Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2019
533. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Galway County Council has sought special funding for the upgrade or replacement on the bridges leading from Béal an Daingin all the way to Leitir Mealláin, Contae na Gaillimhe, which are the only access to and from the Islands of Eanach Mheáin, Leitir Móir, Gorumna and Leitir Mealláin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the Council.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for RLR improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
As required under the project appraisal guidelines, a Preliminary Appraisal has been received from Galway County Council concerning the causeways on the R374, serving the islands of Leitir Móir, Gorumna and Leitir Mealláin, also known as Lettermore, Gorumna and Lettermullen. All applications received from local authorities for specific grant allocations have to be assessed taking into account competing projects and the available regional and local road budget.
The regional and local road grant allocations for 2020 will be announced early in 2020.
