Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

322. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in allocated funding being drawn down by Kerry County Council in respect of Listry Bridge on the R563, County Kerry; the details of any correspondence between the local authority and his Department since January 2020 on the bridge; if his Department has changed its position on supporting the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15067/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.

A preliminary appraisal has been received from Kerry County Council concerning a number of options for Listry Bridge.  The Department requested additional survey investigation to be undertaken to inform the options and ensure all appropriate measures are considered to achieve maximum value for money in accordance with the Public Spending Code. Funding was provided in 2019 and 2020 to assist with these studies and a revised submission was received at the end of 2020. The Department will consider this submission including project need, objectives, options and cost. 

Progression of a scheme is dependent on funding availability and in the context of other projects currently funded.  In this regard, Kerry County Council has been allocated in excess of €29.5m in regional and local road grants in 2021 which is an increase of 17% from 2020 and 30% from 2019.  These figures include Specific Improvement road grants for the R556 Dale Road, Tralee to Fenit realignment, Clash Cross to Ballymullen as well as the Strategic scheme Tralee Northern Relief Road.      

The drawdown of funds for a project in any particular year is a matter for the local authority.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

323. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress on the R556 Rathscannell to Dale Road specific improvement project; the anticipated timeline for the completion of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15068/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 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.

The Department is providing grant support for this project from Ballinclogher to Rathscannell which aims to improve the safety and the quality of this regional road. To date, Kerry County Council has drawn down about €1.1 million for this project.

€2.5 million has been allocated to this scheme in 2021. Implementation of the scheme is the responsibility of Kerry County Council.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

324. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of efforts to connect Tralee to Listowel, County Kerry, via the old railway line; the anticipated timeline for the drawdown of funding allocated towards this project by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15069/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is funding the construction of the Listowel to Limerick county boundary part of the Great Southern Greenway in Kerry and also the Tralee to Fenit section, but not the Tralee to Listowel section. A condition of that funding was that Kerry County Council would progress the planning and design of the Tralee to Listowel section from their own resources.

The first stage in the development of the Tralee to Listowel Greenway is engagement with adjacent landowners and a wider overall public consultation. Unfortunately, as many of these interactions need to be conducted on-site, due to current COVID-19 restrictions this has not been possible. It is anticipated that once the current restrictions are lifted, to the extent that meetings with the public can be facilitated, Kerry County Council will re-commence this initial consultation phase.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

325. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a pilot project for local authorities to link towns and villages via priority cycle routes using existing old roads, tertiary roads, quiet local roads and other available public space; if so, if funding will be provided under such a scheme to go towards the required signage, surfacing, sight distance improvement works and other safety measures required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15070/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand that officials are examining this issue as part of a wider examination of cycling infrastructure improvements around the country. The National Transport Authority are looking at revising the National Cycle Manual and officials in my Department are examining other measures to ensure safer cycling around the country. It is too early in the process to state what the outcome of that work will be but, given the significant increase in funding provided for cycling and walking in the Programme for Government, there should not be an issue with finding funding for appropriate interventions should that be the outcome of the work.