Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he will take to ensure local and regional roads have adequate drainage installed before local authorities use departmental resources to overlay roads which simply get washed away again due to the lack of drainage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I agree with the Deputy that drainage is an issue of particular importance that local authorities need to give consideration to in their work programmes.

However, it must be stated that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. 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.

There is ample scope in the structure of the grant programme for local authorities to prioritise drainage works.  In reviewing the submissions received from local authorities in connection with the severe weather events late last year and early this year, my officials were struck by the scale of the backlog in drainage works that seems to have built up and of course this does have knock-on effects when severe weather occurs.  Proper drainage does help protect the road network and my Department expects local authorities to take on board their responsibilities in this respect. 

When notifying local authorities of the additional severe weather funding being provided by Government this year, local authorities were advised that, in the first instance, priority would be given to works involving the repair of roads and bridges together with drainage. My officials are aware of and have expressed their support for initiatives taken, for example, by Donegal County Council to ensure that drainage works are prioritised with a view to ensuring best value for money.