Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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229. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress on the port access northern cross-route, Drogheda; if estimated costings for the delivery of the project can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in Co. Louth is the statutory responsibility of Louth County Council, 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. My Department has no grant application on hand in relation to the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Port Access road.

Given the cutbacks in State funding for regional and local roads since the financial crisis, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. The bulk of the funding allocated under Project Ireland 2040 is, therefore, earmarked for the maintenance and renewal of the road network with some limited investment in the new projects.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation for 2019 for the Narrow Water Bridge project. [27072/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Fresh Start Agreement includes a commitment to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development. Work is continuing, under the aegis of the North/South Senior Officials Group, on the examination of options with a view to their consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) when that body is reconvened.

Pending future decisions on the project, there is no specific allocation of funding for a Narrow Water Bridge scheme.