Calls on Department of Transport to increase funding for roads

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications has agreed to contact the Department of Transport to increase funding to maintain regional and local roads.

Officials from local authorities met with members of committee members on Transport and Communications this morning-where they outlined the ongoing funding pressures being experienced by local authorities in maintaining roads.

The committee were told that funding for local and regional roads has decreased dramatically in recent years, from €700m in 2007 to a projected €400m this year.

Committee Vice-Chairman John O'Mahony TD said the quality of local roads has a significant impact on the life of citizens and the committee has agreed to write to the Department to request that more resources be made available to maintain the road network.