Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
292. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the total amount of funding that has been allocated for the maintenance of regional and local roads since the formation of the Government, on a local authority basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44093/22]
View answerThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
As regards the funding that has been allocated to local authorities for the maintenance of regional and local roads since the formation of the Government, regional and local road grant allocations and payments booklets are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The 2020 payments booklet reflects the Active Travel and Climate Change Adaptation measures allocations made as part of the July Jobs Stimulus Plan following the formation of the Government. Allocations booklets for 2021 and 2022 together with a payments booklet for 2021 are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The tables included in the allocations and payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is 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): Facilitates community involvement in the repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme (DR): The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
Former National Roads (FN): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of former national roads.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (CCAR): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities for road adaptation/resilience works which have become necessary due to the effects of climate change.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of road improvement projects under the Specific and Strategic 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.
