Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid to Limerick City and County Council for restoration and maintenance of roads in each of the years 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57870/22]

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 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 amount that has been paid to Limerick City and County Council for the restoration and maintenance of regional and local roads in each of the years 2011 to 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. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:

Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.

Restoration Improvement Grant (RI):The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.

Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.

Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.

Safety Improvement Works (BS):This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.

Community Involvement Scheme (CIS):Facilitates community involvement in the repair and improvement of roads.

Drainage Programme (DR): The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.

Former National Roads (FN): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of former national roads.

Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (CCAR):The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities for road adaptation/resilience works which have become necessary due to the effects of climate change.

Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific and Strategic grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.

To date in 2022, the amount that Limerick City and County Council has drawn down is set out in the table below.

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 protection and renewal 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 the funding of projects by Limerick City & County Councils.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.