I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 79 together.
As I outlined in the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 299 of 3 May 2017, the transport element of the Capital Plan sets out investment priorities to 2022 and was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport (SFILT). Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network - including that of the border region - will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work. A further €600 million has been allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway and the balance for the limited number of road improvement projects included in the Plan.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that there is a total of €2.6 billion in additional funding available between 2018 and 2021 for allocation under the Review of the Capital Plan. While I am conscious of the many competing demands for extra resources, my Department has submitted a very strong case for additional funding consistent with the principles identified in SFILT and a number of the proposed measures, if approved for funding, will be of benefit to the border counties.