Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine ways of funding the completion of the final phase of the Dingle relief road; his views on the traffic problem suffered by Dingle, particularly during the summer months, because this road remains unfinished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34965/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy asked a similar question (PQ 24922/14) of Minister Varadkar concerning the Dingle Inner Relief Road on 11 June 2014. I am happy to again clarify the position regarding this regional road scheme.

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 prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

It is important to state that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like Kerry County Council in their own resources spending this area. While Councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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266. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding progress on the Kenmare inner relief road, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34966/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

My Department has allocated €640,000 in 2014 under the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme to Kerry County Council in respect of the R569 Kenmare Inner Relief Road.  To be of assistance, my officials have made enquiries of the Council regarding progress on the scheme and I understand that works have been ongoing during the course of the year and the project is now nearing completion.  Work on the final road surface is commencing this week and it is currently programmed that the relief road will be opened to public traffic by early October 2014.