Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has been requested to allocate further money to the Department of Transport to help fund the repair of the rural road network, which is in bad need of repair urgently. [19496/24]
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. On 15th February an Exchequer investment of €658 million in our regional and local roads across the State was announced which represents an increase of €32 million over the 2023 allocations. Each local authority received an increase in funding for their Restoration Improvement grant. This Exchequer funding is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. The primary focus for capital investment under the National Development Plan continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network which plays a critical role in supporting economic and community links throughout the country. Ireland's regional and local road network spans over 96,000kms. The network requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilience. In addition to protecting and renewing the regional and local road network, it is a priority to carry out targeted improvements to sections of the network and €677 million has been earmarked in the NDP, over its lifetime, for this aim. Lastly, I recognise the impact that persistent rainfall this winter has had on the regional and local road network and I am exploring options as to any supports that might potentially be provided to local authorities. This will of course be dependent on the availability of funding from across my Department's wider investment programme.
