Roads Maintenance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Questions (679)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

679. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the situation in the town of Glenties, County Donegal, where in September 2010 during the annual fair, a member of An Garda Síochána diverted a lorry loaded with stone along a county road by-pass of the town which resulted in the collapse of the Mulantiboyle bridge, with this being the only route to by-pass the town, his views on whether at present the town is in a very vulnerable position with regard to any accidents or emergencies which may occur in the town as there is currently no route to divert traffic; if he will agree to prioritise funding in 2014 to ensure that this bridge is reinstated as a matter of safety and security for the town on Glenties. [12802/13]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The 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. The selection and prioritisation of road works is also a matter for the local authority.

I announced the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations on 25th January this year.  Over €349 million is being provided to local authorities for these grants in 2013.  From this allocation Donegal County Council has been allocated over €18 million which includes an allocation of €100,000 towards Mulantiboyle Bridge under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme.

I will announce the 2014 allocations early next year.