Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding in 2013 for the Kenmare relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57503/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  

Earlier this year, the National Roads Authority (NRA) invited applications (on behalf of the Department) for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme in respect of regional and local roads.  Kerry County Council submitted an application for €760,000 for the Kenmare Eastern Relief Road.  All applications are currently being considered by the NRA and the Department having regard to the compliance with the eligibility criteria, the need to prioritise projects, competing demands from other local authorities and the funding available under this grants scheme in 2013.   

I will announce the 2013 regional and local road grant allocations early in the new year.