Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if there are plans to upgrade or replace Castlefin Bridge in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20599/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision and improvement of non-national roads, including bridges, in its area is a matter for Donegal County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants.

In July last year, local authorities were invited to submit applications for funding under the 2007 Specific Improvements Grant Scheme. The initial selection of projects to be submitted for consideration for funding under this scheme is solely a matter for local authorities. Donegal County Council submitted a number of applications for funding in 2007 but these did not include an application in respect of Castlefinn Bridge.

My Department recently invited applications from local authorities for consideration for funding in 2008 under the Specific Improvements Grant Scheme and it is, of course, open to the Council to submit an application for eligible works on Castlefinn Bridge for consideration for funding under the scheme in 2008.

Local authorities may also use their discretionary improvement grant allocations to fund eligible road and bridge improvement schemes. The 2007 discretionary improvement grant allocation to Donegal County Council is €1,691,000. The selection of works to be funded from this allocation is entirely a matter for the local authority.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1819 of 31 January 2007, if he will meet a delegation from Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo County Councils regarding their proposals for the R294; the applications submitted for consideration under the 2008 specific improvements grant scheme and the cost of same; if he will approve funding for these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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On 27 August 2007, local authorities were invited to submit applications for consideration for funding under the 2008 Specific Improvements Grant Scheme. Applications for funding in 2008 have not been received to date from Roscommon, Sligo or Mayo County Councils. The deadline for receipt of such applications is Friday 28 September 2007. It is, of course, open to Roscommon, Sligo and Mayo County Councils to prioritise and submit eligible works in respect of the R294 for consideration for funding under this scheme in 2008.

All applications submitted by local authorities for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvements Grant Scheme are considered by my Department, having regard to compliance with eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funds available for the scheme. The 2008 Non-National Road Grant allocations, including allocations under the Specific Improvements Grant Scheme, will be announced early next year.

It is not normal practice to meet Local Authorities about their road priorities.