Vol. 568 No. 5
451 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the progress to date in regard to the roads development programme as outlined in the national plan; the initial estimated cost; the current estimated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/03]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides for investment of € 2.43 billion in non-national roads over the period of the plan –€1.08 billion in the BMW region and €1.35 billion in the SE region. Expenditure in both regions was well ahead of that profiled for the period 2000-02. Total expenditure over this period was €1.171 billion – almost 13% ahead of the profile of €1.038 billion. In the BMW region actual expenditure was nearly €494 million against a profile of just under €458 million and in the SE region expenditure was over €677 million compared to the profile of €580 million for that period.
The non-national roads measure is one of the best performing measures under both the SE and BMW regional operational Programmes. In 2003, €434 million is available for non-national roads which compares to the 2003 NDP profile of just under €372 million. The 2003 provision will ensure the continuation of the record level of investment in non-national roads.
