Sean Fleming
Question:221. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport when a project (details supplied) submitted by Laois County Council will be approved for funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57162/23]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (221)
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 those 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 under the Specific Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. These include some larger bridge rehabilitation schemes which are outside the scope of the Department's Bridge Rehabilitation programme (in excess of €200,000). All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly 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.
All applications received from local authorities are currently being assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. Grant allocations for 2024 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.