Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) 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 the councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

In regard to a second bridge and southern relief road for Newbridge, my Department has not received applications for funding from Kildare County Council in relation to these works.

My Department is currently funding two Strategic schemes in Kildare namely Sallins By-Pass and the Athy Southern Distributor Road. 

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. 

Project Ireland 2040 identifies a programme of regional and local road improvement projects to be progressed with grant support and the Athy Southern Distributor Road is one of those projects.  Implementation of the programme of projects is on a phased basis and progression of each project is subject to the profile of annual capital allocations available to the Department. 

Implementation of the Athy scheme is the responsibility of Kildare County Council. Grant funding of €3.5 million has been allocated to the Council for this project in 2020. My Department recently approved this project to proceed to tender for the main construction contract.