Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
634 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reallocate all unspent winter maintenance funding, namely, moneys allocated for salting and gritting roads, to the local improvement scheme programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13555/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvements Scheme provided funding for non-public or private roads. The maintenance and improvement of the roads that this funding would have been used for is, in the first instance, a matter for the relevant landowners and users.
The State funding to local authorities is provided under several categories. Local authorities may not transfer funding between these categories without prior written approval. As the Local Improvements Scheme has been suspended for 2012 and no State funding is being provided for it this year, there is no option to transfer any monies to this grant category. However, it is open to the individual local authorities to fund this scheme from their own resources.
Given that the funding provided for severe weather events is for the year from December 2011 to November 2012 it is impossible at this juncture to anticipate weather conditions in the latter part of the funding period. Given weather conditions in recent years, I do not consider the Deputy's proposal to be prudent. It should be noted that the allocation to Kerry County Council in 2012 in respect of Winter Maintenance is €354,000.
635 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the full costs of the repair work carried out on the two culverts on the N60 at Fort Augustus, Castlerea, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13582/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
