Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 337: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial returns to the Exchequer to date from the public private partnership service areas that have been provided on our motorways; the cost to the State of the provision of each such service area; the agreed percentage return to the State from such projects; if such percentage has been reached in any one of the service areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14270/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national roads projects are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects and allocation of funding for these works is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with section 19 of the Roads Act. More specifically, under section 54 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by section 10 of the Roads Act 2007, the NRA has a specific responsibility in relation to agreements to build and operate Motorway Service Areas.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost to date of a public private partnership (details supplied); the proposed overall cost of the PPP project; if this costing is similar to other such projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14271/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In particular, the allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of national road projects, including service area projects, is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. In addition under section 54 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by section 10 of the Roads Act 2007, the NRA has a specific responsibility in relation to agreements to build and operate motorway service areas.

As the Deputy is aware, the NRA has sought expressions of interest from interested parties in relation to the provision, on a commercial basis, of Service Areas at Kilcullen and Athlone. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.