Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the point made by the Deputy. As he said, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has been in direct contact with her ministerial colleague, Deputy Ryan, about the Department of Transport coming on board with this scheme. The Deputy specifically mentioned the Gaeltacht scheme and I know his views will be taken into account fully by the Minister. It does not affect me in County Laois and I am not personally familiar with the scheme. I presume it works along similar lines in the Gaeltacht areas. As we have said, the fact there was no specific fund for this contributed to the backlog over a number of years. In 2017, allocations were made and €80 million has been given for 3,000 roads being improved to benefit 13,000 rural landowners and residents in that period.

The issue of reprofiling unused capital funding is a very good suggestion for both Departments. All of us from rural areas know the value of this for people going to lakes, mountains or bogs or into forests, although they may not live in that area. It is important funding would be increased in that respect. When a council has done work on a road, maybe once over ten years, and comes back again, eventually people think of public roads not yet taken in charge by a local authority. Local authorities may be slow to take charge of some roads in these areas, having completed the work. It is a matter that will have to be addressed by local authorities. I will convey the Deputy's views directly to both Ministers today.

See this speech in context