Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
195. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that from the funding pot this year of €18.1millon for Cavan, only 13km of road in the Ballyjamesduff municipal district, which has 1,000km of road, will be resurfaced due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/24]
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. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
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.Cavan County Council received a total allocation of €18,140,310 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network; this represents an increase of nearly €630,000 compared to their 2023 allocation.
The Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated to local authorities on a pro-rata basis, determined mainly by the length of the regional and local road network in a local authority functional area. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority, taking into account the funding available to it from local and State sources as well as its particular priorities.
