Mr. Michael Nolan:

Deputy Munster mentioned a figure we threw out at the Committee of Public Accounts. An easy way to measure deficit is that, with regard to renewal and pavement work, we should be doing approximately 400 km of new paving each year on our road system. Our funding levels over the past three years were approximately €50 million or €60 million per year, which translates to only 130 km being repaved or renewed each year. This is a long way short of where we should be to maintain the value of the asset and keep it in serviceable condition and a state of good repair.

The good news is last year we had approximately €50 million for pavement renewals but this year we have in the order of approximately €100 million. There has been a significant increase in funding for pavement renewals in 2018. We are heading in the right direction. There was a shortfall over the past number of years and it will take some time to recover from that. I am happy to say there has been almost a 100% increase in the funding going to pavements in 2018 over 2017 levels. That translates to between 260 km to 300 km being done this year, rather than the 400 km figure.