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Road Improvement Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Questions (597)

Tom Fleming

Question:

597. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reintroducing some form of local improvement scheme funding in budget 2014; his views on whether suspending this scheme is yet another blow to rural Ireland; if he will take into consideration that a drainage works and surface dressing was carried out by the local authority with a contribution from residents and land owners; his views on the fact that the cost now involved makes it impossible for many families and persons to have their roads resurfaced; if his attention has been drawn to the fact there are hundreds of such roads in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44365/13]

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Written answers

The 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.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded from this additional funding is also a matter for the local authority.  

The Local Improvements Scheme provided funding for the maintenance and improvement of private roadways which are, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowner.

As I'm sure the Deputy is aware, State grants available to supplement expenditure by local authorities on the maintenance of regional and local roads have been reduced significantly and further cuts are scheduled for 2014. The scale of the cuts have necessitated that some grant programmes be curtailed or ended.

In making adjustments to the regional and local roads allocations the primary aim has been, as far as is possible, to protect previous investment in the road network and use the  available funding to maintain and restore public roads, including those in rural areas.  Notwithstanding that, I have given local authorities the option in 2013 to use up to 7% of their Discretionary Grant on private roads if they so wish and I anticipate that this will continue into 2014. Indeed, I am open to increasing that level increased in 2014 if there is such a desire from the local authorities themselves. However I do not believe that it would be appropriate to have a separate allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme as there are divergent views amongst local authorities and local authority members as to the merits of the scheme and whether it is more appropriate that those funds be spent on public roads. Therefore, I favour giving that discretion to local authority members.

Kerry County Council were allocated €2.6 million under this grant category in 2013. Obviously, these works are entirely at the discretion of the Council. It should be remembered that individual local authorities are the responsible road authority and must prioritise works in their own area.

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