Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
621. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review of the roads capital programme; when he will be in a position to confirm the inclusion in the programme of the upgrading of the N24 through County Tipperary, including the Tipperary Town and Carrick on Suir bypasses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 (including the N24) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
As regards the Capital Plan Review, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that the additional capital funding for allocation totals about €2.6 billion. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding and unfortunately, this means that only a limited number can be considered for funding.
The final decisions on allocations are, however, matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.
