Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the 15% reduction in roads improvement and maintenance budget under the 2010 transport capital budget; the road building and maintenance plans that will be affected by the budgetary reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47999/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the necessary correction to the public finances, the overall budget for the improvement and maintenance of national, regional and local roads will be reduced by 15% from €1.9 billion in 2009 to €1.6 billion in 2010. While reduced, €1.6 billion is still a significant investment in this very important sector and has to be considered in the context of the very high levels of funding provided for roads over the last decade.

In relation to national roads, I should point out that the funding being provided will allow for the Major Interurban (MIU) routes and the upgrading of the M50 to be completed by end 2010 as envisaged under Transport 21. In addition, the 2010 funding will allow the National Roads Authority (NRA) to progress some other strategic road projects. It will, of course, be necessary for the NRA to keep its programme for future years under review in the light of the available public finance.

With regard to regional and local roads, a programme of works for 2010 has yet to be decided. The level of grants allocated to individual authorities is determined each year having regard to a number of factors including the total funds available in a particular year, eligibility criteria for the different grant schemes, road pavement conditions, length of road network, the need to prioritise projects and competing demands from other local authorities. I will be announcing the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations early in the New Year.