Steven Matthews
Question:178. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Blessington inner relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53720/23]
View answerTuesday, 5 December 2023
Questions (178)
Written answers
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.Any new road projects that seek funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Wicklow County Council are intending on progressing the Blessington inner relief road, which I understand is predominantly developer led. Wicklow County Council has recently submitted an application to my Department for a contribution of funding in 2024 towards the inner relief road and this is under consideration by my Department. The 2024 regional and local road grant allocations will be finalised following the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume and will take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year. Within the budget available, 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.