Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he plans to prioritise the upgrading of existing major arterial routes and the provision of strategic motorways to facilitate economic development throughout the country in both urban and rural settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38010/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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. 

However, with regard to my plans and priorities for the upgrading of road infrastructure and the provision of strategic motorways across the country, I would like to emphasise that I am committed to the delivery of road development projects under my Department's Road Capital Programme.  I am also committed to the objectives in the National Development Plan in the context of the National Planning Framework i.e.

- to enhance regional and urban accessibility;

- increase connectivity;

- to reduce journey times;

- remove bottlenecks and improve safety. 

New roads are and will be built to connect communities and encourage economic activity.  For example, regional and local roads will benefit from an estimated €4.5 billion investment under the National Development Plan, which is a significant increase compared to previous years.  Also, critical national road developments, already underway and committed to, are outlined under the National Strategic objectives.  

An important element of the National Roads Network is maintenance and development. The upgrading of the National Roads Network (5,260 km) involves on-going work to keep the network in an adequate condition.  There is also the Rural Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (RRIS) and the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).  Both Schemes support improvement works to Regional and local roads in order to maintain them to a high quality.  Funding has been made available to road authorities for national and regional/local road upgrades.  There are many examples of national and regional/local road projects that are currently being developed and maintained.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for direct reply.  TII will be in a position to provide details on the various road projects and upgrades currently underway and planned projects for the future.  If you do not hear within 10 working days, please revert to my private office.