John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1610. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for projects within the South Dublin County Council administrative area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38589/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the administration of the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme. This rolling programme of measures facilitates investment in various QBCs, cycling/walking, safety and traffic management projects throughout the seven local authority areas in the Greater Dublin Area, including South Dublin County Council.

Noting the NTA's responsibility for the STMG Programme, I have referred your question to the Authority for a more detailed reply in relation to sustainable transport projects in South Dublin. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

In relation to regional and local roads in the South Dublin area, 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 regional and local roads are funded from the relevant local authorities' own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts the four Dublin Councils became self-funding for regional and local roads under the main road grant categories from 2015. Provision was made in the Capital Plan for the upgrade of roads in the vicinity of Grange Castle Business Park and the Department is providing grant assistance for that strategic scheme at present.

Furthermore, the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme closed for applications on the 24th February and a number of applications have been received from within the South Dublin County Council administrative area. All of the applications received are currently being assessed by officials in my Department. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information submitted, it will take a further number of weeks to complete this process. I expect that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in the coming month.