Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport her views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38638/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.

Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the development and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the planned review of the NDP and use the review to set out an updated NDP for the period out to 2030. Road projects generally will be considered in this context. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040. Work is underway within my Department to contribute to this planned review.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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252. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when Ministerial approval to allow the appointment of a contractor for works on the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Road, County Limerick; when he expects the approval to be granted and the road completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38652/20]

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. State grants, where applicable, are intended to supplement the funding allocated to the maintenance and improvement of roads by local authorities from their own resources.

The National Development Plan (NDP) does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads. For this reason the primary focus for capital investment continues to be the maintenance and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement schemes. In this context 12 regional and local road improvement projects were identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the NDP and the construction of a Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road is one of those schemes.

Under the Public Spending Code, capital projects are subject to review and approval at a number of stages. As required under the Code Limerick City and County Council has submitted a recommendation regarding the award of a contract for the construction of the main scheme and I am considering the project at present.