Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will review the allocation for funding available to local authorities for county and local roads, in view of the recent freeze and the deterioration in the road surfaces as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1282/10]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is 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.

When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.

The amount of money provided in the 2010 Estimates for funding regional and local roads is €411.177 million and this year's allocation will be based on that amount.

The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works.

My Department provides a supplement each year to local authorities to assist them with the construction and maintenance of regional and local roads. The salting or gritting of roads may be charged to the Discretionary Maintenance Grant in County Council areas and to the Discretionary Block Grant in Town Council areas.

I have, however, asked local authorities to provide details of exceptional road related costs associated with the recent flooding and prolonged severe weather, which fall outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance. I will announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations by mid February 2010 at the latest.

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to provide additional funding during 2010 for the repair and maintenance of non-national roads following the recent bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1847/10]

Photo of Joe CareyJoe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for increased funding of the repair of non-national roads for 2010 following the recent weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/10]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 495 and 519 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads is 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.

When Exchequer grants for regional and local roads are allocated each year, my Department does not hold back a reserve allocation, at central level, to deal with weather contingencies. Holding back such an allocation would mean a reduction in the road grant allocations made to all local authorities at the beginning of each year.

The allocations made to local authorities are inclusive of a weather risk factor. Local authorities are expressly advised in the annual road grants circular letter that they should set aside contingency sums from their overall regional and local roads resources to finance necessary weather related works. My Department provides a supplement each year to local authorities to assist them with the construction and maintenance of regional and local roads. The amount of money provided in the 2010 Estimates for funding regional and local roads is €411.177 million and this year's allocation will be based on that amount.

I have, however, asked local authorities to provide details of exceptional road related costs associated with the recent flooding and prolonged severe weather, which fall outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance.

I will announce the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations by mid February 2010 at the latest.

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