Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if realignment works between Castleblayney and Carrickmacross can be considered for part of the €2.6 billion in additional capital funding announced by the Government recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6482/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is now commencing the Capital Plan review and has indicated that the additional capital funding for allocation totals €2.6 billion. While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding and unfortunately, this means that only a limited number can be put forward for funding.