Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the dialogue his Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has had in relation to the practical implementation of new safety rules relating to road improvement works; if he has been contacted by local authorities about difficulties being experienced; if so, the local authorities that have been in contact and the issues they have identified; if specific provision has been made for the additional signage and traffic management that must now accompany the road works; if so the amount by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15705/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A number of meetings have been held between my Department, the Department of Transport and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to discuss issues relating to the management of road works in the interest of road safety. My Department is also in regular, informal contact with local authorities in relation to this issue and the associated cost implications, and I have received correspondence from the Association of County and City Councillors on the issue. In addition, my Department is participating in the work of a sub-committee of the Local Government Management Services Board to assist in developing updated best practice guidelines, for the management of safety of road works, for use within the local government sector. I understand these new guidelines will be finalised very shortly.

In the case of works on non-national roads, costs associated with the proper and safe management of such works, are a matter for local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State road grants provided by my Department. Funding of works on national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority and my Department has no function in the matter.