New €23m Road Grant Programme Unveiled

A new two year €23 million Community Involvement Grant Programme for regional and local roads has been launched.

The programme was announced by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross, who had previously secured funding of €10 million for the projects back in January.

He said: "In view of the strength of the response, and the evident need in many areas, I am delighted to provide funding of up to €23.1 million over a two year period. This will allow a greater number of projects to go ahead and give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme.


"Based on an average 19% contribution rate, this will allow work with a value of €28.5 million to be undertaken. These works will be of immense benefit to local communities up and down Ireland, and underpins my commitment to enhancing and supporting vibrant community projects, particularly in rural Ireland."

The proposed works include providing hard standing material at field entrances or removal of banks at the edge of a road, drainage works, road surface strengthening and repair works, the repair and construction of footways, the improvement of sight lines, the easing of bends and the provision of passing bays.

The purpose of the Community Involvement Scheme is to facilitate local participation in road repairs to allow improvements to be made sooner.

The Minister concluded: "I hope that this scheme will allow local authorities and communities to work together to achieve tangible improvements and I look forward to seeing the results of their combined effort."

(CM)