Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; his views on the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28250/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Firstly, I am sorry to hear of the ill-health and ensuing difficulties of your constituent.

However, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's 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.

All grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated.  The grants this year include provision for:

-An 18% increase in Restoration Improvement monies for road strengthening works;

-A 17% increase in Restoration Maintenance monies for surface dressing works;

-The introduction of a new grant for Drainage works;

-Ring fenced monies for Community Involvement Schemes . 

It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account.  In this context I continue to emphasise to local authorities the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.