Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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525. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application submitted under the specific improvement grant scheme by Westmeath County Council in the context of the circular management and appraisal of regional and local road strategic and specific road improvements programme will be expedited (details supplied). [42976/19]

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. 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 a matter for each Council.

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.

Project Ireland 2040 does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take time 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 this 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. Westmeath County Council have submitted an application for funding under the Specific Improvement Grant for the Saunders Pedestrian and Cycleway Bridge Project in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.

As required under the capital project appraisal process Westmeath County Council has also submitted a Preliminary Appraisal in relation to this project. Once that appraisal is assessed, taking into account other competing projects and the overall roads budget, my Department will respond to Westmeath County Council.