Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

My Department provides funding for non-national roads under the CLÁR programme which I announced on 1 March 2007. Under this programme, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and my Department each provide €3 million to fund works to local secondary and tertiary roads in CLÁR areas.

Under the measure, local authorities may also replace, widen or strengthen bridges on local secondary and tertiary roads, subject to the prior approval of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department also operates a measure to provide additional funding to local authorities to carry out works on local improvement scheme, LIS, roads in CLÁR areas. I announced the new LIS measure for 2007 on 22 October.

Under the measures outlined above, the local authority selects the projects according to the rules laid down by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I understand that drainage works considered necessary for the adequate improvement of a road are allowable under the measures but drainage works on their own are not eligible.

My Department has no role in the selection of the roads or the works carried out. Expertise in these matters lies with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the local authorities. In the circumstances, I suggest the Deputy make inquiries directly with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government or the local authority involved in the particular case.

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