Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 541: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the remaining cost of the construction of the new N22 Ballyvourney to Ballincollig road, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20891/11]

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

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consult with the National Roads Authority regarding the widening of two very dangerous bridges (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The carrying out of works on these roads and bridges is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the council.

A total of €439,676,000 is being provided to local authorities for regional and local roads in 2011. This includes the additional €60 million provided by the government in May this year under the Jobs Initiative. From this allocation, Kerry County Council is being provided with a total of €19,071,422.

In July last year, local authorities were invited to submit proposals for funding in 2011 under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme. Kerry County Council submitted 10 applications for funding in 2011 however Listry Bridge was not among the Council's proposals. It is open to Kerry County Council to prioritise the Listry Bridge project and to submit it for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme in 2012 when applications are sought in due course. Alternatively, the local authority may fund this project through its own resources.

In relation to the Ballyreameen Bridge on the N70, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter 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 is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred that part of the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.