Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020
135. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be allocated to develop a link road between the N2 and the N12 in Monaghan, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35971/20]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for RLR improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
As required under the project appraisal guidelines, a Preliminary Appraisal has been received from Monaghan County Council concerning a link road which will connect the N12 to the N2. All applications received from local authorities for strategic grant allocations have to be assessed taking into account competing projects and the budget available for road improvement schemes.
Allocations for 2021 will be decided as part of the general grant allocation process.
