Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 November 2019
567. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a budget has been allocated for safety works at the Laghey junction, the point at which the N56 and R232 road routes converge; if such works to enhance safety at the location will be prioritised in view of road safety concerns of the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47866/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each 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.
Applications for funding under the Department's Safety Improvement Scheme are invited on an annual basis for funding in the subsequent year. Councils are made aware of the conditions in relation to applications for funding and are advised that preference will be given to proposals in the cost range €2,000 to €30,000 and that proposals in higher cost ranges, (i.e. €30,000 to €200,000) may be considered if the benefit to cost ratio is promising. The schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the local authorities. Allocations are made by the Department taking into account the terms applying to the Scheme and the available budget for the grant programme.
Local authorities have been advised that proposals for individual safety improvement schemes costing in excess of €200,000 are outside of the scope of this programme and fall to be considered under the Specific Grant Programme.
No application for safety improvement works at this junction under the regional and local roads programme has been received by my Department for 2020.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
As the junction in question is at the meeting point of a national and a regional road I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply as to whether any funding application has been received by them for works at this junction. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
