James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has made provision for the full cost of the realignment work on Garrycastle Bridge in Athlone, County Westmeath which is due to commence in 2010. [30227/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. Earlier this year, a specific improvement grant of €600,000 was allocated to Westmeath County Council for works at Garrycastle Bridge. Last month my Department sought applications for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants scheme in 2010. It is now a matter for Westmeath County Council to continue to prioritise this project for funding.