Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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155. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or his Department have had any meetings with a local authority (details supplied) on the provision of a vital piece of infrastructure for a town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32793/22]

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 each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State grants, where applicable. 

The major cuts to funding for regional and local roads during the post 2008 recession resulted in the build-up of a substantial backlog of works across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion. Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.

Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding under the Regional and Local Road 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 (PSC) and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. 

No application for funding has been received by my Department from Kildare County Council in relation to the proposed second bridge in Newbridge.