Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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581. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received estimates from Limerick County Council to repair bridges at Clonteen, Cappamore, and Croughlahan, Cappamore, County Limerick; if he will provide funds for the repairs; when he will make a decision regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38054/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

Following a Government decision on 11 February 2014 approval was given to my Department for €16.8 million in funding to local authorities for the restoration of damaged roads during the severe weather incident of 13 December 2013-6 January 2014.

Following the second phase of severe weather (that is, from 27 January to 17 February 2014), the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government engaged with local authorities and requested submissions outlining the cost of damage caused to public infrastructure (including road, tourism, piers and harbours etc.) during that period.  No decision has been taken by Government to date regarding funding to repair damage to roads caused during the second phase of severe weather.

My Department has had ongoing engagement with Limerick City and County Council concerning roads in their area damaged during a further July 2014 flooding incident. The Council has provided an overall estimate of over €1 million for all the repair work arising from the July incident with some critical repair work required this year.

My Department has fully allocated all of its Roads monies in the current year. However, it has indicated that it has no objection to the Council undertaking the work specified on the basis that the Department will review the position at the end of the year to see if any expenditure can be recouped this year or if not, provision being made in 2015 under two programme categories – Restoration Improvement and Bridge Rehabilitation, for the costs involved.