Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals, he has to provide additional funding in 2016 to Cavan and Monaghan county councils in respect of essential repairs and necessary upgrading to the non-national road network in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded from these moneys is a matter for each local authority.
In addition to the 2016 regional and local road allocations announced in January this year, which are available in the Oireachtas Library, my predecessor announced additional funding for regional and local roads in February this year as part of the Tranche 1 funding to local authorities to remedy damage caused by severe weather. On 27 May I approved a further allocation under Tranche 2 of the severe weather funding to local authorities as notified through Circular RW 9/2016. This brings the total regional and local road allocation for Cavan to €11,350,211 and for Monaghan to €12,313,432 for 2016. All available funding for 2016 has now been allocated.
When allocating grant funding, my Department has emphasised that the commitment of local authorities to contribute significantly from their own resources towards the cost of improving and maintaining the regional and local roads network is essential. Full consideration needs to be given to utilising the Local Property Tax to boost own resources expenditure on regional and local road maintenance and renewal.
