Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 74: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is concerned for national road safety in view of the fact that a recent AA survey found that more than 22% of drivers had experienced enough damage to their car after hitting a pothole that they had to go to a garage to have their car repaired; if he will prioritise the essential repair and maintenance of local and regional roads that were extensively damaged during the big freeze; if he has considered the proposal in Chambers Ireland recent policy document Transport 21, A Review to release motor tax receipts on a once-off basis to fully repair the extensive damage to regional and local roads caused by the big freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26837/10]

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

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. A total of €1.15 billion is being provided to the NRA in 2010 for maintenance and improvement of national roads. All funding for 2010 has now been allocated and there are no further funds available from which additional allocations could be made.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from local authorities own resources and the grants provided by my Department are intended only to supplement those funds. Grants totalling €411.409 million are being provided to local authorities this year in this regard. As is the case with national roads, 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. I have not yet had sight of the Chambers Ireland policy document referred to by the Deputy.