Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 1

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Louis J. Belton

Question:

109 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will allocate extra funding to Longford County Council in response to its application for special grants for roads damaged by flooding. [5061/01]

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

I have recently announced non-national road grant allocations for 2001 to local authorities of £319 million. Longford County Council's allocation for 2001 is nearly £4.865 million, representing a 15% increase on 2000 and a 54% increase on 1997.

In principle, the very considerable funds available to local authorities for non-national roads maintenance and improvement, combined with their own resources, are designed to cover contingencies arising from flooding, storm damage and other severe weather conditions. My Department's memorandum on grants for non-national roads, advises that the cost of remedial works necessitated by such conditions should be met from these resources and that local authorities should set aside contingency sums to finance such works.

My Department is prepared to consider sympathetically any request from a local authority to adjust its multi-annual restoration programme so as to prioritise works necessitated by flood damage to particular roads.