Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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338. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when his Department will grant approval to Tipperary and Clare county councils to commence work on the bridge at Ballina and Killaloe in view of the fact the area is unable to make any economic progress while the current situation continues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10860/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads 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.

The Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe is one of a number of schemes included in the Capital Plan 2016-2021 designed to address bottlenecks on the road network. ​ The bridge is the 1st phase of the Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme.  In planning the construction schedule for individual projects included in the Plan, account has to be taken of the annual budgets in the Capital Plan and the need to phase projects to manage the available budgets.

  Following the conclusion of the judicial review relating to the the Killaloe Bypass/R494 scheme, it is now a matter for the local authority (Clare County Council) to progress the scheme. Clare County Council has been provided with an allocation of €500,000 in 2017.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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339. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the road network between Waterford city and Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10867/17]

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 operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

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