Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the possibility of building the new road from Kerry to Cork via Ballyvourney and Macroom to Ovens; if he recognises the economic need for this new road and that it would make Kerry far more attractive for foreign direct investment and tourism by cutting journey times from Cork, that it would provide opportunities for many Kerry persons to commute to jobs in Cork safely and in viable travel times and that it would have a positive impact on health care provision, in view of the large volume of persons that travel from Kerry to Cork daily for medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27095/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It should be noted that the overall Ballyvourney to Ovens scheme has been divided into 2 sections; namely Ballyvourney to Macroom and Macroom to Ovens and that the first section (Ballyvourney to Macroom) is considered the higher priority by the NRA.   

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 N22 Ballyvourney - Macroom project which has been approved by An Bord Pleanála and where land is being acquired is such a project. This project could be advanced as a PPP in the future. Given the state of the public finances it will only prove possible in the medium term to advance projects such as this through PPPs rather than direct Exchequer funding.

Work has started on the preparation of the next capital programme.  As the Deputy will appreciate, I will have to prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure and the scope for progressing new projects under this programme will very much depend on the level of funding available. However I recognise the benefit of this road to the counties of Cork and Kerry and am keen to see it progressed if possible.