Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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1722. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the resources provided to the Road Safety Authority for the promotion of road safety in view of the increase in fatalities on roads in 2016 to date; if he will consider increasing the level of resources allocated to the Road Safety Authority for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24395/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​​The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has, in essence, been self-financing since 2014 and I am satisfied that the Authority has adequate resources available to promote road safety.

​I met with the Chair and Chief Executive of the RSA in July and received the RSA's 5 year corporate plan which sets out in detail the Authority's strategy to move forward as an organisation from 2016 - 2020. 

Overall, the number of fatalities has fallen significantly in Ireland in recent years, and the number of fatalities in 2012, at 162, was the lowest since records began. Last year was the second safest year on record.

 Unfortunately this year to date, there are 20 more road deaths than in the same period last year, representing an increase of 17% on 2015. I share your concerns about the increase in road deaths and continue to monitor the situation cloasely. Unfortuantely, I am aware that road deaths have been increasing in other jurisdictions in recent years also.

The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020, has the objective of reducing deaths on our roads to no more than 124 by 2020, in accordance with the EU target of no more than 25 per million population. While this is a national target, the Strategy recognises that this ambitious target will only be met through shared responsibilities by all road users and the cooperation of all relevant agencies.

A mid-term Review of the current Strategy is scheduled to take place later this year. This review will ensure that targets are being met and that the necessary resources are available to enable the RSA to do its work.