Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will meet a delegation from Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo county councils regarding their proposals for the R294 which was submitted to his Department; if he will approve funding for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15827/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In March 2005, Sligo County Council submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government a copy of a report prepared jointly by Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon county councils regarding the condition of the R294 between Ballina and Boyle. The report proposed a number of short-term and long-term improvement works to the route. The Department responded that it is open to the relevant councils to include the short-term restoration improvement works in their restoration programmes for 2006 onwards. It is also open to the councils to prioritise appropriate works on the route for funding under the EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme in 2006. In June and August 2005 respectively, local authorities were invited to submit proposals to the Department for inclusion in the 2006-08 restoration programme and the 2006 EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme.

Under the 2006 EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme, Sligo County Council has been allocated a grant of €440,000 for realignment works at Mullaghroe on the R294. This is the only application for the R294 submitted to the Department by any of the three councils for consideration for funding under the scheme in 2006. Sligo County Council has included three schemes in its restoration improvement programme in respect of the R294 road, including works at Doobolla at a cost of €91,500, works at Drumartin at a cost of €101,000 and works at Gorterslin at a cost of €90,000. Mayo County Council has included works to the R294 at Abbey Street in Ballina at a cost of €459,082 under its restoration improvement programme. All the schemes will be funded from the Department's 2006 restoration improvement grants scheme. The Department will again seek applications under the EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme later this year. It will be open to Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon county councils to submit applications for consideration for further funding under this scheme in 2007. Further meetings on this matter are not planned at present.