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Roads Maintenance Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2014

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Questions (117, 849)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

117. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that the regional and local roads allocation for 2014 to local authorities is sufficient in view of the recent storms which have caused immense damage to our infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7614/14]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

849. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which an overall assessment of flood storm damage has been carried out in respect all roads throughout the country with a view to putting in place a remedial programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8304/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 849 together.

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 these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State road grants.  However, the initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Last month  I announced that a total of €331.9 million is being provided to local authorities for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2014.  I am giving local authorities significantly increased flexibility this year.  I have reduced the number of grant categories, increased the amount allocated under the Discretionary grant heading and will facilitate the transfer of funds between key grant categories where local authorities need this.  Local authorities can also reprioritise their road strengthening programme.  This flexibility will help local authorities tackle the damage done to roads by the storms.

Government recently considered a report on the severe weather that affected Ireland from 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014.   Given the exceptional nature of the damage the Government has decided that up to €70 million in additional funding will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. This will enable local authorities in the areas worst affected by the storms, including the most recent flooding, to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and other infrastructure and amenities. The €70m figure derives from estimates provided by local authorities and other agencies to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and includes a provision of €16m for roads.

It is also particularly important that local authorities do not reduce expenditure from their own resources in respect of roads this year in view of the current difficult situation and that they carefully reassess their planned road programmes for 2014 in the light of the impact of the recent storms on their road networks. 

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