Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will recommend the progression to construction of the road between counties Kerry and Cork via Ballyvourney and Macroom in the forthcoming Government stimulus plan; if he recognises the economic and social importance of the improvement of this route; his views on whether a PPP approach bundled with the Dunkettle interchange would be the most suitable way to progress the building of this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15128/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will prioritise the construction of the new Cork-Kerry road from Ballyvourney to Ovens via Macroom; if he sees the economic and social importance of this new road for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15673/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 248 together.

The general approach I have taken to future capital projects is to keep under review projects at various stages of planning and design which have been evaluated and appraised in order to have a pipeline of suitable "shovel ready" projects ready to avail of any funding opportunities that may arise. The projects mentioned are among these.  However as the Deputy will appreciate, I must prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure. 

I understand from the NRA that the Ballyvourney to Macroom scheme, which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and where land is being acquired, is suitable for consideration as a PPP in the future and could be included in a project bundle. For the next capital programme, my aim will be to develop a balanced package of measures covering infrastructure maintenance, safety schemes and targeted development  projects across the transport sector for inclusion.  The actual composition of such a package will depend on the level of funding available.