Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2141. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if extra funding will be allocated to fund repairs which are required on roads in the west of Ireland (details supplied). [32448/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, 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 local authority.
I announced the 2018 regional and local road allocations in January and all grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated. The grants this year include provision for:
- An 18% increase in Restoration Improvement monies for road strengthening works;
- A 17% increase in Restoration Maintenance monies for surface dressing works;
- The introduction of a new grant for Drainage works (overall €10m);
- Ring fenced monies for Community Involvement Schemes (€10m allocated in early June).
It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. In this context I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.
I have to work within the resources available to me and at present there is no additional funding available to my Department.
