Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013
60. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding was allocated in budget 2014 for a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana, County Donegal along the R238 Cockhill Road; if not, when funding will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54404/13]
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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
As the Deputy will be aware, Donegal County Council applied to the Department in 2010 for funding under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme for funds for the Cockhill Bridge Scheme. The projected cost of the project was €2.95m. Given the costs associated with the project it was not possible to approve this application and no further formal funding application has been received by my Department. Given the need to prioritise funding for repair and strengthening works, the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme is being suspended in 2014. While provision may continue to be made for bridge repair and rehabilitation works I understand that the Cockhill Bridge proposal as submitted in 2010 would be outside the scope of such works as it involves major widening works. It is important to reiterate that the role of the Exchequer grant aid is to supplement Councils' own resource spending on regional and local roads. I will announce the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations early in 2014.
