Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1052. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a detailed design has been carried out by Galway County Council and submitted to TII for funding on the R333 at Claretuam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24690/18]

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 County or City Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. TII's remit relates to national roads not regional and local roads.

Works on regional and local roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by road grants provided by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for each Council.

My Department's regional and local road grant programmes include the Bridge Rehabilitation Grant scheme and the Safety Improvement Works scheme. Under both programmes local authorities submit a list of projects in order of priority for consideration for funding. Within the constraints of the overall roads budget, allocations are then made to local authorities. The grant allocation to Galway County Council this year includes €100,000 for Bridge Rehabilitation works at Coheenaheeny, Headford on the R333, and €25,000 for Safety Improvement works at Crossura Junction on R333 (main Tuam to Headford road) with the L6134.

As regards any proposal for upgrading the R333 near Claretuam, before the financial crisis, local authorities could apply on a regular basis for grants for Specific Improvement Grants for the strengthening, widening or realignment of rural roads, including bridges, where the proposed scheme cost generally less than €5 million. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the crisis meant this grant scheme had to be curtailed after 2013 because expenditure on maintenance/renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.

The Capital Plan does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there is limited scope at present for funding projects under the Specific Grant Programme.

Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my 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.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1053. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a design plan has been completed by Galway County Council and submitted to TII for the upgrade of the N54; when it will be part of the funding allocation by Galway County Council in 2019 for major road works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24739/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1054. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a design plan being completed by Galway County Council and submitted to TII for the upgrade of the N17 at a school (details supplied); if it will be part of the funding allocation by Galway County Council in 2019 for road safety realignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24740/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.