Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
915. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received plans from Donegal County Council to fund the widening and resurfacing of the Woodlands to Silver Tassie Hotel stretch of the R245 road from Letterkenny to Ramelton in County Donegal; and if he will provide the funding for same. [28394/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (such as the R245) is the statutory responsibility of Donegal County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's 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. In February this year, I announced the 2015 Regional and Local Road allocations, of which Donegal County Council was allocated €17.7m. It is a matter for the local authority to select, prioritise and agree its regional and local road work programme for the year and the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities.
I understand the Woodlands project on the R245 has been progressed over a number of years through grants from my Department, including funding of €119,116 for this scheme in 2014. My Department has indicated to Donegal County Council that it is open to the Council to complete surfacing works in 2015 on the understanding that the amount required can subsequently be recouped from the Departmental grants.
