Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2024
58. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to outline any additional funding given to Offaly County Council from central Government for strengthening of roads that are transversing peatlands in 2022, 2023 and 2024. [25659/24]
View answerIn 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. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Offaly County Council in conjunction with the Department of Transport have been working on a pilot project for the roads over peat. The pilot project is to help identify innovative solutions in dealing with the issue of road over peat.
Between 2022 and 2023, Offaly County Council received €1,953,572 in funding for this pilot project. In 2024, the Council has been allocated €1 million for the pilot project.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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 TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise in relation to any additional funding for National Roads transversing peatlands in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
