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

As I indicated in my response on 15 May to Questions Nos. 22 and 49 from the Deputy, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the NRA under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The scale of the reduction in the allocations to the NRA under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016 framework has meant it has not been possible to progress a range of road development projects.

The key priority must be the protection of the existing investment in road infrastructure. The preferred route selected for the proposed N56 Letterkenny relief road encompasses the Bonagee relief road. However, given the reduced level of funding available for major schemes such as this, it has not been possible for the NRA to provide any additional funding to enable the scheme to progress further. The estimated cost of the total project is €45 million. Given the size of the project, it cannot be funded through a PPP, public private partnership, model but rather must be funded by direct Exchequer funding.  In that context, €45 million represents a major commitment from central government, given the state of the public finances.

Work has started on the preparation of the next capital programme.  As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure. Accordingly, the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available. The Government is acutely aware of the need to improve the north-west region's transport links. The progression of improvements to the A5 is the most important aspect of that and the Government has committed £50 million to that project. Unfortunately, the A5 has been subject to planning delays, but I am hopeful that these issues can be overcome and the necessary improvements advanced quickly.

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