Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
40 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he proposes to amend the schemes of discretionary improvement and block grants to local authorities in order to fulfil the joint programme promise that a portion of the road budget would be specifically earmarked for footpaths for pedestrians. [20277/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad grants provided by my Department for non-national roads include provision for funding footpaths. Urban road authorities receive a special block grant for footpath-carriageway restoration which must be used for restoration works on carriageways and footpaths. A total of €15.087 million has been provided in 2004, an increase of 10.6% on the 2003 allocation. In addition, a total sum of €2.183 million has been allocated to Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford City Councils under the regional traffic management scheme in 2004. This funding can be used for various works including the provision and improvement of pedestrian facilities.
Local authorities may use their own resources, as supplemented by my Department's discretionary improvement and block grants, to fund the provision of footpaths. In 2004, the total discretionary improvement grant allocation by my Department to county councils is €22 million, which represents an increase of 5% on the 2003 allocation. The total 2004 block grant allocation by my Department to city, borough and town councils is almost €14.1 million, which represents an increase of 8.6% on the 2003 allocation.
