Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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250. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he anticipates an augmented capital programme to address arterial road network deficiencies throughout the country, including Dublin and its environs and the regions; if he will address the needs that have been identified in the midlands, the north west and the south west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22381/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. Based on the findings in that report it is envisaged that maintenance and renewal of the road network will continue to be the main priority over the next period and the bulk of the roads capital budget, approximately €4.4 billion, is earmarked for such essential work with a further €600 million allocated for implementation of the PPP road programme which is already underway. In this context it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan given the overall funding envelope available. As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has started the Capital Plan review and has indicated that the additional capital funding for allocation totals €2.6billion. My Department is seeking additional funding for a package of measures, including the development of a project pipeline for road schemes. 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. The final decisions on allocations are, however, matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.