Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the much needed new section of the N22 from Ballyvourney to Macroom in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16440/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 (including the N22) is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget the NRA has to prioritise expenditure.

As I recently indicated to the Deputy in PQ 7526/15 of 19th February on the same issue, priority has to be given to the maintenance and upkeep of existing infrastructure. The capital allocations proposed for my Department in 2016 and 2017 indicate that funding will continue to be constrained in the next number of years. The scope for progressing new projects will depend on the level of  longer term funding available to my Department and the NRA.