Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be provided to the local authority to resurface the Rathscannell road from Abbeydorney to Ballyduff in North Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28520/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the road in question is the R556, which is a regional road. The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry (including the R556) is the statutory responsibility of Kerry County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Kerry County Council was allocated €12.9 million by my Department in January this year in respect of its regional and local roads programme and it is a matter for the Council to prioritise its work programme for the year, including the selection of schemes that are to progress. The purpose of Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes.
