Regional Road Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Questions (909, 910)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

909. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the details of the 2015 funding for roads, by municipal district, to County Monaghan; if he will give a breakdown of those sums by road status, that is, local, regional and so on; his views on whether these sums represent an under-provision, in view of the serious deterioration of road conditions; his plans to make a top-up allocation in 2015 and when this will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23791/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

910. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate the details of funding for roads in 2015, by municipal district, to County Cavan; if he will provide a breakdown of those sums by road status, that is, local, regional and so on; his views on whether these sums represent an under-provision, in view of the serious deterioration of road conditions; his plans to make a top-up allocation in 2015 and when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23792/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 909 and 910 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) 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 also a matter for the local authority.

The RLR grant allocations were announced in February of this year and a copy of the 2015 allocation booklet is available from the Dáil library. The allocations provided to local authorities for RLR is done so on a county basis and by grant type and not by Municipal District.  I suggest the Deputy make contact with Monaghan and Cavan County Councils directly in relation to the road programmes for their area.

The economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board. My Department has allocated a total of €294 million for regional and local roads in 2015, €7.1 million of which has been allocated to Monaghan County Council and €8.2 million of which has been allocated to Cavan County Council.

The 2015 grants for RLR are now allocated and I am not aware of any additional funding becoming available.