Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken by him to prepare for the potential for extreme cold weather this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24266/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The overall State response to severe weather events is led by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The Review of the Severe Weather Event of 2010 published by that Department sets out a series of recommended measures, including a number for this Department and our agencies. These are all in the process of being actioned.

My Department co-ordinates with our agencies our operational and communications response to severe weather. As part of the overall review, my Department and our agencies have put in place the necessary actions to improve on our existing resilience to such events in the future. These actions include increased investment in snow clearing equipment by the Dublin Airport Authority to reduce the time it takes to clear the runways/aprons, special equipment to reduce snow impact on railway points, salt procurement and amendments to priority routes on our roads network to facilitate further public transport access. Our www.transport.ie website will be used as a communications portal in the event of a future event as part of our contribution towards effective customer service.

In relation to our roads network, the National Roads Authority (NRA) are procuring a supply of de-icing salt for the start of the winter season. The NRA will have available a total of 140,000 tonnes (including 40,000 tonnes reserve stock) for use on the national roads network. Additionally 60,000 tonnes of de-icing salt will be available for use on the regional and local roads.

It should be noted that I have in the past few weeks increased the Winter Maintenance Grant from €10 million to €11.25 million to assist local authorities with winter maintenance and to keep important roads clear. The extra €1.25 million was possible through savings in the Department. The funding will help to cover the cost of purchasing, transporting, storing and spreading salt, and other works associated with extreme weather conditions.

In the next few weeks, I will head up a special preparatory meeting involving the key transport agencies to be held in the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre.