Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total funding sought by Kildare County Council for the improvement, strengthening and maintenance of national secondary, regional and county roads in each of the past five years; if he will further detail the moneys approved to Kildare County Council in each of these years for these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31884/11]

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.

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 the Deputy's question on national secondary roads to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

With regard to regional and local roads, applications are sought from local authorities under two grant categories, the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme and the Low Cost Safety Improvements Scheme. The funding sought by Kildare County Council under these two grant categories in each of the past five years is outlined in the table.

In addition the Council has sought to progress two Strategic projects; the R402 Enfield to Edenderry Road and the Athy Southern Distributor Road. Decisions on such projects are based on the initial application (including the business case) by a Council and are supplemented by more detailed information as it becomes available. Progress on individual strategic projects is dependent on meeting the requirement of the Capital Appraisal Guidelines and on the availability of funding.

The regional and local road grants provided to Kildare County Council in the past five years are available from the Dáil Library.