Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 3

Written Answers. - Roads Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

60 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has for investment in roads with the objective of providing infrastructure of a standard comparable to other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20325/97]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The Operational Programme for Transport provides for investment of over £1.2 billion in development of the national road network in the period 1994-99. This overall provision has been enhanced recently following completion of the mid-term review of the community support framework, with an extra £26 million to be invested in the network over the remainder of the programme period.

Reflecting these expenditure plans, the recently-published abridged Estimates for Public Services provide for investment of over £263 million in 1998 on development of the national road network — an increase of more than 13 per cent on the 1997 figure and the highest ever such provision. Looking to the future, the national roads needs study, which will be finalised shortly, will provide a comprehensive assessment of the work required to complete the national road network; it will form an important input to negotiations on EU funding for Ireland post-1999 and to policy development in relation to national roads generally.

As regards non-national roads, it will be a major priority during my term of office to ensure that sufficient funding is provided to enable the restoration programme to be completed by 2005, within the ten year period originally proposed.

One of my first actions as Minister for the Environment and Local Government was to secure an additional £5 million from the Government for Class III county roads. Moreover, the abridged Estimates for 1998 allocated a record amount of £199 million for non-national roads, an increase of over £26 million or 15 per cent on the original 1997 allocation. I will be announcing grant allocations to individual local authorities as early as possible in 1998.

Accordingly, I am satisfied that the investment under way and in prospect provide a basis for achieving a road network in Ireland which meets accepted international standards.