Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the non-national roadworks programme, taking into account the importance of this particular road network for both counties and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and construction over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43114/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
In February this year I announced an Exchequer investment of €626 million in our regional and local roads across the State which includes an increase in funding of €20 million for road pavement and rehabilitation works.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
In recognition of the fact that cost inflation is having a significant impact on the cost of delivering regional and local road annual programmes, local authorities were notified in July of a supplementary allocation of €22.5 million for their key road strengthening programmes. Cavan County Council has been allocated €687,572 and Monaghan County Council has been allocated €579,991 under the supplementary allocation.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
