Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a view to providing financial or grant assistance for the provision of cattle underpasses across public roads. [37722/18]

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.  Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned in relation to national roads. 

The issue of cattle underpasses arises primarily on more heavily trafficked national roads.  In that context, I understand from TII they do not have a separate grant allocated to assist farmers or private developers with the cost of installing road underpasses. However, underpasses may be provided along a new national road improvement scheme if such a need has been identified during the planning, design or implementation process of the project. In such instances, the landowner is consulted as part of the process and, where justified on environmental or economic grounds, provision may be made within the scheme design for the provision of an underpass or overbridge, as the case may be.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a more in-depth  reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.