Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in relation to the N17/N18 Gort toTuam public private partnership scheme; if a project schedule is being prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13198/13]

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.

The Gort-Tuam PPP project is one of the projects included in the Government's Financial Stimulus Package and in this context an additional multi-annual allocation is being provided to cover the Exchequer element of the project costs. The necessary exchequer funds are now in place but the vast majority of the project requires private sector funding. It is intended that the NRA will now engage with the funders and contractors with a view to securing financial close and commencing works later this year or early next.

As project implementation is a matter for the NRA, 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.