Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the mechanisms available to a resident in north Louth (details supplied) whose home has sustained over €50,000 worth of damage following three serious RTAs on the road in the past 12 months, including one fatal RTA, when Louth County Council is not minded to install a crash barrier or other traffic mitigation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4579/24]
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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
The Department of Transport provides specific funding for safety improvement projects; applications for funding under this Scheme are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. Councils are made aware of this and are asked to submit applications in order of priority. As Louth County Council is responsible for maintaining and improving its regional and local roads, it is the Council's responsibility to determine its priorities and work programme while taking account of the funding provided from grant allocations and from the Council's own resources.
Applications for Safety Improvement Schemes received from local authorities are currently being assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. Grant allocations for 2024 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
