Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the inclusion of the N21 Ballyvourney to Macroom road improvement scheme in any upcoming capital investment plan, possibly a PPP bundled with the Dunkettle interchange; his further views on the many benefits that the construction of this section of road would bring, including improving Kerry’s chances of outside investment, cutting journey times to Cork for all motorists, including commuters and patients attending CUH, opening up the Cork jobs market to Kerry residents, making Kerry more accessible for tourists, making the road safer for all users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34945/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I note the Deputy put a similar question (oral PQ 27095/14) on the Ballyvourney Macroom road scheme to my predecessor Minister Varadkar on 26 June, 2014.  The position as outlined to the Deputy on 26 June remains the same.

The general approach I will take 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 is underway 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.