Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the total cost of the M7 Naas-Newbridge bypass upgrade, M7 Osberstown interchange and R407 Sallins bypass; if the project has come in on, under or over budget; the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28888/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of this project, pending also the Government's proposed review of the NDP.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources, supplemented by State road grants.
The main design and construction elements of the Naas Bypass widening Scheme, the Osberstown Interchange and the Sallins Bypass are being progressed under one construction contract. The Department is providing grant assistance for the Sallins Bypass element of the scheme while TII is funding the national road element of the scheme (TII in turn is largely exchequer-financed).
Kildare County Council, as the contracting authority, has overall responsibility for the implementation of the scheme and the engagement with the contractor on the delivery of the various elements of the scheme mentioned by the Deputy. In this context the Council is best placed to report on progress by the contractor in delivering different elements of the scheme and to advise on how this compares with the scheme programme.
Noting the above position, I have referred the your question to TII for a direct reply regarding the national road projects on the M7. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
