Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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593. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available to local authorities in County Louth for the provision of road safety measures, including the provision of a mini roundabout and-or staggered junction at Leonard's Cross, Upper Mell, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth 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.

I understand from the Council that Leonard's Cross junction is located on a section of the R168 and its intersection with two local roads (Cement Road/Slane Road).  My Department contacted all local authorities (RW 12 of 2016) on 27 September 2016 inviting funding applications for Safety Improvement Works on regional and local roads in 2017 and Councils were asked to list proposed schemes in order of priority. While Louth County Council submitted a funding application under the Programme, the Leonards Cross junction was not among the priority projects listed.

It is a matter for the local authority to select, agree and prioritise the regional and local road works to be funded under its work programme.  The purpose of Exchequer grants is to supplement the own resources of local authorities, not to meet the full costs of schemes.