Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick:

First, the way we allocate money is set out in the Government’s NDP. That lists the larger projects and they are the ones that get the focus as regards that level of funding. Projects, such as bypass projects, etc., come out of a category of spend that we call minor improvements. It is safety-related works. They are the smaller scale projects. On average, we have had approximately €60 million to €80 million for those projects for the whole country in the past number of years. It is a matter of trying to spread the money around and honour commitments that are already there. It really is a funding issue.

With regard to the projects the Deputy listed, we have started doing some work on the Bandon and Bantry bypasses. We are also familiar with the need to look at the requirement for a bypass at Innishannon. Those ones are on our agenda. These projects take quite a long time to bring through a process and we hope that we are able to continue with those projects. A lot of it is dependent on money, however. The projects that we have committed to get the first ask in terms of the money that we have available to us, followed by what is identified through our various surveys and priorities.