Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received an application for funding from Westmeath County Council in respect of a project (details supplied); if same will be approved without delay because of its importance in terms of safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53662/12]

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 to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding is still available for the new M17/M18 motorway; the date on which contracts will be signed for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53402/12]

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 Act 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

The Gort-Tuam PPP project is one of a number of road projects identified in the Government's Financial Stimulus Package.  As the investment and Capital Expenditure Framework 2012 - 2016 did not include a financial provision for this project, an additional multi-annual allocation is required to cover the Exchequer element of the project costs.  As the allocation of such funds is related to the planned sale of State assets, clarification has been sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the timelines involved.  Once appropriate funding arrangements are put in place, the NRA will be in a position to prepare the project implementation schedule.