Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In all counties, local and regional roads serves as the main connection between homes, schools and business. In the past few weeks, our focus has been on the national planning framework and connectivity between the regions, which is very important. We also need connectivity at a local level. The local authorities do fantastic work with their engineers and outdoor staff to keep the road network in the best condition they can. They need investment to do this and with all the storms, floods and other extreme weather events in recent years, much good work has been undone and moneys allocated for road improvements end up being spent on repairs.

I was shocked when Transport Infrastructure Ireland took the extraordinary step of writing to all local authorities in December last to warn them that the ordinary maintenance allocation for roads would plummet by 30% in 2018. This is truly shocking and a cut of this nature will only worsen the already poor road network in the country. Waterford roads, especially those in rural parts of the county, which the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan would know, such as Ballymacarbry, The Nire, Tooraneena and Modeligo, are in a severe state of repair. They are patched and repaired year on year but the only solution is capital expenditure to carry out proper repair work and have full sections replaced. The Minister needs to review the issue as a matter of urgency. Where is the additional money that was secured in budget 2018 going? It is clear that it is not going to the roads maintenance budget.

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