Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 6

Written Answers. - Roads Projects

Jack Wall

Ceist:

248 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the staff shortages in the National Roads Authority design offices; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that projects are being held up due to the shortage; and the plans he has to overcome the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25585/01]

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

The National Development Plan 2001-2006 provides for a total investment of £4.7 billion – 1999 prices – in national road improvement and maintenance over the period 2000-2006, a threefold increase on the 1994-1999 period. The NDP also sets out a strategic framework for the development of the national roads network over the coming seven years. It is a matter for the NRA, within the NDP framework, to promote detailed programming of the work required and to manage, in co-operation with local authorities, the planning, design and implementation of individual road development projects.

In the light of the planned expansion of the national roads programme, my Department has approved a range of staffing proposals, both at NRA and local authority levels, designed to ensure adequate organisational capacity to deliver the greatly expanded national roads programme envisaged by the NDP. While, in common with many other organisations, NRA and road authorities may experience some difficulties in recruiting staff for their purposes, good progress is being maintained with the development of the national roads network as mandated in the NDP, including on the five key inter-urban routes.

The National Roads Authority, in conjunction with local authorities, has promoted awareness abroad of the employment opportunities in the national road planning area and has succeeded in securing personnel in this way. Similar efforts will be pursued in the future, as appropriate, having regard to staffing levels in road design offices.

Extensive use is being made of private consultancy firms for road planning purposes as part of the strategy to meet the NDP objectives for national roads. Design offices play a key management function in respect of firms engaged on this basis. The approach is proving effective in advancing the national roads programme through the planning process.

Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 245.