Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the upgrading of the N22 Ballyvourney to Ovens Road, County Cork; if he envisages that this road will be constructed in the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57248/12]

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.

Generally, in relation to the capital funding of the national road network, it must be emphasised that progress on individual road schemes, including any improvement works on this route, will very much depend on the availability of funds within a reduced budget.  The Government’s published Capital Expenditure Review confirms that new major road construction projects will be scaled down significantly in the period to 2016.  In 2013 no new, fully Exchequer funded, roads projects are planned to commence construction. However, it is hoped that funding will be secured for a small number of PPP projects as part of the first phase of the Infrastructure Stimulus announced by Minister Howlin in July of this year. Consideration is being given to the possibility of this project being advanced as a PPP project as part of the second phase of the Infrastructure Stimulus.

Notwithstanding the above, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply in relation to this route.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.