Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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33. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total capital investments for transport allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath in 2020 and 2021; and the breakdown of the usage of these funds. [36617/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Deputy, my reply sets out the direct sources of information concerning capital investments for transport allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath in 2020 and 2021.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on capital investments relating to national roads and the portion of investment falling within individual counties.

As Minister for Transport, I also have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, and non-statutory responsibility elsewhere, including counties Longford and Westmeath.

I have referred your question to both TII and the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 days.

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

As regards the capital allocations to counties Longford and Westmeath in 2020 and 2021 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.

The tables included in the allocations and payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. Within the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes, the Restoration Maintenance and Training Grant Programmes are funded from current monies rather than capital.

I trust that this information is of assistance to you.