Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
656. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide bridge replacement funding for non-national roads in 2013 and in particular for the replacement of Fintra Bridge on the R263 in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50939/12]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
Earlier this year, the National Roads Authority (NRA) invited applications for consideration for funding in 2013 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme. Among the projects submitted by Donegal County Council was an application for R263 Fintragh Bridge. All applications will be considered by the NRA and by my Department having regard to compliance with the eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funding available in 2013.
I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.
