Mr. John Mulholland:

To answer the Vice Chairman's question on the amount of money purely for upkeep, out of the approximately €350 million allocated this year, there is approximately €77 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for what is known as upkeep. One would have to add to that another sum of approximately €80 million or €90 million from local authorities, which rounds off at approximately €160 million per annum across the State for ordinary upkeep.

Regarding Deputy Ellis's question about the €50 million announced last week, local authorities have not been advised yet as to where that money will be allocated, but I expect it will be along the lines of the traditional divvy-up in regard to restoration, improvement and some discretionary maintenance.