Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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417. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the completion and re-opening of the bridge at Ardfinnan, County Tipperary; the timeframe for the work to commence; the timeframe for full completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48722/19]

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 local authority 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 the Council.

An allocation of €400,000 was given to Tipperary this year for repair works on Ardfinnan Bridge and these works have been completed recently. 

Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific 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 the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF).  Given the limited funding available for RLR improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. 

As required under the project appraisal guidelines, a Preliminary Appraisal has been received from Tipperary County Council concerning pedestrian and cycling options at Ardfinnan Bridge.  All applications received from local authorities for specific grant allocations have to be assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget with a view to maximising value for money and meeting Government strategic objectives, where possible.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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418. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the provision of a new bridge at Ballina, County Tipperary; the stage at which the project is at; when the project will be completed; if there is sufficient funding available for the project to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48723/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, 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. 

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the Shannon Bridge Crossing at Killaloe/Ballina. This bridge is one element of the proposed Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade scheme.  Clare County Council is responsible for implementation of the scheme which is at land acquisition, site investigation and design stage.  An updated Business Case for the scheme is in the process of being finalised as required in the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and in this context a construction programme for the Shannon bridge has not been finalised as yet.

Funding for the scheme is being provided from the  Project Ireland 2040 capital envelope for regional and local road improvement projects.  Schemes are being managed on a programme basis with phased implementation taking account of the profile of annual capital allocations.