Written answers

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Improvement Schemes

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of funding for road improvements (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38075/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Kerry  is the statutory responsibility of Kerry County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council. While in the past it was possible to seek grant funding for road improvements under a Specific Grant Scheme, given the challenging financial climate, this grants scheme was curtailed from 2014 in order to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work on the existing road network. A limited number of Specific Grant projects are provided for in the Capital Plan.

Kerry County Council was allocated €12.9m by my Department in January this year in respect of its regional and local roads programme and it was allocated a further €4.65m to repair roads damaged by severe weather later in the year.  It is a matter for the Council to prioritise its work programme for the year, including the selection of schemes that are to progress.  The purpose of Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes.

The allocations for 2017 have not been decided as yet. I expect to be in a position to announce the grants early next year.

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