Funding of almost €434 million for secondary roads was announced by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Cullen, in Waterford yesterday.
The package also provides for appropriate road markings to be introduced on the 11,000-kilometre regional road network, to address inconsistencies between individual counties.
"For 2003, €433.986 million is being provided for non-national roads. This is double the 1997 provision and is just shy of the 2002 payment of €435 million," Mr Cullen said.
"The penalty points system demonstrates the Government's commitment to road safety. However, despite record levels of funding in the non-national network, inconsistencies in road markings exist between counties. Roads with markings such as cats' eyes lead to safer driving.
"To address these inconsistencies, the Department will provide appropriate road markings on all 11,000 kilometres of the regional road network.
"Such a practical measure will benefit all road users by enhancing road safety," he added.
Schemes which will benefit this year from the funding include the Lusk by-pass, Naas Ring Road, Enfield-Edenderry Road, Castletroy Distributor Roads, Trim-Dublin Improvement Scheme, South Dublin Outer Ring Road, Tramore Ring Road, Wicklow Town Relief and Port Access Road, Ballybeg Road, Waterford and the Outer Ring Road, also in Waterford.