Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the traffic management system at Palmerstown/Kennelsfort Road Junction is very close to malfunction and requires a major overhaul and, if this work is not carried out, it will have a huge impact on traffic in Dublin and on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22671/13]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a major crisis is pending in relation to traffic management and funding to address the issue regarding the traffic management of the N4 system which will have a massive effect on Dublin City traffic if it malfunctions which is predicted by South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22670/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 82 together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritization of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

This section of road was recently downgraded from national road status (previously the N4) to regional road status – R148.

In July last year, applications were invited  for consideration for funding under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme. Local authorities were asked to ensure that their total cost of applications did not exceed their 2012 grant allocation. In South Dublin County Council’s case this would allow the Council to apply for funding of €800,000 under this grant category. The R148 project was not among the priority projects submitted by the Council within the expenditure limit allowed.

South Dublin County Council may fund this project from its Discretionary Grant. The Council has been allocated €736,775 under this grant category in 2013. I also wrote to local authorities earlier this year offering them more flexibility in their regional and local road grants. Councils have the opportunity to use up to 30% of their Restoration Improvement Grant and reallocate it to their Discretionary Grant. In South Dublin County Council’s case this will amount to €556,641 should they wish to avail of this flexibility which would bring the total Discretionary Grant available to the Council to €1,293,416. I understand the estimated cost of these works are approximately €300,000.

It is open to South Dublin Council to apply to transfer some of its Specific Grant funding for 2013 to this project or alternatively to fund this project from its Discretionary Grant or own resources.