Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is why I thought we were going to go through the document subhead by subhead.

Let me start with subhead 3 - road improvements and maintenance. There has been no increase in the allocation for this year. The dire condition of roads throughout the State owing to the lack of funding in recent years is unbelievable. The longer they are left without maintenance works the more expensive it will become in the long run. While some local and regional roads might just need to be resurfaced, the longer we leave them without maintenance works the more expensive it will become. I know that the Minister pointed to budget constraints, but given the neglect during the years, I hope he will prioritise the provision of funding for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads, especially as regional areas suffered the worst effects of the recession. Local authorities are literally doing patch-up work and will have to come back two months later to do it again. It would be good for the Minister to focus on the provision of proper funding for the maintenance of local roads.

With regard to road safety agencies, would there be merit in giving additional funding to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, in light of the increase in the number of road deaths? The traffic corps has experienced a massive reduction in staff, etc. I am aware that an increase in Garda numbers is planned for next year but given the increase in the number of road deaths, does the Minister believe it would be beneficial to increase funding for the RSA?

I asked about the sports capital programme and sports capital grants in a parliamentary question to the Minister.