Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
294. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider putting in place a stimulus package to create employment and repair local and regional roads that have fallen into a serious state of disrepair due to the continuous bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23568/13]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants paid by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I announced the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations on 25th January this year. A total of €350 million is being provided under the Regional and Local Roads Investment Programme this year.
There have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years. In 2007 there were grants of €607 million available towards regional and local roads, these grants have fallen to €350 million in 2013 and will fall further to about €300 million in 2014. Based on the existing funding levels it is not possible to put in place a stimulus package along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Should further funding become available, I can assure the Deputy that the roads maintenance programme will be able to absorb it and to generate significant additional employment as a result.
