Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 4

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

386 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will contact Kildare County Council with a view to the provision of the necessary funding to carry out emergency repairs to the road network arising from damage caused through recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24260/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

388 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received communications from the various local authorities requesting urgent funding for the restoration of roads and footpaths following recent inclement weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24263/02]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

389 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will issue the necessary instructions and funding to the various local authorities to facilitate urgent road restoration and repairs following recent bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24264/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 386, 388 and 389 together.

The maintenance and improvement of non-national roads in their areas is a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State grants. The initial selection of projects or works to be funded under the various grant categories is also a matter for local authorities. In principle, the significant funds available to local authorities for non-national roads maintenance and improvement 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 provides that the cost of remedial works necessitated by such conditions must be met from these resources and that local authorities should set aside contingency sums to finance these works. My Department is also prepared to consider sympathetically any request from local authorities to adjust their multi-annual restoration programmes so as to prioritise work necessitated by flood damage to particular roads or to carry out works to prevent future flooding, such as raising roads.