Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the dangerous situation at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he is unable to solve these matters will he instruct the local authority to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15433/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Improvements to non-national roads, including the provision of traffic calming measures, are matters for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department.

In 2007, the total grant allocation by my Department to Mayo County Council for non-national roads is €31,625,821. This includes a Discretionary Improvement grant allocation of €1,651,000. Local authorities may, at their discretion, fund various eligible works on non-national roads from this discretionary grant allocation, including traffic management and traffic calming measures.

A Low Cost Safety Improvement Works scheme of grants for non-national roads was introduced by my Department in 2000 as an extension of the scheme operated on national roads under the auspices of the National Roads Authority (NRA). The NRA assesses applications for grant assistance under the non-national roads scheme on behalf of my Department. The criteria for grant approval are based on accident data, inspection of sites, locations showing demonstrable hazard and discussions between the local authority and the NRA. Applications were invited from local authorities in 2006 for consideration for grant assistance in 2007 under this scheme. In 2007, my Department has allocated over €7.86 million to local authorities in respect of Low Cost Safety Improvement Works on non-national roads and Mayo County Council received a grant allocation of €233,000. The Council did not, however, include works at Glencastle National School. It is open to Mayo County Council to submit an application, for eligible works, for consideration for funding under this scheme in 2008 when my Department invites applications later in the year. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be considered for funding under the scheme is a matter for the Council.

Legislation governing the application of speed limits to public roads is contained in the Road Traffic Acts. Roads authorities have responsibility, under the Road Traffic Acts, for the application of speed limits to, and the provision of speed limit signs on, roads. My Department has no function in the matter.