Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
22. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of proposals for the Bonagee link project to provide a new inner relief road and bridge across the River Swilly into Letterkenny; the projected cost of delivering the project; the amount spent to date; his plans for funding it in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide funding in the immediate future to progress the proposals for the Bonagee link project which will provide a new inner relief road and bridge across the River Swilly into Letterkenny; the current status of the proposal; the projected cost of delivering the project; the total spent to date on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21588/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 49 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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.
The scale of the reductions in the allocations to the NRA under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016 has meant that it has not been possible to progress a range of road development projects. The key priority has to be the protection of the existing investment in road infrastructure.
I understand that the preferred route has been selected on the proposed N56 Letterkenny Relief Road which encompasses the Bonagee Relief Road, However, given the reduced level of funding available for major schemes such as this, it has not been possible for the NRA to provide any additional funding to enable the scheme to progress further. As the Deputy is aware the estimated cost of the total project is €45 million. Given the size of the project, it cannot be funded through a PPP model but rather must be funded by direct Exchequer funding. In that context €45m is a very major commitment from central government given the state of the country's finances.
Work has started on the preparation of the next capital programme. As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available.
