Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
863. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide details of all the bridge replacement and major repair works that are required in each county, including the name and location of each bridge; the stage in each case at which the project is, that is, pre-planning, planning, tender or on site, as well as the estimated cost of the bridge replacement or repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12856/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, including bridges, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these monies is a matter for each local authority. My Department does not, therefore, have the details requested by the Deputy.
My Department did initiate a regional road bridge inspection programme a number of years ago to assess the condition of bridges on the network and this has been followed up with a Bridge Rehabilitation Grant programme. Under the Bridge Rehabilitation Grant scheme local authorities submit a list of bridges in order of priority for consideration for funding. Within the constraints of the overall roads budget, allocations are made to local authorities for remedial bridge works. The allocations and payments for each local authority are available in the regional and local road allocation and payment booklets in the Dáil library.
As regards bridges on national roads, these are managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the relevant local authority and I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 days.
