Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
156. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received applications from Cork County Council for improvement grant aid towards the R572 each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41341/24]
View answer178. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm the allocation under the specific improvement grants from 2000 to 2024 for the R572 regional road to Castletownbere fishing port, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41340/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 178 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. 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.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding 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 Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport 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.
Funding has been provided for three Specific Improvement Grant schemes on the R572 between 2000 and 2024 as follows:
• SG: R572 Castletownbere Road received funding from the Department between 2010 and 2012.
• SG: R572 Loughavaul Pavement Strengthening received funding from the Department between 2013 and 2015.
• SG: R572 Realignment at Adrigole is an ongoing scheme which first received funding under the Specific Improvement Grant in 2023.
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.
Cork County Council received an allocation of €50,000 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme for the R572 Realignment project. Planning and implementation of the R572 Realignment project is the responsibility of Cork County Council.
