343. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport whether a dedicated emergency response fund exists to support local authorities where isolated infrastructure failures, including road collapses, bridge damage, drainage failures or other unforeseen events, require immediate intervention outside the normal roads programme; the amount allocated under such a fund in each of the past five years by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59056/26]

629. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport whether a dedicated emergency funding scheme exists to support local authorities in carrying out urgent or emergency repairs to damaged road and bridge infrastructure; the funding allocated under such a scheme in each of the past five years, by local authority in Connaught; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59031/26]

630. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications for emergency funding relating to regional and local road infrastructure received from Galway County Council in each of the past five years; the number approved; the value of each application and approval; the average processing time for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59032/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 629 and 630 together.

In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.

My Department does not set aside contingency funds at national level for unforeseen weather events. However, local authorities have the flexibility to revise their annual work programmes in response to isolated infrastructure failures and emergency repairs required to damaged road and bridge infrastructure to prioritise urgent repairs. In this context, the Department will work with local authorities to reallocate funds and address areas of urgent and immediate concern as deemed appropriate by the local authority.

At the end of each year, as part of the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, my Department reviews any additional expenditure that may have been incurred by local authorities. Where possible, it will apportion funds to some of that additionally incurred expenditure.

Local authorities are advised to set aside a contingency fund from Department allocations and own resources to manage severe weather events, including flooding and cold weather.

My Department has provided severe weather allocations to local authorities in recent years, where, due to the scale of the damage caused by severe weather events and the associated repair costs, it has not been possible for my Department to assist local authorities from within existing budgets.

On 1 July, I announced additional exceptional funding of €40 million to address the damage caused to regional and local roads by Storm Chandra earlier this year. This additional funding will permit those local authorities facing the most significant road damage to undertake necessary remediation work.

Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities, including severe weather allocations, are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available on the Oireachtas Digital Library.

It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is also open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.