Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding roads on the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9268/17]

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

Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (including those located on the Wild Atlantic Way route) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. 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.

In January 2017, I announced the 2017 regional and local road allocations to local authorities. While there is no specific funding provided for roads on the Wild Atlantic Way, funding is provided to local authorities under a number of programmes to supplement their own resources. It is a matter for the relevant local authority to prioritise, agree and progress its work programme for roads each year. All regional and local road funding for 2017 has now been allocated.