Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
107. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will be focusing his Department's attention on the infrastructural deficit with the maintenance of roads in Connemara; if he will allocate resources to address the persistent flooding at Cuan na Loinge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.On 15th February I announced an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations, with each local authority receiving an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement Grant. Of this, Galway County Council received an allocation of €39,926,300, an increase of €597,037 over their 2023 allocation.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The allocation of funding across specific roads or areas is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.In the 2024 Regional and Local Roads grants allocations, Galway County Council received an allocation of €30,000 under the Specific Improvement Grants Programme for the L52214 Cuan na Loinge.
