Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will give an assurance that there are adequate supplies of salt in stock to deal with a cold snap similar to the one experienced in early 2010. [45563/10]

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

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 and is working with the Task Force and other Government Departments with putting in place additional measures in response to such events. In relation to transport issues, my Department and its agencies are engaged in the implementation of these actions. The day to day operations on the national roads network is managed by the National Roads Authority (NRA) who also provide technical advice to the Department and who are responsible for partial funding in respect of non national, regional and local roads.

Arising from the review 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 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 has assured me that there are adequate stocks available nationally to meet the current requirements of local authorities. Additional supplies will be purchased to meet future requirements under the framework contract. The NRA is 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.