Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Transport the quantity of salt and grit held by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45787/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Roads Authority (NRA) was tasked, as the result of the Transport review of last year's severe weather event with responsibility for salt supplies during periods of prolonged severe weather. In early August of this year, the NRA advertised a Framework Contract for the supply of de-icing salt for the Winter. The primary objectives were to (a) ensure that there is an adequate supply of salt to cover the Winter period and (b) to provide an effective framework within which additional supplies of salt could be procured in a timely fashion compliant with procurement obligations, should weather conditions so dictate.

The existence of this Framework Contract does not preclude local authorities from purchasing salt supplies from other sources. The NRA and local authorities are working closely together to keep the NRA fully apprised as to the quantities of salt being purchased independently to ensure there is a clear picture of salt stocks. The figures for salt stocks in the local authority sector are being co-ordinated and updated by the NRA on a daily basis. The NRA is also co-ordinating the supply of salt stocks to local authorities on a needs basis and stocks in the different authorities will vary from day to day.