Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 219: To ask the Minister for Transport if directly or through the National Roads Authority or local authorities he has received requests from or given any instructions attendant on financial allocations made, generally or specifically throughout the country; the nature of any such instructions or conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18332/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Each year, as Minister for Transport, I announce the allocation of grant funds to Local Authorities for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads across the country. I made the announcement for 2010 on 22nd February this year.

Earlier this year, I requested local authorities to provide details of exceptional road related costs associated with the November 2009 flooding and the prolonged severe weather, which fall outside the normal financial provision for winter maintenance.

I took account of the information received when deciding on allocations for 2010. My priority is to protect the massive investment of €6 billion in the regional and local roads network since 1997.

I decided to defer the planned rehabilitation works on regional and local roads in 2010, in order to provide greater flexibility to local authorities and requested that they carefully target resources to address, on a priority basis, the most urgently required repairs resulting from the extensive damage caused by the prolonged severe weather.

I have also received representations from a number of local authorities and public representatives seeking an increase in the funding for regional and local roads in their particular areas. However, all regional and local road grants have now been fully allocated and there are no further funds available from which additional allocations could be made.

The Exchequer grants are a supplement to expenditure by the local authorities. I have repeatedly stressed the importance of local authorities allocating sufficient own resources for the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local roads network.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 220: To ask the Minister for Transport the criterion under which funding directly or indirectly is provided by his Department to any bodies or groups under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Funding is provided to Agencies and bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport in line with Government Policy, in particular as set out in the Renewed Programme for Government, Transport 21, Smarter Travel and the Department's Statement of Strategy 2008-2010.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 221: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent of funding by his Department in each of the past four years to date in 2010 to the National Roads Authority; the budgetary heads or sub heads from whence such funds, if any, were drawn; if all such allocations were spent entirely; if any such funds were returned to the Exchequer unspent; if he gave specific instructions as to the precise works on which such expenditure was to be made; if the NRA or local authorities made any specific requests during the period in question in respect of particular projects; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18334/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 223: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent of funds in whatever category, allocated by his Department to the various groups, bodies or organisations under his aegis or associated thereto in each of the past four years to date in 2010; the terms and conditions of any such allocations; the budgetary head or sub head from whence such funds were drawn; the precise amounts allocated in each case; the amounts spent; the extent of any funds returned or returnable to the Exchequer; if all funds allocated were spent in accordance with his wishes; if prior to allocation he received requests and representations from any or all of the bodies concerned; the extent to which he responded; the degree to which he sought or offered clarification or explanation attendant on or arising from such allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18336/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together.

Exchequer funding has been allocated under Vote 32 to the following agencies under the remit of my Department since 2007:

In addition to the figures shown above, the following funding has been allocated to regional harbours for remedial works in the last four years: 2007 €10.5m 2008 €3.705m 2009 €3.699m 2010 €4.1m.

More detailed information in relation to the individual Subheads, the amounts provided and the outturn for each year can be found in the relevant Revised Estimates Volume, published by the Department of Finance and available on its website. Up to 10% of an unspent capital allocation can be carried over into the following year. Where this occurs the relevant information is also published in the Estimates. The reasons for material variations in any Departmental Subheads are set out in the Annual Appropriation Accounts which are available on the website of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Funding for the agencies is provided in the form of general block grants and in the form of specific grants for particular purposes. In the case of the National Roads Authority, for example, funding for national roads is provided in the form of block grants and it is a matter for the Authority under statute to decide on allocations to individual projects. Similar provisions apply to the National Transport Authority.

Exchequer funding has to be spent for the purpose for which it was allocated, but there are procedures in place to enable a transfer of funds between projects or Subheads where under-expenditure occurs or where additional funding is required.

There is a regular dialogue between my Department and its agencies in relation to funding and in the case of the NRA and NTA, which account for a large proportion of expenditure under my Department's Vote, there are regular monitoring meetings which review expenditure to date, future spending requirements and the outcome of the annual Budget process.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 222: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent of funds allocated by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2010 to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath; if such funding was in response to any specific request or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18335/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows. Exchequer Capital Funding

* 2010 = Funding to date

Exchequer Subvention

**2010 = Estimated Subvention Allocation

In addition Iarnród Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann are also in receipt of capital funding arising from their participation in the integrated ticketing system. This funding encompasses project management, design and development costs and operator contributions for the development of the single smart card.