Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding funding for a road (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact further information which was requested in relation to the road has been submitted; and when a decision is expected on same. [31477/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The provision and improvement of non-national roads in its area is a matter for Mayo County Council to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State grants. In 2007, Mayo County Council was allocated a total of €31,625,821 in non-national road grants.

Following the issue of road grants for 2007, Mayo County Council sought additional funding for the upgrading of the R312 Castlebar – Belmullet Road. The Council was informed on 5 March 2007, that the 2007 non-national road grant allocations had already been notified to local authorities, and that accordingly there were no funds available from which further grants could be provided for the proposed project. The Council was also informed that the design stage of the proposed project would be considered for funding in 2008, having regard, inter alia, to the overall funding available for non-national roads and competing demands from other local authorities.

In order to facilitate future consideration of the proposal, the Council was requested to submit details of the proposed scheme, including confirmation of the proposed works, a draft expenditure profile and details of the Council's proposed own resources expenditure on the scheme and possible funding from other sources. A reply has now been received from the Council and is under examination in the Department. The 2008 non-national road grant allocations to local authorities will be announced early next year.