Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising the matter of the bridge at Ballinagar, Lixnaw, County Kerry, and for giving me some history which I did not know. I recall the accident he mentioned. I would like first to make a number of general points about the resourcing of regional and local roads. Responsibility for the provision and improvement of regional and local roads, including bridges, in its area is a matter for Kerry County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants.

There have been significant increases in recent years in the level of funding provided for local authorities for the provision, improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads. State funding in 2008 for such roads, at almost €619 million, is at its highest ever level and is a clear indication of the Government's continuing commitment to improving regional and local roads around the country, which is critical from economic and social perspectives.

In the case of Kerry County Council, the total grant allocation from my Department in 2008 is €24.033 million. This is a significant level of funding and I am satisfied that it provides appropriately for the council's requirements this year. The road grants to Kerry County Council this year have been allocated under a number of grant categories. These include the specific improvement grant scheme under which grants totalling €4.4 million were allocated to a number of projects. One of the projects in receipt of grant aid this year is Ballinagar Bridge, which was allocated a grant of €100,000. Progress with the project is now a matter for Kerry County Council.

As regards 2009, the Senator may be aware that my Department recently invited applications from local authorities for funding under the regional and local roads specific improvement grant scheme. The proposals submitted by Kerry County Council for grant aid in 2009 included an application for further grant aid for the bridge at Ballinagar. All applications received for funding under the scheme are being considered by my Department, having regard to compliance with eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funds available for the scheme next year. The 2009 regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities will be announced early in the new year.