Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2014
624. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received plans from Donegal County Council for a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana, County Donegal; and if he will provide the funding for same. [14808/14]
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.
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 or plans have been received by my Department.
Given the need to prioritise funding for repair and strengthening works, the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in 2014. While provision has been made for bridge repair and rehabilitation works I understand that the Cockhill Bridge proposal as submitted in 2010 is 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.
