Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Transport the emergency response procedures in place to deal with severe weather conditions this winter should such conditions arise; if sufficient supplies of grit will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36168/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of its role on the Government Emergency Task Force, my Department has reviewed the transport-related response to the severe weather events last winter. The Task Force is working on putting in place additional measures should similar events occur in the future. In relation to transport issues, my Department and its agencies are engaged in the development and implementation of these actions. In this regard my Department has issued a Circular to all local authorities requesting them to forward their Winter Maintenance Plans to the Department of Transport and National Roads Authority by 12 November 2010. Plans should identify the lengths (in km) of national, regional and local roads that are scheduled for regular winter treatment and, in the event of severe weather, the prioritised routes that will be maintained.

The NRA is also finalising its updated "Winter Maintenance Guidelines" which I understand will also address the response to severe weather events. The Guidelines will be launched to all local authorities this Thursday, 14 October.

The NRA has also been tasked with ensuring adequate salt supplies are available in future to maintain a prioritised road network. To achieve this, the NRA advertised a framework contract in August 2010 for the supply of de-icing salt for the coming winter.

The contract is for the supply of 80,000 tonnes with an initial call off of 50,000 tonnes to be imported and distributed by mid December and a further 30,000 tonnes in January 2011. This supply will be in addition to the 20,000 tonnes of salt stock currently available.

The NRA is also investing €6million this year in additional dry storage facilities for de-icing salt and a further €2.5million for grit spreaders/snow blades etc for local authorities.

My Department has also asked its agencies to liaise with local authorities to ensure access to their services are included in the relevant Local Authority priority routes being provided to my Department.