Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Transport his view on the report by the local government efficiency review group to extend tolling to non-motorway roads; if he will provide further details of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35132/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Local Government Efficiency Review Group recommended the introduction of new tolling schemes on national roads, both new and existing, based on an equitable distribution of tolling points across the national network, with a proportion of revenue being used to invest in local and regional roads. The Infrastructure Investment Priorities document 2010-2016 also refers to the possible introduction of further tolling on national roads and recommends that any additional income generated through tolling should be retained by the NRA to help fund ongoing road investment.

In light of these recommendations the National Roads Authority (NRA) has been asked to examine options for a new tolling strategy. Possible options will be evaluated having regard to factors such as proper traffic management, road investment needs to support economic competitiveness, safety issues and implementation of Government policy in areas like Smarter Travel. Future policy on tolling strategy will be considered once the NRA review is completed.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Dublin city development plan 2011 to 2017 includes provision for an overpass over the Royal Canal and railway line at Reilly's Bridge, Cabra, Dublin 7; if he has agreed to finance such a development; the cost of the project; the timescale for delivery of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35067/10]

Noel 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.

On 22nd February, I announced the 2010 regional and local road grant allocations. A total of €411.409 million is being provided to local authorities this year for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads. In July this year, local authorities were invited to submit applications for funding in 2011 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme. It is open to Dublin City Council to prioritise this project and to include it among its applications when they are submitted in due course.

All applications received for funding under the scheme will be considered, having regard to compliance with eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funds available for the scheme in 2011. The 2011 regional and local road grant allocations will be announced early next year. To date no funding has been sought from my Department for this project either in 2010 or in previous years. Alternatively, Dublin City Council may fund this project from its own resources.