Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for Transport the criteria for designating an accident black spot; if all accident black spots here are catalogued; the number of same; the person with whom responsibility for this lies; if there is a programme currently in place to deal with accident black spots specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20389/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is no longer the practice to designate sites on the public road network as blackspots. The emphasis now is on identifying locations with a high accident record and devising suitable remedial measures. The undertaking of any survey of its road network, to, inter alia, ascertain its condition, including identification of locations with a high accident record, is a matter for each local authority.

Since 2000, road grants have been paid to local authorities under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works Scheme for regional and local roads. The National Roads Authority (NRA) assesses applications for grants under the regional and local roads scheme on behalf of my Department. The criteria for grant approval are based on accident data, inspection of sites, locations showing a demonstrable hazard and discussions between the local authority and the NRA. In 2009, grants totalling €6.25 million have been allocated under the scheme to local authorities for works on regional and local roads. The allocation of grants for national roads is a matter for the NRA.