applications under the specific improvement grants scheme, was considered in my Department, having regard to the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funds available for the scheme in 2000.

These three projects were not among the ten projects selected for funding in County Mayo at a total cost of £2,295,000 in 2000.