Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which adequate provision continues to be made for the minor roads throughout County Kildare currently experiencing increased traffic volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30463/23]
View answer197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to ensure the appropriate roads throughout north Kildare attract sufficient levels of investment by way of whatever schemes are available, such as LIS or direct funding from his Department or other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30464/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
As Kildare County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its public regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding available from the Council's own resources and external sources of funding.
The maintenance of roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the relevant landowners. In September 2017, the Minister for Rural and Community development introduced dedicated funding for the LIS and is continuing to fund the scheme. In light of the significant funding being put into LIS by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the need to direct resources into maintaining and renewing public roads, it was decided that with effect from 2018 the option of allocating a proportion of this Department's Discretionary Grant under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme to LIS would no longer apply and this remains the position. In relation to 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you. I have, therefore, referred your questions to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
