Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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658. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to update the N70 from Waterville towards Coomikista, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48124/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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659. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will re-examine ways of funding the completion of the final phase of the Dingle relief road, County Kerry as the local authority cannot fund it from its own resources; his views on the traffic problem experienced in Dingle, particularly during the summer months, because this road remains unfinished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have responded to a number of similar questions concerning the Dingle Inner Relief Road, most recently on 2 December (PQ 46036/14). 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.