Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005
206 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will take steps to provide funding sought by Westmeath County Council to install low cost safety measures and lighting at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3193/05]
View answerThe low cost safety improvement works scheme of grants for non-national roads was introduced by my Department in 2000 as an extension of the scheme operated on national roads under the auspices of the National Roads Authority. The NRA assesses applications for grant assistance under this non-national roads scheme on behalf of my Department. The criteria for approval of grant allocations are based on accident data, inspection of sites, locations showing demonstrable hazard and discussions between the local authority and the National Roads Authority. Westmeath County Council submitted nine applications to my Department for funding under this scheme in 2005, but these did not include the location in question.
Local authorities may also use their own resources, as supplemented by my Department's discretionary improvement grant, to fund traffic calming works. In 2005, the total discretionary improvement grant allocation to Westmeath County Council is €510,000. The prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for Westmeath County Council.
