Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
530. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for the upgrade and maintenance of regional and secondary roads over each of the past ten years; and the expected allocation for the upgrade and maintenance of these roads for 2018. [23379/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of maintenance in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018 on national roads; and the expected spend in 2019. [23387/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of maintenance in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date 2018 on regional and local roads; and the expected spend in 2019. [23388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530, 537 and 538 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority 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. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.
The tables included in the payment and allocation booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main road Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS) This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
This year ring-fenced funding is being made available for Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) and a Drainage Programme. The CIS facilitates community involvement in repair and improvement of roads while the purpose of the Drainage Grant is to promote network resilience.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5 million.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5 million.) grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
The total draw down of grant funding to date in 2018 is €55 million.
As regards national roads, within its annual budget, allocations to individual local authorities is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's Questions to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within ten working days.
In relation to 2019 expenditure on national, regional and local road maintenance, the allocations will be decided as part of the annual Estimates process.
