Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 308: To ask the Minister for Transport the supply of salt and grit the local authorities have in stock for the winter for 2010-11; where these stocks are located for each local authority and the amount of time it will take to order additional supplies if necessary. [37110/10]

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

As the Deputy will be aware the day to day operations on the national roads network are managed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) which also provides technical advice to my Department in respect of non national, regional and local roads. The NRA has 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. I am informed that Local Authorities can also continue to purchase salt directly from traditional suppliers.

I understand that 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.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 309: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps that have been taken to ensure that sufficient funding is made available for the National Roads Authority to stock salt and supplies to guard against a repeat of 2009-10 shortage during the cold weather spell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37155/10]

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. I am satisfied that sufficient funding has been made available to the National Roads Authority for winter maintenance on the National road network. 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.