Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:183 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his policy in relation to the assistance of areas which have suffered storm damage; and the proportion of the cost which will be met by him.
Written Answers. - Road Works Funding.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:185 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the total financial allocation to each county in respect of storm and flood damage earlier this year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 185 together. I presume the Deputy is referring to damage caused to public roads.
Grants are provided by my Department to meet the full cost of improvement and maintenance works on national roads, including works arising from storm damage.
In the case of non-national roads, the cost of improvement and maintenance works normally falls to be financed from the local authorities' own resources supplemented by the discretionary grants provided annually by my Department. Local authorities are expected, within that funding, to undertake any remedial works arising from normal weather conditions, including winter weather conditions.
The question of providing special funding arises only where abnormally severe weather conditions occur. In such exceptional circumstances, and within the limitations of the funding available, grants are determined in the light of reports prepared by the local authorities involved and assessments by my Department.
Four million pounds was allocated in grants earlier this year towards the cost of remedial works to public roads arising from the severe storms/flooding last February. The reply to Question No. 73 of 23 May 1990 gave details of these allocations.