Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
228. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will examine ways of financing unfinished projects (details supplied) in tourism towns along the Wild Atlantic Way that are completely choked with traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40597/14]
View answer229. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if 2015 roads funding allocations to local authorities will make provision for the additional pressures on roads along the Wild Atlantic Way; if he will top up the allocations to these counties to ensure that this great tourism development may continue to grow in popularity safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
As I previously outlined to the Deputy, 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 is a matter for the local authority.
It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending in this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.
