Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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799. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31573/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (such as the R563) 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.

In January this year I announced that a total of €331.9 million is being provided to local authorities for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2014. Kerry County Council was allocated €12.7m for regional and local road schemes, of which €202,215 was allocated for bridge rehabilitation works. 

I have given local authorities significantly increased flexibility this year.  I have reduced the number of grant categories, increased the amount allocated under the Discretionary grant heading and will facilitate the transfer of funds between key grant categories where local authorities need this. 

Ultimately however, the selection and prioritisation of works to be undertaken on bridges or for other works, is a matter for the local authority, taking into account available grant funding. It is important to reiterate that the role of the Exchequer grant aid is to supplement Councils' own resource spending on regional and local roads.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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800. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31574/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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801. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31575/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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802. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31576/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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803. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a junction (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31577/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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804. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a junction (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31578/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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805. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a junction (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31579/14]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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806. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for the improvement of a bridge at a junction (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31580/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 800 to 806, inclusive, together.

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 national road projects, such as those alluded to by the Deputy on the N22, N23, N70 and N86 is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under Sections 17 and 19 of the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

I understand the NRA has allocated in excess of €9.63m in national road grants to Kerry in 2014.  Noting the above position, 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.