Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received an application for a specific road grant in 2023 from Galway County Council for a road (details supplied); when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1005/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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213. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received an application for a specific road grant in 2023 from Mayo County Council for a road (details supplied); when a decision will be made on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1006/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.

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 road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

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 for regional and local roads 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 under the Specific 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 and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework. 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.

The Department has been providing Specific Grant funding to Mayo County Council for the R332 Kilmaine to Foxhall scheme for a number of years including an allocation of €150,000 in 2022. Allocations for 2023 will be notified to local authorities as part of the general grant allocation process which will be issued as soon as possible.

My Department has not received an application from Galway County Council for specific grant funding in 2023 to carry out studies in relation to raising the road at Cuan na Loinge, Béal an Daingin, Conamara.