Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 340: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the definition of a national road, a regional road, a strategic road and a non-strategic road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36855/06]

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

In accordance with section 10 of the Roads Act 1993, the classification of public roads, which includes national and regional roads, is a function of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. My Department has no responsibility in the matter.

There is no statutory classification of strategic or non-strategic roads. My Department provides grants to road authorities under a number of grant categories to assist them in discharging their functions in relation to the improvement and maintenance of non-national roads. In this regard, there are two categories of grant for roads which are considered to be of strategic importance. One relates to a scheme of grants for which funding was approved in December, 2000. The aim of this Exchequer funded investment programme is to provide grant assistance for certain roads which facilitate housing and related development in the most densely populated areas of the country where housing needs are greatest. The second grant category was introduced this year for non-national roads which make a significant contribution towards implementation of the National Spatial Strategy.

Responsibility for national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority which operates under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Transport.