Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Transport if he and the Department of Finance have directed the National Roads Authority to stop all capital spending on road building and maintenance projects, including up to 80 projects currently being planned; the road building or maintenance projects which have been halted as a result of these new directions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13673/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Roads Authority has not been directed to stop all capital spending on roads projects. The total capital allocation to the National Roads Authority (NRA) for its national roads investment programme for 2009 is €1.44 billion. All but approximately €50 million of this is already contractually committed and the projects, for which this funding has been provided, will proceed as planned.

My Department has written to the Department of Finance seeking approval to proceed with the letting of contracts in respect of the remaining €50 million of the NRA's capital allocation. This includes the NRA's proposed programme of minor roadworks on both national primary and national secondary roads, as well as planning and preparatory works on a range of other projects. I expect the Department of Finance will respond to my Department following the Supplementary Budget of 7 April next.