Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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877. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a bridge (details supplied) in County Donegal, in view of the effect new weight restrictions are causing in the neighbouring towns; if he will increase the allocation provided to Donegal County Council for the upgrade and maintenance of the county's bridges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14504/15]

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.

In September last year local authorities were invited to submit applications for consideration for funding in 2015 under the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme. Donegal County Council (DCC) applied for funding for eight projects under this grant category but Logue's Bridge was not among the Council’s applications. DCC was allocated €225,000 under this grant category in 2015. It is the responsibility of DCC to prioritise the bridge works programme in its area.

It is also important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement Councils like DCC in their own resources spending in this area. It is open to the Council to fund this and other projects from its own resources.