Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2016
596. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing funding for the road to Aranmore Island lighthouse, Tory Island lighthouse and the Aranmore Island ring road in recognition of their importance to the tourism infrastructure on the islands that are on the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29517/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the roads in question are local roads, the improvement and maintenance of which is the statutory responsibility of Donegal County Council in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
Works on those roads are funded from the local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. In January this year, Donegal County Council was allocated €20m in respect of the regional and local roads programme for 2016. These local authorities also received additional funding to repair damage arising from the severe weather earlier this year.
The selection and prioritisation of works to be funded each year under the Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement and Discretionary Grant programmes is a matter for the local authority and grant monies under all of these programmes is made available for the maintenance and repair of regional and local roads.
