Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
714. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support the future funding for the proposed new Ballaghaderg Bridge north of Mitchelstown, County Cork, on the R513; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Specific Improvement Grants Scheme is being discontinued from 2014 onward in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work. In lieu of the Specific Improvement Grant Programme, applications will be sought in mid-2013 for bridge repair works (which is a subset of the current Specific Grant Programme) for 2014. This is in line with focusing monies on road and bridge maintenance and strengthening. Once applications are sought the council may wish to consider if funding for works on the bridge can be sought under the bridge programme and, if so, prioritise this project for consideration for funding in 2014.
It is also important to re-iterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Cork County Council in their own resources spending in this area. I will announce the 2014 regional and local road grant allocations early next year.
