Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The planning, design and implementation of national road projects are matters for the National Roads Authority in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.  The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads are the statutory responsibility of each local authority, funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

I understand the preferred route has been selected for the proposed N56 Letterkenny relief road which encompasses the Bonagree relief road. However, given the reduced level of funding available for major schemes such as this, it is not possible to provide any additional funding at this time to enable the scheme to progress further.

As regards the N14 Letterkenny to Lifford scheme, I have been advised that Donegal County Council was allocated €300,000 in 2013 to review and update the design of the scheme.  A further €50,000 has been provided in 2014 for the N14-N15 to A5 link element of the scheme to allow for the closing out of the statutory processes.

Donegal County Council applied to the Department in 2010 for funding under the specific improvement grants scheme for funds for the Cockhill bridge scheme. The projected cost of the project was €2.95 million. Given the costs associated with the project, it was not possible to approve this application and no further formal funding application has since been received by my Department. Given the need to prioritise funding for repair and strenghtening works, the specific improvement grants scheme has been curtailed in 2014. While provision was made for bridge repair and rehabilitation works in 2014, I understand the Cockhill bridge proposal as submitted in 2010 is outside the scope of such works as it involves major widening works.

It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grant aid is to supplement councils' own resource spending on regional and local roads.

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