Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that have been taken to prepare for severe weather events which may affect roads and other transport networks over the winter season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29673/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The overall State response to severe weather events is led by the Department of the 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 my Department and its agencies. The recommendations in respect of my Department are all being progressed.

My Department co-ordinates with its agencies our operational and communications response to severe weather. As part of the overall review, my Department and its agencies are putting 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 continue to be used as a communications access 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) is co-ordinating the supply of de-icing salt for use on our road network. The NRA will have available a total of 140,000 tonnes for use on the national roads network, including 40,000 tonnes reserve stock for use on priority 1 Routes. Additionally 60,000 tonnes of de-icing salt will be available for use on regional and local roads.

I recently availed of savings in my Department to increase this year's Winter Maintenance Grant from €10 million to €11.25 million to assist local authorities with the costs associated with winter weather conditions on their priority road network routes. I have also organised a special transport winter preparedness meeting which is due to take place in the coming days, involving all the key transport agencies of my Department, to update me on the plans of each operator.