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Road Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Questions (241, 242)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

241. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the number of tonnes of salt used to salt roads in County Kerry; the cost of same in each of the years 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/22]

View answer

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

242. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the amount in tonnes of salt used to salt roads in each county; the cost of same in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1262/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads 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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has been tasked with managing the central purchase of salt stocks for national, regional and local roads to ensure there are adequate stocks in place for each winter season.  The upfront cost related to the purchase and stocking of salt for national roads is funded from TII’s grant allocation while the cost for regional and local roads is funded from the Department’s regional and local road budget.  Where local authorities use centrally purchased salt on regional and local roads, the cost associated with salt usage in the previous season is deducted from each  authority’s annual Discretionary Grant, where applicable, or recouped to the Department by the self-funding authorities based on a standard cost per tonne which is €50/tonne at present. While most local authorities avail of this central purchasing facility, two authorities make their own salt purchase arrangements. 

The following table indicates the number of tonnes of salt used by each Local Authority on regional and local roads from the 2017/2018 winter season, up to and including the 2020/2021 season.

Local Authority

2017/2018

2018/2019

2019/2020

2020/2021

Carlow

1586

371.4

591

1059

Cavan

6160

2125.35

3675.94

4801

Clare

2791.8

852

1479

2228

Cork County

3885.91

1491.34

2999.49

4113

Donegal

10274.7

5386.87

8084.87

8644

Dublin City

4045

840

1400

3277

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

2159

435

508

1030

Galway City

325

128.7

384.1

462

Galway County

4070

1330

2470

3900

Kerry

201

139

350

704

Kildare

5708

2249

3923

5230

Kilkenny

3022

838.55

1404.95

2059

Laois

3340

1482

2342

2209

Leitrim

2040

1203

2315

3210

Limerick

5685.25

1001.27

2308.44

2872

Longford

2065

725

1170

1775

Louth

4406.1

954.87

1798.1

4007

Mayo

4158

1503

2081

3136

Meath

4415

1505

2165

3044

Monaghan

3555

1715

2391

2771

Offaly

2661.27

838.68

1048.92

2100

Roscommon

3628

1080

2040

4320

Sligo

2533.2

1029

1913

2791

South Dublin

2560

703

1592

2042

Tipperary

5811.24

2432.07

4084.27

4548

Waterford

2617.35

946.1

1499.45

1916

Westmeath

3294

1411

2268

2570

Wexford

1707

475.5

1051

1963

Wicklow

4362

1625

2567.12

2746

Totals

107847.83

39448.7

66192.65

91265

With regards to the amount of salt used on national roads, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a 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 51
Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 241.
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