Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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38. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with regard to the proposed N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin scheme, which is at an advanced stage of planning, if the previously agreed reintroduction of the good will payment will be retrospectively applied to landowners for works already carried out along this route, such as on the N4 Ardloy scheme; and his views that this Deputy is advised by both Sligo County Council and the National Roads Authority that this is ultimately a ministerial decision. [31936/15]

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 implementation of individual road projects, including communication with landowners, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), (formerly the National Roads Authority) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the TII for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be in a position to provide the necessary resources to upgrade local road networks, in line with the requirements set out by the various local authorities; the degree to which he expects to be in a position to meet a substantial part of such requirements in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/15]

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 February this year, my Department announced the €294m investment programme for regional and local roads. These grants are mainly focused on the maintenance of the existing road network and it is open to  Councils to prioritise its works programme each year.

In July this year, an additional €24 million in Stimulus funding was announced for road maintenance. This additional funding will potentially see a further 280kms of regional and local roads improved/maintained in the current year under the Restoration Programme. Local authorities were also permitted to use up to 10% of the their additional allocation for Local Improvement Schemes and 20% towards Community Involvement Schemes if they so wish.

All available funding for this year has now been allocated and no further funding is available.  It is a matter for the local authority concerned to prioritise works and to select projects that are in line with available resources.