Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when funding will be made available for structural repair works and a pedestrian bridge associated to Ardfinnan Bridge, County Tipperary in order to allow traffic to resume at a two-way system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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.

Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. Funding was provided to Tipperary County Council for repair works on Ardfinnan Bridge and these works are now complete.

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.

Allocations for 2021 will be decided as part of the general grant allocation process.