Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this very important Commencement matter.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded by the resources of councils and supplemented by regional and local road grants. Transport Infrastructure Ireland is responsible for the management of national roads in conjunction with local authorities. In addition, the National Transport Authority provides funding for sustainable transport measures and this year this funding is being extended to local authorities across the country.

As regards the main regional and local roads programmes funded by my Department, these programmes involve a mixture of direct labour work and contract work. Each eligible local authority is responsible for deciding its work programme and also for deciding the assignment of staff to undertake roadworks throughout the year. The costs involved are recouped to local authorities based on the work undertaken.

Under the public health guidance that is currently in place regarding Covid-19 restrictions, provision is made for certain essential services to continue. This includes the repair, maintenance and construction of critical road infrastructure. Local authorities have continued to carry out works considered essential on roads and appropriate operating procedures have been put in place to comply with Covid-19 public health guidance. In this context the nature of roadworks - outdoors and generally amenable to social distancing - facilitates compliance with public health guidance.

It is important to recognise that road maintenance activity is seasonal. While local authorities might carry out contract procurement and some preparatory work at this time of the year, the crucial period for delivery of the main regional and local roads maintenance programme is from April. This is when the road strengthening programme starts in earnest followed by surface dressing work from late May.While it is for each local authority to assess the position in its area, overall, essential maintenance works will need to be carried out to keep the road network in a serviceable condition, address safety issues and deliver road improvement schemes which incorporate measures to support active travel. It is envisaged that these essential work programmes will continue and intensify as the year progresses.

As the Senator is aware, the Government will also be providing updated public health guidelines before 5 April. Hopefully, that will allow a more general return to construction work, including road maintenance work, in the critical period ahead.