Written answers

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Wild Atlantic Way Project

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the film and television producers that have been invited by the State tourism agencies to film the Wild Atlantic Way; his views that this will be a positive way of marketing the new driving route both at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40584/14]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational issue for the tourism agencies.  Therefore I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will examine ways of financing unfinished projects (details supplied) in tourism towns along the Wild Atlantic Way that are completely choked with traffic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40597/14]

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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229. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if 2015 roads funding allocations to local authorities will make provision for the additional pressures on roads along the Wild Atlantic Way; if he will top up the allocations to these counties to ensure that this great tourism development may continue to grow in popularity safely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40598/14]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.

As I previously outlined to the Deputy, 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 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 in 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.

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