Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the non national road specific improvement grants programme; the way in which local authority prioritisation of projects influences funding decisions; the criteria used to fund projects without local authority prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30145/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant 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 economic reality of recent years has meant significant reductions in roads budgets across the board and this resulted in some grant programmes being curtailed, including the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes, in order to protect funding for road maintenance and repair and this remains the position in 2017. 

While the Capital Plan 2016-2021 does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network.  There is, therefore, limited scope at present for funding for projects under either the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes. 

Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under those Grant Programmes are assessed by my Department on a case-by-case basis, with particular consideration given to higher cost Bridge Rehabilitation Works, significant safety schemes and improvement works that promote employment.  All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. It is important to reiterate that the role of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads is to supplement local authorities in their spending in this area.