Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will arrange to invest in the many single-lane bridges throughout Kerry that are too narrow and have deteriorated with age (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46708/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme, which allows local authorities to apply each year for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.

Any new road/bridge projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed 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.

Grant allocations for 2025 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.