James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding to Westmeath County Council to resurface a road (details supplied), which has deteriorated to such an extent that it is preventing a racing club from holding its annual national road race in the second week in July, in view of the fact that the club will be refused a permit until the road is resurfaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1135/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, 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.

Regional and local road grants are allocated under a number of grant categories. The State funded road restoration programme provides grants for surface dressing under the Restoration Maintenance Programme and for road pavement improvements under the Restoration Improvement Programme. The roads funded under the restoration programme are selected by local authorities with priority given to roads most in need of treatment.

My Department also finances safety works at high accident locations on the regional and local road network.

Safety is a fundamental consideration in the improvement and maintenance of our road network. It is a matter for Westmeath County Council to adjust their multi-annual restoration programme to facilitate works on the L1437 and submit it to the Department for consideration.