Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1049. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if road funding will be increased for counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46583/17]

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 transport element of the Capital Plan is based on a gradual build up in capital funding for the road network from a relatively low base towards the levels needed to support maintenance and improvement works.

Overall allocations over the next few years will reflect the current and capital funding available to my Department.  It is expected that regional and local road allocations for 2018 will be notified to local authorities in January 2018.

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 and I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising investment in roads infrastructure when allocating own resources.  I expect local authorities to bear this in mind during their 2018 budget setting process.

As regards funding for national roads in Cavan and Monaghan, within the budget available to it, allocations to individual local authorities are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to TII for reply.  If you have not received a reply within 10 working days please advise my office.