Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a detailed timeline and breakdown will be provided in respect of the drawdown of funding from his Department to the local authority in relation to a traffic calming project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26866/22]

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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. 

My Department provides funding for Low Cost Safety Improvement Schemes and applications are invited on an annual basis for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. As previously indicated, when submitting projects for consideration, local authorities are required to set out the collision history of the works site and outline how the proposed project should reduce collisions or address a hazard. Applications are reviewed and assessed by the Department's Engineering Inspectorate prior to allocations being finalised.

In this case the Department sought further clarification of the proposal, including the proposed method of speed reduction.  Following approval of the scheme, funding totalling €97,251 was provided over 2020 and 2021. 

For this particular low cost safety scheme funding was sought and allocated as follows:

My Department has been informed by Kerry County Council that over the 2 years the full extent of works carried out were as follows:

- 162.5 m²of widened footpath and kerbing.

- Replacement drainage and gullies along this length of new footpath.

- Replacement Service Ducts along this length of new footpath.

- Provision of 1,400 m²of High Friction Surfacing.

- Excavation and disposal of material over 120 m²existing road surface to adjust vertical alignment and address the issue in the vicinity of the bridge towards the eastern end which caused cars to veer into the opposing lane

- Replacement of this excavated area with Cl. 804 sub-base, DBM Basecourse and Cl. 942 wearing course to realigned levels.

- Ancillary works associated with the above.

It is the responsibility of the relevant local authority to implement grant aided schemes on the basis approved and in accordance with the terms of the Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads.  The Department expects Councils to undertake appropriate due diligence when submitting claims for payment.  As regards the breakdown of expenditure provided to the Deputy by Kerry County Council, this breakdown is consistent with the claims submitted by the Council to the Department regarding the project during 2020 and 2021.  In relation to materials covered by claims,  these include 10mm DBM, Clause 804, Ready Mix Concrete, road signs, and 600mm OG pipes.  Labour costs related to wages, employer PRSI, overtime and allowed overhead. Claims under other headings related to a range of plant and equipment and minor contracts covering such items as use of a mini digger, roller,  low loader, traffic lights,  road markings and engineering.

The Department’s Regional and Local Road Engineering Inspectorate visit each local authority approximately twice each year to visually inspect funded projects.  Due to the high number of projects carried out each year in all grant categories, this is a spot check prioritising the larger projects and a representative sample of the smaller projects and specific highlighted projects such as from severe weather for example.  The Boolteens safety scheme will be included in an inspection over coming weeks.