Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
306. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if local authorities pay for the upkeep and maintenance of local and regional roads; and if so, if this funding is separate from the funding provided for this purpose by his Department. [20912/17]
View answer307. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding provided by his Department for the maintenance of local and regional roads in 2017. [20913/17]
View answer308. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of funding provided for the building of new roads in 2017. [20914/17]
View answer309. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of funding provided in 2017 for roads (details supplied). [20915/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 to 309, inclusive, together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority'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.
It is matter for the local authority to select, prioritise, agree and progress its roads programme for the year and the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes. I do emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising expenditure on roads when setting budgets and allocating own resources, including Local Property Tax receipts.
In relation to new road schemes, the Capital Plan 2016-2021 sets out transport investment priorities from 2016 to 2022. The transport elements of the Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway.
I announced the 2017 regional and local road allocations to local authorities on 24 January 2017 and all grant funding for 2017 has now been allocated. Details of allocations are available in the 2017 regional and local road allocation booklet in the Dáil library.
With regard to national roads, details of the 2017 TII start of year allocations to each local authority are also available in the Dáil library.
As regards your other queries in relation to national roads, I have referred your Questions to TII for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my Office.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
