Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reinstate the specific improvements grant scheme with particular reference to his plans to specifically provide funding for a new bridge at Cockhill, Buncrana, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36809/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, including bridges, 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 and bridges are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants.

The need to focus the limited funding available on the repair and strengthening of the road network has meant that it has been necessary to curtail the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme for the moment. The scope for considering new applications under this grant category depends on the future funding available to my Department as I have to continue to prioritise maintenance and renewal of the network.

As regards Cockhill Bridge, my Department recently contacted Donegal County Council to ascertain the up-to-date position in relation to the Council's evaluation of possible traffic management measures at the bridge. I understand from the Council that a number of options were prepared for Cockhill Bridge over a number of years including a new bridge, bridge widening, one-way traffic, a new footbridge and the installation of traffic lights and associated measures.

I also understand that these options were presented to both the Buncrana Council and the Inishowen Area Council Elected Members but  members did not favour pursuing options other than a new bridge.  It is now a matter for the Council to decide if it wishes to pursue with the Department one of the options other than the new bridge.

In this context it is important to re-iterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement the resources of Councils. It is, therefore, open to the Council to fund both the design and construction of this project from its own resources.