Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
198. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport the amount of specific improvement grant funding provided and drawn down by Kerry County Council from 2019 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2846/25]
View answerIn 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 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 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.
As regards the Specific Improvement Grant funding allocated to and drawn down by Kerry County Council for each of the years 2019 to 2024, details of the regional and local road allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Library.
