Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
52. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ring-fence money to have adequate repairs carried out to the Cliff Road, Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh, County Kerry, after a recent flood which left the road completely washed away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19563/16]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry is the statutory responsibility of Kerry 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 Council.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, there are many competing demands throughout the country for available resources. As I have set out previously to this House, the funds available to assist local authorities in repairing and maintaining their roads necessarily were reduced very significantly in the face of Ireland's fiscal constraints. We are not yet in a position to fully restore funding to the "steady state" level required to maintain our infrastructure and it is the first priority of Government to do so during the lifetime of the Capital Plan.
Notwithstanding these financial pressures, my Department has indicated to Kerry County Council that it is prepared to contribute 50% of the estimated cost of the proposed new road at Rossbeigh, that is €550,000, with the Council providing the balance.
