The Minister for Transport has been slammed after it was revealed that the 2018 budget for road maintenance is to drop by 15% compared to this year.

Minister Shane Ross confirmed the budget has dropped from €26 million to €22m.

The budget covers maintenance such as repairs on roads and barriers, tending verges and winter maintenance such as gritting and salting roads.

Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Imelda Munster said: "The Minister has been claiming that road allocations have increased for 2018, however this cut is further evidence that the budget is insufficient. The road maintenance budget dramatically reduced in the past decade. Minister Ross was aware of the issues and underfunding since he took office, yet he continues to ignore the funding issues in the sector.

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"The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee recently heard that road maintenance is underfunded by €90-€100million per annum, with only 130km of the necessary 400km annual maintenance being carried out.

"The road network will deteriorate by €1billion per annum without investment, and given the Minister's current attitude we are leaving ourselves open to significant issues with our roads and potentially major road safety issues if this matter isn’t addressed immediately."

(CD/MH)