Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
368. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department continues to identify accident black spots on local, regional or national routes; the extent to which he expects to provide funds to alleviate such problems in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57662/12]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. Local authorities were allocated over €6million this year for works under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Scheme. In addition to this the National Roads Authority also provided over €18 million for road safety schemes on national roads.
In July, the National Roads Authority (acting on behalf of the Department) invited applications from local authorities for funding in 2013 under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Grants Scheme in respect of regional and local roads in their respective areas.
Under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works scheme the criterion for approval and grant allocation is based on accident data, discussions between the local authority and the National Roads Authority, together with inspection of sites. Works include a variety of safety work measures including road signage, road line works, surface works including anti-skid surfaces and works to improve sight lines at junctions and other locations. However, it must be emphasised that the initial selection and prioritisation of such works is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.
