Brendan Smith
Ceist:244 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to increase funding for the national roads programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/02]
Vol. 553 No. 7
244 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Transport his proposals to increase funding for the national roads programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15272/02]
The national development plan provides for investment of €5.59 billion, 1999 prices, in the national roads programme over the period 2000-2006.
In relation to the funding of the programme, the position is that the Exchequer provision of €2,488 million for the national roads programme over the period 2000-02 has exceeded NDP forecasts by 10%. The Exchequer provision for 2002 at €958 million is more than three times the 1997 level and nearly twice the 1999 level. This level of investment has enabled the NRA and local authorities to make good progress to date in the implementation of the national roads programme.