Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

580. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if each road identified for upgrading or construction in the Government's original capital plan 2016 to 2017 and in the amended version is based on the recommendation and prioritisation of TII only. [42378/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Given its role in relation to national roads TII's input is taken into account in drafting capital expenditure programmes but TII does not have a policy role in relation to regional and local roads. As Minister, therefore, I have to take an overview of overall Departmental policy not alone regarding the national, regional and local road network but across all the sectors for which the Department is responsible in deciding capital expenditure priorities.

In light of the conclusions in the Department's SFILT, priority is being given to bringing maintenance and renewal expenditure back to the levels required to maintain our transport network adequately and this has meant that the scope for new projects is limited. Clearly as Minister I would like to be in a position to see more projects advance but I have to work within the budget available to me and this does impact on priorities.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

581. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to be able to obtain inclusion in the capital programme of the most urgently required major road projects throughout the country with a view to facilitating free movement of traffic and adherence to highest possible safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42417/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

582. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has identified known accident black spots throughout the country on local or regional roads with a view to major or minor remedial works to alleviate the problem and improve the safety for all road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42419/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has identified the most heavily trafficked arterial, regional or local routes with a view to provision of alternatives and in keeping with best safety standards and convenience for road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42420/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 to 583, inclusive, together.

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. The Plan also provides for a limited number of road improvement projects to address specific issues such as bottlenecks and port connectivity.

Statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads lies with the relevant local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority. Similarly, within the budget available to it the prioritisation of expenditure in respect of national roads is a matter for TII.

Local authorities are responsible for mapping and collating available collision data on regional and local roads. Where analysis shows that engineering measures may assist in reducing the collision risk at a particular location then any local authority which is not fully self funding in terms of roads (under the new Local Property Tax regime) may apply to my Department for funding under the Safety Improvement works programme. Each year monies are made available to local authorities for such works with priority given to works that are considered to be most effective in reducing collisions.

Collision data for national roads is mapped and collated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

As regards the possibility of additional funding within the Plan period, I have sought extra funding for a package of measures under the Capital Plan Review process. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has, however, yet to decide on specific additional allocations.