Robert Troy
Question:570. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the recently announced regional and local roads grant for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8273/19]
View answerTuesday, 19 February 2019
Questions (570, 571, 572)
Robert Troy
Question:571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the 2019 national roads allocation. [8274/19]
View answerRobert Troy
Question:572. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the 2018 local and regional roads grant was spent in 2018. [8275/19]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 to 572, inclusive, together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority 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. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The tables included in the payment and allocation booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main road Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out as follows.
Restoration Maintenance and Supplementary Restoration Maintenance (RM & SRM): The purpose of the RM and SRM grants is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The aim is to intervene in a timely manner to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS): The CIS facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme: This Grant is to designed to promote network resilience.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
In addition a Pilot Scheme relating to the maintenance of sections of former national roads in poor condition has been introduced this year arising from the findings of a regional road condition survey undertaken last year.
As regards national roads, within its annual budget, expenditure decisions, including allocations to individual local authorities, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A