Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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327. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding for a project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29355/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads such as the R352 is the statutory responsibility of Clare County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the 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. Given the challenging economic climate, the Specific Improvement Grants Scheme has been curtailed in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work. Applications were sought last year from local authorities for funding in 2015 for my Department's Low Cost Safety Programme. While Clare County Council submitted an application for funding in respect of 10 projects, a roundabout at this location was not among them.

It is a matter for the local authority to select, prioritise and agree the works to be funded and progressed each year as part of its annual works programme. In addition, the purpose of Exchequer funding is to supplement the own resources of the local authority, not to meet the full cost of schemes. I have been emphasising to local authorities the importance of own resource spending in this area including revenue from Local Property Tax receipts.

It is however open to Clare County Council to liaise with my Department regarding the inclusion of the roundabout on the Tulla Road among the projects to be considered under the Low Cost Safety Scheme in 2016. Alternatively, it is open to Clare County Council to consider funding this project from its Discretionary Grant.