Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision of funding for traffic calming measures and the amount applied for in Cork city and county respectively in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30460/24]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision of funding for road maintenance and the amount applied for in Cork city and county respectively in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30461/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.

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 on the Oireachtas Digital Library.

As regards the funding provided to Cork City and County Councils for road maintenance, within the budget available to the Department, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain the network. The allocation of the three biggest exchequer grant types (restoration maintenance, restoration improvement, and discretionary grants) are based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority’s area, with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.

This approach also means that, while central Government is supplying significant funding, we are acknowledging that local authorities themselves are best placed to make determinations in their own areas for maximum delivery of results. Indeed, the initial selection and prioritisation of maintenance and renewal works is a matter for each local authority. There is flexibility within the State grant programme for Councils to direct resources to address particular problems identified on their networks as they see fit.

In addition, the Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Programme. Applications are sought each year from local authorities under this programme for consideration for funding in the subsequent year. In this context funding can be sought for traffic calming measures.

Regarding national roads, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Road Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management 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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

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.