asked the Minister for the Environment if he will allocate funds to Kildare County Council for the purpose of carrying out repairs to the railway and canal bridges at Sallins, County Kildare; if there exists in his Department a proposal for improvement works to either of these bridges; if he has sufficient funds available in his Department to have the works carried out; if he will give an indication as to when work will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Sallins (County Kildare) Bridges Repairs.
87.
Both bridges are located on a non-national main road. In the case of the railway bridge, ownership is vested in Iarnród Éireann. Special road grant funding is being provided for the improvement of the canal bridge at Sallins. Work is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of February next. I have allocated a grant of £125,000 for this scheme for 1988.
Regarding the railway bridge, I understand that Iarnród Éireann have completed repair works to rectify recent damage. The development of proposals for any substantial improvements considered necessary to the bridge is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann and Kildare County Council. Detailed proposals for the improvement of the bridge have not been received in my Department. While the road grants already notified for 1988 absorb all the funds available to me for this purpose, I would be prepared to give favourable consideration to a request from the local authority for a transfer of moneys from within the allocations already notified to meet an appropriate share of any costs arising in relation to that bridge next year.